   | Global retail industry news |  |
| Global Industry Watch |  |  | | - Saudi Arabia enforces 2006 lingerie-shop law
The government in Saudi Arabia will begin enforcing a 2006 law that requires women-only staff in lingerie stores, despite opposition by religious hardliners and senior cleric Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh. About 28,000 women have applied for positions at the stores in the past several weeks. The Observer (London) (02 Jan.)       |  |  | | See how Cardmembers use American Express OPEN Cards to help run their business:
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  - UK retailers retool for tighter times
Europe's retailers say they're taking a host of measures to cut costs as they prepare for a year of uncertain growth, including tightening budgets and supply chains, renegotiating lease terms and managing inventory levels more carefully. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required) (30 Dec.) - Ozwald Boateng plans to open up to 100 new stores
Menswear designer Ozwald Boateng expects to invest up to £150m to open between 50 and 100 new retail stores by 2016, hoping to emulate the international efforts of Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton. Boateng, who runs his retail business from a shop in London's Savile Row, plans to open most of the new shops under franchise or partnership agreements. The Telegraph (London) (31 Dec.) - La Senza to close 80 stores
UK lingerie chain La Senza plans to close at least 80 stores and lay off thousands of employees, a reflection of slowing sales and higher high-street rents, which have other chains contemplating similar actions, this story says. Chains Blacks and Past Times are expected to make similar moves in the coming weeks, says one retail consultant who predicts that high-street chains could shed up to 40,000 jobs in the next 18 months. The Observer (London) (31 Dec.)  | To make a retail operation truly customer-focused, retailers need to connect customer’s interactions, drive better decisions using science and insight, and optimize operations for efficiency. Retailers who focus on discerning customer sentiment and creating a customer experience will win customers’ long-term loyalty. Learn more. |
 - Brands see solid growth potential in China
Global brands including grocery chain Tesco and luxury sunglass maker Luxottica Group are finding new ways to tailor stores and products to Chinese consumers, as part of a push to capitalize on the world's fastest-growing economy. China's retail sales grew 17% in the first 11 months of 2011, more than four times the growth in all of 2001. China Daily (Beijing) (31 Dec.) - Korea's merchants ready for the Year of the Black Dragon
Retailers in Korea plan to make the most of marketing opportunities in the Year of the Black Dragon, a sign of the Chinese zodiac and a marketing event that only comes every 60 years. Black dragons adorn everything from baby blankets and artwork at department stores to "Flying Dragon" ice cream cakes at Baskin-Robbins. The Korea Herald (Seoul) (02 Jan.)  | Consumer Insights Your Brand Needs to Know: Latest Trends in Behavioral Advertising
Learn what brand managers, advertisers, as well as networks, agencies, and publishers need to know about consumer survey insights into behavioral ad serving, also known as interest-based advertising. Learn more today! |
  | Active Directory (AD) is the heart of your IT infrastructure, so a solid monitoring and backup and recovery solution is vital! In this Quest tech brief, discover best practices for protecting your AD environment, and how to understand — and resolve — performance problems in record time. |
 - Preparing for a mobile wallet future
Mobile phone makers began releasing their first models equipped with the near field communication technology that consumers need to use their smartphones as mobile wallets, but wide adoption of the payment option will also require retailers to invest in point-of-sale systems that work with the technology. Proponents say enabling mobile wallets can speed the payment process and boost sales. Marketnews Magazine (Toronto) (02 Jan.)  | Principles of Checkweighing - Building an Effective Program
This essential guide is an invaluable resource of checkweighing information and a definitive reference providing an insight into all aspects of checkweighing from basic principles to implementation of a comprehensive program. Request your free copy now! |
 | Spotlight on Grocery | | | | - Food, drink exports a bright spot for Ireland's economy
Food and drink exports from Ireland likely hit an all-time high in 2011, rising 12% over the previous year, according to an industry trade group. "Exports were very strong, due to a combination of the strong price environment globally for food commodities as well as volume growth," said Paul Kelly, director of Food and Drink Industry Ireland. The Irish Times (Dublin) (03 Jan.) - Tesco reinforces commitment to support gay pride parades
Supermarket chain Tesco said it's fully committed to sponsoring this year's gay pride parade in London, and won't back down despite opposition from conservative Christian groups. "Tesco supports a wide range of good causes and charities and is committed to tolerance and diversity," said a spokesman. The Guardian (London) (02 Jan.) | NRF News | | | | - Disney Stores' and Cherokee's smart approach to global expansion
In this challenging global economy, when should a company consider expansion and what are the key considerations in building a thriving global retail business? A panel at Retail's BIG Show, Jan. 15 to 18 in New York City, will discuss issues from establishing strategic partnerships and licensing arrangements to pursuing financing options. Learn more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor."
--Henry David Thoreau,
American author and poet  |
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