| Global retail industry news |  |
| Global Industry Watch |  |  |
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- Gap to pay $130 million for luxury boutique Intermix
Gap has sealed a deal to acquire high-end fashion chain Intermix, which operates about 30 boutiques in the US and Canada that have long provided Gap with inspiration and insights into new trends, said executive Art Peck. The deal may mean faster growth for Intermix, and will allow Gap to benefit from the smaller retailer's relationships with brands such as Herve Leger, Yves Saint Laurent and Rag & Bone. The Wall Street Journal
(02 Jan.)     
- Will REIT send Loblaw into acquisition mode?
Loblaw's planned real estate investment trust is expected to provide the supermarket chain with as much as C$670 million in cash. Analysts expect at least some of the funds will be spent to acquire rival players such as Safeway Canada or Overwaitea Food Group, as the chain works to fend off growing competition from Wal-Mart and Target. Bloomberg
(02 Jan.)
| Retail in Europe | | |
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| Retail in Asia | | |
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- US furniture brands find a home in China
America's furniture makers have suffered losses and plant closures amid the rise in Chinese imports in the past decade, but now US-based Ethan Allen and Ashley Furniture are turning the tables. Both companies are boosting their sales in China, catering to a growing number of wealthy consumers with a hunger for US-made products. The Wall Street Journal
(02 Jan.)
- Fabindia tweaks its model for global growth
Fabindia has grown to 160 stores in India that give the country's textile artisans a place to sell their wares to its growing middle class. Now, the retailer is making some changes as it turns its hand to international expansion, including hanging the goods instead of shelving them at a new store in Singapore and planning more seasonal apparel for customers in less-temperate climates. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(02 Jan.)
| E-commerce Spotlight | | |
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- China's online retailers go abroad for growth
China's Jingdong Mall launched its English language site in October, one of the latest examples of Chinese e-commerce companies looking to grow their global presence. The retailers often start with English language sites targeting consumers in the US and Europe, but many are finding greater growth prospects in emerging markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, said PayPal executive Chen Dong. China Daily (Beijing)
(02 Jan.)
| Spotlight on Consumer Electronics | | |
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- China's factories made more than 1 billion mobile phones in 2012
Consumer electronics companies in China churned out more than a billion mobile phones in the first 11 months of 2012, about 1.1% fewer than in 2011, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Production of PCs, monitors, and TV sets rose, according to the report, which doesn't yet tally up tablets. ZDNet
(02 Jan.)
- Report: UK digital sales hit new record
Sales of digital music, movies and other entertainment content hit £1.03 billion in the UK last year, according to the Entertainment Retailers Association. Sales of CDs, DVDs and other physical media declined during the same period, leading to a 12% decline in overall home entertainment sales in 2012. The Hollywood Reporter
(02 Jan.)
- 2 Best Buy board members step down
Former Best Buy interim CEO G. "Mike" Mikan has resigned from the retailer's board of directors to take the reins at Edward S. Lampert's hedge fund, ESL Investments. A second Best Buy board member, Matthew H. Paull, also announced his resignation but will stay in place until the April board meeting. The Wall Street Journal
(31 Dec.)
| 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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 | Well done is better than well said."
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American inventor and statesman
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