  | Global retail industry news |  |
- Dubai's Deira City Centre to undergo expansion
Deira City Centre will add 30,000 square feet of space and 55 new stores, including Marks & Spencer and Toys 'R' Us, as part of its overhaul this year. "Research has demonstrated that Deira City Centre retains a loyal following among a significant proportion of Dubai residents and visitors, and our 2011 enhancement is an opportunity to welcome new destinational brands," said Fuad Al Najjar, vice president at Deira City Centre. ArabianBusiness.com (12 Mar.)        | Conquering a Culture of Indecision
This classic Harvard Business Review article argues that leaders create their company's indecisiveness. They can break it by doing three things: engender honesty in communications, make meetings and reviews meaningful, and ensure that feedback and follow-through are used to reward high achievers. Order here. |
 - Redcats strives to increase online revenue
PPR is interested in selling its fashion and home-furnishing retailer Redcats, which has targeted a 10% increase in online revenue this year. "Growth remains our first priority in 2011," said Redcats CEO Jean-Michel Noir. "We will continue to grow double-digit on the Internet." Bloomberg (11 Mar.) - New Look chairman says IPO unlikely this year
New Look Chairman John Gildersleeve said that market challenges make the company's attempts to revive its plans for initial public offering unlikely. "The market is not going to improve in the near term because fashion retailing is going to have a difficult year -- a combination of a consumer who is more challenged than they have been for many years, and cost increases that the industry has no real experience of," Gildersleeve said. Telegraph (London) (14 Mar.) - Iceland Foods reorganises corporate structure as sale looms
Iceland Foods, led by CEO Malcolm Walker, has started reorganising its corporate structure and reordering its balance sheet in preparation for its expected sale. Walker, who founded the company in 1970, is seen as the most likely bidder. He already owns nearly a quarter of the retailer's shares. Telegraph (London) (13 Mar.)  | On-Demand Web Conferencing and Collaboration-Anywhere. No need to scramble for conference rooms when you can instantly connect employees, customers or students online. Cisco WebEx supports 10 million subscribers each month with easy-to-use web applications. It's free, it's easy, it's WebEx . . . try it today. |
 | Retail in Asia |  | | | - Japanese stores adapt to cope with aftermath of quake
Retailers across Japan are dealing with the effects of the massive earthquake, tsunami and ongoing tremors. Several stores announced that they would reduce their hours of operation to cooperate with planned power outages. Consumers rushed to gather necessary food supplies, prompting concerns about a shortage of bread, bottled water and instant noodles. Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. said three of the shopping malls it owns are no longer operating because of damage sustained during the earthquake. JapanToday.com (14 Mar.), Bloomberg (14 Mar.), CNN (14 Mar.) - Retailers report increased sales of bicycles in Tokyo: The earthquake that hit Japan late last week shut down train services near Tokyo, prompting many residents to purchase bicycles rather than walk home. Aeon's Shinagawa Seaside store said its bicycle sales surged Saturday. "Normally bicycles are lined up in front of our store, but it was the customers who made lines yesterday," said Izumi Tsuchiya, a representative of the store. The Japan Times (13 Mar.)
- Aditya Birla prepares aggressive growth plan
Starting in April, Aditya Birla Group's retail division is planning to open a dozen hypermarkets and up to 130 supermarkets across India. "Our plan for FY12 is that we are going to expand both our formats and we will continue to expand them aggressively," said Thomas Varghese, CEO of Aditya Birla Retail. Sify.com (India) (14 Mar.)  | Spotlight on Mass Merchandise | | | | - India poised to ease restrictions on "cash & carry" firms
India currently allows 100% foreign direct investment in wholesale trading businesses or "cash & carry" firms, but they are not allowed to sell more than 25% of their turnover to group companies. The Indian government is looking to remove this restriction. The move would benefit Bharti-Walmart, Carrefour and Tatas' joint venture with Tesco. Business Standard (India) (14 Mar.) - Chinese regulator says Wal-Mart sold expired duck meat
Wal-Mart has apologized for sales of duck meat that had expired at its Yangjiaping store in Jiulongpo District. A consumer complaint prompted the Chongqing Administration for Industry and Commerce to look into the matter. Wal-Mart has asked its stores to ensure food safety and has vowed to compensate those who bought the expired duck meat. Xinhuanet.com (China) (12 Mar.), Reuters (12 Mar.) | NRF News | | | | - Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, The Home Depot win big at Racie Awards Luncheon
Ralph Lauren took home the top award at the Racie Awards Luncheon, held during NRF's Innovation and Marketing Conference in San Francisco. The coveted Racie Award honors the industry's most innovative and creative marketing and advertising campaigns. Additionally, Kohl's was honored with the Peter Glen Award, which is awarded to companies who give back to their community or environment in a unique way. Read more.
| Editor's Note | | | | - A note on helping relief efforts in Japan, from Rick Stamberger, CEO of SmartBrief
If you or your company, organization or group want to help the Japanese people recover from last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami but aren't sure how to do so, InterAction provides options. An alliance of U.S.-based international nongovernmental aid organizations, InterAction has compiled a list of groups that are accepting private, corporate and group donations, along with some guidelines for the most appropriate ways to help. Learn more. | SmartQuote | | | |  | There's much to be said for challenging fate instead of ducking behind it."
--Diana Trilling,
American author  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please comment thoughtfully CPG Brokers, your best resource to optimize your in store self exposure and maximize sku distribution.