| Global retail industry news |  | | |  | - Marks & Spencer is poised to return to European markets
Marks & Spencer sold its shops in mainland Europe almost a decade ago, but the largest clothing retailer in Britain is planning to return. M&S is said to have approached some of its competitors in France and Spain about repurchasing some of the shops it sold several years ago. Sir Stuart Rose, the outgoing chairman at M&S, has indicated that he wants to return to the European markets, but the company has not yet announced a concrete plan. Telegraph (London) (30 Oct.) , The Guardian (London) (31 Oct.)      - Sephora signs deal with Grupo Axo to open stores in Mexico
Sephora Americas made its foray into Latin America earlier this year by launching online beauty retailer Sacks.com in Brazil. Now, the fragrance and cosmetic chain is planning to open two stores in Mexico through an agreement with Grupo Axo. "This joint venture marks a substantial step in Sephora's expansion into Latin America and enables Sephora to capitalise on the exceptional growth opportunity we see in Mexico," said David Suliteanu, president and CEO of Sephora Americas. American City Business Journals/San Francisco (29 Oct.)  | What could be better than supporting and managing your BlackBerry smartphone deployment, for free? Nothing.
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 - Metro considers selling electronics stores in France
Germany's Metro is considering selling some or all of its 34 Saturn stores in France, citing a "challenging" economic situation. Saturn, a consumer electronics chain, could also continue with a strategic partner in France, Metro said. Meanwhile, Metro is planning to launch several new stores in China. Reuters (29 Oct.) , Bloomberg (29 Oct.)  | Embrace your dark side.
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 - Indian retailers have high expectations for Diwali
Retailers in India are expecting Diwali to be a boom time this year as the economic slowdown fades away and the festival falls at the beginning of the month rather than the end. "This year, shopping that started from Saturday is expected to last at least for a week, thanks to favourable dates," said the president of the Confederation of All India Traders. Many consumers in India receive their salaries at the beginning of the month, he explained. The Times of India (31 Oct.) - Beijing retailers establish pharmacy alliance
Cachet, Yishou Baixing, Jewim Pharmaceutical and other pharmacy chain operators in Beijing have launched a pharmacy alliance. Alliance members will work together on procurement from manufacturers to reduce costs and improve oversight of medicine quality. ChinaRetailNews.com (01 Nov.) - How 3.1 Phillip Lim positions itself globally
Wen Zhou launched a textile company at the age of 21, less than a decade after she moved from China to the US. Zhou then went on to found the brand 3.1 Phillip Lim, which now is sold in hundreds of stores around the world. The company also has its own stores in Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore. In this interview, Zhou discusses plans to expand the brand. The Wall Street Journal (31 Oct.)  | Think you're saving money by not investing in new technology? Today's technology can deliver higher performance at reduced costs. Consider this: five years ago, a 22 page per minute workgroup color printer cost $2,000. Today, its service contract can cost up to $514. You could replace it with a brand new 30 page per minute Xerox color printer for as little as $349. Trade-in your old printer and save. |
 - Australian online shopping mall Webu launches
Late last week, Australian online shopping centre Webu opened for business. Webu integrates online retailing with social networking with the goal of becoming an essential resource for Australia's online consumers. "Webu helps Australia's retailers, both large and small, tap into Australia's booming local and global online consumer market," said Steve Allen, founder of Webu. Inside Retailing Online (29 Oct.)  | Gain Control of Your Most Expensive Resource
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 | Spotlight on Mass Merchandise |  | | | | NRF News | | | | - How Lands' End goes the extra mile for customers
From designing custom gloves for a child born with four fingers to offering stylish mastectomy swimwear, Lands' End remains focused on listening to customers and meeting their distinct needs. In a recent Q-and-A, Lands' End President Nick Coe shares a few extraordinary stories about how their employees take service to a whole new level, living by the principle, "What is best for our customer is best for all of us." Read more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Be sure that you go to the author to get at his meaning, not to find yours."
--Salman Rushdie,
British-Indian writer  |
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