International News

Water shortage on the agenda again; Global RFID grows; Saudi back female cashiers; India’s new direct tax codes; Etisalat target India telecoms; Internet Cafe licences in China; Carrefore in China via Dia

Chaloub luxury retailer sales boost. Smartphone apps market going up to 39%, Shanghai Airport is getting busier, Arvinda mixes design with tailoring, IBEF report predicts continued sales, Vietnam is the new retail market

India: Future Group unit to raise $160 million in IPO An unit of India’s Future Group, which runs the country’s top listed retailer Pantaloon Retail, is looking to raise as much as Rs 7.5 billion ($160 million) through an IPO, according to a draft prospectus. ECONOMIC TIMES http://tinyurl.com/26qw9kr US: TradeStone wins Awards TradeStone has recently [...]

Bharti closes $9 billion Zain Africa deal; Culture and choosing the right exec talent in Dubai; Waitrose supermarket to open in Bahrain; Planet Sports opens store in Pune

Looking into the Middle East: SAP, IKEA and Express Avenue

India’s MAJOR BRANDS to increase to 100 stores

Opening new stores of existing nine international brands – Mango, Aldo, Nine West, Promod, Charles & Keith, La Senza, Okaidi, Aldo Accessories and Inglot – in premier malls across India and will reach a target of 100 stores by March 2011.

M&S Head of Buying votes for accessible fashion: Adam Colton spoke at the 25th IAF World Apparel Convention 2009 where it was evident that India is emerging as a promising market for global brands and the retailers alike, significantly for its contribution to global textile and apparel trade.

Reliance Footprint partners with Western Brands on Kids footware – Gini & Jony will leverage the substantial and ever-growing network of Reliance Footprint, including Levi’s and Puma children’s footware.

Shopper’s Stop to add 500,000 sq ft space by March

Reliance Retail launches ‘Reliance Jewels’ in Mumbai

No FDI plan in retail; FMCG companies to see robust volume growth; Bharti Airtel profit increases 22%; Future Group announces investment deal with Fung Capital; GST, FDI can quadruple FMCG turnover in 10 years, Pantaloon to raise up to Rs 1,000 crore; And more…..

Reliance expecting to breakeven by Sept, Pantaloon sales up 14%, Future Group may list Future Venture, India most attractive market for retail investment, Bharti Wal-Mart to launch co-branded credit cards…

Bata plan to open 65-70 stores, Over 100 malls projected to open by end 2010, Tata to start e-mall, Apparel market to defy slowdown, Shoppers Stop plans 12 new stores over 3 yrs….