International Strategy
February 20, 2012
Gap plans to open 30 more stores in China in 2012. The company opened its first China location in November 2010, and the planned store openings will bring its China store count to 35 by the end of 2012. The expansion in China follows the company’s announcement in October 2011 that it would close 189 (21 percent) of its U.S. stores due to declining sales.
February 17, 2012
Sears Canada announced a revamped pricing strategy, lowering day-to-day prices by an average of up to 30 percent on a wide range of popular items, taking a page from rival Wal-Mart Canada's book. The move comes as Sears Canada faces increasing pressure to boost years of sales declines, part of a strategy from new chief executive Calvin McDonald to compete in a fierce retail market that is girding for the arrival of mass merchant Target next year.
February 16, 2012
Retailers from Forever 21 to Gap have rushed to Hong Kong to reach the 28 million Chinese tourists passing through last year. To do so, they're paying some of the world's highest rents. Hong Kong retail rents, which rose 32 percent in prime locations last year according to Savills Plc estimates, may climb more even as global economies and property markets slow.
February 7, 2012
Wal-Mart's Canadian unit will invest more than $750 million in 73 projects in the next 12 months, as the world's biggest retailer moves aggressively to stay ahead of competitors such as Target.
February 6, 2012
Collective Brands' Payless and its partners said that in 2012 they expect six store openings in Korea, as well as five stores each to open in Thailand and Vietnam.
February 1, 2012
American Eagle Outfitters said its debut store in Israel will open tomorrow at Ramat Aviv Mall in Tel Aviv. American Eagle has been expanding its international presence for the past three years, now with 21 stores in 10 countries, partnering with retail experts in each region. Today, there are franchise stores open in Russia, China, Hong Kong and various cities throughout the Middle East.
January 30, 2012
H&M recently announced its expansion goals for 2012, with plans to add approximately 275 new stores. The fashion retailer will open the most stores this year in China, the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, it will enter Bulgaria, Latvia, Malaysia and Thailand for the first time.
January 30, 2012
Just a few weeks after unveiling the locations of its first 24 stores in Canada, Target released an expanded list of stores that will debut in 2013. The stores listed included two in Alberta, two in British Columbia, 29 in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan.
January 24, 2012
Hudson's Bay is betting a Canadian touch will revitalize the oldest upscale department store retailer in the U.S. Bonnie Brooks, who is credited with having started to revive the ailing Bay after she got the top job in 2008, was appointed president of Hudson's Bay Co. on Jan. 23.
January 23, 2012
Ikea is withholding its entry into India in spite of New Delhi's move to open its market to foreign retailers as the Swedish homewares company accelerates its expansion in other BRIC countries.
