IBC

Lost in translation – Wal-Mart stumbles hard in Brazil

Reuters reported today that Wal-Mart’s challenges in Brazil continue to grow. The story says that “Some securities analysts have speculated Wal-Mart could exit Brazil, as well as other markets in Latin America where it is already closing an additional 55 stores.” For more information, please click here. …

Thirty-five percent of Chinese online shoppers bought goods from overseas

China Daily Europe has reported that Chinese consumers are reaching across borders to buy products. Several findings include: The United States remains the most popular destination for Chinese cross-border online shopping, while in 2015 Japan and South Korea took second and third place respectively. The overall incidence of Chinese cross-border online shopping has increased…

John Lewis to enter Middle East with Dubai tie-up

Reuters recently reported that John Lewis Partnership, Britain's largest department store group, is to enter the Middle East market, opening an outlet in Dubai next year as it steps up the pace of global expansion. Reuters said that “the employee-owned firm said on Monday the 15,000 square feet space, its largest such overseas concession, will open within the new flagship…

China’s Consumers Begin to Awake

Andy Kessler, former hedge fund manager, has a recent piece in the Op Ed section of the Wall Street Journal in which he says, “This trend toward consumerism is already under way—China’s big cities are plastered with ads for Porsche, Gucci and Apple products. Some 600 million Chinese have smartphones. Uber and local Didi Kuaidi are battling it out to offer rides. Airbnb is…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Stephen Konkle, U. S. Small Business Administration

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Based in Chicago, Stephen Konkle is the Illinois District Office International Trade Officer at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Before joining the SBA, Konkle worked in treasury and accounting positions for manufacturing firms. He holds a B.A. in economics and an MBA in finance. Stephen, what is the most exciting or…

Sainsbury Agrees on $1.9 Billion Deal for Home Retail Group

The Wall Street Journal reports that UK supermarket retailer Sainsbury has struck a deal to buy Home Retail group, parent of UK retailer Argos. Details are available from the Wall Street Journal here. (Subscription required) IBC Members may view the Key Retail Profiles on Argos and Sainsbury here. If you are a current IBC Member and need assistance with your username and…

SBA Support for Export Promotion – Financial Support for your Export Efforts

You may already be familiar with the Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Initiative (CFDA# 59.061). This program allows companies who are seeking to explore export markets to receive support from this combined state and federal government program. As their website states: The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program is a pilot export…

How China’s Currency Policies Will Change the World

China’s currency analyzed and how it will impact the entire world from an economic standpoint. Summary The recent fluctuations in China's currency typify the best and worst of a globalized world, where developments in one place can instantly change the political and financial calculations of governments in others. For most of human history, the communities, cultures and…

Down the Aisles: Hudson’s Bay

For most Canadians, Hudson’s Bay Company is a name that has been a part of their lives for as long as they can remember. The company, which is Canada’s longest continually running department store, was established in 1670. Since that day two and a half centuries ago, it has continued to expand and fine tune its innovative operations, firmly establishing itself as a brand that…