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  | Global retail industry news |  |
| Global Industry Watch |  |  | | - High global food prices help fuel political unrest
Rising food prices didn't spark the riots in Tunisia, Egypt and other parts of the Arab world, but anger about rapidly rising prices on staples including rice, cereals and sugar is helping to fuel the unrest. Participants at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, shared concerns that ongoing food inflation will contribute to instability in poor and developing countries. "It's really something that can topple regimes, as we have seen in the Middle East," said economics professor Nouriel Roubini. National Public Radio (text and audio) (30 Jan.)      - Metro: Canadians can expect increased food prices
The food-price war is on among Canada's discount supermarkets, including Food Basics, Price Chopper and No Frills. Wal-Mart's expansion into the grocery business and Canada is fueling the competition. But Metro Inc. predicts that more increases are likely. The Toronto Star (28 Jan.) - "Explosive growth" in Australian e-commerce electronics sales
More Australians are purchasing electronics online, making 2010 a "massive year" for online retailer Kogan, said CEO Ruslan Kogan. In the second half of last year, company data showed traffic from mobile devices increased 363% over the first six months, and the majority of those shoppers used Apple's iPhones and iPads to access Kogan's website. Inside Retailing Online (31 Jan.) - Brits will "trade up but buy less often," analysts say
2011 likely won't be as tough a year as many retailers have anticipated, according to KPMG/Synovate. High-end retailers, in particular, could experience a relatively good year as consumers "trade up but buy less often," said KPMG/Synovate. "The worry since the downturn kicked in was that retail would fall off a cliff," said Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG. "The past three years have provided enough evidence to show that consumers continue to love shopping and will therefore find ways to spend whatever the state of the wider economy." The Independent (London) (30 Jan.)  | Private Label Food and Non-Alcoholic Drink Trends explores the consumer, product and market trends in food and non-alcoholic beverage private label brand purchases. Click here now to find out more. |
 - Lunar New Year expected to be good to Asian retailers
The Lunar New Year holidays are expected to provide a sales boost for Asian retailers as China's more affluent consumers open their wallets for the shopping period. "Retail sales growth as a whole in China is expected to remain strong at about 20% in the run-up to the Chinese New Year as many companies have been enjoying a very good year," said William Lo, an analyst at Ample Capital. AsiaOne News/Reuters (28 Jan.) - Major supermarket operators battle over Southeast Asia
Major supermarket operators, including Tesco, Wal-Mart, Aeon and Lotte, are fighting for market share in Southeast Asia as consumer wealth in the region increases. The situation could result in more acquisitions, according to experts. Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines are seen as the major battlegrounds. Gulf Times (Qatar)/Reuters (31 Jan.)  | Health care reform got you down? Learn more from UnitedHealthcare on how the federal changes to medical benefits will affect you and your employees. This comprehensive guide highlights incentives for enrollment and a timeline of important dates and deadlines. Don't let them pass you by—Learn more here! |
 | E-commerce Spotlight | | | | - Ocado expected to post earnings of £21 million
Online grocery retailer Ocado is expected to report earnings for the year to November of £21 million, more than double the previous year's results of £9 million. The online supermarket, however, continues to generate a loss in terms of pre-tax profit. Speculation is mounting that Marks & Spencer, Wm Morrison Supermarkets or another company could bid for Ocado. Telegraph (London) (30 Jan.) | Spotlight on Mass Merchandise | | | | | NRF News | | | |
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Expect the worst and you won't be disappointed."
--Helen Macinnes,
Scottish-American author  |
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