All articles by Planet Retail – Page 11
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French sports retailer Oxylane plans Bulgarian stores
French sports retailer Oxylane plans to enter Bulgaria next year, it is reported. The first Decathlon store is set to open in September 2013 in southeast Sofia, with construction already under way.The retailer sees potential in the Bulgarian market for 15 to 20 stores. It also intends to grow through ...
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Auchan reports successful mobile payment trial
Grocer Auchan has successfully trialled a new mobile payment system called Flash’n Pay, it has been reported.The mobile wallet, developed by the retailer’s financial services subsidiary Oney Banque Accord, allows customers to pay with their smartphones and also manage coupons and loyalty points from the same application.The system is compatible ...
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Amazon ventures into Brazil with Amazon.com.br
Amazon has made its first foray into Brazil with the launch of ebook site Amazon.com.br. The site offers more than 1.4 million Kindle books priced in Brazilian Reals, including more than 13,000 Portuguese-language titles. Amazon says its Kindle ereader will be available within weeks priced at BRL299 (£89). Meanwhile, Brazilian ...
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Metro Properties plans Russian store openings
German Metro Group-owned Metro Properties plans to invest about e150m (£121m) to open six or seven stores in Russia in 2013, said head of asset and expansion management Arthur Taubert. The 2013 investment for store openings in Russia has been cut due to the depressed macroeconomic situation worldwide, he said.Instead, ...
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Convenience store operator CP All reports record net profit
Convenience store operator CP All has reported a record net profit of Bt2.9bn (£58.9m) for the third quarter ended September 30, up 33% year on year, thanks to higher sales as a result of a promotional campaign.CP All aims to open about 500 new 7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand next ...
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Walmart India spends $25m (£15.5m) on lobbying activities
Walmart in India has spent $25m (£15.5m) since 2008 on lobbying activities to facilitate its entry into the country, the BBC has reported. The revelation sparked angry exchanges in India’s parliament.The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party called for an investigation into Walmart’s lobbying.
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Kesko opens first hypermarket
Finland-based retailer Kesko has entered the Russian grocery sector with its first hypermarket in St Petersburg under the K-Ruoka banner.Kesko aims to open four hypermarkets in the city by the end of 2013 and then expand to the Moscow region.Kesko also operates K-Rauta DIY and Intersport sports stores in Russia.
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Spar Austria plans online grocery shop
Spar Austria is planning an online grocery shop for its hypermarket and superstore banner Interspar in the Czech Republic.The retailer intends to make more than 40,000 products available online, it is reported.Rewe Group’s supermarket division Billa in the Czech Republic is also working on ecommerce for its full food and ...
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Aldi Nord chairman Berthold Albrecht dies
Berthold Albrecht, chairman of one of the family trusts of German discounter Aldi Nord and member of the board, has died at the age of 58.As well as the German and European operations, the son of Aldi Nord founder Theo Albrecht Sr was closely involved in its North American retail ...
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Loblaw to form Real Estate Investment Trust
Loblaw is to form a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) to acquire a significant portion of its real estate assets. The grocer plans to sell units of the REIT through an initial public offering and will retain a significant majority interest. The expected completion date is mid-2013, subject to approval.The ...
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Barnes & Noble reports revenue decrease
Bookseller Barnes & Noble reported revenue fell 0.4% to $1.9bn (£1.18bn) in its second quarter to October 27.The retailer recorded a net profit of $2m (£1.2m) against a net loss of $7m (£4.4m) in the same period last year.Retail sales from Barnes & Noble stores and BN.com fell 3% to ...
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Monoprix appoints new chairman and chief executive
Casino-owned variety store group Monoprix has appointed Casino chief executive Jean-Charles Naouri as chairman and chief executive, replacing Philippe Houzé.The hire follows Casino’s acquisition of the 50% stake in Monoprix previously held by Galeries Lafayette. The deal is expected to be approved by the French Competition Authority next year.
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Walmart announces plans to enter cash and carry market
Walmart has announced plans to enter the cash and carry business with the launch of membership fascia Central Mayorista.The first store, boasting a sales area of 37,700 sq ft, is scheduled to open in Puente Alto, Santiago, in the first quarter of next year.Central Mayorista will be aimed at retailers, ...
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Metro Group’s major shareholder to reduce its stake
Metro Group’s major shareholder, the Haniel family, plans to reduce its stake in the retailer by 4.24% over the next 18 months.After the divestment, the family’s stake in Metro Group will fall to 30.01%, although it will remain the largest single shareholder.The Haniels have already cashed in E7.9m (£6.4m) Celesio ...
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Lidl reveals Greek investment plan
German Schwarz Group’s discount grocer Lidl has revealed a Greek investment plan of E100m (£81.1m) over the next three years.Lidl plans to open new stores, renovate shops and warehouses and invest in promotions and special offers. “Despite the current unfavourable market conditions, Lidl Hellas will continue to support the country,” ...
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Media-Saturn’s Chinese expansion suffers a blow
Metro Group-controlled electronics retailer Media-Saturn’s Chinese expansion plans suffered a blow after one of its investors revealed it will withdraw from a two-year trial because it believes the venture is reluctant to make serious investment in the country. Convergenta, the investment vehicle of billionaire Erich Kellerhals who founded the Media ...
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Fast Retailing takes a stake in J Brand
Clothing retailer Fast Retailing has agreed a deal with Star Avenue Capital to take an 80.1% stake in J Brand, with the balance owned by the denim brand’s management.The deal is due to be finalised by the end of the year, subject to approvals.
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Auchan plans to invest in Russian market
French retailer Auchan plans to invest RUB1bn (£20.1m) next year to open five price-oriented compact hypermarkets in Russia under the Radouga banner.The stores will reportedly have a sales area of 53,820 sq ft and will feature 11,000 SKUs. After next year, Auchan intends to open five to 10 Radouga stores ...
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Aldi Nord experiences significant profit decrease
Discounter Aldi Nord experienced a significant drop in profit in 2011, according to annual accounts from 18 of its 35 regional divisions.While sales increased slightly, cumulated profits were E55m (£44.6m) down on the previous year. Aldi blamed a weak non-food business and stiff competition in Germany.
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Ahold extends cost-savings programme
Grocery retailer Ahold has extended its cost-savings programme from E350m (£283.9m) to E600m (£486.8m).Ahold said it will include sourcing and promotional costs to invest in creating a better offer and value for customers.Next year, the grocer plans to convert many of its 82 Dutch C1000/Jumbo Supermarkten stores to Albert Heijn. ...