| Global retail industry news |  |
 | Leveraging Cloud Security to Weather Threatening Storms
Web attacks and retribution campaigns are on the rise, and they have become more frequent, more random and more extreme. This paper assesses the current cyber threat environment and discusses the use of distributed cloud services as an effective means to protect against evolving, modern-day IT threats. |
 - Germany's retailers see higher March sales
Retail sales in Germany rose 0.8% in March over the previous month, as employment and wage growth improved and inflation slowed, the Federal Statistics Office said Monday. Hugo Boss forecasts sales growth of 10% this year, and home-improvement retailer Praktiker reported first-quarter sales that beat analysts' estimates. Bloomberg Businessweek (30 Apr.)      - UK's pound shops create new millionaires
Eight of the 1,000 richest people in the UK earned their wealth through ownership interests in discount retail chains and pound shops, according to the newest Sunday Times Rich List. Discount shops have prospered during the downturn a,nd the number of shops has grown 14.2% in the last year according to one estimate. The Telegraph (London) (29 Apr.)  | Interactive marketers are feeling the pressure from government to offer clear, transparent privacy regulations for consumers. This free whitepaper, discusses various legislation, such as the EU Cookie Directive, and outlines how marketers must comply while offering a positive and enriching consumer interaction via the new paradigms of consensual targeting. Get the free whitepaper here. |
 - China's outlet malls win bargain-hunting shoppers
Developers have built more than 200 outlet centers in China during the past decade, and the malls are flourishing by feeding middle-income consumers' growing demand for quality products at lower prices. China's outlet stores typically sell goods at 50% of the regular price, with many tacking on additional discounts for multiple purchases. "The discounts offered might not be as big as overseas, but they are better than at regular stores," one consumer said. China Daily (Beijing) (29 Apr.) - Ikea to enter Indonesia as economy grows
Ikea plans to enter Indonesia in 2014, joining other international retailers including Carrefour, Starbucks and South Korea's Lotte Shopping that aim to capitalise on the country's growing spending power. The country's GDP rose 6.5% last year, and consumers borrowed more to finance big-ticket purchases of homes, cars and appliances. Bloomberg Businessweek (29 Apr.)  - China's online merchants struggle to make a profit
Online retailers in China are finding no shortage of customers, but there's also a slew of competitors, including Alibaba Group, which commands about 72% of the market. The environment makes it tough for many to make a profit, as they compete on price and invest revenue into building out their distribution systems. The Wall Street Journal (29 Apr.)  | You've heard about the switch businesses are making to VoIP phone systems but are they right for your business? With more features and lower costs, the answer is probably yes. But don't take our word for it. Read Ziff Davis' Phone Systems Buyer's Guide and Comparison Guides, FREE with your registration. |
 - Europe's Wrapp launches US gift-card service
Wrapp has launched service in the US, partnering with retailers including Gap, H&M and Sephora on a service that lets consumers send free and paid gift cards to friends on Facebook. The service launched in Sweden late last year, and has since gone live in Norway, the UK, Germany, France and The Netherlands. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (30 Apr.)  | What Data Thieves Don’t Want You to Know:
How a multi-layered data security solution, including encryption and tokenization, protects data in transit, in use and at rest. When combined, these two technologies provide a powerful method for securing sensitive data wherever it exists. Get proof here. |
 | Spotlight on Mass Merchandise |  |  | | - Pakistan's garment makers launch brands
Garment factories in Pakistan turn out apparel for a host of international retailers including Kohl's, Wal-Mart and Gap, but many say that this piece of the business is the least profitable and they're limited by the demands of retail buyers. Now, some are branching out with their own brands and stores, including ZK Industries which created Needle Impressions in 2008 and now operates seven retail stores in five markets. The Express Tribune (Pakistan) (30 Apr.) - Korea's FTC fines The North Face $4.6 million
The North Face has been fined $4.6 million by Korea's Fair Trade Commission, which says the company pushed Korea's retailers to maintain higher prices on its goods in violation of fair trade rules. The company protested the ruling, saying it offered discount deals on 2 million occasions between 2008 and 2011. The Korea Herald (Seoul) (29 Apr.) | NRF News | | | | - Yusen Logistics COO shares keys to a better supply chain
Whether retailers are expanding or maintaining a presence in the marketplace, the sophistication of the transportation supply chain requires a strong relationship between retailers and transportation providers to ensure success and stability. As both sides begin gearing up for the contracting season, Yusen Logistics COO Michael Noone share insights into challenges for the year ahead, what retailers can do to strengthen partnerships with their transportation partners, and how transportation providers are taking corporate social responsibility seriously. Read more. Retail's BIG Blog (26 Apr.)
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