| Global retail industry news |  |
| Global Industry Watch |  |  |
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- TM Lewin to expand internationally
TM Lewin CEO Geoff Quinn said that along with launching the company's first stand-alone women's wear outlet next year, it will likely expand further into Asia. The retailer successfully launched in Singapore earlier this year. "From a standing start in March when we opened our first store, we now have four outlets in Singapore, with a fifth opening this month and another in January," Quinn said. "Our franchising partner out there, Jay Gee, [wants] to launch us in Malaysia from February onwards, and then Indonesia." Financial Times (tiered subscription model)
(06 Nov.)
    
| Retail in Europe | | |
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- Ahold appears poised to increase acquisition efforts
Ahold, the Dutch grocery chain, is restructuring its management duties to free up two senior executives from daily management operations. The move is sparking speculation that Ahold may be bolstering its acquisition efforts. "The changes will ... allow Dick Boer and Larry Benjamin to devote more time to growth opportunities in existing and new markets," Ahold said. Reuters
(05 Nov.)
- IKEA helps improve education in 30 needy countries
Most people associate IKEA stores with everything from low-cost bookcases to meatballs, but ethical practices are not normally the first thing that comes to mind when the retailer is mentioned. Marianne Barner, head of IKEA Social Initiative, is trying to change that perception. Over the past six years, IKEA has partnered with UNICEF and Save the Children on a toy promotion. The company has given millions to help improve education in 30 poor countries. Telegraph (London)
(05 Nov.)
| Retail in Asia | | |
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- China's Suning reports profit up 15%
Suning, one of the largest electronics retailers in China, reported revenues of CNY41.574 billion in the first three quarters of the year, an increase of 6.32% over the same period the previous year. Profit rose 15.38% over the same period. Suning offered a bright outlook for the fourth quarter of the year, expecting 2009 profit to be up by as much as 40% over 2008. ChinaRetailNews.com
(06 Nov.)
- Column: India's retail market runs into challenges
Columnist Shobhana Subramanian explains how India's retail marketplace is changing. Several major retail chains, she writes, will find expansion difficult because of a lack of funding and the government's aversion to foreign direct investment. She also said it has become apparent that niche formats will struggle to find a place in the market. Business Standard (India)
(06 Nov.)
| E-commerce Spotlight | | |
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- Postal strikes end temporarily, offering relief to e-retailers
Although the disagreement between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union is not over, both sides have agreed to "a period of calm" that will allow business as usual through the holidays. The news is expected to provide welcome relief to online retailers and other businesses. Many retailers had made alternative plans for holiday deliveries, but some said consumers were pulling back out of concerns they may not receive their goods. Retail Week (U.K.)
(06 Nov.)
| Spotlight on Fashion | | |
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- S. Africa clothing retailers warn of tough conditions
Truworths and Foschini, two of the largest clothing retailers in South Africa, released slowing sales results as they warned of tough trading conditions as the country continues to struggle with an economic downturn. Truworths said total sales between June 29 and Nov. 1 reached 2.3 billion rand, a 10% increase. Reuters
(05 Nov.)
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