  | Global retail industry news |  |
- Officials in Quebec pursue retailers with English-only signs
Shopping streets and malls in Quebec have seen an increase in English-only signs as more US retailers including Banana Republic, Old Navy, Sunglass Hut, Foot Locker and Home Depot open shop there, and officials are starting to step up enforcement of laws that require businesses to use French in their signs. The office says merchants with English names must add generic descriptions in French, while the Retail Council of Canada says there's no legal requirement for them to do so. National Post (Canada) (20 Jun.)       | INC: The Keys to Smart and Profitable Business Credit Management — As growing companies focus on closing sales and offering payment terms, it becomes even more critical to establish an effective credit management system. Learn about the tools you need to improve credit processes and mitigate risk. Download the whitepaper today! |
 - Why French bookstores continue to thrive
France boasts 2,500 bookstores, and sales of print books rose 6.5% between 2003 and 2011, highlighting both the country's ongoing reverence for the printed word and government policies and laws that shore up book sales, industry experts say. Laws prohibit even online retailers from offering discounts of more than 5% on print books and ban any discounting on e-books. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (20 Jun.) - May brought rise in UK retail sales
Retail sales in the UK rose 1.4% in May, after an April drop of 2.4%, according to the Office for National Statistics. The increase, which beat analysts' expectations of 0.8%, was driven largely by an increase in fuel sales, as well as a smaller rise in clothing sales as the weather warmed up. The Guardian (London) (21 Jun.)  | Considering outsourcing key HR functions? Examine data from nearly 170 small to mid-size companies and get quantitative data to support the validity of how outsourcing these functions can produce positive business results. Get the free report now! |
 - H&M might start paying suppliers in yuan
Sweden-based international apparel retailer Hennes & Mauritz sources about 80% of its pieces from factories in China and may switch its payment method from U.S. dollars to yuan to keep costs low, the company said. H&M, which reported a 23% profit rise in the most recent quarter, said the shift may be necessary if the dollar gains in strength against the euro. The Wall Street Journal (20 Jun.)  | Deliver a Personal Shopping Experience Across Multiple Channels
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 | Spotlight on Consumer Electronics |  |  | | |  | - Strong iPad demand, digital TV drive sales growth at Dixons
Dixons said like-for-like sales rose 5% in the final fiscal quarter of last year and the new year has started off strong amid higher demand for iPads and a switch to digital television in the southeast of England that has consumers buying new TVs. The company, which operates Currys and PC World stores in the UK, is Europe's second-largest consumer electronics retailer. The Telegraph (London) (21 Jun.), Reuters (21 Jun.) - Apple to boost hourly wages for US store workers
Apple will give its hourly retail workers in the US raises of as much as 25% after evaluating pay rates in an internal review earlier this year, employees said this week. About two-thirds of the company's 350 stores are in the US, employing workers whose pay averages between $9 and $15 per hour and can rise to $30 for members of the "Genius" tech support team. The Wall Street Journal (20 Jun.) - Kesa sees profits slide on slump in France
Kesa Electricals, which operates Darty stores in Europe, saw profits fall 42% in 12-month period that ended in April, driven largely by slower sales of TVs and other electronics in France. The company, which sold UK-based chain Comet earlier this year, also said it will change its name to Darty next month. Bloomberg (20 Jun.)  | RadioShack has a global presence and a variety of innovative products and services. With reasonable investment levels and hundreds of potential markets, a RadioShack franchise represents an exciting opportunity for you to associate with a powerful retail brand. Click here to learn more. |
 | NRF News | |  | | - When retailers will report monthly sales in 2012
NRF's 4-5-4 calendar serves as a voluntary guide for the retail industry and ensures sales comparability between years by dividing the year into months based on a 4 weeks/5 weeks/4 weeks format. The 4-5-4 calendar also establishes sales release dates, which have historically been on the first Thursday following the month's end. NRF has released calendars for 2012, 2013 and 2014. View the calendars.
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American columnist  |
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