John Lewis sees strong sales of baking products
The popular BBC2 television series “The Great British Bake Off” is helping to drive sales on baking products at John Lewis. Measuring cups and spoons, palette knives, rolling pins, stand mixers and blowtorches are among the top sellers, according to Rebecca Fletcher, the department store group’s assistant buyer for cookshop. Www.housewareslive.net (Sept 7, 2013)
JOHN LEWIS expands on international and e-commerce ambitions
John Lewis aims to launch dedicated local language e-commerce sites in France and Germany by early 2014. Managing Director Andy Street confirmed the move in a results conference call with analysts. http://www.planetretail.net (Sept 13, 2013)
AMAZON expands selection in India
Amazon has announced the opening of four new stores on its Amazon.in site in India. Toys & Games, Baby products, Personal Care appliances and Health Care devices are now available to customers, three months after the e-commerce giant’s entry to the market. http://www.planetretail.net (Sept 13, 2013)
Lakeland opens doors to first Saudi Arabia store
British housewares chain Lakeland has opened its first store in Saudi Arabia, in the city of Dammam. “While this is our first store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are looking forward to opening more in the near future and also to expanding our presence in the Middle East,” says Lakeland marketing director Tony Preedy. HousewaresLive.net (Sept 11, 2013)
Home Hardware orders up with new catalogue
Home Hardware Southwest retailers has added 35 retailers to its newest catalogue and ordered a whopping 371,000 units for delivery to British consumers. The 56-page catalogue focuses not on price, but on communicating product information and kitchen tips. HousewaresLive.net (Sept 9, 2013)
Japan Home Centre plans to add new products
Japan Home Centre plans to diversify its product offerings and open additional stores across China and elsewhere after an initial public offering. The company, known for selling affordable housewares goods, will add men’s personal and health items, and more upscale choices to its roster of over 22,000 products. South China Morning Post (Sept 9, 2013)
Amazon Builds Logistics Centers in Poland for Further Expansion in Eastern Europe
Amazon has started to build three new logistics centers in Poland, allowing for further expansion into Eastern Europe. Two will be built in southwestern Poland and one will be built 150 miles east of Berlin. The new centers will require 6,000 permanent employees and 9,000 temporary employees. In total, these investments will cost Amazon hundreds of millions of euros. Bloomberg (Oct 7, 2013)
Walmart to Pull Out of Retail Operations in India
Walmart has announced that it will pull out of its retail joint venture with Bharti Enterprises in India. Walmart, however, still will operate its 20 wholesales and supply chain operations in India. Walmart has agreed to acquire the 20 Best Price Modern Wholesale cash and carry stores run in partnership with Bharti, while relinquishing its investment holding company that owns the Easyday chain of 212 supermarkets and convenient stores to Bharti control. Wall Street Journal (Oct 9, 2013)
COSTCO prepares for 2014 Spain entry
Costco has confirmed its initial foray into continental Europe will be in Spain. The US-based warehouse club operator is expected to open its first unit in the Higueron Sur area of Seville in spring 2014. http://www.planetretail.net (Oct 10, 2013)
