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  | Global retail industry news |  |
- Shoppers Drug Mart copes with shifting retail tides
Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada's largest retail pharmacy, will expand its non-prescription offerings including high-end beauty products as it copes with slowing pharmacy revenue, said CEO Domenic Pilla. The moves come as Canadian consumers shift to lower-cost online and mail-order options and provincial governments are scaling back payments to pharmacies. Shoppers is also likely to feel the pinch when Target begins opening stores next year. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (28 Mar.)       | Learn how Oka b. stays a step ahead with eCommerce solutions from Amazon
In this case study you’ll learn about eCommerce solutions from Amazon that have driven business results for Oka b. — a U.S. manufacturer of casual footwear — and helped them achieve greater business success. Download the case study. |
 - High costs, deep discounts hit H&M's bottom line
Sweden-based apparel retailer H&M reported its lowest profits in eight years for the first quarter on higher commodity costs and aggressive discounting. Same-store sales rose 3% during the same period, and the company plans to open 275 new stores this year. Bloomberg (29 Mar.)  | Make your business phone system decision much easier. Not sure what your buyer type is? Need a better understanding of the features available? Download this free guide to get access to Focus' Short List as well as our side-by-side assessment of all of the key vendors in the space. |
 - Japan's retail sales beat expectations in February
Japan's retail sales rose 3.5% in February from the same month in 2011, beating economists' forecast of 1.4% growth and signaling a return of consumer confidence. "Consumer spending will likely hold steady, supported by reconstruction demand and the government's subsidy program," said economist Azusa Kato. Bloomberg (28 Mar.) - India's retailers say "new norm" hurts financing plans
New rules on direct investment by foreign retailers announced in January may make it tougher for India's homegrown single-brand merchants to raise the funds they need to compete, say retail industry lawyers. The new rules say only the brand's owner can invest in India's single-brand retailers; merchants are waiting for a government decision on whether that means they're not allowed to raise funds from private equity firms outside the country. The Economic Times (India) (29 Mar.)  | 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! |
 - Brazilians spend big on beauty products
Consumers in Brazil spend an average of $240 annually on beauty products, as much as shoppers in the US and UK, and sales are rising about four times as fast as in the US, according to consulting firm A.T. Kearney. "From a cultural standpoint, women in Brazil really take their looks seriously. Then you think about the Olympics, the income story, wage inflation and people getting more wealthy. It all bodes well," said UBS analyst Nik Modi. CNBC (28 Mar.)  | RadioShack has a global presence and a variety of innovative products and services. With reasonable investment levels and hundreds of potential markets, a RadioShack franchise represents an exciting opportunity for you to associate with a powerful retail brand. Click here to learn more. |
 - EBay tweaks Indian strategy
India's fast-growing e-commerce economy is spurring eBay to boost investment there and shift its marketing strategy to persuade consumers to buy clothing and shoes online, in addition to big-ticket, low-margin consumer electronics they're already purchasing. The Wall Street Journal (28 Mar.)  | Leveraging Cloud Security to Weather Threatening Storms
Web attacks and retribution campaigns are on the rise, and they have become more frequent, more random and more extreme. This paper assesses the current cyber threat environment and discusses the use of distributed cloud services as an effective means to protect against evolving, modern-day IT threats. |
 | Spotlight on Consumer Electronics |  |  | | |  | - Apple aims to boost its presence in China
Apple expects to increase its investment in China, its second largest market after the US, said CEO Tim Cook on a visit there this week. Apple operates six stores in the country, far fewer than the 25 former CEO Ron Johnson predicted in 2010. Bloomberg (27 Mar.) - Gome loses market share to online rivals
China's Gome Electrical Appliance Holding reported a 6.2% drop in profits for 2011 as costs rose and more consumers shifted their shopping online. Consumer electronics sales in the country grew 22% last year, but Gome faced stiff and growing competition from online rivals including 360Buy.com and Taobao. Bloomberg (27 Mar.), The Wall Street Journal (28 Mar.)  | Costs are rising in China and Japan, prompting high-tech firms across Asia to consider new sourcing locations so they can remain efficient, while focusing more on service. What will be the impact of this behavioral shift? Learn about the findings in this free white paper. |
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| SmartQuote | | | |  | Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does."
--Josh Billings,
American humorist  |
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