| Global retail industry news |  |
- New Abu Dhabi Ikea store to offer total experience
Ikea is preparing to open another store in Abu Dhabi. As part of "the Ikea experience in its totality," the 33,000-square metre store will include a forest from Sweden where as many as 60 children can play at a time. "We will launch our Smaland concept, an artificial forest, which is probably the first in the UAE," said Siddarth Y. Bhide, an executive with the company. "It's an interactive experience for the children, without gizmos. It's about running around and playing, not video games and the like." Gulf News (United Arab Emirates) (04 Jan.)       - Australian retailers ramp up efforts for tax on online purchases
Myer, David Jones, Just Jeans, Harvey Norman and other retailers in Australia say they will step up their efforts to persuade the Australian government to impose a tax on purchases made online. Myer CEO Bernie Brookes said the government is stalling and needs to act soon or risk job losses. "By the time it goes through the whole parliamentary process, you'd be looking at 18 months before any action was taken, and that's far too slow. ... There is an immediate problem that requires an immediate solution," Brookes said. United Press International (03 Jan.) - New law aimed at protecting Australian consumers
Changes to Australia's consumer laws took effect on January 1, replacing individual state laws. The Australian Consumer Law should make it easier for shoppers to return faulty products. The law requires that retailers resolve issues with a product rather than send the buyer to the manufacturer. The law also clarifies consumer rates on returns, multiple prices and other issues. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (04 Jan.)  | Discover the keys to a vibrant corporate culture
Creating & sustaining a vibrant corporate culture takes strong leadership and transparency. GM's Mark Reuss shares insights into rebuilding a company's culture. DeLisa Alexander offers best practices from Red Hat's opensource culture. SmartBrief readers receive executive training for just $75. |
 - Figures suggest more king-size beds sold than doubles in UK
Figures from John Lewis and Tesco indicate that Britons are buying more king-size beds than double beds as many see their beds as more than just places to sleep. "Today, a bed is not just to sleep in, it's more," said Brian Lawrence, a member of the British Institute of Interior Design. "People want more room in their beds because they have become a social space." Telegraph (London) (03 Jan.)  | INTRODUCING HP ePRINT— Print from anywhere from any mobile device.* The HP Officejet Pro 8500A Plus e-All-in-One now with $120 INSTANT REBATE. BUY NOW.
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 - Germany's Metro reportedly plans to add stores in Asia
Metro is planning to open more stores in Asia to make its operations there profitable by 2013, according to a German newspaper. In 2009, Metro posted a €45 million loss in the Asia/Africa region. Frans Muller, a board member at Metro, said the company would open about 40 wholesale outlets this year. Bloomberg (04 Jan.)  | 14.2% of social-media strategies deemed very effective
The buzz around social media — and whether or not it is worth the effort — continues to be a leading business concern. SmartBrief's State of Social Media for Business sheds light on obstacles & opportunities in using social media to produce measurable results. SmartBrief readers get a 15% discount. |
 - Amazon accelerates expansion in Europe
Amazon added 11 distribution centres last year, nine of which were outside the US. The company opened five centres in China, three in Europe and one in Japan. The online retailer is particularly focused on Europe, expanding further and aiming to enter new markets. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (03 Jan.) - Letao.com founder among new breed of Chinese entrepreneurs
Bi Sheng founded the online shoe store Letao.com, which handles about 2,000 daily transactions. It is the right time to launch an e-commerce site, Bi said. "A ready market is like a stone at the top of a mountain; you just have to lightly kick it, and it will roll all the way from the top to the bottom," he said. "In China, however, most people in the e-commerce market are pushing their stones from the foot of the mountain, or still, trying to find one." China Daily (Beijing) (31 Dec.)  | 50% Savings on Web's Biggest Business Blogging Event
Join 23 experts (including Technorati's CEO, Scott Monty, & experts from McDonalds, Southwest Airlines, and Procter & Gamble) as they help you master business blogging at Blogging Success Summit 2011. Fully online. Click here for free sample class. |
 | Spotlight on Grocery |  | | | | NRF News | | | | - What does 2011 hold for the retail industry?
A growing number of retailers are opening the door to new opportunities for 2011 and welcoming innovation, change and new technology with open arms. Susan Reda, STORES Media executive editor, takes a look at how this innovative thinking will impact the consumer, stores, economy, IT, marketing, mobile, social and e-commerce in 2011. Read more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Changing our diet is something we choose to do, not something we are forced to do. Instead of dreading it, try saying, Here's another thing I get to do to help myself. Great!"
--Greg Anderson,
American personal trainer  |
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