| Global retail industry news |  | | |  | - Wal-Mart could face strikes by South African unions
Retail employees in South Africa are prepared to strike against Wal-Mart, if necessary, to ensure that the retailer respects labour and protects jobs when it enters the country, according to union leaders. The South Africa Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union announced a coalition to work with unions around the world to put pressure on the retailer. ABC News/The Associated Press (04 Nov.)       | 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. |
 - Morrisons warns of rising prices
Food inflation will be as high as 3% in the next few months, warned Morrisons, one of the major UK supermarkets. Morrisons reported a 1.3% jump in same-store quarterly sales. Meanwhile, Unilever is trying to cover the increasing price of commodities by pushing through higher prices where competition allows. The Guardian (London) (04 Nov.)  | 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. |
 - Companies to raise costs of home appliances in India
Increases in the prices of copper, steel and other key raw materials are prompting Whirlpool, Videocon, Godrej and other companies to raise prices on washing machines, microwave ovens, refrigerators and air conditioners in India by as much as 5%. The increased prices will be in effect after the Diwali festival. The Economic Times (India) (05 Nov.) - Chow Tai Fook is establishing China jewelry HQ in Shenzhen
Chow Tai Fook Group, a Hong Kong-based company, is investing CNY200 million in its new jewelry headquarters in Shenzhen's Yantian district. The building will serve as the centre of Chow Tai Fook's operations in China. Chow Tai Fook Director Chen Shichang said the rapid growth of China's mainland market helped the company bolster sales to CNY20 billion in 2009. ChinaRetailNews.com (05 Nov.) - Penang, Malaysia, to ban plastic shopping bags
Plastic shopping bags will be virtually banned in the Malaysian state of Penang starting 1 Jan. The state is expanding its "No Plastic Bag Day", which prevents the use of such bags in hypermarkets and shopping centres on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The new rule will cover department stores, quickservice restaurants, convenience stores and other types of retail outlets. AsiaOne News/Star Publications (Malaysia) (03 Nov.)  | Conquering a Culture of Indecision
This classic Harvard Business Review article argues that leaders create their company's indecisiveness. They can break it by doing three things: engender honesty in communications, make meetings and reviews meaningful, and ensure that feedback and follow-through are used to reward high achievers. Order here. |
 - Brazil's Lojas Americanas reports surge in quarterly profit
Lojas Americanas capitalised on Brazil's record economic growth by opening stores, driving an almost sixfold increase in third-quarter profit. The largest discount retailer in Brazil reported $27 million in quarterly income. Brazilian retailers' strong sales performance "is a consequence of expanded credit, increased real salary mass and improved consumer confidence", according to Renato Prado and Ronaldo Kasinsky, analysts at Fator Corretora. Bloomberg Businessweek (05 Nov.)  | Comparison Guide: Hosted On-Demand CRM
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 | E-commerce Spotlight |  | | | - Debenhams rolls out online store in Ireland
Debenhams is offering online customers in the Republic of Ireland free delivery on orders placed before 21 Nov. to kick off the launch of its new site. Delivery costs after the initial promotion will be fixed at €5. Debenhams.ie offers clothing, cosmetics and home wares. Computing (U.K.) (04 Nov.) | Spotlight on Fashion | | | | - Estonia's Baltika reports quarterly loss
Baltika, the biggest clothing retailer in Estonia, posted a loss for the third quarter, but managed to narrow its loss for the first nine months of the year. The company is down 77.8 million kroons so far this year, compared with a loss of 125.8 million kroons in the first nine months of last year. Baltika Group has more than 120 stores in Estonia, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania and Latvia. Baltic Business News (04 Nov.) | NRF News | | | |
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