  | Global retail industry news |  | | |  | - Retailers should use the Internet as a bellwether for expansion
Participants at the World Retail Congress said retailers in Europe and the US need to invest in innovation and emerging markets and consolidate or they face the threat of stagnating as demand in their domestic markets likely will remain modest. Many retail companies in the past have tried to expand internationally, but failed as they were unable to adapt to different cultures and tastes. But the Internet has given retailers a powerful tool for testing new markets at little risk, according to Marks & Spencer Chairman Stuart Rose. "It's the advance guard [for overseas expansion]," Rose said. Reuters (25 Oct.)      - Shoprite exec: South African retailer is not for sale
Christo Wiese, chairman of South Africa's Shoprite Holdings, said the retailer is not for sale. "We have had approaches from people in the past, but we are not sellers of our business," Wiese said. "It's a business that has a culture of family involvement and I think it would be risky to disturb that." The executive's comments shut the door on companies interested in acquiring Shoprite as a way to tap into South Africa's retail market, following the lead of Wal-Mart Stores. Bloomberg Businessweek (25 Oct.)  | In any industry, operational excellence revolves around key business outcomes including productivity, cost control, and quality of service. For retailers, all of these outcomes are highly, if not entirely, dependent on the quality of the workforce and how it is managed. Find out what challenges retailers are facing, and what a workforce management solution can do for your bottom line. |
 - UK's Pret a Vivre capitalises on recession-driven opportunities
Jo Cassabois created Pret a Vivre, a home-furnishings business, 15 years ago and then jumped on opportunities that arose during the economic downturn to expand the company. "We took a view three years ago, just as Northern Rock collapsed, that we would open our first showroom. It was part of our strategy, it was not going to change and it has really worked," Cassabois said. "We thought either we are going to sit tight or we are going to go out there and take the opportunity to grow the business." Telegraph (London) (25 Oct.)  | Gain insight into the true cost of a business process outsourcing (BPO) engagement — beyond what is typically reflected in the BPO provider's service price — and learn how technology, if chosen carefully and implemented well, will have a major impact on driving down these costs, both in the short and long term. Download your complimentary white paper. |
 - Wal-Mart CEO: India is moving toward allowing FDI
Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke said he sees positive signs that India is moving ahead with the idea of allowing more foreign direct investment into the retail sector. "Yes, I do see progress. I do think that the opening of dialogue on foreign direct investment [in retail] is very, very productive," Duke said. "We believe that 100% opening of FDI [in retail] will be the optimal solution for all the constituents here in India. But we respect that the government is taking the appropriate process of discussions, dialogue and looking at a calibrated approach to the FDI opening in India." The Wall Street Journal (25 Oct.) , Bloomberg (26 Oct.)  | You're out of the office, meeting with clients and vendors, all while balancing work and life. Sometimes even a laptop just isn't practical. The RUN Powered by ADP® mobile payroll app helps you manage payroll anytime — quickly and easily — from any location. Try it now. |
 - E-commerce sector has a global standard for measurement
The Global E-Commerce Measurement Standard was developed as a uniform measurement of the sector. "Until now there has been no cross-comparable standard for countries to measure [e-retail] sales -- local analysts and associations have adopted standards including or excluding retail sectors, transaction types and channels as they saw fit," said James Roper, head of IMRG. "The new GEMS standard gives us detailed national and international insight into how the [e-commerce] distance selling sector is developing." InternetRetailing.net (24 Oct.) - Ocado to expand delivery service in UK
Online grocer Ocado will start delivering to customers' homes in south Wales and southwest England next year. The company has bought a distribution centre in the Bristol area to deal with the delivery expansion. Currently, Ocado delivers groceries throughout London, the Midlands, the North West, south east of England and parts of Yorkshire. BBC (24 Oct.)  | Get a life, not a job
Discover how to attain financial and professional security, career satisfaction and work-life harmony with Dr. Paula Caligiuri. Paula & 19 other career experts share insights and strategies to help you put your career on track during the fully online Career Summit 2010. Register today! |
 | Spotlight on Grocery |  | | | - Sainsbury's to invest in rural food supply chain
Sainsbury's is planning to develop closer ties with farmers and pay them millions of pounds to improve the supply of food amid increasing consumer interest in where their food is grown. The supermarket chain will pay farmers who adopt "good agricultural practice". The funds also will go toward enhancing efficiency and infrastructure, offering farmers IT resources, training courses and other benefits. Telegraph (London) (24 Oct.) | NRF News | | | | - A status report on the global economy
Retailers across the globe want to know where the road to economic recovery will lead. At this year's BIG Show, 9 to 12 Jan., 2011, in New York City, Moody's Economy.com Chief Economist Mark Zandi and a panel of industry experts will examine the current status of the global economic recovery and provide an outlook for the year to come. Learn more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Probably my worst quality is that I get very passionate about what I think is right."
--Hillary Rodham Clinton,
US secretary of state,
quoted for her birthday, Oct. 26, 1947  |
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