  | Global retail industry news |  |
- Fast Company names 10 retailers that are changing how we buy
Groupon hit it big with daily deals that appeal to the bargain hunter in all consumers, hastening a marriage between online and in-store shopping and spawning more than 500 global copycat sites, earning the top spot on Fast Company's list of the 10 most innovative retail companies. The rest of the list is a mix of brick-and-mortar merchants including Marks & Spencer, Ikea and Trader Joe's, and online retailers such as Amazon and eBay, all of which have contributed to changing the way consumers shop. MSNBC/Fast Company (03 May.)       - Retail sales in Australia slipped unexpectedly in March
Australian retailers saw a 0.5% drop in their total sales in March compared with February, the first decline in five months, according to the country's Bureau of Statistics. Economists had expected a gain of 0.5%. "Consumers are pretty cautious as they face higher mortgage rates and living costs," said Su-Lin Ong, senior economist at RBC Capital Markets. "There is a lot of uncertainty over households." Bloomberg (04 May.), The Australian/The Wall Street Journal (05 May.) - Toronto's former nightclubs morph into stores for US chains
 US retail chains including Crate and Barrel and Marshalls are turning to Toronto's former nightclub spaces as they clamor for new urban venues to reach Canadian consumers in a tight real estate market. The home furnishings chain will debut its condo-oriented CB2 store in the former Big Bop nightclub, and Marshalls is set to open a store in the former Circa space. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (03 May.)  | FedEx SmartPost Returns is an ideal way for businesses with over 100 daily returns to provide a convenient returns method for low-weight residential packages. It's a cost-effective, reliable solution that utilizes the strength of the FedEx® network and the U.S. Postal Service®. Learn more.
The U.S. Postal Service and USPS are registered trademarks of the United States Postal Service |
 - Spanish firm acquires 60% share in Gaultier's fashion house
Puig Beauty and Fashion Group of Spain is acquiring a 60% stake in Jean Paul Gaultier's fashion house. Hermes has agreed to sell Puig its 45% stake and the Spanish firm will assume €14 million of fashion house's debt. Gaultier is selling a 15% stake to Puig. "I am delighted with this move for a house that is dear to our heart," said Patrick Thomas, chief executive officer at Hermes. "I am convinced that the alliance between Jean Paul Gaultier and the Puig family will take the house to new highs." The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (03 May.)  | What is the future of social media?
Find out how social media is spreading into many digital touchpoints and changing lifestyles, businesses and how we interact with each other from the Altimeter Group's Jeremiah Owyang. Register today for the 2011 Social Media Success Summit to learn more about social media and how to make it work for your business. The event starts May 3rd, register today! |
 | Retail in Asia |  | | | - Avon looks into possible corruption after firing 4 in China
Avon Products said that after an internal investigation into bribing concerns in China, the company has fired four executives there, according to a regulatory filing. The largest door-to-door cosmetics merchant in the world is now looking into possible corruption elsewhere. Avon reportedly has uncovered questionable payments to officials around the world, including Japan, India, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. Bloomberg (05 May.) | Retail in Latin America | | | | - Netflix aims to enter Latin America
Netflix is negotiating for the rights to stream television shows and movies in Latin America, which would be the company's third market after the US and Canada. "We are always negotiating with virtually all the studios and networks and independent filmmakers," said Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesman. "We are looking at international expansion in a lot of places." Bloomberg (04 May.)  | Expert news curation and aggregation goes mobile
The SmartBrief Android App extends the reach of the SmartBrief e-mail service by allowing you to read, manage, save and share top news stories pertinent to your industry-with or without a mobile connection. Download the FREE SmartBrief Android App today! |
 | E-commerce Spotlight | | | | | Spotlight on Consumer Electronics | | | | - Comet boss steps down as retailer struggles
Hugh Harvey, head of the electricals chain Comet, has resigned as the retailer battles difficult trading conditions. "There's no denying the trading environment's difficult but he's left to pursue other interests," a spokesman said of Harvey's resignation. Bob Darke, commercial director at Comet, is succeeding Harvey. Telegraph (London) (03 May.), Reuters (03 May.) | NRF News | | | | - What's hot in retail (and at NRF)
As retail sales gains continue to see monthly gains, industry executives are scouring NRF resources to position their companies for future growth. Noteworthy hot topics last month included coverage of the ever-changing swipe fee fight, blog posts from NRF's inaugural Supply Chain Summit and consumer survey results from Easter and Mother's Day. View a complete list of the most popular resources and articles in retail for the month of April. Read more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Respect for the rights of others means peace."
--Benito Juárez,
Mexican politician  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please comment thoughtfully CPG Brokers, your best resource to optimize your in store self exposure and maximize sku distribution.