Retail insight on 14th August 2009

Aug 14, 2009

News and Analysis for the retail industry

News

Regulator for retail sector in the offing mydigitalfc.com The government proposes to set up a Retail Regulatory Authority. It will have jurisdiction over the organised retail sector, including single-brand stores, in which up to 51 per cent foreign direct investment is permitted, and the wholesale cash-and-carry trade. Also planned is a national commission which will study problems faced by the unorganised retail trade, especially small kirana outlets and mom-and-pop stores which are impacted by the entry of big organised retail.

Go Carting Now Opens at Ansal Plaza Greater Noida Click here for more details Operational Brands: McDonald's, Tata Croma, Reliance Footprint, Reliance Super, SRS 7Dayz , Reebok, Pizza Hut, Cell u Com, Lakshita International, Cafe Coffee Day, Koutons, Mother Home, Subway, Vodafone, Lilliput, Wong, Nakshatra ,Beebay, M&B Footwear, Liverpool, US Dollar Store, Noble House, Reid n Taylor, Subway, Kwality Walls, GKB lens, Dayal Optical. Upcoming Brands: Levis Signature, Bowling Alley.

Retailers come up with special promotions in run up to I-Day Business Standard Independence day is serving as another spring-board for big retail chains to come up with special offers and product promotions to boost sales and increase footfall in their outlets. While Reliance Retail has free gifts and offers in its value stores, Big Bazaar has kicked off its annual shopping festival with discounts on many of its products.

CavinKare to take on fast food MNCs in India, abroad Livemint The Chennai-based company that was among the first to popularize the sale of shampoos in sachets plans to take on fast food multinational corporations (MNCs) such as McDonald's Corp. not just in India, but also overseas with a multi-cuisine fast food restaurant format that it is currently testing.

Pantaloon Retail sees 30% growth in revenue this year Livemint As fears over swine flu spread across India, its effect is gradually being seen in the retail sector as well. Kishore Biyani, chief executive officer, Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd, said in an interview that his company saw some impact on sales in Pune and Mumbai. He, however, also said that the firm aimed to achieve at least 30% growth in revenue this year.

Sales not impacted by swine flu so far: Aditya Birla Retail Business Standard As a precautionary step against swine flu, Aditya Birla Retail has provided its employees with masks to be worn in stores and is making sure they get treated even for a mild disorder. "All employees in our office (headquarters) here and at our "more..." stores have been provided with face masks and hand-sanitizers. We are quarantining the sick ones and making sure they get treated even if it is a mild fever," Aditya Birla Retail CEO Thomas Varghese told PTI here today.

Retail Trends

Wal-Mart Thinks Locally to Act Globally Wall Street Journal Having powered its way to the top in U.S. retailing, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has struggled to extend its dominance across the globe. But the world's largest retailer is learning in Brazil and elsewhere that the most successful ideas don't necessarily flow from its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. That has it tailoring inventories and stores to local tastes and exporting ideas and products pioneered outside the U.S.

Fewer footfalls seen in supermarkets Economic Times Most retailers, including supermarkets and hypermarkets, are running their off-season sale and a clamp on crowds could ruin the special schemes they have planned for this weekend.

Retail Insight

Got The Goods? An Intelligent Approach to Global Sourcing in Grocery Retailing Eqos In response to competitive pressures and the proliferation of choice offered to consumers, today's grocery retailers are transforming their businesses by developing value-added products and services to attract and retain customers. To do this effectively and efficiently, these strategies rely on advanced sourcing capabilities.