English news 14 novembre 2007

WAL-MART third quarter results reflect improved US performance

Wal-Mart has reported that net sales for the third quarter ended October 31 2007 were USD90.9 billion, an increase of 8.8% over the third quarter of the previous fiscal year. | read more

ADITYA BIRLA to open for business in Delhi

According to unconfirmed reports in the Indian press, Aditya Birla Group is planning to tie up with Parsvnath Developers, a Delhi based real estate developer, for setting up a hypermarket and a supermarket in the capital. | read more

APOLLO to double pharmacy numbers in India

According to reports in the Indian press, Apollo Group of Hospitals is planning to double the number of clinics and pharmacies across the country within the next two years. | read more

Pleasing Q3 at ASDA

Q3 figures released by Wal-Mart state that Asda generated comp sales growth in the low single digits as Asda beat its sales and profit plan. CEO Andy Bond noted that: "For the ninth straight month we have grown our share of the market and beat our sales and profit plan. | read more

AUCHAN trials contactless credit card

In France Auchan in partnership with Mastercard is trialling a card which does not need contact with any equipment. The card still needs a confidential password and allows customers to purchasse items up to EUR25 (USD34.70). | read more

AUCHAN to invest in Portuguese malls

According to reports in the Portuguese press, Auchan plans to invest more than EUR260 million (USD360.9 million) in shopping centre construction and operations up until the end of the decade. | read more

ASDA to cooperate with OFT in price fixing inquiry

According to reports in the UK press this morning, Asda is to co-operate with the Office of Fair Trading as its long-running investigation into the price fixing of milk, cheese and butter draws to a close. | read more

AUCHAN MVNO service in Portugal approved

According to reports in the Portuguese press, the country's telecoms watchdog Anacom has given the green light to Auchan's hypermarket operation to become a virtual network operator (MVNO) on the local market. | read more

CBD third quarter results

The gross revenue of Brazilian retailer CBD in the third quarter of 2007 reached BRL4,131.7 million (USD2,160 million), up 5.5% over the same prior-year period. | read more

COSTCO selects PhotoChannel in US

Costco has selected PhotoChannel to provide and operate its online photo service in the US. The service will allow Costco members to upload and place orders for prints, greeting cards, calendars and other photo gift items and pick them up at the selected Costco locations. | read more

EDEKA Nordbayern to acquire wholesaler

Edeka's regional branch Nordbayern-Sachsen-Thüringen is to acquire the wholesaler Christian Strobel Lebensmittel Großhandel GmbH, Wendelstein, as from 1 January 2008. | read more

ITC details plans for Choupal Fresh

According to reports in the Indian press, the strong back end supply chain activities of over one hundred thousand farmers is paying off for ITC's Agri Business Division and thus resulting in the expansion of Choupal Sagar and Choupal Fresh stores. | read more

LOJAS AMERICANAS third quarter profit fall

In Brazil, Lojas Americanas has reported that third quarter net profit fell by 86.3% to BRL8.5 million (USD4.4 million) affected by the merger of its e-commerce unit Americanas.com and local rival Submarino, the acquisition of local BWU Comercio e Entretenimento (BWU), administrator of Blockbuster's operations in Brazil, and the launch of the Americanas Taii private label credit cards. | read more

LONGS authorises stock repurchase

US drugstore chain Longs Drug Stores has announced that its board of directors has authorised the repurchase of up to USD200 million of the company's outstanding common stock during the period extending through February 2011. | read more

MEIJER rewrites rules of Black Friday shopping

In the USA, Meijer is "rewriting the rules" of Black Friday shopping by releasing its special holiday sale pricing a full ten days before the Thanksgiving holiday. | read more

METRO to open 10 stores in Pakistan over five years

Speaking over the weekend, the Pakistani Provincial Minister for Industries, Muhammad Ajmal Cheema, said that Metro would open up 10 cash & carry outlets in the country's big cities within five years, creating more than 10,000 new job opportunities. | read more

PRESIDENT CHAIN to open "Afternoon Tea" outlets in China

Taiwan based President Chain Store has announced that it has been authorised by Japan's Sazaby group to open "Afternoon Tea" chain stores in Beijing and Shanghai. | read more

REWE introduces training initiative

By introducing a newly designed education and training initiative, Cologne-based Rewe Group aims to continue expanding its position in German and international trading. | read more

SAINSBURY first half results/JV to unlock property potential

In the UK, Sainsbury has reported this morning that total retail sales (inc VAT) for the 28 weeks to 6 October 2007 went up by 4.7% to GBP9,998 million (USD20,180 million) (2006/07: GBP9,549 million; USD19,274 million). | read more

SPINACH stake to be acquired by Dewan Housing

According to unconfirmed reports in the Indian press, Dewan Housing, a Wadhawan group housing finance company, is planning to pick up a 20% stake in Wadhawan Food Retail's food and grocery retail chain - Spinach. | read more

TESCO Fresh & Easy opening in Phoenix delayed

According to reports in the US, Tesco's Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets will most likely not open in the Phoenix metro area until December. Tesco opened its first six stores in Southern California last week and Fresh & Easy stores were planned to open in Phoenix this month as well; however, it appears more likely the stores will open by the end of the year, according to company spokesman Brendan Wonnacott. | read more

WALMEX upholds profit view for banking operations

According to Banco Wal-Mart chief executive Julio Bosco in Mexico, the retailer still expects its recently launched banking unit to start making a profit in 2011 as the operation invests heavily in technology and branch openings over the next three years. | read more

WHOLE FOODS reaches milestone with Local Producer Loan Programme

Whole Foods Market has announced that it has reached a milestone with its new Local Producer Loan Programme by administering more than USD1 million in low-interest loans. | read more

SPAR South Africa solid FY trading results

SPAR South Africa has produced a solid set of trading results on the back of an excellent performance at retail, aggressive marketing, strong consumer spending and higher inflation. | read more

BORDERS selects Allurent to improve new Borders.com site

Borders Direct, the e-commerce platform of Borders has announced that it has selected Allurent, an innovative software company powering online shopping experiences, to help enhance the Magic Shelf feature of its upcoming e-commerce site, set to launch in the first quarter of 2008. | read more

GAMESTOP introduces new activity book and contest for youth

GameStop has announced that it has introduced a new large-format activity book for youth available at all US GameStop locations with the purchase of a new E-rated video games. | read more

TOYS 'R' US expands in Spain

Toys 'R' Us Iberia has announced it has opening a new store in Muricia. The 2,300 square metres store will combine both a Toys 'R' Us stores and a Babies 'R' Us store under one roof. | read more