Retail insight as on 16th March 2010

March 16, 2010
News for the Retail industry










Previous Issues



News: Apparel, Specialty, CDIT ...



Phillips-Van Heusen to buy Tommy Hilfiger for $3 billion

Economic Times

Apparel company Phillips-Van Heusen Corp said it will buy fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger in a cash and stock deal for about $3 billion in a bid to boost its presence in markets like Europe and Asia.





Vishal Retail calls off merger with private arm

Reuters India

Promoters of Vishal Retail have withdrawn a proposed merger of their privately-owned company Vishal Water World with the public listed financially stressed retail firm. Vishal Water World, an amusement and water park project based in Kolkata, was proposed to be merged with Vishal Retail. This would, in effect, have pushed up promoter holding in the listed company besides bringing in additional assets to the financially beleaguered company.





Hasbro spreading its wings across India

FashionUnited

As slowdown fears ebb, many apparel retailers are mulling plans to increase their pan-India presence. Hasbro Clothing, a leading men's garment and accessories producer is one of them. The company plans to ramp up its store count by adding 25 more 'Basics Life' stores in the next fiscal (2010-11)





Pacific Delhi to open doors in October 2010

The capital Delhi is set to see the launch of its latest premium shopping center development, Pacific, located in the up market Rajouri Garden precinct. The project boasts of an exciting mix of retail and entertainment with approximately 40% of the space dedicated to food and entertainment concepts. The project has a good mix of international, national and local retailers with anchors such as Lifestyle, Spar and leading international brands Mango, Pramod, Charles and Keith, Nine West, Aldo, Ing Lot, La Senza amongst others.



News: Food & Grocery, QSR ...



India's largest food store

Commodity Online

India's largest food store was opened at Malleshwaram in Bangalore by SPAR, the world's largest independent retail chain, under a license agreement with Max Hypermarkets India Pvt Ltd. Spread over 90,000 sq ft on a single floor plate, the mart is loacated at Mantri Square Mall at one of the oldest residential localities in the garden city.





Godrej group opens specialty store in New Delhi

FoodBizDaily.com

Foodies in the capital now have a reason to rejoice as Godrej Nature's Basket, the Authentic World Food store, launches its flagship outlet in Defence Colony. Pioneering the trend of gourmet food retailing since the launch of its signature store at Warden Road in Mumbai in 2005, Godrej Nature's Basket offers an ultimate experience for the urban world food shopper.





McDonald's invests 35 mn for six weeks on radio

RadioandMusic.com

Global fast food retailer McDonald's India has earmarked Rs 35 million for its 'Har Chotti Khushi Ka Celebration' campaign on FM radio. The six-week campaign currently on air will culminate by March end.





Nafed to sell goods at cheaper rates across country

Press Trust of India

After its successful entry into the retail market in Delhi and Chennai, Nafed is set to sell a host of essential goods in other states too at a price, which will be 15-30 percent cheaper than market rates. As part of its 'Farm gate-to-Home gate' programme, the Federation will bring 'Nafed easy kit' containing kitchen basics to co-operative stores and other state-run retail outfits across the country.





Retail Trends





Mantri Square - India's largest mall?

indiablooms

Bangalore-based real estate company, Mantri Developers announced the opening of Mantri Square, which it claims to be the largest mall in India. The mall, having 252 retail outlets (including 39 F&B outlets) offering over 10,000 brands, will create a shopping experience unmatched in the country.







Franchise business in India set to grow 35% in next fiscal

franchise-net.com

At a time when the retail industry in India has started looking up again, franchising business in the country is expected to grow by 35% in the next fiscal. According to a recent report published by the Franchising World, the franchise industry in the country is growing at 35% while the retail industry in the country is growing at around 20% in terms of turnover.





Shopping gets a conscience in Asia Pacific Survey

Moneycontrol.com

Commercialism is developing a conscience in the Asia Pacific region, where over six in 10 shoppers are buying items that are either "fair trade" or environmentally friendly, a survey shows. The MasterCard poll, which involved more 3,500 consumers in 13 markets in the region in late 2009, also found 70 percent of respondents said they would go out of their way to purchase ecologically sound gifts, and don't mind paying extra for them.





Retail Insight



Putting the Shopper in your Shopper Marketing Study

dunhumbyUSA

Perhaps the most famous of Tesco's Shopper Marketing Initiatives is the Tesco Quarterly Statement. This communication, which is customized for each household, provides two benefits to the shopper: A financial reward, which can be used at the store, plus offers for highly relevant products based on past purchase behaviour. The Statement is so anticipated and so highly valued by shoppers that it's become known as "Four Christmases a Year". The mailing has an open rate of nearly 100% and is a major contributor to Tesco sales and profits because it keeps bringing shoppers back to the store to spend their "dividend" on the products they want and need.