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| Global retail industry news |  |
- Dubai's retailers optimistic about market recovery
Major retailers in Dubai consolidated their locations in 2010, making way for new merchants in the market. About 93% of retailers in Dubai expect the market to recover within two years, according to a survey by Colliers. "The survey results indicate that retailers have, in the economic downturn, developed an increased awareness of consumer attitudes and purchasing patterns," Colliers said. Gulf News (United Arab Emirates) (02 Jan.)       - What will happen when the Australian dollar falls?
The rise of the Australian dollar has not affected the retail sector as it normally would have, said Credit Suisse analyst Adnan Kucukalic. He warned that the eventual fall of the dollar would be especially painful for retailers. Generally, when the Australian dollar rises, retail earnings rise. "The current dynamic is very different, however -- the weak consumption environment and discounting away of margins has left the retail sector even more susceptible to any decline in the Australian dollar," Kucukalic said. The Australian (03 Jan.)  | Discover the keys to a vibrant corporate culture
Creating & sustaining a vibrant corporate culture takes strong leadership and transparency. GM's Mark Reuss shares insights into rebuilding a company's culture. DeLisa Alexander offers best practices from Red Hat's opensource culture. SmartBrief readers receive executive training for just $75. |
 | Retail in Europe |  | | | - Eurozone's leading economies see gains in retail sales
Retail sales in Germany, France and Italy together rose the most in a couple of years in December, according to the Markit purchasing managers' index. However, the index concealed the divide between Germany and France, which are considered relatively healthy, and Italy, which has serious fiscal problems. "December data reinforced the national variations across the currency bloc," according to Trevor Balchin, economist at Markit. Telegraph (London) (31 Dec.) - JJB Sports to ask shareholders for another cash injection
JJB Sports launched an emergency fund raising on Christmas Eve and now is about to request another cash injection from shareholders. The troubled retailer secured £31.5 million from key investors on Dec. 24 and is hoping to raise as much as £50 million more. JJB Sports also replaced Chairman John Clare with Mike McTighe, a turnaround expert and former head of global operations at Cable & Wireless. The Guardian (London) (02 Jan.) - Taiwan's Dennis Group remains focused on Henan Province
Dennis Group, with more than 100 outlets, has become the largest retailer in China's Henan Province, but the Taiwanese company is not planning an aggressive expansion. It is content to focus on Henan. "I have been approached about stake selling, acquisitions or an initial public offering, but I said no to all of them," Chairman Wang Ren-sheng said. Wang funds the Dennis Group exclusively. The Taipei Times (Taiwan) (03 Jan.) - Efficiency helps sushi chain thrive in Japan
The global recession hurt many Japanese restaurants, but one sushi chain survived by redefining how it delivers the nation's signature dish. Gone are the sushi chefs and informed waiters: Kura uses robots to make the fish-and-rice concoctions and a conveyor belt to deliver them to customers, resulting in rock-bottom sushi prices that even recession-hit diners can afford. The New York Times (free registration) (30 Dec.)  | 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. Download the key takeaways now. |
 | E-commerce Spotlight | | | | - Amazon reportedly close to acquiring UK's Lovefilm
Amazon.com owns 42% of Lovefilm International, a UK-based DVD and online film-rental firm, and is close to taking over the entire company, according to the Sunday Times. Amazon is going over Lovefilm's books, according to the newspaper. Bloomberg (02 Jan.) | Spotlight on Mass Merchandise | | | | - Thailand's retail sector on verge of major change
Groupe Casino's acquisition of Carrefour's operations in Thailand is expected to alter the country's retail sector, especially the hypermarket segment. The acquitision will add 42 Carrefour storess to Casino's network, making the Big C logo even more familiar. Some market observers have raised concerns that incentives to compete will be diminished because only two hypermarket chains remain in the country. Bangkok Post (Thailand) (03 Jan.) | NRF News | | | | - Tough economy? How innovation can turn it around
Every economic downturn is rife with opportunity. As retailers develop their game plan for 2011, innovative thinking is just what is needed to drive sales, connect with consumers, and stay competitive. At NRF's 2nd annual INNOVATE conference, powered by Shop.org and RAMA and held in San Francisco March 8 to 10, industry leaders will inspire you with unexpected perspectives and illuminating anecdotes. Learn more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future."
--Alice Walker,
American author  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
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