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| Global retail industry news |  |
- UK retail sales rose in December
Heavy discounting in the weeks leading up to Christmas led UK retail sales to rise 0.6% in December compared to the previous month and 1.7% over December 2010, the Office for National Statistics said Friday. Bloomberg Businessweek (20 Jan.)      - Carrefour sees sales slip, rethinks Planet plans
Paris-based Carrefour's sales fell 11% in the fourth quarter amid slower consumer spending and competition from rivals Wal-Mart and Tesco, the company said Thursday. The chain also said it is rethinking its plan to invest €1.5 billion to upgrade 500 hypermarkets to its new Planet stores by the end of 2012. The Wall Street Journal (19 Jan.)  | The business phone system market is constantly changing. Vendors are battling for your business with expanded feature sets and competitive pricing. How do you know which system is right for your enterprise-class business? Focus Experts have just completed a comprehensive guide for 2011 to help you assess your needs and choose a phone system that fits. |
 | Retail in Asia |  |  | | - McDonald's takes upscale look to India
McDonald's has begun remodeling 240 stores in India to a more sophisticated footprint that replaces the chain's primary colors and hard chairs with muted tones and comfy seating, and includes an upgraded menu aimed at attracting more adults. The chain has seen success with the new format in the US and Europe. The Economic Times (India) (20 Jan.) - UK online retail sales hit record high in December
Online retail sales in the UK rose 16.5% in December compared to the same month in 2010, hitting a record £8bn, according to Capgemini. Online shopping now accounts for 17% of all UK retail sales, and more merchants are creating or expanding their online retail efforts, the firm said. The Guardian (London) (19 Jan.) - E-commerce on the rise in the Middle East
E-commerce is still a small part of retail in the Middle East, but it's growing rapidly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to Euromonitor. The research firm expects online sales in the region to double to $2.2 billion by 2016 as consumers grow more comfortable using credit cards to pay for online purchases. BBC (17 Jan.)  | How to Get the Package You Need—Without Breaking the Bank
A robust benefits package can be the difference between someone choosing to work with you versus a more established competitor. But with the cost of benefits rising each year, providing a benefits package that helps you attract, retain and motivate talented people gets harder all the time. Download, 5 Ways To Manage The Rising Costs of Benefits. |
 | Spotlight on Fashion | | | | - True Religion takes its American brand global
California-based jeans brand True Religion Apparel opened its first store in China last year, and boosted the number of its international stores from seven to 17. The company, which is finding success abroad with distinctly American premium jeans styles, expects to open at least 10 more overseas stores in 2012 and is working on deals to expand in markets in Europe and Asia. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (17 Jan.) - Classic styles on display in Milan
Menswear designers stayed true to their roots during Milan Fashion Week, with clean lines and classic looks dominating the runway and pleasing retail buyers, who are cautiously optimistic about the category's prospects in the coming year. "Overall, budgets are up this season to reflect our investment in men's wear at the store. It's a healthy business," said Anita Barr, director of men's wear at Selfridges. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (19 Jan.) | NRF News | | | |
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Starbucks is expected to open its first location in India by the end of the year, and the coffee company is putting the finishing touches on a deal to partner with India-based Tata Group by the end of January. Indian consumers have traditionally sipped tea, but more are ordering espressos and cappuccinos as they learn to like Western tastes. 
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