Most Clicked NRF Global SmartBrief Stories
1. Department stores alter strategy with beauty products
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Department stores in Canada once dominated the beauty products category, but increased competition from chain drugstores and specialty shops has forced the retailers to up their game. The department stores, including the Bay and Sears, are testing hands-on beauty bars, open-shelf displays and other strategies. Globe and Mail (Toronto), The (18 Nov.)
2. Column: Retail trends for 2010 include m-commerce, factory outlets
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009
Michael Baker, a consultant and analyst for global retail, said that as the global economy starts to recover, retailers around the world are focusing more on the future and less on struggling to stay alive. Baker offers a list of the top 10 retail trends for next year. He says mobile commerce is set to explode, while factory outlets have remained a bright spot in the industry. Age (Melbourne, Australia), The (18 Nov.)
3. Germany a top destination for retailer expansion
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2009
Research from CB Richard Ellis found that retailers interested in expanding their presence in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region name Germany as the leading destination. Almost half of retailers surveyed said they are considering expanding in Germany. About 44% said they are targeting France, while 36% said Spain. Retail Bulletin, The (20 Nov.)
4. NRF Foundation announces top 10 retailers for customer service
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
The NRF Foundation, NRF's research and education arm, has announced the top 10 finalists selected by shoppers in the annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers' Choice survey. The survey, which asked 8,526 shoppers which retailer provides the best customer service, was conducted by BIGresearch. See who made the cut. Blank (17 Nov.)
5. Global retailers return to India to source goods
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009
As consumer spending in the West starts to recover, many global retailers are starting to return to their suppliers in India. The suppliers will likely have to wait awhile before their pricing power returns, however. Manish Bharati, vice president at Li & Fung, said he has noticed the increase in buyer traffic. "If it had slipped 8 to 10% six months back, it is coming back to normalcy," he said. Business Standard (India) (18 Nov.)
6. New head of Wal-Mart's Latin America unit to leave
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Vicente Trius took over as the head of Wal-Mart Stores' Latin American division five months ago and has now announced that he will leave the retail giant. No reason for his departure was given. A Wal-Mart representative said the company is planning to find a successor quickly. Google (18 Nov.)
7. Canada's Metro aims to keep better tabs on customers
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Metro, the Canadian food retailer, has determined that one of its typical customers is an extremely health-conscious woman. The grocer realised it was not serving her needs very well and ultimately added more yogurt as a response. "It's about giving customers what they want, based on what they're actually buying," said Metro CEO Eric La Fleche. The retailer is looking for other similar opportunities by more closely watching its customers' interests. Globe and Mail (Toronto), The (19 Nov.)
8. H&M posts lower-than-expected same-store sales for October
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
Hennes & Mauritz reported a 3% decline in same-store sales for October, while analysts had expected a jump of 3.3%. The Swedish fashion retailer said sales in Spain, France and the US were challenging. Total sales increased 7% and sales in Germany surged 12%, according to Textilwirtschaft, an industry journal. Wall Street Journal, The (16 Nov.)
9. Marks & Spencer hires a new CEO
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Sir Stuart Rose, chairman at Marks & Spencer, said Marc Bolland, chief at Wm Morrison, was the obvious choice to lead M&S. Bolland will spearhead the company's global expansion plans. "We don't live in a national world anymore; we live in a global, international world, and Marc is an international man," Rose said. "We are a business that wants to go international. He is a turnaround expert, and we are a business where in some areas we need to make changes. He has the energy, the youth and the desire to do it." Times (London), The (18 Nov.) Bloomberg (18 Nov.)
10. MasterCard introduces Mobile Payments Gateway in Brazil
NRF Global SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Consumers in Brazil now have the ability to use their mobile phones to make purchases as MasterCard has launched a mobile payments-processing platform. MasterCard is striving to reach shoppers with and without bank accounts, according to Pat Killian, vice president of product strategic alliances. "Brazil is an interesting market because it is a good representation of both a banked environment and an unbanked environment," Killian said. DMNews (16 Nov.)
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