| Global retail industry news |  |
- Canadian retailers lament tough economy, higher food costs
Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart, two of the largest retailers in Canada, both say that increased competition has made it difficult to pass on higher food prices to consumers. "All retailers would have seen cost increases. Only very selectively and by very small amounts have any of those cost increases been passed onto the consumer," said Brad Lukow, Shoppers' chief financial officer. The Toronto Star (21 Jul.)       - John Lewis plans to open "flexible format" stores
John Lewis, the UK department store chained owned by its staff and partners, said it plans to open 10 or more new "flexible format" stores as it ramps up its expansion pace. The stores will be tailored to specific locations, but will feature a full range of John Lewis goods. "There is a huge potential, and a clear demand from customers, for John Lewis to expand into more key locations in the UK," said Andy Street, managing director at John Lewis. Reuters (21 Jul.), The Guardian (London) (22 Jul.) - Halfords says fuel costs force Britons to cut back on driving
Halfords, the UK auto parts and bicycles retailer, said motorists are reining in their mileage and cutting other car-related expenses due to the persistently high cost of fuel. "When you are seeing the scale of fuel price increases that we are, it is inevitable that customers will look for ways to save money," said CEO David Wild. Reuters (21 Jul.)  | 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 complimentary whitepaper. |
 - Indian retailers shift back to hypermarket format
Reliance Retail has dipped its toe in the hypermarket format in the past only to shift to neighbourhood stores. Reliance is returning to hypermarkets, however, with Reliance Mart. It's not alone. A number of retailers in India are betting on the hypermarket format. "The big-box model can offer the choice to customers which a convenience store cannot," said Damodar Mall, director for food strategy at Future Group. "It's also clear that financial viability will rest in the big stores as the small format stores do not have a feasible business model." The Times of India (22 Jul.) - China's Nanjing undergoes retail revolution
Retailers in China's ancient capital city of Nanjing were once fearful of the entrance of international competitors, which often had more advanced systems and different ways of selling goods. However, the Chinese retailers instead learned from their global counterparts and have managed to thrive. China Daily (Beijing) (22 Jul.)  | Ad Compliance Best Practices Kit — Stay ahead of consumer concern and government regulation with TRUSTe. Gain an overview of what Behavioral Advertising (OBA) is, why it is important, and what your options are. Insights from the FTC, DAA, TRUSTe, Forbes, Publisher's Clearing House and more. Register Now. |
 - Missguided.co.uk reports record sales growth
The first six months of 2011 have been good for Missguided.co.uk, a Manchester-based online fashion retailer. "Despite broader economic challenges, thus far, 2011 has been an exceptional year for Missguided.co.uk," said Nitin Passi, founder of the company. "We offer fast fashion in an aspirational but accessible online environment and continually innovate to offer daily reasons to return to our website. Our ability to progress our product ranges cannot be rivalled on the high street and we attribute this unique approach to our ongoing success." Manchester Evening News (U.K.) (19 Jul.)  | Developing, Managing, and Retaining Top Performers
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 | Spotlight on Fashion |  |  | | - Korea's E-Land to acquire Italy's Mandarina Duck
E-Land Group, a Korean fashion retailer, has agreed to acquire the Italian fashion brand Mandarina Duck from Mariella Burani Fashion Group. The move is part of E-Land's effort to expand its sales. "The European fiscal crisis has put many European companies on sale at relatively cheap prices," said one E-Land source. "We made the decision (to buy) since it is a good chance to further penetrate the European market." Donga.com (South Korea) (20 Jul.) | NRF News | | | | - U.S. back-to-school spending expected to be flat this year
NRF's 2011 Back-to-School and Back-to-College surveys found that the state of the U.S. economy has left many shoppers hesitant to purchase and more willing to make do with last year's backpacks, pencils and glue sticks. According to the survey, U.S. back-to-school spending is expected to be flat this year, and parents are asking kids to scour their closets before heading out to buy anything new. Read more.
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