| Global retail industry news |  |
- Argentina's retail sales rose 9.3% in January
Retail sales in Argentina were up 9.3% in January compared with the same month a year ago. The Argentine CAME medium-sized business group said that the "great commercial energy" has "extended to all cities and towns across the country, and sales were particularly intense in touristic towns; along the Atlantic Coast, Cordoba, Misiones, Entre Rios and in Mendoza." Buenos Aires Herald (Argentina) (03 Feb.)        | Blog like the big brands
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 | Retail in Europe |  | | | - Buffett's acquisition of Italian jeweler could spur others
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway announced last month that it plans to acquire Rosato, an Italian gold jeweler. The move raised expectations that other cash-rich investors might follow Buffett's move. "I expect that emerging markets investors buying luxury goods brands in Europe will be a continuing trend," said Luca Solca, an analyst at Bernstein. "They have cash, they know in-depth their local markets where the newly acquired brands can grow and thrive, they are attracted by the European luxury heritage and flair." Reuters (02 Feb.) - Scottish Parliament rejects tax on major retailers
Scotland's Parliament has voted against the "Large Retailer Levy." "The fact this ill-conceived levy has been stopped will come as a huge relief to everyone who cares about Scotland's economic prosperity," said Fiona Moriarty, a director of the Scottish Retail Consortium. "The Local Government and Communities Committee did a crucial job by thoroughly investigating this tax and understanding the threat it posed to the Scottish economy and to Scottish jobs." Telegraph (London) (03 Feb.) | Retail in Asia | | | | - Study touts India's organised retail sector
The Boston Consulting Group has released a survey that says organised retail stores in Indian locations offer monthly savings of about 6% on groceries when compared with kirana, or independent, stores. The survey was conducted in December in four India cities: Delhi, Agra, Bhopal and Coimbatore. "Organised retail passes on some of its scale benefits to its customers, as a result of which it offers reduced prices," according to BCG. Business Standard (India) (03 Feb.) - 7-Eleven expands test of eco-friendly store format in Japan
Convenience store franchise 7-Eleven launched an experimental eco-friendly store in Kyoto, Japan, last year that has become a model for the chain's expansion in that country. The stores use LED technology for lighting, power their operations with solar energy and are outfitted with electric-vehicle chargers. The company is testing similar sustainable formats in other Asian markets and last year opened its first US green store in DeLand, Fla. The New York Times (free registration) (30 Jan.) - Shares of Brazil's Arezzo up 13.7% following IPO
Arezzo Industria e Comercio, the biggest women's shoe retailer in Brazil, saw its shares jump 13.7% on Wednesday after its initial public offering. The surge came as optimism increases over the country's consumer spending. "There has been a structural change in the economy, which has benefited stocks linked with the domestic economy, consumption and retail," said Andre Querne, managing partner at hedge fund Rio Gestao de Recursos. Reuters (02 Feb.)  | 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. |
 | E-commerce Spotlight | | | | - UK investigates prices charged for e-books
Britain's Office of Fair Trading is probing prices that companies such as Amazon and Apple charge for electronic books. The OFT said it has received a "significant number of complaints" about the cost of e-books. The agency plans to look into whether the UK's 1998 Competition Act is being violated. InternetRetailer.com (02 Feb.) - British online retailers facilitate charitable giving
Debenhams, Tesco and other retailers in the UK have signed on to the Give as you Live charitable drive. Consumers are able to choose from more than 200,000 charities when they download the browser-based application. The donations are paid by the retailer, deducted from the shopper's sale. ShopSafe.co.uk (U.K.) (02 Feb.) | Spotlight on Consumer Electronics | | | | - Canadians' spending on consumer electronics declines
Canadians spent slightly less on consumer electronics in 2010 compared with 2009, according to the NPD Group. Spending on computers and televisions surged nearly 20%, but spending on other devices dropped. "The prices are falling on many of these hot categories that consumers are buying," said Mark Haar, director of consumer electronics at NPD Group. For example, prices of TVs dropped, but sales were up. CTV.ca (Canada)/The Canadian Press (02 Feb.) | NRF News | | | | - 9 out of 10 top retail companies attend NRF's LP Conference
Retail, law enforcement and industry leaders will be in Dallas June 13-15 for NRF's 2011 Loss Prevention Conference and Expo. Last year, nine of the top 10 retail companies had employees who attended. Was your company represented? View a full list of last year's attendees or sign up now to save big on conference registration. Learn more.
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