  | Global retail industry news |  |
- Direct sales lead LuLuLemon Athletica's growth
LuLuLemon Athletica CEO Christine Day reported a significant increase in the Canadian retailer's fourth-quarter and full-year sales and noted that the company has room to grow in the online sector. "Given we are still learning a lot about e-commerce and have been perpetually under-inventoried on our site, we know that we are still at the early stages and see a tremendous opportunity to grow this channel," she said. InternetRetailer.com (22 Mar.)       - Foster's launches campaign to protect its brands
Foster's has ramped up its efforts to protect its brand names as retailers sell its products as a loss leader. The company withheld suppliers from Getwines.direct.com.au because the online retailer was selling Foster's beer below cost. Then the company sent staff to Coles to buy as much Penfold 389 as possible. The disagreements between Foster's and retailers show that Australia's retail wars, which tend to center on basics such as milk, are expanding. The Australian (24 Mar.) - Hallenstein Glasson reports 17% fall in first-half profit
Hallenstein Glasson Holdings noted that "intense" competition in the women's apparel sector drove down prices. The New Zealand company reported that first-half profit dropped, although they were in the range the retailer offered in late January. Hallenstein also said that seven of its 14 stores in Christchurch remain closed after the earthquake hit the city on Feb. 22. The New Zealand Herald (24 Mar.), Stuff (New Zealand) (24 Mar.)  | 2011 planning for social media made simpler
94.1% of businesses use social media to build brand awareness — does yours? Get insights into business trends and best practices for social media from SmartBrief's State of Social Media for Business. Make your 2011 social-media strategy count with data from 6000+ business execs. Get the report today. |
 - Inditex to accelerate expansion in stores, online
Inditex reported a 14% increase in fourth-quarter income and said it will accelerate both its store and online expansion plans. The largest clothing retailer in the world plans to add up to 500 outlets in 2011 despite slower consumer spending in Europe and the U.S. The company plans to focus on Asia, where consumer spending is rising. Later this year, the company plans to launch online sales for brands beyond Zara. Bloomberg (23 Mar.) - Kingfisher plans to expand as profits increase
Kingfisher, the largest home improvement retailer in Europe, said it plans to accelerate its expansion as its profit has risen. However, the company, which owns B&Q, Castorama and Brico Depot, expects trading to continue to be challenging. "Although I see no let up in the challenging environment in the short-term, I am excited by our future prospects," said Kingfisher CEO Ian Cheshire. BBC (24 Mar.), Google/The Press Association (U.K.) (24 Mar.)  - Analysis: Acquisition of Vishal Retail was long time coming
TPG Capital, a US-based private equity fund, and the Shriram Group took over India's Vishal Retail earlier this month, marking the culmination of a long process. "This is the first significant distressed-asset buyout in the Indian market," said Puneet Bhatia, a senior executive at TPG Capital India. The company plans to focus for the first 90 days on identifying and filling gaps in the retailer's operations, according to another executive. LiveMint.com/The Wall Street Journal (India) (23 Mar.)  | E-commerce Spotlight |  | | | - UK aims to close loophole on VAT on online purchases
A loophole that allowed consumers in the UK to purchase products online without paying the country's value-added tax cost the government an estimated £130 million last year. Industry executives say the figure could be considerably higher. UK Chancellor George Osborne is taking aim at the tax loophole, but industry observers say his effort will do little. The Guardian (London) (23 Mar.) | Technology Solutions | | | | - Cellphones could eventually replace credit, debit cards
The cellphone has been expanding to include a wide range of functions beyond merely a telephone. Now, it is poised to replace credit and debit cards, but industry giants are engaged in a battle that is slowing adoption. Banks, payment networks, credit card issuers, mobile phone carriers and technology companies are all trying to ensure they get a piece of the pie. "It all comes down to who gets paid and who makes money," said Drew Sievers, head of mFoundry. "You have banks competing with carriers competing with Apple and Google, and it's pretty much a goat rodeo until someone sorts it out." The New York Times (free registration) (23 Mar.) | Spotlight on Consumer Electronics | | | | - Japan's Laox reports loss for 2010
Suning's Japanese electronics subsidiary Laox reported a CNY3.86 million loss for the 2010 fiscal year, although the results were actually for nine months as the company is adjusting its reporting schedule. Laox noted a significant drop in income from foreign tourists. Suning become the largest shareholder in Laox by acquiring a 29.16% stake in the company in August 2009. ChinaRetailNews.com (23 Mar.) | NRF News | | | | - Retail's "state of the industry" report available now
For nine years, NRF and KPMG have produced the retail industry's most authoritative source for benchmarks and trends, based on an annual survey of hundreds of retail executives. The 2011 report, "Retail Horizons: Benchmarks for 2010, Forecasts for 2011," is now available for purchase and covers topics such as store and field operations, e-commerce, supply chain management, merchandising, marketing and advertising, customer insight and human capital. Learn more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it."
--Joseph Joubert,
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