Dixons plans to sell more after-sale services to boost profit

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19 May 2011 Sign up Forward Archive Advertise Global retail industry news   Global Industry Watch    Gap chief has five months to turn around firm's namesake brand Glenn Murphy, CEO at Gap, is striving to turn around the company's namesake brand, but he faces significant challenges and has little time. Murphy recently has replaced the president and top designer of the brand, but the holiday season will largely determine whether his efforts have succeeded. "I have a much higher sense of urgency," Murphy said. "This brand is just too damn important to not see that kind of effort being put forward." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (19 May.) UAE retailers need to be aware of key trends, consultancy says Retailers in the UAE have been reporting strong revenue growth as shoppers flock to the region's malls. However, the consultancy Verdict Research warns that the momentum could wane and that retailers must be aware of key trends, such as climbing commodity prices and management of brands. The National (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) (18 May.) Target to invest more than originally planned to enter Canada Target is striving to ensure it gets the best possible retail locations available in Canada and said it will soon offer more information on store openings. "Our Canadian market entry continues to generate considerable excitement," said Gregg Steinhafel, president, chairman and CEO at Target, although the company CFO predicts "the burden per share prior to opening is larger than we thought likely 90 days ago." The Toronto Star (18 May.) 5 Ways to Maximize the Value of Your E-Commerce Video Accelerate your web site — and your online transactions — with our free guide today. Learn how to: • Use metadata to optimize search results • Leverage your existing workflow • Automate mobile distribution • Accelerate delivery of video content • Measure the impact of your video   Retail in Europe    Mothercare to concentrate on out-of-town superstores Mothercare announced it will close more than 100 outlets on the UK's high streets following a steep decline in profit. The retailer will instead focus on its larger, out-of-town superstores. Mothercare, which is enjoying a rapidly expanding overseas business, said it will also renegotiate rent on another 40 stores. Telegraph (London) (18 May.) Are you keeping up with the changing world of employee health care? Get The Basics of Employee Health Care for Small Business: A Guide to Creating a Company Benefit Plan, and find out what you need to know today. There's no obligation. Click to download a FREE whitepaper.   Retail in Asia    Analysis: China's supermarket chains eye the interior China is the fastest growing of all the world's major retail markets, and the supermarket chains there are getting ready to expand into the less-developed markets of the nation's interior, according to The Economist. "The whole market has a Wild West feel," the magazine noted. "Huge areas of China are up for grabs, and it helps if you are chums with the local lawman. Retailers depend on local government for a licence and a place to operate." The Economist/Schumpeter blog (18 May.) Rockowitz named new chief executive at Li & Fung Bruce Rockowitz, president at Li & Fung, has been named chief executive officer of the large retail supplier. Chairman Victor Fung will be succeeded in 2012 by William Fung, his brother, the company said. "Our focus in the next three years will be on organic growth," William Fung said. Bloomberg (18 May.) Thai retailers rebuild but fear riots could return some day Small retailers in Bangkok are continuing to rebuild their businesses after being damaged in the 2010 riots and arson attacks. However, some retailers are concerned that the riots could flare up again. Bangkok Post (Thailand) (19 May.) Other News Lotte Shopping reports 13% jump in quarterly profit The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (18 May.) If you post something on your brand's Facebook page your fans see it, right? Wrong. What you don't know about Facebook's post ranking system can hurt your social branding efforts. EdgeRank is the way that Facebook grades the relevancy of your posts to your fans. Cut through the mystery of Facebook's EdgeRank - download the White Paper now.   E-commerce Spotlight  Baidu founder and CEO Li invests in 360buy.com Baidu founder and CEO Robin Li, said to be the richest man on China's mainland, has become the latest in a series of famous investors to bet on 360buy.com, one of the largest websites that sells products directly to Chinese consumers. The retail site, which is valued at roughly $10 billion, sells computers, electronics and other products. China Daily (Beijing) (18 May.)   Spotlight on Consumer Electronics  Dixons plans to sell more after-sale services to boost profit Dixons Retail CEO John Browett said the company has rebranded its "Knowhow" after-sale services, which it expects to bolster profits. "I don't want people to be over-excited about the opportunity," he said. "The [potential] is big but we are planning conservatively." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/Dow Jones Newswires (18 May.)   NRF News  Research: How retailers and shoppers are using tablets With the popularity of tablets spreading like wildfire, NRF's Kathy Grannis digs into new BIGresearch data on the demographics of tablet shoppers and what influences their online purchases while using the cutting-edge device. The blog post links to a free report that profiles today's tablet users. Read more. Join NRF  |  NRF Events  |  FIRAE  |  STORES  |  Training and Certification   SmartQuote  If you hire only those people you understand, the company will never get people better than you are. 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