retail news on 26 June 2009

News


Future Group to foray into realty biz
TopNews
The Kishore Biyani-led Future Group is all set to foray into real estate business for building ready-to-move-in houses. The company has informed that it has signed 50:50 joint venture with Kolkata-based developer Sumit Dabriwal, to incorporate FH Residencies, for branded apartments that would be available at an affordable cost.


Premji sends legal notice to board and former directors of Subhiksha
Economic Times
The Azim Premji-owned Zash Investments has upped the ante in its dispute with the board of troubled retail firm Subhiksha by sending a legal notice to all its current and former directors over their alleged failure to perform their duties.


French apparel retailer to expand in India
Livemint
Zudaas France, manufacturer and retailer of kids fashionwear and apparel, plans to have 250 outlets across India in this fiscal and aims to become a Rs200-crore company by 2010-11.



Arvind Brands to bring global brands
Livemint
Apparel maker Arvind Brands is planning to expand its offerings by introducing more international brands this year, besides ramping up its retail presence across the country. The company said the initiatives are part of the Rs400 crore investment plan announced last year, out of which Rs100 crore has already been invested.


Peter England to open 100 value stores this fiscal
Business Standard
Peter England Fashion and Retail (PEFR) will strengthen its value segment, which includes brands like Elysee, Byford and Spin Off, by opening around 100 exclusive outlets this fiscal dedicated to the category.


India potential market for expansion: Best Buy
Livemint
Best Buy Co. chief executive officer, Brian Dunn, said the largest electronics retailer in the world is looking at India as a potential market. India is obviously something we are watching very closely, said Dunn, who took over as CEO on Thursday. There are very healthy internal whispers about how important that market is.



Italian coffee brand Caffe Pascucci enters India
Thaindian.com
Leading Italian coffee brand Caffe Pascucci has entered India by setting up its first outlet here to retail imported blended coffee. The euro 600-million (Rs.4,060-crore) Pascucci has roped in the city-based Madhura Beverages India as its master franchisee for setting up a chain of outlets across the country.


Retail Trends

Create consumption demand, says Kishore Biyani: Group CEO, Future Group
Livemint
In the past couple of months the good news has clearly come from rural India. Rural India is consuming more cars, consumer durables and other value added products.


Retail: Will budget offer a fresh lease of life?
Economic Times
UPA coming into power in good numbers raises new hopes for the retail sector in India. Like any other sector, retail has also been witnessing a sharp decline in revenues. Given that the retail trade functions on paper thin margins; this decline in revenues has had a cascading effect on profitability.


Retail Insight

Building a Category Management Capability
UPS

Category management has its roots with the landmark Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) industry initiatives of the 1990s developed by the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) industry association. ECR established industry best practices guidelines that have helped to guide countless category management initiatives by individual companies, consortiums, Internet marketplaces and partnerships.