Levi Strauss

New York -- Levi Strauss & Co. promoted Joelle Mahler, senior VP of Americas Retail, to the new post of executive VP of the company, and president of global retail, effective immediately. Mahler will be responsible for Levi’s retail operations worldwide, including company-owned, franchise and outlet stores, along with e-commerce.

High-end outdoor clothier and gear maker Patagonia is out to prove that a company can generate strong sales while being nearly fanatical about environmental concerns. The Ventura, Calif., company was the first major clothier to make fleece jackets out of recycled bottles. Nearly a third of the power for its headquarters and adjoining child-care center comes from solar. And it donates 1 percent of its sales to environmental causes. With Patagonia being a privately held company, its finances aren't public, but it says it's riding a growth curve. 

Bad news: your cherished denim might not be so great for Mother Nature. Levi Strauss released a statement saying the typical pair of blue jeans consumes 919 gallons of water during its lifespan, or the equivalent of 15 spa-size bathtubs.

Sophisticated technology, less staff at stores and more gang activity are all contributing to more U.S. stores being hit by organized crime, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

The Bath and Body Works unit of Limited Brands said it's named former Lands’ End president Nick Coe as its new CEO. Current CEO Diane Neal, at the helm since 2007, will remain in that role through the summer. After that, she will transition into an advisory role with the company and work from San Francisco, according to the company.

Levi Strauss has opened an internet store on China's largest retail website Taobao as it seeks to grab a share of the fast-growing online consumer market. Levi's launched its flagship online store in China on the Taobao Mall platform.