Retail

Bloomberg Campbell Soup Co agreed to sell its European potato chips business to Valeo Foods Group Ltd for about 66 million pounds ($80 million), the soupmaker’s latest divestment as it simplifies operations. Valeo, a Dublin-based food producer, will acquire the Yellow and Kettle brand chips for the European market, according to a statement. Campbell will retain the Kettle brand for ...

Bloomberg Tadashi Yanai, Fast Retailing Co’s 70-year-old billionaire founder, said he would prefer to be succeeded by a woman, which would be better for Asia’s largest retailer. “The job is more suitable for a woman,” Yanai, the chief executive officer behind clothing giant Uniqlo, said in an interview. “They are persevering, detailed oriented and have an aesthetic sense.” As Yanai ...

Bloomberg Fast-fashion giant Zara denied speculation on Chinese social media that the retailer’s employees were supporting anti-Beijing protests that disrupted some of its store operations. “Zara has never made any comments or undertaken any actions related to a strike in Hong Kong,” the company said in a post on its Weibo account. “Zara does not back a strike and supports ...

Bloomberg Topsports International Holdings Ltd, the private equity-backed Chinese sportswear retailer, plans to seek Hong Kong stock exchange approval next week for its initial public offering, people with knowledge of the matter said. The company, which is a unit of women’s shoe retailer Belle International Holdings Ltd, plans to sell shares in September if it passes the listing hearing, according ...

Bloomberg Steinhoff International Holdings NV nominated Mazars LLP’s Netherlands unit as its new group auditor as the South African retailer looks to make a fresh start after it was almost destroyed by an accounting scandal. Mazars accepted an offer to replace Deloitte, Steinhoff’s board said at its annual general meeting in an Amsterdam hotel. Shareholders will able to vote on ...

Bloomberg Hudson’s Bay Co’s European adventure is nearing an end, as the Canadian retailer plans to close its 15 Dutch department stores, Het Financieele Dagblad reported. The company will shut the stores and dismiss the workforce of more than 1,400 by the end of the year, the Dutch newspaper said, citing a letter from Hudson’s Bay. A spokesperson wasn’t immediately ...

Bloomberg Forever 21 Inc is preparing for a potential bankruptcy filing as the fashion retailer’s cash dwindles and turnaround options fade, according to people with knowledge of the plans. The company has been in talks for additional financing and working with a team of advisers to help it restructure its debt, but negotiations with possible lenders have so far stalled, ...

Bloomberg Debt-laden UK travel giant Thomas Cook Group Plc secured the backing of its lending banks and bondholders for a $1.1 billion bailout led by Chinese investor Fosun Tourism Group. Fosun will provide half of the total in return for control of Cook’s tour-operator arm and a stake in its airline, the London-based holiday firm said. Banks and noteholders will ...

Bloomberg Struggling pizza maker Papa John’s International Inc appointed Arby’s President Rob Lynch as chief executive officer, naming an outsider as it further breaks from its controversial founder John Schnatter. Lynch, a fast-food industry veteran, will replace Steve Ritchie. It’s the biggest shakeup since activist shareholder Starboard Value set its sights on the pizza company. In a statement, Chairman Jeff ...

Bloomberg Premium shoemaker Cole Haan, currently owned by private equity, is preparing for an initial public offering, following robust sales and profit growth. “Our management team is confident in the opportunities we have created for the Cole Haan brand and our business globally,” Chief Executive Officer Jack Boys said in a statement. “Based on the momentum we have generated in ...