Retail Insight on September 1st Oct 2009

Oct 1, 2009

News and Analysis for the retail industry

News

Retailers back in expansion mode as consumers return Business Standard The focus this time, say analysts, is on bigger formats where it is easier to make money than on smaller formats where there is strong competition from traditional mom-and-pop shops.

Pantaloon Retail shifts focus to profitable growth Livemint All these years, Pantaloon has been focusing on growth, reckoning that if it occupied prime space in the best retail developments, it will get a significant edge. This strategy involved being constantly in the investment mode, setting up new stores even as existing ones trudged towards break-even. Now, Pantaloon is changing focus from rapid sales growth to profitable growth.

'Walmart keen to expand in India' Economic Times Walmart Stores, the world's largest retailer, is keen to expand in China and India, chairman S Robson Walton said in Kuala Lumpur. "China is a big opportunity for us. We're just getting started in India, where we see great opportunity over the long term," he said, without giving details on its expansion plans.

Vishal looks to restructure debt Livemint According to one of the persons with knowledge of the matter, the retailer is seeking to reschedule debt of around Rs730 crore and repay this over nine years at an interest rate of 6%.

Retail Trends

Bottoms up! Delhi to open 83 more liquor shops Sify The Delhi government Wednesday decided to open 83 more liquor shops in the city and allow opening of alcohol vends in malls too, but said its excise policy encouraged consumption of mild liquor instead of hard drinks.

Retail Insight

Private Label 2009 - Game-changing economy taking Private Label to new heights IRI Consumer rituals have changed drastically over the past couple years, largely in response to adverse economic conditions. The economic unrest is beginning to show signs of easing, but consumers remain steadfastly in savings mode. Deal-seeking behavior is high. Consumers are shopping across channels, redeeming coupons, adhering to pre-made shopping lists, and delaying or eliminating "non-essential" purchases. While tactics vary, the goal is the same: consumers want to save money on CPG purchases. At the crux of many savings strategies is private label packaged goods products.