International Strategy

Target's plan to open up to 135 stores in Canada is rapidly taking shape as the retailer released the locations of its first 24 stores in the country. As previously announced, Target purchased the leasehold interests of 189 sites currently operated by Zellers.

The Mint empire, which includes StyleMint, Kate Bosworth's jewelry site JewelMint, and Rachel Bilson's venture ShoeMint, have announced shipping to Canada is officially in effect.

American Eagle Outfitters recently opened stores in three new international markets — Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. The retailer opened its store in Jordan at the Taj Mall on Nov. 30; the Morocco store opened in Casablanca at Morocco Mall on Dec. 1; and the Egypt store opened in Cairo’s City Stars Mall on Dec. 10.

Coach has opened a temporary online store in China. Housed on the e-commerce site Taobao Mall, the online store will operate from Dec. 12 to Jan. 15, and will offer accessories and gift items, as well as some exclusive and limited-edition products.

Wal-Mart is investigating potential corruption in its overseas practices, the company said. In a quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Wal-Mart said it began an internal investigation “into whether certain matters, including permitting, licensing and inspections, were in compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,” and that it had already taken unspecified remedial measures in relation to the investigation. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits bribery and enforces accounting standards for U.S. companies doing international business.

Forever 21 signed an agreement to open a flagship in Beijing, one part of a plan by the fashion retailer to expand into the world’s largest emerging consumer market. The chain will open a 24,000 square-foot store in a multistory mall located in Beijing’s central shopping district, Wangfujing.

The exploding economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC countries) have become very attractive to e-merchants looking to get in on the ground floor of these emerging markets. Despite the fact that internet penetration remains less than 50 percent in all four markets, the sheer population of these countries points to tremendous growth opportunity. With a combined e-commerce market value already exceeding $109 billion, the BRIC markets truly have nowhere to go but up.

Gap, which opened its flagship store in Hong Kong on Nov. 25, said it intends to increase its store presence in China by five times in the next year. The retailer said it expects to have 45 stores in China by the end of 2012.

Western businesses can't just assume that the same old dot-com model that has worked so well in the U.S. and Europe will enjoy similar success in other marketplaces. They need to be reminded that even Western markets are unique, so the challenge is really nothing new.

Sally Beauty has acquired Netherlands-based Kappersservice Floral and two related companies, Hair Zone and Exphair, as part of the company’s international growth strategy.