Initial assessment of floating balances

Floating balances (traders the opportunity to choose two weeks of sales per year) was one of the measures implemented to boost competitiveness and attendance centers. Overall, the results are very mixed. The National Center malls (CNCC) found that attendance in supermarkets fell 4.7% in April 2009 compared with same month in 2008.

In fact, it appears that the device floating balances would be more effective if the distributors agreed to consult and establish a common catalog.

Cheap iphone? soon ...

Apple Iphone could launch a cheap, it could launch cheaper versions of the iPhone without having to subscribe to the monthly data transfer, in order to boost sales of its handset.

The next year or in two years, iPhone models do not require a monthly subscription service for data transfer representing a minimum surcharge of 30 dollars (22 euros) in the United States, will be offered to their customers . A cheap model would also help Apple reach an agreement with the telecom operators in China to enter the largest market in the world.

The decline in the price of the Iphone is logical for me, since technological change push phone models to be less and less. Finally, it is not surprising to Iphone enters China market since it is the end of the cycle of innovation for the European telephone companies.

The agency FITCH, pessimistic for large retailers in 2009

Find below a dispatch from Reuters of 14 May that I have voluntarily decided to publish because it is self-explanatory and does not deserve additional comments:

For large retailers, 2009 is a lost year "(Fitch)

"The effects of changes, slower inflation and lower sales volumes should greatly affect the European brands of large retailers, most of which will stop their policy of expansion, said the rating agency Fitch on Thursday. "2009 is a lost year in terms of growth for all brands of distribution, which will focus on their core market and core business," said at a press conference Johnny Da Silva, Research Director at Fitch.

Last year, distribution was resisted by increasing food prices, which had helped offset declines in volumes. But in 2009, the drop in consumption linked to the crisis continued, but inflation also slowing. As a result, overall growth in sales the first six food groups in Europe (Carrefour, Tesco, Casino, Sainsbury, Metro and Ahold) is expected to melt at 4% this year against 8% in 2008, according to Fitch. The non-food brands should continue to suffer this year after suffering adverse trade-offs of consumers in 2008.

The turnover of these brands (Kingfisher, Marks and Spencer, Next, DSG) is expected to grow by less than 1% in 2009 against 1.5% in 2008. The impact of foreign exchange is also very important (down to the pound sterling for UK retailers, strong euro for distributors french or German). The effects of changes expected to cost between 1% and 3% of sales of European brands, predicted Mr. Da Silva. In response to these problems, food retailers and food should not reduce their investment of -15% and -45%, in particular investment for expansion. Carrefour has already announced earlier this year to focus on France, its traditional market, while the British put Tesco on Great Britain and Metro in Germany.

Among the ten brands in this study, Fitch indicated that only the Dutch Ahold and Sainsbury British have a margin of maneuver for a policy of expansion. The first because it has already restructured in the early 2000s and the second because he conducts a prudent financial policy, "said da Silva.

The decline in consumption also affects the full brunt of the food and spirits. Food companies Nestle, Unilever, Danone and Cadbury and should record increases in turnover of up to 2%, far from the goals of 5% to 9% set by these companies, said Fitch. The turnover of the companies in wines and spirits (Diageo, SAB Miller, Carlsberg, Pernod Ricard) should be between -2% and 2%, after growth in a range from 5% to 7% last year. The benefits should be either stable or decreased after an increase between 5% and 9% in 2008 and up 27% in 2007. People not only consume less than spirits, but they refer to the cheaper brands, noted Fitch. "

Française des Jeux and Retailers

La Française des Jeux (FDJ) has confirmed the closure of its outlets in supermarkets whose opening had attracted the wrath of tobacconists. The withdrawal can be explained by "the changing economic environment."

It seems rather than lobbying tobacconists is more convincing than that of supermarkets. It is true that the tobacconists are already in trouble with the restrictions on tobacco. Rest now know where the interests of consumers?

Fair Trade face to the crisis

Here is clearly another victim of the financial crisis.

Introduced in France in 1950 by Abbé Pierre, fair trade has made a tentative entry into our country. 9 years ago, only 15% of consumers were aware of fair trade.
The 2000s are a good omen for this type of trade because it falls within the mores of consumers.
In 2008, while 80% of consumers have already bought products from this type of trade, fair trade grew by 22% and represents an annual turnover of around 260 million euros.

This year, the price of fair trade products that are labeled in the stores are 22% more expensive than a conventional product. With the crisis, families are much more attention to their budget and solidarity is no longer part of their priorities.

I find that it is precisely at this moment that the symbolic gesture of solidarity is strongest.

"The rich can not change the lives of the poor, but when it becomes a poor turn, it can however understand all the poor."

yes I know the deep Bisounours, so what? it feels good sometimes not:)

Carrefour : Wants to play Tzar

Carrefour already operates in China, turns his head towards the "Rodina" (Motherland, Russia). Indeed, the french group of large retailers want to buy the Russian Sedmoï Kontinient for 1.24 billion dollars.

In fact, by the particular group of countries to adapt culturally, where it expands, which Russia sees good eye redemption. Carrefour is already prepared to adapt these products and messages to a Russian customer.

While Carrefour appeared to have been weakened by various problems (see our post on Carrefour) it is the opposite of a surprise expensionisme.

The crisis does not seem to have weakened all the major brands .....

Carrefour wants to penetrate the BRIC market

After China and unable to settle in India where the group met with many difficulties, it seems that Russia offers more facilities. Indeed, Carrefour is reportedly negotiating the purchase of the supermarket chain Sedmoï Kontinient. The amount of the transaction involved a total of approximately 940 million euros. Russian distributor currently has 140 outlets in Russia.

It would therefore appear that the establishment of Carrefour in emerging markets with high potential remains a priority of his strategy.