International Strategy

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to expand its footprint in China by nearly a third by opening 115 new stores by 2017, the firm's chief executive said, in a renewed push to lure China's grocery shoppers despite slowing growth. "Our aim is to become an integral part of China's economy," Chief Executive Doug McMillon said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday. Wal-Mart's new push in China comes as global supermarket firms seek ways to tackle slowing growth in the world's second-biggest economy.

Target's exodus from Canada has left gaping holes at some of the most prominent shopping centers across the country, the biggest symbol of an exceptional period of retailing turmoil. As Target Canada closed the last of its 133 stores this month — completing the parent company's hasty retreat from its first international expansion, a move that prompted a $4.5 billion write-down — many landlords were left holding properties whose fates are uncertain. They, along with many other creditors, argue that Target is abusing Canadian law at their expense as it leaves the country after less than two years.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said it had a range of measures to fight counterfeits on its websites — remarks that come after a trade group requested U.S. government help in prodding the Chinese e-commerce giant into action against fake goods.

Best Buy announced Saturday that it's consolidating its Canadian division. Its namesake brand and the Future Shop locations it acquired in 2001 will now all function under the Best Buy name. Currently a large number of Future Shop and Best Buys are positioned side by side. As a result, 66 Future Shop locations are being shut down for good. The other 65 Future Shop locations will be shuttered for one week to complete the transition. Once they reopen, Best Buy will have 192 locations in Canada.

Merchants have an increasing appetite for international expansion through their e-commerce channels. Late last year, Digital River commissioned Forrester Consulting to survey 130 executives and decision-makers at branded manufacturers in the U.S. and U.K. We wanted to know more about how companies are thinking about international expansion. The results of the survey were clear: More than ever before, companies are focused on geographic expansion in new online markets, and they have aggressive expectations for speed to market and profitability. Here are a list of tips for companies that are on the brink of their first international expansion project:

Retailers expanding into Canada would do well to focus on the customer experience. Offer superior merchandise that shoppers can't get at home and sweeten the pot with free shipping, especially during U.S. and Canadian holidays. With those investments, and an eye towards long-term growth, the road to the north will most certainly lead to checkout.

For most online merchants, it's not a question of whether to sell internationally, but how to go about it. The potential that international markets represent for online merchants large and small is simply too big to pass up. The dramatic increase in potential customer base, the far higher growth rates for e-commerce in nations outside the U.S., and the value of geographic diversification cannot be understated.

The 2015 annual report of the TJX Companies says it all. Net sales for the past fiscal year were $29.1 billion, which is greater than Macy's report of $28.1 billion. In the past year, sales increased 6.2 percent, reflecting customer demand for value fashion. Comparable sales increased 2 percent. It's significant that in the fourth quarter net earnings jumped 15 percent. Today, TJX Companies Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the United States and worldwide.

Target is calling it quits in Canada. The Minneapolis-based retailer announced this morning that it will shutter its 133 stores north of the border after a challenging two years with its first international expansion outside the U.S. Its Canadian operations have been plagued with problems from the start amid issues such as keeping shelves stocked and perceptions that its prices were too high. While Target initially hoped to begin turning a profit in Canada by the end of 2013, instead it has racked up about $1.6 billion in losses to date.

Japanese fast-fashion giant Uniqlo is coming under fire for what critics say are harsh and dangerous working conditions at the Chinese factories that make its rainbow-colored array of low-cost skinny jeans and cashmere sweaters. Undercover researchers from the Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM) found that workers at two Uniqlo suppliers in southern China were being underpaid, overworked and subject to unsafe conditions, including sewage-covered floors, poor ventilation and sweltering temperatures.