| Global retail industry news |  |
| Global Industry Watch |  |  |
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- Retail group decries 'country pricing' practice
The practice of charging Canadians significantly more than US residents for the same goods may have legitimate roots, but today there's little if any reason for the disparity, says Diane Brisebois, president of the Retail Council of Canada. A government report out this week calls for several fixes, including a comprehensive review of tariffs. "Retailers continue to do their job in delivering value to consumers. It is now time for our government to assist in leveling the playing field for our businesses in Canada," Brisebois said. CBC.ca (Canada)
(08 Feb.)     
| Retail in Europe | | |
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- Report: UK boomers to drive mall-based retail
The over-55 set will be driving growth at UK shopping centers in the coming years, as retirement provides more leisure time and younger consumers continue to shift more of their shopping online, according to market research firm Conlumino. For mall developer Hammerson, the trend will drive changes including better parking and a significant increase in space dedicated to leisure facilities such as restaurants and cinemas. The Guardian (London)
(07 Feb.)
| Retail in Asia | | |
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- China's eateries feel the pinch of tighter bureaucratic belts
Some 60% of China's high-end restaurants have reported cancellations, including one Beijing eatery that saw $1.6 million in dropped reservations, since the government adopted a new austerity plan for bureaucrats, according to a report from the China Cuisine Association. The stricter standards come as China tries to cut some of its $32 billion in annual food waste, 80% of which reportedly comes from business dinners and meals bought using public funds. The Wall Street Journal/China Real Time Report blog
(07 Feb.)
| Retail in Latin America | | |
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- Trade deal to boost Colombian textile exports
Colombian textile and apparel exports are on track to rise 10% this year, as a free-trade agreement that takes effect in April opens up new markets in the 27 European Union countries. "We understand that entering new markets cannot be done from one day to the next but we want to begin crystalizing opportunities in Europe now where many countries are interested in doing business with Colombia," said Inexmoda president Carlos Eduardo Botero. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(05 Feb.)
| E-commerce Spotlight | | |
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- Amazon faces challenges in China
Amazon launched a digital store to start selling Kindle e-books late last year, but customers have to use an iPhone, iPad or Android application to read the books because the store doesn't sell Kindles. The situation illustrates a bigger challenge for the e-commerce giant in China, where online retail growth is skyrocketing and Amazon has invested heavily, but Alibaba dominates with 76% of the market. Bloomberg
(07 Feb.)
- Online yoga retailer takes aim at lululemon
Online-only athletic wear startup Ellie touts less-pricey yoga togs and other gear that's equal in quality to industry leader lululemon. The trick? Keeping design in-house and overhead low by eschewing brick-and-mortar stores, says co-founder Marcus Greinke. Mashable
(07 Feb.)
| Spotlight on Fashion | | |
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- John Lewis launches Kin brand of family fashion
John Lewis has created a private-label brand called Kin that it's marketing as a lifestyle and fashion brand for the entire family. "Kin will play a key role in our fashion assortment, bringing together menswear, womenswear and childrenswear for the first time," said buying director Matt McCormack. The Independent (London)
(04 Feb.)
- Retail buyers gear up for Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week kicked off Thursday, with retail buyers from high-end department stores including Saks, Neiman Marcus and Holt Renfrew keeping a keen eye out for fall trends likely to help boost sales of designer styles. "The brands which offer authentic, differentiated design are thriving, especially when the collections are well balanced from a lifestyle standpoint, novel, high quality and sensitive to warm climate," said Neiman Marcus specialty retail president Jim Gold. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(06 Feb.)
| NRF News | | |
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- Best practices to protect brands and consumers from counterfeiters
E-commerce has enabled retailers to do business on a global scale, but in turn has moved the business of counterfeits from the street corner to the digital world. A study by MarkMonitor analyzed the relationship between online shoppers, the search terms they use and the sites that they visit when seeking apparel and luxury goods. This white paper in the Shop.org library underscores the need for companies at all price points to implement proactive brand protection strategies in the online marketplace. Download the white paper.
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 | If you want to make enemies, try to change something."
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