Retail insight as on 27th April 2010

April 27, 2010News for the Retail industry










Previous Issues



News: Apparel, Specialty, CDIT ...





Foreign investment in multi-brand retail ruled out for now

Economic Times

The government is currently not working on the modalities of opening up multi-brand retail to foreign investors as it is still trying to strengthen back-end of the retail industry. "Back-end operations have to be strengthened first, as it would lead to value addition, higher remuneration to farmers and also create jobs," Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said.





Rajesh Exports lines up Rs 3000-4000 cr expansion

Moneycontrol.com

Rajesh Exports Ltd, one of India’s top jewellery makers and exporters, plans to open 300 retail stores in India over the next three years, and has lined up a capex of Rs 3000-4000 crore, a top official said. Rajesh Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, also plans to expand retail operations overseas with showrooms in the Middle East, Far East, US and parts of Europe including the UK and France.





Trent to raise 500 cr via rights issue for expansion

Press Trust of India

Retailer store operator Trent Ltd today said it has decided to raise Rs 500 crore by issuing shares to the existing shareholders on rights basis. The company would utilise the funds raised for its proposed expansion plans, Trent Ltd said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).





American toy brand Ty forays into India

mydigitalfc.com

US-based toy manufacturer, Ty, has entered the Rs 1,500-crore toy market in India. It aims to cash in on the increasing spend on toys as learning tools. Popular for its brands such as Beanie Babies, Punkies, and Ty Girlz, the American toy company is set to compete with prominent international brands such as Disney, Barbie, Funskool and Wild Republic.





Fifth avenue to launch 3 brands

Economic Times

Fifth Avenue Holdings is set to hit the Indian high street with a fashion and food brand mix. The over $100-million firm, which is the parent company of Chennai-based Fifth Avenue Sourcing, will fuse together premium menswear brand Fred Stuart and its knitwear brand, Anteedote, with a food & beverage format called Pasta Bar Veneto.





News: Food & Grocery, QSR ...



Tryst with a new taste

Express Buzz

World class eateries serving mouth-watering dishes now line major streets of Indian cities. They all serve well, but eat your pocket. Marrybrown, Malaysia-based restaurant chain with over 150 restaurants in 10 countries, claims to be a sharp contrast to this. Marrybrown is spreading its roots with the opening of its second restaurant in Kerala.





India offers opportunities, challenges for U.S. restaurants

Nation’s Restaurant News

As expansion markets for U.S.-based foodservice chains go, India is "still more of a long term play," according to Chicago-based foodservice analyst Michael Schaefer of business intelligence firm Euromonitor International. Schaefer says certain restaurant segments,specifically coffee and pizza,are taking off in the country.





Retail Trends





’We are not here for cheap labour’

Business Standard

The six-year-old Tesco Hindustan Service Centre, the Bangalore-based support centre of Tesco Plc, the world’s third largest retailer, is gearing up for the retail giant’s cash-and-carry outlet opening by year-end. In a telephonic conversation, chief executive Sandeep Dhar says the centre will assume a key role once the government relaxes foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in retail. Excerpts:





Recently released market study: Retailing - India

PR-inside.com

Euromonitor International’s Retailing in India report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry. The report examines all retail channels to provide sector insight. Channels include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounters, convenience stores, mixed retailers, health and beauty retailers, clothing and footwear retailers, furniture and furnishing stores, DIY and hardware stores, durable goods retailers, leisure and personal goods retailers.





Retail Insight



Retailers Look to Strategic Sourcing for Sustainable Savings

KSA

Even though retailers have been aggressively cutting costs over the past year, most can still do more-- and do so without diminishing product quality or customer experience. One key area for more savings opportunities is sourcing. To capture sourcing opportunities, retailers are analyzing their entire spend base, from product to non-product costs, identifying where they have the highest-return potential and vigorously renegotiating vendor relationships to the benefit of both