McKinsey, February 2010

Thailand's modern grocery sector - composed primarily of hypermarket, "cash and carry," and convenience store formats - continues to grow, but market saturation, changing consumer behaviors, and new regulations will intensify the battle for share of wallet across all channels.

Planet Retail 20 Aug 2009

Tesco Malaysia has signed contracts with 43 new small and medium enterprises (SME) suppliers as part of the company's strategy to source more products from local manufacturers. As a result, over 70% of the 60,000 products sold in Tesco Malaysia are now being produced locally, according to CEO Chris Bush. In addition to signing up SME suppliers that have met Tesco's criteria, more than 150 other local suppliers have been invited to meet with Tesco buyers during a business matching session.

Planet Retail 13 Jul 2009

Tesco will continue to invest in Asia despite the global economic downturn. "We had terrific success and we are the biggest retailer in Asia. It is important for us to expand as there are still huge opportunities in Asia, including China and Japan," said Andrew Higginson, Tesco's CEO of Retailing Services. Higginson said that Tesco plans to spend GBP3.6 billion (USD5.11 billion) this year on capital expenditure to support growth around the world, of which slightly more than half will go to the Asian markets.

Planet Retail 26 May 2009

In addition to being accused monopolistic trading tendencies by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission in Indonesia, Carrefour's trading terms with suppliers is now under scrutiny. Trading terms between Carrefour and its suppliers will be subject to analysis in the next stage of the Commission's investigation. Carrefour refused to comment on the additional violation charges announced by the business commission.

Planet Retail 31 Mar 2009

Tesco Lotus has signed a deal with Thailand's Ministry of Commerce to purchase 180,000 tonnes of Thai fruit and vegetables valued at THB2.5 billion (USD70.4 million) in 2009. According to company Chairman, Sunthorn Arunanondchai, the purchase represents a 30% increase in volume compared to last year. Under the agreement, Tesco Lotus will also promote sales of Thai branded goods in and outside the country. The move follows a pledge by Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco Chief Executive to the Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during his visit to London this month.

Planet Retail 18 Feb 2009

Local reports state that Ho Chi Minh City's (HCMC) People's Committee will no longer allow new markets to open in the city centre, while also reducing the number of open-air markets between now and 2015. The policy is an attempt to increase the popularity and development of modern grocery formats, particularly supermarkets and hypermarkets, in the city.

The Jakarta Post  14 Nov 08. By Anton Muhajir, Contributor, Denpasar

The market changes faster than people's mindsets. This is particularly true in the agriculture sector, where many farmers still see themselves as commodity producers and not businessmen. There is a growing need for them to collaborate with different actors to link into the financial services and modern markets.

The issue was discussed at the "Inclusion of Small Producers in the Value Chain: From Field Evidence to Action", a workshop jointly organized by Belgium-based Vredeseilanden (VECO), United Kingdom-based International Institute for the Environment and Development (IIED), and Netherlands-based Cordaid.

Planet Retail 1 Sep 2008

In order to survive, traditional mom-and-pop shops should form clusters to increase their bargaining power according to Piyawat Titasattavorakul, managing director of CP All in Thailand. They should also enhance the efficiency of store management and exchange information with other retail operators and related government agencies to keep abreast with consumer trends. ''These will help them reduce operating costs and risks and enjoy sustainable growth. Finally, they can survive even as the retail market is dominated by giant players,'' he told a recent retail seminar.

Planet Retail 11 Aug 2008

As reported in the Indonesian press, approximately 100 vendors were protesting against the opening of a Carrefour store in Jakarta's Blok M shopping area at the beginning of August. The vendors trade in a traditional market area around the new Carrefour outlet. The protestors state that Carrefour should not have been given permission to open a store within 2.5km of a traditional market area under a law passed in 2002.

CHICAGO (June 2, 2008) - Vietnam has ended India's three-year reign as the most attractive emerging market destination for retail investment according to the seventh annual Global Retail Development IndexTM (GRDI), a study of retail investment attractiveness among 30 emerging markets conducted by management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.