| Global retail industry news |  |
- European fashion retailers see rising input costs
Fashion retailers are facing increasing cotton and labor costs, and demand in Europe in cooling. The pressure was seen as fashion companies, including Inditex, Hennes & Mauritz and SuperGroup, announced earnings this week. Global fashion retailers increasingly are depending on emerging markets to fuel growth. Reuters (15 Dec.)       - Report: Retailers shift focus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
In the next five years, Abu Dhabi is likely to overtake Dubai as the retail capital of the United Arab Emirates, according to a report by Cushing & Wakefield. "With limited pipeline supply in Dubai and Abu Dhabi shopping centre supply set to more than double, the focal point for retail in the UAE may well be set to shift," the report says. ArabianBusiness.com (15 Dec.)  | Discover the 'Future of Sustainable Household and Laundry Care Packaging'. Covering home and laundry care, it outlines the major drivers and inhibitors of sustainable packaging mostly from a consumers' perspective. Find out more: |
 | Retail in Europe |  | | | - Sources: Bidders for Zabka include Carrefour, Tesco
The Zabka retail chain, which operates more than 2,300 outlets in Poland and the Czech Republic, has received bids from four suitors, including France's Carrefour and Britain's Tesco, sources said. "There are four bidders left, two strategic (investors) and two financial (investors)," a source said. A decision on a sale will be made early next year, said Josef Janov of Penta Investments, which owns Zabka. Reuters (14 Dec.)  - Versace develops boutique concept for China
Versace opened a jewelry boutique in Beijing and plans to introduce a new retail concept in China. Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO at Versace, declined to provide details on the store's design, but said it will open before Christmas. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (13 Dec.)  | Gain insight into the overall health of U.S. businesses and how to leverage new tools to better manage business, while reducing risk exposure. View our on-demand Webinar Gain a clearer picture of small-business risk in an uncertain market. |
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 | Spotlight on Luxury Goods | | | | - Tourism minister: Malaysia is becoming a luxury goods destination
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Malaysia's tourism minister, said the country is emerging as a destination for luxury-goods shoppers. The country becomes a duty-free haven Jan. 1. "It is important to ensure an enabling environment for the industry," she said. "Last year, we received RM10bil (US$3.19 billion)from shopping tourism. Our target is to have 36 million tourists and RM168bil (US$53.68 billion) in tourism receipt(s) by 2020, and we are expecting 35% to be from shopping receipts." Star Publications (Malaysia) (12 Dec.) - Speculation continues to mount about Burberry takeover
PPR has dismissed speculation that it is about to make an offer for Burberry, but experts say it is only a matter of time before the company is acquired. "From a luxury goods perspective, if someone wants the growth from a fast-moving brand, Burberry is in that camp," said Kate Calvert, an analyst at Seymour Pierce. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (13 Dec.) | NRF News | | | | - NRF revises holiday forecast to 3.3%
Economic indicators such as strong November retail sales, stock market gains and recent income growth led to an increased holiday sales forecast from the National Retail Federation. "The start to the holiday season has surpassed all expectations," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "While employment data is still a concern, we are starting to see improvement in other economic indicators that support an increase to our forecast." Read more.
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