| Global retail industry news |  |
| Global Industry Watch |  |  |
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- Insider says "seismic change" needed by many retailers
Peter Williams, former head of Selfridges and a non-executive director at Asos, said many high streets and shopping centres are in need of a "seismic change". Williams told participants at the British Council of Shopping Centres conference that the rise of online shopping is forcing a fundamental reinvention of traditional retailers. Retail Week (U.K.)
(10 Nov.)     
| Retail in Europe | | |
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- UK supermarkets launch price war over toys
Just in time for Christmas, supermarkets in the UK are waging a price war over toys in an effort to gain market share. Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA and Morrisons are chasing the money consumers would have spent at Woolworths, Zavvi and other collapsed retailers. "What customers want is everyday low prices. When customers are tightening their belts they like certainty of pricing, they like round price points and they like being able to rely on prices being consistent," said David Potts, director of retail at Tesco. The Times (London) (subscription required)
(11 Nov.)
| Retail in Asia | | |
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- RT-Mart to unveil Beijing supermarket, according to local media
RT-Mart, the supermarket retailer based in Taiwan, is planning to open a new outlet in Beijing's Chinatown Shopping Plaza, according to local media reports. RT-Mart, which is one of the largest supermarket chains in the world, opened its first mainland China market more than a decade ago. By the end of 2008, RT-Mart had more than 100 outlets there. ChinaRetailNews.com
(11 Nov.)
| Retail in Latin America | | |
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| E-commerce Spotlight | | |
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- Maclaren does not extend pushchair recall to the UK
Maclaren, a UK company, has voluntarily recalled 1 million pushchairs, including the popular Techno and Volo products, in the US, but is not taking similar action in the UK or Europe. "To ensure our customers have all the information available on this subject, we are providing in stores and online the guidelines Maclaren have issued for the safe folding of all their buggies," a Mothercare spokesman said. BBC
(10 Nov.), BBC
(11 Nov.)
| Spotlight on Luxury Goods | | |
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- Chinese consumers continue to spend on luxury goods
Western consumers may be reining in their spending, but many Chinese shoppers are continuing to buy luxury items. Luxury-goods sales are estimated to decline 16% this year in the US, 10% in Japan and 8% in Europe, according to Bain & Co. Meanwhile, luxury-goods sales in China are forecast to jump 12%. The Toronto Star
(10 Nov.)
- Court throws out fine against retailers, perfume makers
A French regulator levied a €46.2 million price-fixing fine against 15 retailers and perfume makers, including L'Oreal, Sephora and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, in 2006. A Paris appeals court has thrown out the decision, saying using six-year-old evidence was wrong. "The age of the facts prevented the companies from making use of evidence that could have countered those cited by the" French regulator, wrote Judge Jean-Claude Magendie. Bloomberg
(10 Nov.)
| NRF News | | |
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- Submit retail ads, commercials, digital efforts by 20 Nov.
The Racie Awards honor the best retail ads, commercials, digital efforts and other communication materials that consumers first experienced during the past year. The deadline for 1st-3rd quarter entries is Friday, 20 Nov. Enter any one category for $75 and receive one free entry to the RAMA Board of Directors Creative Award. Learn more.
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