International Strategy

Karen Katz, president and CEO of The Neiman Marcus Group, announced that the company is making a noncontrolling strategic investment in Glamour Sales Holding, a privately held e-commerce company. This will be the company's first move into the fast-growing luxury retail market in China. "We are taking this bold step to establish Neiman Marcus Group as an international brand," said Katz.

QVC, a leader in video and e-commerce retail, announced that it's signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture with Beijing-based China National Radio (CNR), China's government-owned radio division. As partners in a joint venture, CNR and QVC will jointly operate a multimedia retailing business in China through the CNR Mall TV shopping channel and its e-commerce website.

RadioShack, a national retailer of innovative mobile and technology products, services and accessories, and Berjaya Retail Berhad, a Malaysian retail group with diverse franchised brands, have signed a master development agreement that substantially expands RadioShack's global footprint across 10 Southeast Asian countries. Under the long-term agreement, Berjaya Retail (Cayman) Limited as franchise developer is expected to open at least 1,000 franchise locations across the Association of Southeast Asia Nations within the first 10 years. 

Gap has opened its first store in South Africa. The expansion in the region comes as the company is closing stores in North America and opening outlets in other emerging markets. 

Floors Direct announced the launch of a new national retail website, floorsdirect.com.au, the first one-stop timber flooring store for online consumers in Australia. The new website enables consumers to review timber flooring products, compare pricing, and order and pay online from the convenience of their home or business.

Destination Maternity, the maternity apparel retailer, today announced the expansion of its business in South Korea with the launch of a dedicated South Korean e-commerce site. South Korean consumers will now be able to shop online for A Pea in the Pod, A Pea in the Pod Collection and Motherhood Maternity brand maternity clothing and accessories. The site will be operated by Destination Maternity's South Korean franchise partner, Agabang & Company, and will provide a fast, easy shopping experience for consumers with convenient local shipping.

A South African court today has largely dismissed an appeal from its government and unions to roll back approval for Wal-Mart's $2.4 billion acquisition of Massmart, ending months of uncertainty about the status of the deal.

Skechers announced that it's transitioning its business in Japan from a third-party distributor to a new wholly owned subsidiary, Skechers Japan. With plans to double its business in Japan over the next three years to five years, the company will make a full-scale entry into the market starting with its 2012 autumn/winter collection of performance and lifestyle footwear for men, women and children.

Sears Canada is closing three of its stores in Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa as the struggling retailer continues to contend with deteriorating sales and shrinking market share.

Luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter has acquired the Hong Kong-based designer fashion website Shouke.com, a move which will enable the British online retailer to enter the lucrative Chinese market.