Hindu Nationalist Group Calls For Ban On Foreign-Owned Online Retailers January 17, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the economic arm of the Hindu nationalist group RSS, called on India's government to ban foreign-owned e-commerce companies from doing business in the country. Claiming foreign online retailers are killing their local counterparts, SJM also cited India-based companies that are majority-owned by foreign companies, such as Flipkart. SJM leaders alleged that foreign investors are using loopholes to circumvent the country's ban on foreign direct investments in retail and e-commerce markets. Liz Mathew, "An RSS reminder: Ban e-tail like Amazon, Flipkart", Indian Express, January 17, 2015, © The Indian Express ltd.

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Carrefour Says Sales Grew Strongly In 2014 January 16, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Carrefour reported sales grew 3.9 percent to €84 billion in 2014. Full-year sales in France rose 1.2 percent, with all formats posting growth for the second consecutive year. International sales grew 5.9 percent, with sales stabilizing in Europe and posting significant growth rates in Brazil and Argentina. In 2014, non-food sales returned to positive territory, while food sales grew at a faster rate. For fourth quarter 2014, Carrefour posted an organic sales growth of 4.1 percent to €22.6 billion. "CARREFOUR FURTHER ACCELERATION OF GROWTH IN 2014", Carrefour , January 16, 2015, © Carrefour

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Target Ends Retail Operations In Canada January 15, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Target Corporation announced its plans to stop operating stores in Canada through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Target Canada Co. As part of the business cessation process, Target Canada filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto. At present, Target Canada owns and operates 133 stores across the country, employing about 17,600 people. Target is asking the court's permission to contribute C$70 million into an Employee Trust, in order to ensure fair treatment of Target Canada employees. Also, Target Canada is asking court approval for the appointment of Alvarez & Marsal Canada as monitor in the CCAA proceedings. "Target Corporation Announces Plans to Discontinue Canadian Operations", Target, January 15, 2015, © Target.com

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Tesco Hires Two Marketing Agency Heavyweights For Its Brand-Turnaround Efforts January 15, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Tesco hired the marketing agencies BBH and Blue Rubicon, according to company chief executive Dave Lewis. Lewis also said the agencies will help the retailer in achieving a “turnaround of our reputation and brand.” Also, the companies will play an important role in Tesco's efforts to reconnect with customers and rebuild trust in the brand. "Tesco confirms appointment of two agencies", Tesco, January 15, 2015, © Tesco

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Grocery-Delivery Startup Instacart Receives $220 Million In Additional Funding January 14, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Instacart, a newly established company seeking to provide grocery delivery services, said it has raised $220 million in January 2015. In June 2014, the company raised $44 million. Using a pool of personal shoppers, who are independent contractors, to buy and deliver goods to customers, Instacart said its business strategy focuses on grocery and creating partnerships with retailers. Instacart's purchase and delivery process involves receiving orders placed by customers, which are filled at local stores by personal shoppers. Richard Adhikari, "Instacart Bags $220 Million", E-Commerce Times, January 14, 2015, © ECT News Network, Inc.

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U.S. Consumer Spending Drops Slightly In December 2014 From Previous Month January 14, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Consumer spending on retail and restaurants declined a seasonally adjusted 0.9 percent in December 2014 from the previous month, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. For most of 2014, consumer spending rose steadily, supported by steady job growth and relatively strong confidence. Also, the drop in consumer spending highlighted the limits that cheaper gasoline has in terms of driving spending growth and the overall economy. Moreover, lower fuel prices contributed to the spending decline. Retail sales grew 4 percent in November and December 2014, compared with the same period in 2013, according to National Retail Federation. Eric Morath et al, "U.S. Retail Sales Reflect Consumer Caution Despite Lower Gas Prices", The Wall Street Journal, January 14, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Metro Group Announces Stronger Sales In 1Q Of FY 2014/15 January 13, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Metro Group announced sales rose 2.6 percent in the first quarter of its financial year 2014‒2015, compared with the same period of the previous year. Reported sales fell 2.2 percent to €18.3 billion, due to the company's disposal of Real Eastern Europe and negative currency effects in various parts of Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and Ukraine. Business unit Metro Cash & Carry reported same-store sales grew 1.4 percent during the period, with significant growth in Eastern Europe and Asia markets. Media-Saturn also reported like-for-like sales growth, at 3.8 percent, while Real said same-store sales edged higher with 0.9 percent. "METRO GROUP begins financial year 2014/15 with significant like-for-like sales growth", METRO GROUP, January 13, 2015, © METRO GROUP

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Is Online-Based Grocery Delivery An Idea Whose Time Has – Finally – Come? January 12, 2015: 12:00 AM EST The enterprising fellow who tried to build a Web-based grocery delivery business 15 years ago – and went bankrupt after burning through $800 million – still believes the idea has merit. So does a new generation of entrepreneurs who see a great opportunity. Defunct Webvan’s George Shaheen says “somebody will figure out” the right way to do it, because no one really likes to shop for groceries. Among the companies trying to prove him right are Instacart, which has raised hundreds of millions in venture capital while racking up $100 million in sales in 2014. It has yet to turn a profit, however, and that may be a major hurdle. Profit margins are notoriously slim in the grocery business. But that is not deterring Instacart or its competitors, which include Amazon.com, Fresh Direct LLC, Good Eggs, Wal-Mart Stores and Safeway. Greg Bensinger, "Rebuilding History’s Biggest Dot-Com Bust", The Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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PriceSmart Continues Expanding In Latin American Markets January 11, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Retailer PriceSmart, which reported net revenue grew to $656 million for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2015, compared with the same period in the previous year, is expanding its operations in Latin America. Opening its first store in Panama in 1996, PriceSmart has been operating primarily in Latin America. With 36 warehouse clubs in the region, PriceSmart is the largest operator of warehouse membership clubs in the region. Its opening of warehouse clubs in Colombia highlighted the company's efforts to expand operations in the region. Challenges faced by the company include its dependence on economic conditions in Latin American countries, as well as currency fluctuations in the region. Ronald D. White, "PriceSmart expanding its warehouse clubs further into Latin America", Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2015, © Los Angeles Times

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Tesco Likely To Shut Down Some Stores In Hungary, Newspaper Reports January 10, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Tesco could be planning to close as many as 13 smaller stores in Hungary, according to the newspaper Magyar Nemzet. With more than 200 stores in the country, Tesco is the biggest supermarket chain in Hungary and its third-biggest employer. According to the newspaper report, Tesco is likely to close underperforming stores, with most of them located outside Budapest, in February 2015. Gergely Szakacs, "Tesco may shut 13 smaller stores in Hungary - report", Reuters, January 10, 2015, © Thomson Reuters

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Online Sales Forecast To Account For Bigger Part Of Total Retail Market In Russia, Report Says January 10, 2015: 12:00 AM EST At present, online sales account for 4 percent, or about $25.6 billion, of total retail sales in Russia. By 2019, however, the country's online retail market is forecast to reach $68.8 billion in value, or a growth rate of 169 percent, according to Planet Retail. By that year, online sales will account for 8.4 percent of total retail sales in the country. Planet Retail's survey of 1,496 Russian shoppers revealed 53 percent of respondents said they connect to the Internet using their mobile phones; however, only 27 percent use them for online shopping. In comparison, 62 percent of UK shoppers use mobiles to shop online. Malcolm Pinkerton, "Online retail country focus: Russia", Essential Retail, January 10, 2015, © Legend Exhibitions Limited

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Some Reasons For Optimism Among U.K. Supermarket Chains January 10, 2015: 12:00 AM EST British supermarket chains hoped Christmas sales would dispel the gloom of 2014. Unfortunately, there was no overall upward trend. Some, like Waitrose, saw improvements over the same period a year ago. Some, like Sainsbury’s, saw declines. All of the chains had to deal with stiff competition from discounters Aldi and Lidl, as well as dropping food prices. But there is reason for optimism. The economic environment is steadily improving: fuel prices are dropping and real wages are rising. A strong Internet presence and online shopping advances are bearing fruit for companies. And chains like Tesco are benefiting from decentralizing store management, giving managers a greater say in adjusting inventory to meet the needs of local shoppers. "Supermarkets: Learning to be different", The Economist, January 10, 2015, © The Economist Newspaper Limited

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JC Penney And Macy's Say To Close Stores, Cut Thousands Of Jobs January 9, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Leading US department store chains JC Penney and Macy's announced plans to shut down stores and lay off thousands of employees in 2015. JC Penney said it plans to close about 40 of its 1,060 stores by April 4, 2015, and dismiss about 2,250 workers. For its part, Macy's announced it would close 14 of its 790 stores in the next few months, leaving more than 1,300 employees without a job. "JC Penney and Macy's to cut thousands of US jobs", BBC News, January 09, 2015, © BBC

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Calories, Sodium, Sat Fat Constant In Fast-Food Menu Items Since 1996 January 9, 2015: 12:00 AM EST USDA researchers who compared menu items from popular fast-food chains from 1996 and 2013 report that average calories, sodium and saturated fat were relatively constant over the 17-year period. The only exception was a consistent drop in trans fat in French fries. The researchers said levels varied from chain to chain, but remained high in most of the menu items analyzed. It was especially true for menu items sold together as meals, “pushing the limits of what we should be eating to maintain a healthy weight and sodium intake”. Lorien E. Urban et al., "Temporal Trends in Fast-Food Restaurant Energy, Sodium, Saturated Fat, and TransFat Content, United States, 1996–2013. ", Preventing Chronic Disease, January 09, 2015, © Urban et al.

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Tesco Announces Drastic Moves To Improve Operations And Revenue Performance January 8, 2015: 12:00 AM EST UK's troubled retailer Tesco said it plans to close its corporate headquarters in Cheshunt and 43 unprofitable stores, as part of its turnaround efforts. Tesco's new chief executive Dave Lewis also said he plans to shut down his company's defined benefit pension scheme, spin off the analytics business unit running the Clubcard operations, and end the dividend payout to shareholders. Also, Tesco hired Halfords chief executive Matt Davies as its new UK chief executive. Graham Ruddick, "Tesco to close headquarters and 43 stores as 'Drastic Dave' makes mark", Telegraph, January 08, 2015, © Telegraph Media Group Limited

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Tesco Reports Same-Store Sales Growth For 19-Week Period Ending January 3, 2015 January 8, 2015: 12:00 AM EST UK retailer Tesco said same-store sales rose 2.9 percent for the 19-week period ending January 3, 2015, with like-for-like sales growing 0.3 percent during the six-week Christmas period. All of the retailer's formats showed improvement, with grocery home shopping growing 12.9 percent; general merchandise, 22.2 percent; and clothing online, 52.4 percent. Tesco's express-retail stores showed 4.9 percent in sales growth, while general merchandise online rose 4.8 percent. Same-store sales across Europe also grew 1 percent during the six-week period. "Tesco PLC Trading Statement for 19 weeks ended 3 January 2015", Tesco, January 08, 2015, © Tesco PLC

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Wal-Mart Reports Lower Same-Store Sales, Higher Total Sales For 2014 In Mexico January 7, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Wal-Mart de Mexico, the Mexican unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., reported sales grew 4.1 percent to 437.66 billion pesos, or $29.77 billion, in 2014, compared with the previous year. Known as Walmex, the business unit accounts for about 6 percent of the American retailer's annual sales and is one of the company's largest overseas operations. Walmex, however, failed to expand same-store sales during the period, with Mexico experiencing a slowdown in consumer spending and a weaker economy. Walmex also failed to reach its retail space expansion of 5.2 percent, reaching only 3.9 percent during the year. Amy Guthrie, "Wal-Mart Faced Tough 2014 in Mexico, A Key Market", Wall Street Journal, January 07, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Desserts Are Dead. Long Live (Whimsical) Desserts! January 7, 2015: 12:00 AM EST The realities of operating a high-end restaurant during an economic downturn have pushed some chefs to trim the dessert menu. (Diners who needed to downsize both waistlines and expense accounts didn’t help matters.) It didn’t take pastry chefs long to get the hint: many have fled to launch their own bakery ventures. But that doesn’t signal the end of decadent desserts, according to the experts. It’s simply a matter of recognizing the different varieties of dessert customers. In Washington, D.C., restaurants, the strategy is to “recapture the attention of dessert-wary diners” by offering a sweet course with flair and “whimsy”, changing the options frequently and targeting dessert-avoiders with “straightforward” after dinner treats. Lavanya Ramanathan , "Save room for dessert: With a bit of whimsy, the last course makes a comeback", The Washington Post, January 07, 2015, © The Washington Post

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Asda, Sainsbury's Cut Bread Prices As UK Retail Price War Continues January 7, 2015: 12:00 AM EST UK retailers Asda and Sainsbury's are cutting the prices of bread products they sell, as part of the companies' use of price-cutting to drive sales and gain market shares. Asda said it plans to invest £300 million in the first quarter of 2015 to reduce prices of 2,500 products the company considers as favorites of consumers. For its part, Sainsbury's invested £150 million to reduce prices of 700 products in supermarkets. Bronya Smolen, "Supermarkets reduce bread prices in ongoing cuts", BakeryInfo.co.uk, January 07, 2015, © William Reed Business Media Ltd

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Target Tests Mobile Shopping App Curbside In California January 6, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Target is conducting a pilot testing of new mobile application Curbside at 11 stores in California. Free for consumers to download, Curbside lets shoppers choose which Target store they would like to buy from, select products, and pay for them using the app. Shoppers who use Curbside can pick up their purchases at the store without leaving their car. When a shopper comes to the store, Curbside alerts employees who collect the shopper's purchases and deliver them to the car. April Dahlquist, "Target tries out a mobile app that lets shoppers pick up online orders at the curb", Internet Retailer, January 06, 2015, © Vertical Web Media

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Kroger's CSR Chief Wins NRF Foundation Honors January 5, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Kroger Co.'s group vice president of corporate affairs, Lynn Marmer, was included in the NRF Foundation's List of People Shaping Retail's Future. Marmer and the other 24 awardees, described by NRF as “power players, disruptors, givers, influencers and dreamers” in the retail market, will be honored during the NRF Foundation's January 11, 2015, Inaugural Gala in New York City. Marmer will be recognized by the NRF Foundation for her efforts to “raise the standard of giving” of grocery retailers, including Kroger's Perishable Donations Partnership program. "Kroger's Lynn Marmer Named to "The List" of People Shaping Retail's Future", Kroger , January 05, 2015, © The Kroger Co.

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Aldi's Social Media Campaign Encourages Consumers To Tweet Savings January 5, 2015: 12:00 AM EST UK's Aldi launched a social media campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to shop at the discount retailer instead of at its competitors. Running for the whole of January 2015, the campaign features the Twitter hashtag #AldiChallenge and asks shoppers to tweet how much they have saved by shopping at Aldi. Sara Spary, "Aldi rolls out #AldiChallenge campaign to encourage shoppers to swap", Marketing Magazine, January 05, 2015, © Haymarket

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Better Delivery Can Help Retailers Grow Business In 2015, Report Says January 2, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Innovations in delivery services will help drive growth in the online retail market in 2015, according to global courier services firm Fastlane International. According to Fastlane spokesman David Jinks, improvements in delivery “could potentially boost online sales by $18 billion.” Fastlane's forecasts include the increase in adoption of Sunday deliveries, same-day deliveries, and the implementation of improved signature proof systems that will benefit both retailers and customers. Veebs Sabharwal, "Delivery innovations will fuel e-commerce growth in 2015 and beyond", Retail Gazette, January 02, 2015, © Retail Gazette

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Tesco Makes UK Checkout Lanes Chocolate-Free January 1, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Retailer Tesco said it has removed sweets and chocolates from checkouts at all company-owned stores in the UK. In 1994, Tesco removed sweets and chocolates from the checkouts at its larger stores. Its latest move means no sweets and chocolate products will be on display at about 2,000 Tesco Metro and Express convenience stores across the country. According to the company, its decision to make its checkout lanes free from sweets and chocolates is part of its efforts to “help customers live healthier lives.” "Sweets and chocolates removed from all checkouts from today", Tesco PLC, January 01, 2015, © Tesco

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Carrefour Launches 2015 Campaign Highlighting Customers' Optimism January 1, 2015: 12:00 AM EST French retailer Carrefour is launching a communications campaign, which highlights its customers and how its products can help them feel optimistic about their everyday lives. Starting on January 1, the campaign will include videos of consumers describing their “hopes and wishes.” Also, the campaign will focus on how optimizing their daily lives can help people become optimistic. "In 2015, Carrefour will be adopting a new tone and a new state of mind for communicating with its customers: "j’optimisme" or “I'm being optimistic”", Carrefour, January 01, 2015, © Carrefour

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Japan's Leading Retailers Install Automated Checkout Counters January 1, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Japan's largest retailers, including Aeon Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s subsidiary, Seiyu, are installing self-checkout machines in hundreds of stores across the country. Aeon installed almost 3,000 automatic checkers in hundreds of stores, while Seiyu plans to double the number of self-checkout counters in its stores in 2015. Economists believe the trend will have beneficial effects on the retail sector; however, it runs counter to Japanese culture, which values courtesy and interpersonal relations in business. Tatsuo Ito, "Self-Checkout Begins to Take Hold in Japan", The Wall Street Journal, January 01, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Online Grocery Shopping/Delivery Company Raises Another $210 Million December 31, 2014: 12:00 AM EST A company whose app allows shoppers to order groceries from several stores at once using only one Web site has raised another $210 million from venture capitalists after raising $44 million last June. Instacart, which also provides same day delivery of purchased groceries, is reportedly now valued at $2 billion. The company did not say how it would use the funding from the current round, but indicated in June that the first round of funding would be used to expand into new regions, improve customer service and experiment with new delivery models. Thad Rueter, "Grocery delivery firm Instacart raises $210 million", Internet Retailer, December 31, 2014, © Vertical Web Media

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Head Of Tesco's Renumeration Committee Resigns December 31, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Tesco PLC's head of remuneration committee Stuart Chambers will resign his position on January 1, 2015. Chambers will be succeeded by non-executive director Deanna Oppenheimer. He will remain a member of the company's board of directors, which he joined in 2010. Rishika Sadam, "Tesco remuneration committee head to step down", Reuters, December 31, 2014, © Thomson Reuters

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Despite Some Financial Worries, Shake Shack Sees Rosy Future With $1B IPO December 30, 2014: 12:00 AM EST A business that started ten years ago as a hot dog stand, and now has 63 outlets in more than 30 cities worldwide, will go public this year with a goal of raising $1 billion on the New York Stock Exchange. The company emphasizes top-quality ingredients – all-natural Angus beef, vegetarian fed, humanely raised, source verified. But its IPO comes at a time when growth is slowing and profits are sliding despite a 41 percent increase in sales to $84 million in the 39 weeks through Sept. 24. The company plans to open 10 new company-operated stores a year starting in 2015, and hopes to eventually reach 450. Leslie Picker et al., "Shake Shack Files for IPO That Could Value Burger Chain at $1 Billion", Bloomberg, December 30, 2014, © Bloomberg L.P.

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German Discount Grocer Aldi Expands In Florida December 30, 2014: 12:00 AM EST A Florida newspaper report says discount supermarket chain Aldi will open a new store in Jacksonville and has filed plans for a store in Middleburg. The expansion follows the recent opening of a store in St. Augustine. Aldi’s store there offers more than 1,300 commonly purchased items sold under Aldi brand names. Prices are roughly half of what traditional supermarkets charge for comparable products. Stores are usually smaller than supermarkets, products are displayed in open cartons, and shoppers are encouraged to use their own shopping bags. Aldi has about 60 stores in 45 Florida cities, including Ocala and Daytona. Kristen Cloud, "Aldi Expanding In Northeast Florida", The Shelby Report, December 30, 2014, © The Shelby Report

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Kroger Expands Testing Of Online Shopping Service In Greater Cincinnati December 29, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Retailer Kroger is expanding the trial run of a click-and-collect e-commerce service in Greater Cincinnati. Based on a similar concept used by Harris Teeter stores, which Kroger acquired in January 2014, the service lets customers buy groceries online then pick up their purchases at a designated window. Previously, only store employees were allowed to avail of the service; however, the expansion will see dozens of customers trying the service. Alexander Coolidge, "Kroger expands local online shopping test", Cincinnati.com, December 29, 2014, © cincinnati.com

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Diners Are Flocking To Mini-Marts, Grocery Stores For Prepared Meals December 29, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Sales of dinner meals are dropping steadily at fast-food and casual-dining restaurants. So where are the fast-foodies and casual diners going for dinner? Turns out, a lot of them are eating in grocery stores, where dinner visits have risen seven percent since 2010 to 1.8 billion visits a year. Sales of prepared foods and baked goods at Whole Foods Market more than doubled to $2.7 billion, putting it in the same league with Chipotle Mexican Grill ($3.2 billion in sales last year). Another growing favorite for meals in general: convenience stores, like the mini-marts at Sheetz gas stations. The number of meals served at convenience stores in the 12 months ended August 2014 grew 3.1 percent from 2013, compared with a 0.4 drop at restaurants. Julie Jargon et al., "Supermarkets, Convenience Stores Now Woo Diners, Too", The Wall Street Journal, December 29, 2014, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Tesco Tests Discount Concept Aimed At Competing With Aldi And Lidl December 29, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Tesco is testing a discount format at some of its One Stop convenience stores, as part of its efforts to compete with discount retailers Aldi and Lidl. Reportedly an idea of One Stop chief executive Tony Reed, the discount initiative has been running for two months at the Solihull, Burntwood, and Manchester stores. Tesco saw declining sales and profits in 2014, thanks mainly to discounters Aldi and Lidl. Jennifer Creevy, "Tesco trials discount format to fight Aldi and Lidl", Retail Week, December 29, 2014, © EMAP Publishing Limited

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Retailers Find Better Ways To Use Consumer Data To Drive Sales, Boost Profits December 28, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Retailers, such as Stage Stores Inc. and J.C. Penney Co., are adopting targeted discounts and promos, aiming their offering only to customers who respond to price cuts. After years of collecting data, retail companies are using their customer database to program full-price sales to maximize profits and relying on discounts to dispose of old inventory and encourage shoppers to buy. Data from market research firm AgilOne Inc. revealed 20 percent of online shoppers only buy products at discounted prices, while 15 percent do not bother searching for discounts. Shelly Banjo, "Retailers Save Discounts for Bargain Hunters", The Wall Street Journal, December 28, 2014, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Haggen Buys 146 Stores From Much Larger Rival Retailers December 26, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Retail chain Haggen Inc. is acquiring 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, and Safeway stores, which means an 811 percent growth for the small retail chain from Bellingham, Washington. Including 83 stores in California, the purchase deal was made possible by the Federal Trade Commission's order requiring the sale as a condition for approving the merger of Albertsons and Safeway earlier in 2014. At present, Haggen operates 18 stores in Oregon and Washington. Shan Li, "Haggen chain to buy 146 Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, Safeway stores", Los Angeles Times, December 26, 2014, © Los Angeles Times

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Keurig Brewing Machine Recall Deemed A Major Setback December 23, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Vermont-based Keurig Green Mountain issued a voluntary recall of seven million Mini Plus Brewing Systems after 200 owners reported overheated water escaping from the machines. Ninety of the incidents resulted in burn-related injuries. Analysts said it is a major setback for Keurig, which is in the middle of a major marketing campaign for a new generation of brewing machines, known as Keurig 2.0. The recalled machines sold for about $100 at major retailers, including Target and Walmart. The company’s stock dropped 2.3 percent on the recall announcement. Annie Gasparro, "Keurig Recalls 7 Million Brewers After Burn Reports", The Wall Street Journal, December 23, 2014, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Carrefour Gains Recognition At Innovation Awards December 22, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Retailer Carrefour won awards at the 2014 LSA Innovation Awards. Recognizing Carrefour's achievements in innovation, the awards highlighted the retailer's advertising campaign for its 2014 spring and summer Tex collection. Also, the awards jury honored the Design Carrefour team for a flexible ice-tray and the “Smart Desk” product. "Carrefour and its partners win awards at the LSA Innovation Awards", Carrefour, December 22, 2014, © Carrefour

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Walmart Plans Second Agra Store, Resumes India Focus December 22, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Walmart said it plans to open by mid-2015 a Best Price Modern Wholesale store in Agra, its second wholesale store in the city and its 21st in India. Previously a Carrefour wholesale outlet, the store will sell various products, including grocery, apparel, and consumer electronics, to businesses, offices, and organizations. Walmart's last store opening before the Agra outlet was in 2012. Since then, the company had to suspend its expansion plans, due to an internal probe into alleged violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. India's new government and its unfavorable views toward granting foreign retailers full access to the local retail market also kept Walmart and other retailers from launching multi-brand retail operations in the country. Nivedita Mookerji , "Walmart sharpens India focus again", Business Standard, December 22, 2014, © Business Standard Ltd.

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Carrefour, Cora/Supermaches Match Sign Purchasing Partnership Deal December 22, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Retailers Carrefour France and Cora/Supermaches Match said they have agreed to collaborate on purchasing. Effective on January, 2015, the deal will create a long-term collaboration deal and it comes with no equity ties between the companies. The deal will cover negotiations for purchases of national and international brands, food products, and general merchandise. "Carrefour and Cora / Supermarchés Match sign a purchasing cooperation agreement", Carrefour, December 22, 2014, © Carrefour

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Safeway Gets Perfect Score On LGBT Policies, Practices December 22, 2014: 12:00 AM EST A national benchmarking survey on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, awarded Safeway Inc. a perfect score for the second year in a row. The 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) rated nearly 1,000 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related company policies and practices. Ratings cover non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. "Safeway Inc. Achieves Perfect Score in 2015 Corporate Equality Index", News release, Safeway , December 22, 2014, © Safeway Inc.

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Accounting Body Announces Probe Into Tesco's Books December 22, 2014: 12:00 AM EST UK's Financial Reporting Council said it is conducting a probe into retailer Tesco's accounting for the years 2012, 2013, and 2014. According to the FRC, its investigation will cover accounting firm PwC's auditing and preparation of the retailer's accounts. In September 2014, the retailer admitted it has misreported its half-year profit guidance by ₤250 million, which was revised upward to ₤263 a month later. Tesco, which said it expects its full-year profits to be significantly lower than analysts' forecasts, announced its full cooperation with the FRC's investigation. "Tesco accounts face fresh inquiry", BBC, December 22, 2014, © BBC

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Ad Spending Slipped In 3rd Quarter 2014 As Marketers Grew Cautious December 22, 2014: 12:00 AM EST While total ad spending rose 1.5 percent between January and September of 2014 to $64.5 billion, it was up only slightly (0.3 percent) in the third quarter. A researcher at Kantar Media said ad expenditures were robust in the first six months of the year, up 3.1 percent overall, but sagged in the third quarter because the “Top 100 marketers [became] more restrained with their budgets”. During the same period (Jan. to Sept.), ad spending in the food and candy sectors dropped slightly (-0.1 percent to $5 billion)), and fell 2.3 percent in personal care products ($5.1 billion). Both retail and automotive ad spending dropped slightly during the period, but together spent the most on advertising ($21.1 billion). "Kantar Media Reports U.S. Advertising Expenditures Increased 0.3 Percent in Q3 2014, Helped by the World Cup and Political Spend", News release, Kantar Media US, December 22, 2014, © Kantar Media

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India's Retail Market Grows 10 Percent In 2014 December 21, 2014: 12:00 AM EST India's retail market grew 10 percent to $560 billion in 2014, compared with the market size in 2013, according to industry estimates. By 2020, the retail sector is forecast to reach $1 trillion in estimated value. India's new government, which took power in May 2014, virtually suspended the previous government's FDI policy allowing foreign retailers to own up to 51 percent of retail operations in the country. This prompted Wal-Mart to put its expansion plans on hold, while French retailer Carrefour shut down its wholesale operations and left the Indian market. According to some industry observers, India must improve its FDI policy to encourage foreign retailers to come and launch their operations in the country. This will help the market reach its target of $1 trillion in value sooner. "Retail grows to $560 billion in 2014; FDI hopes hang in balance", Economic Times, December 21, 2014, © Times Internet Limited

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Walmart Mexico Names Chairman New CEO December 19, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Wal-Mart de Mexico y Centroamerica appointed Enrique Ostale as its CEO in addition to his designation as chairman of the board. Ostale replaces Scot Rank who was CEO for five years. Also, Rank is leaving the company's board of directors after 14 years. Walmex announced Rank's departure in October 2014, when the company also announced an 8 percent decline in third-quarter profit. "Walmart De Mexico Y Centroamerica Appoints Enrique Ostale President And CEO", Walmart De México, December 19, 2014, © Wal-mart Stores, Inc

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Judge Rules Consumers Can Sue Target Over 2013 Data Breach December 19, 2014: 12:00 AM EST U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson in St. Paul, Minnesota, ruled that consumers can sue Target Corp. over the 2013 data breach involving the retailer and which allegedly “compromised their personal financial information.” Magnuson dismissed Target's assertion that the complainants  had no basis for their allegations “because they could not establish any injury.” According to Target, at least 40 million credit cards were affected by the data breach, resulting probably in as many as 110 million consumers' personal information stolen by hackers. Nate Raymond, "Consumers can sue Target Corp over data breach: judge", Reuters, December 19, 2014, © Thomson Reuters

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New York-Based Online Grocery Company Has The Formula For Success December 19, 2014: 12:00 AM EST A 12-year-old Long Island City online grocery business, one of the five largest in the country, may epitomize the future of the $700 billion grocery industry. Nationwide, online business still accounts for less than four percent of grocery sales. But industry experts say it is the “the next frontier”, a fact well understood by Amazon and Walmart. From the beginning, online grocer FreshDirect operated under a unique vision, despite skepticism. It is not a delivery service for an established supermarket chain. Rather, the founders built the company independently, sourcing products directly from farms, and always emphasizing quality. So far, FreshDirect is available in five East Coast states, and would love to expand. But not, its owners say, at the expense of quality. "Online supermarket FreshDirect changing way Americans grocery shop", CBS News, December 19, 2014, © CBS Interactive Inc.

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Online Retailers See Growing Share Of Overall Beauty And Personal Care Sales December 18, 2014: 12:00 AM EST In the United States, consumers are slowly turning to online retailers for their grooming and cosmetics purchases, according to The Harris Poll online survey. Conducted on June 16 to 18, 2014, the survey's results showed 14 percent of respondents said they purchased more products online compared with 2‒3 years ago. However, data revealed that brick-and-mortar stores remained the leading sellers of beauty and personal care products, with big-box retailers outpacing pharmacies and grocery stores/supermarkets. Among respondents, 64 percent said they buy sunscreen from big-box retailers, with 62 percent choosing the same channel for their shampoo and conditioner needs. Big-box retailers were also the favorite sellers for 62 percent of consumers buying hair styling products and 60 percent for hair color products. "Cosmetic & Grooming Product Consumers Increasingly Looking to Online Merchants", Harris Interactive, December 18, 2014, © The Harris Poll

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McDonald’s Finds Early Success With Beacon-Based Marketing December 18, 2014: 12:00 AM EST McDonald’s and beacon platform provider Piper announced that franchises in the Columbus, Ga., area are testing beacon- and location-based offers/notifications on iOS smartphones using the iBeacon framework and other devices. According to Piper, 18,000 offers have been redeemed, driving McChicken sales up eight percent, and McNuggets sales up 7.5 percent from November. Piper runs a beacon network that sells the Bluetooth hardware and software necessary for beaming location-based offers. Jordan Kahn, "McDonald’s increases sales by beaming offers to smartphones in iBeacon pilot", 9to5Mac, December 18, 2014, © 9TO5MAC

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Taiwan’s Love Of Fruit Juices Lures Jamba December 17, 2014: 12:00 AM EST California-based Jamba Inc., which makes smoothies and other health drinks, will open its first outlet in semi-tropical Taiwan, where consumers have been obsessed with fresh-squeezed juices for years. The drinks – watermelon juice, avocado, vegetable cocktails -- are sold at mom-and-pop kiosks on busy city streets. Jamba is trying to figure out how to formulate its smoothies in a way that will appeal to Taiwanese tastes, which are used to tropical flavors like papaya. Thriving Taiwanese juice vendors say they aren’t too worried about a Jamba incursion. The company will probably stick to shopping malls rather than city streets, they say. Michael Gold, "Smoothie maker Jamba counts on Taiwan's thirst for fruit juice", Reuters, December 17, 2014, © Thomson Reuters

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Walmart’s Price Cutting Makes It More Competitive With Amazon December 17, 2014: 12:00 AM EST Studies by Deutsche Bank conducted two weeks apart found that Amazon.com’s prices on 65 identical items went from 8.3 percent lower than Walmart’s to five percent lower, a clear indication of Walmart’s “renewed focus on offering cheaper merchandise” and its stronger emphasis on e-commerce as it struggles with business stagnation in the U.S. Walmart has introduced a smartphone app (Savings Catcher) that compares its prices to other mass retailers and refunds the differences on a gift card. The Deutsche Bank study found that Target’s prices were 7.9 percent higher than Amazon's, making it the most expensive of the big retailers. Ashley Lutz, "Wal-Mart Is Quickly Catching Up To Amazon", Business Insider, December 17, 2014, © Business Insider Inc.

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