  | Global retail industry news |  | | |  | - Massmart CEO warns Zimbabwe about equity proposal
Grant Pattison, chief executive at Massmart, warned authorities in Zimbabwe that a proposal to require companies to give local owners a 51% equity stake would force the withdrawal of the South African retailer. However, Massmart's sale of its Zimbabwean operation may already be in the works. Brian Leroni, a spokesman for Massmart, confirmed the negotiations. "Massmart has received an offer from a respected Zimbabwe retailer to purchase our interest in Zimbabwe and we are currently considering that offer," he said. Business Day (South Africa) (20 Oct.)      - Woolworths and Coles remain stuck in price war
Woolworths reported a 4.2% increase in total sales for the 14 weeks to 3 Oct., with CEO Michael Luscombe saying it's a "solid start to the financial year". However, in order for Woolworths to meet its target of a 5% to 9% sales increase, it's going to have to pick up the pace, which will be difficult considering the price battle it's locked into with Coles. The Australian (20 Oct.)  | Mobile technology can provide a platform for interactive real time workforce management. Equipped with mobile devices, managers and employees can communicate seamlessly to exchange information, staff shifts and ultimately improve the customer shopping experience. Download this complimentary article to get insight on the impact of mobile technology on workforce management. |
 - Home Retail Group reports decline in its retailers' sales
Home Retail Group, owner of Argos, reported a 6.5% decline in same-store sales at the retailer for the six months that ended 28 Aug. The company cited "particularly challenging conditions for its customers". Over the same period, sales at Homebase, HRG's DIY business, fell 0.5%. BBC (20 Oct.) - Austrian retailer bauMax plans expansion in Turkey
Austria's bauMax, a construction retail chain, is looking to expand its store count in Turkey to 50 over the next several years. The company sells products and also exports Turkish products to several countries. "We do not consider the Turkish market only as a 'sales market', but also 'buying market'," said Ibrahim Ayan, director general of bauMax Turkey. Hurriyet (Turkey) (19 Oct.)  | What could be better than supporting and managing your BlackBerry smartphone deployment, for free? Nothing.
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 - IKEA plans to increase investment in China
Inter IKEA Centre Group, a mall developer partially owned by IKEA, announced plans to open its third shopping centre in China. Ding Hui, China managing director for the group, said IKEA will increase the amount of funds budgeted for shopping mall construction in China by $300 million as retail sales in the country soar. Bloomberg (19 Oct.) - Column: Fast Retailing learns from its mistakes
Japan's Fast Retailing expanded rapidly over the past year, opening more than 80 new Uniqlo locations around the world with plans for an even more accelerated expansion. Lately, however, Uniqlo has struggled, prompting Fast Retailing to forecast its first drop in profit in four years. Luckily for those who like either the retailer or its stock, Fast Retailing learns from its mistakes, writes Mure Dickie. "They are always hitting walls, falling down and getting back up again ... stronger," said Masafumi Shoda, analyst at Nomura Securities. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (19 Oct.)  | $50 in FREE Advertising from Facebook
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 - Rakuten wants regulator to review Yahoo! Japan-Google tie-up
Rakuten, the largest online shopping mall operator in Japan, has asked the country's Fair Trade Commission to review a partnership planned between Google and Yahoo! Japan. "The tie-up between the two firms would result in Google [monopolising] information, which could hinder the development and growth of not only search engines but many Internet-related services in Japan," according to Rakuten. The Wall Street Journal (19 Oct.)  | Expense Reimbursement: To card or not to card
By Sarah Fister Gale, March 26, 2010
Before deciding to give employees corporate cards or reimburse them for expenses, consider the implications for both parties. Whatever you choose, create strict guidelines to curtail questionable spending. |
 | Spotlight on Luxury Goods |  | | | - Harrods considers luxury hotel on rooftop of London store
Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, said adding a luxury hotel on the rooftop of the retailer's famed flagship store in London is one of several ideas being considered. "Are we looking at it? Yes. Have we considered it? Yes. Is it something we would do? No plans have been put forward but it is one of them," he said. "There are a number of ideas of equal magnitude." Luxist (18 Oct.) | NRF News | | | | - Manufacturing execs: Should you sell direct?
As more manufacturers decide to compete online and sell direct to consumers, challenges such as marketing conflicts, process changes, and technology strains arise. Join a STORES Knowledge Series webinar on 21 Oct. to learn how this approach impacts traditional retail partnerships and the technical challenges manufacturers should consider before jumping into the Internet retailing space. Learn more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing all your life."
--Mickey Mantle,
American baseball player,
quoted for his birthday, Oct. 20, 1931  |
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