Latest News Across Regoverning Markets

Indian retail controls under pressure

billv — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:16:42 +0000

Fruitnet 2 Mar 10

Rising food costs are putting pressure on the Indian government to open up the country's retail sector

India may be on the brink of opening up its tightly regulated retail sector as the pressure of rising food prices mounts.

Walmart Foundation and CARE Launch Agricultural Economic Development Initiative in Peru

billv — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:08:10 +0000

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 16, 2010 - The Walmart Foundation and CARE today launched the Peru Agricultural Economic Development Initiative, which seeks to help 2,300 small-scale farmers in Peru. The program is expected to increase participants' incomes by 30 percent and create more than 300 new jobs in the region.

WAL-MART'S Indian JV optimistic over retail liberalisation

billv — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:58:18 +0000

Planet Retail 3 Mar 2010

Indian retail/wholesale joint venture Bharti Wal-Wart has stated that it is positive that the Indian government will allow Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector, given the "progressive" nature of the current government.

Middlemen can help create sustainable supply chain

billv — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:55:34 +0000

The Packer 02/25/2010

Middlemen can play a big part in promoting sustainability in the food system, said Richard Schneiders, recently retired chief executive officer of Houston-based Sysco Corporation.

Thailand's modern grocery at a crossroads

billv — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:59:07 +0000

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.

WAL-MART India works with small local suppliers for private label

billv — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:13:45 +0000

Planet Retail 9 Feb 2010

Wal-Mart's Indian operation, Bharti Wal-Mart, is working with 116 private label suppliers in India, focusing on small local suppliers. In an interview with Images Retail, Bharti Wal-Mart Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Arti Singh, said: "In India, we are working with about 116 private brand suppliers, 70% of whom are SMEs. We are a strong supporter of SMEs as a sustainable business model and this is in keeping with our philosophy of 'Saving Money to Live Better'."

WAL-MART India works with small local suppliers for private label

billv — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:13:24 +0000

Planet Retail 9 Feb 2010

Russia: new trade law aims at limiting retail monopolistic behaviour

billv — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:42:23 +0000

Planet Retail weekly bulletin 20 Jan 10

The Russian Parliament has approved a law which it hopes will make pricing more predictable and transparent; boost competition in the retail sector; limit retailers' monopolistic behaviour; and make relations between retailers and suppliers more transparent. The law, which has been five years in the making, will be enforced from February 2010.

TESCO to open first cash & carry outlet in India this year

billv — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:23:09 +0000

Planet Retail 20 Jan 2010

Tesco is to open its first cash & carry outlet in India this year, Communications Director, Greg Sage said. Tesco already has a presence in India through its franchise agreement with Trent, the retail arm of the Tata Group, which operates stores in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chennai. "We see a huge opportunity for future growth in India," he added.

BHARTI WAL-MART opens first agricultural co-operative in Punjab

billv — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:17:37 +0000

Planet Retail 20 Jan 2010

Bharti Wal-Mart has reportedly opened its first Agricultural Co-operative Centre in Sirhind, Punjab. The centre aims to build an aggregating, handling, packaging and delivering system of fresh produce to Best Price and Bharti Retail's EasyDay stores. This initiative is part of Bharti Wal-Mart's Direct Farm Programme in partnership with 100 small and marginal farmers near Ludhiana, Punjab. The farmers will be paid for their produce within 24 hours post delivery. All legalities including APMC tax will be fully complied with.

BHARTI WAL-MART opens first agricultural co-operative in Punjab

billv — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:17:13 +0000

Planet Retail 20 Jan 2010

UK supermarket ombudsman to be created

billv — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:56:12 +0000

BBC News 13 January 2010

A new watchdog is to be created to resolve disputes between supermarkets and their suppliers, the government has announced.

The ombudsman will enforce a new code of practice governing relations between grocers and suppliers. The code will come into force on 4 February.

CARREFOUR China working to optimise performance

billv — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:28:37 +0000

Planet Retail 17 Nov 2009

In China, Carrefour's hypermarkets are applying some adjustments to improve their performance. Prices of fresh products have been aligned to those offered at the traditional wet markets. Buying is generally done directly as has been allowed since 2007. A law has authorised farmers to regroup into co-operatives enabling Carrefour to obtain the required volumes and quality, said Eric Legros, Managing Director of China. 95% of the assortment in Carrefour hypermarkets is procured in the country.

WAL-MART begins farmers' development programme in India

billv — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:27:03 +0000

Planet Retail 16 Nov 2009

Bharti Wal-Mart has initiated a development programme with farmers in India, the Hindustan Times reported. The programme will help farmers grow high quality fruit and vegetables with assistance from the company at each stage of development, offering advice on post-harvest technology, after which the farmers sell their produce to the company. "Our associates engage with the farmers at every stage of cultivation. We also help them with post-harvest practices and help them improve wastage and improve quality," a Wal-Mart spokesperson said. The company has launched the pilot programme with 65 farmers in Punjab.

WAL-MART begins farmers' development programme in India

billv — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:26:42 +0000

Planet Retail 16 Nov 2009

WAL-MART plans 40 more stores in India

billv — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:30:14 +0000

Planet Retail 9 Nov 2009

Wal-Mart plans to open 40 more stores in India, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said. "Wal-Mart is very satisfied with its results in India. I was informed by the Wal-Mart CEO that they are looking at opening more stores.

METRO GROUP to start building the first Makro Cash & Carry in Egypt

billv — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:20:13 +0000

Planet Retail 23 Oct 2009

Metro Group will start work next week on the first of potentially 23 cash & carry stores in Egypt, a move Egypt expects will help boost internal trade and cut prices. The company will operate in Egypt under the banner name Makro.

WAL-MART looking at South Africa

billv — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:52:53 +0000

Planet Retail 22 Oct 2009

Bloomberg, citing local retailer Pick n Pay, reports that Wal-Mart may be looking at entering the South African market in the next five years and has been "sniffing around" for opportunities in Africa's largest economy.

Shoprite considers retail opportunities in Zimbabwe

billv — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:52:45 +0000

ISI Intellinews, Oct 05, 2009

Shoprite Holdings Ltd, South Africa 's biggest food retailer, will consider retail opportunities in Zimbabwe as long as economic conditions are conducive to its expansion, Marketing director, Brian Weyers, told Bloomberg.

To feed a need: Bihar's small farmers chance to obtain a fair price on national or global electronic markets

billv — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:57:31 +0000

Financial Times, 1 October 2009

Bihar, India: In Maheshkhunt, there are glimmers of a new age. In one corner of the town, India's National Spot Exchange has opened a warehouse draped with a banner that reads "The Farmers' Friend". It offers Bihar's small farmers, for centuries beholden to traditional traders who buy their goods at a discount and sell them on at sometimes steep profits, the chance to obtain a fair price on the national or global electronic markets.

ADITYA BIRLA to expand in south India

billv — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:04:30 +0000

Planet Retail 16 Sep 2009

Aditya Birla Retail (ABRL) is planning to expand its presence in the south of India. ABRL CEO Thomas Varghese said: "With about 400 of the 642 supermarkets in the South (of India), we expect to turn positive in the next few months in the zone.

Global expansion to emerging markets has become more important as a growth strategy for retailers

billv — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:22:17 +0000

Mass Market Retailers - 10 August 2009. Spotlight on Emerging Markets

The past year has brought economic hardship, with significant implications for retailers. Growth in developed markets has dried up as consumers face a collapse in real estate prices, job uncertainty and a dramatic drop in income and asset values. The result has been less consumer spending across all retail segments. In the wake of this, it has become clear that retailers operating solely in developed markets are faring far worse than those with a foothold in developing markets.

BHARTI RETAIL details ambitious expansion

billv — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:43:02 +0000

Planet Retail 17 Sep 2009

India-based Bharti Retail has announced its plans of becoming a billion dollar company by 2015 and is aiming to open 40 more retail outlets in the next three months.

TESCO Malaysia signs contracts with local companies

billv — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:34:50 +0000

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.

UK Competition Commission recommends establishing Ombudsman

billv — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:22:57 +0000

Planet Retail 4 Aug 2009

The UK Competition Commission has formally recommended that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) should establish an Ombudsman to arbitrate on disputes between grocery retailers and suppliers. The Ombudsman will also investigate complaints under the new Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP).