To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: June 29 - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is raising its bet on populous Southeast Asia, a region that is home to more than 600 million consumers. The Chinese internet giant said Wednesday it is plowing an additional $1 billion into Southeast Asia e-commerce firm Lazada Group, raising its stake to 83% from 51%.…
CONTINUE READINGArchives for June 2017
Smart Home: Keeping Connected
Michelle Hespe meets Carley Knobloch (or Carley K, like her blog is called), a digital lifestyle expert, to chat about the Internet of Things and the smart home. As a retailer, you need to embrace this new wave of technology or risk falling behind your competitors. A couple of years ago, most people hadn’t heard of Internet of Things (IoT) or the smart home. Even 12 months ago…
CONTINUE READINGJohn Lewis: Key UK Retailer Update
As a preview to her presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on British retailer John Lewis Partnership and Anna Berry, Head of Buying for Gifts, Cook and Dine. John Lewis Partnership has 48 stores throughout the UK as well as their e-commerce business. Together with their sister retailer, Waitrose, annual sales reach over GBP 11 bn, with…
CONTINUE READINGGenerations of Inspiration
Michelle Hespe speaks to Patricia Lockhart, owner and director of Uruguay’s award-winning retail store, Bazar La Iberica and its focus on generations of inspiration. Achieving 100 years in business is something worth talking about. But Bazar La Iberica, a family-run retailer operating in a country with only 3 million inhabitants (half of which live on very low income) has…
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