Canadian Home Improvement Retail Sales +2%
8.20.08        Home improvement retail sales in Canada rose 0.7 percent in June 2008 from May 2008 to C$2.68 billion.  Sales versus the year-ago month were up 1.9 percent.
    The full report from Statistics Canada is here.
 
Wal-Mart Investing $1.06 Billion in Brazil
8.15.08        Wal-Mart has announced plans to expand its operations in Brazil in 2009 by investing approximately $1.06 billion and opening another 80 to 90 stores.
    The full report is here.

RONA Earnings Drop 7%
8.12.08        RONA today announced a slight increase in its consolidated sales to C$1,473.3 million in the second quarter of 2008, compared to C$1,469.1 million in 2007.  Same-store sales fell by 4.4 percent in the quarter.
Net earnings were C$80.1 million in the quarter, a 7.0 percent decrease compared to the second quarter of 2007.
    The full financial press release is here.

Canadian Tire Retail Sales +4%
8.8.08        Canadian Tire Corp. yesterday reported second quarter retail sales increased 4.0 percent to C$2.95 billion from C$2.84 billion in the year-ago period.
    Adjusted net earnings for the quarter fell 13.8 percent to C$94.7 million from last year’s C$109.8 million.
    The full financial report is here.

Kingfisher Selling Castorama Italy for euro 560 Million
8.1.08        Kingfisher plc today announced a binding agreement to sell its Castorama Italy business to Groupe Adeo S.A. for a total cash consideration of euro 560 million  The sale is conditional upon European Community Merger Regulation clearance and is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2008.  The proceeds of the sale will be used to reduce Kingfisher's net debt.
Castorama opened its first store in Italy in 1988 and now has 31 stores and employs over 2,200 people.
    The full press release is here.

Grainger Forms Joint Venture in India
8.1.08        Grainger has announced the company has bought a 49.9 percent stake in Asia Pacific Brands India Ltd., one of India's largest industrial and electrical wholesale distributors.  The company paid $5.4 million and, at the same time, the company matched a $1.1 million capital infusion with its joint venture partner intended to help grow the business.  With 27 locations and more than 6,200 dealer relationships across India, Asia Pacific Brands had revenue of $47 million (USD) for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
"We're leveraging Grainger's strengths in supply chain management, product breadth, and superior customer service in emerging markets," said Grainger President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Ryan.  "Our investment in Asia Pacific Brands allows us to extend our value into a new geography with the help of a locally established, well respected and profitable partner."
    The full press release is here.

Praktiker Sales Near 2 Billion Euros in First Half
7.31.08        Praktiker Group grew its operating profit by 20.5 percent to 59.2 million euros in the first six months of the current fiscal year.
Between January and June 2008, the Praktiker Group achieved total sales of 1,997.2 million euros.  This is on the level of the first half of 2007 (2,004.9 million euros).
International growth continues to be dynamic. The volume of business outside Germany increased by 16.7 percent to 578.3 million euros (previous year 495.4 million euros).  International business now accounts for 29 percent (previous year: 24.7 percent) of total Group sales.  The countries with the highest growth rates were Romania, Bulgaria and Poland.  The expansion of the store portfolio by 18 new locations implemented since mid-2007 was the essential growth driver. However, even on a like-for-like basis, sales were up once again by 2.1 percent – after a productivity leap of more than 15 percent in the previous year.
Net sales in the German business declined in the first half of 2008 by six percent to 1.418,9 million euros; like for like, the minus was 8.4 percent.
    The full financial report is here.

Eurozone Retail Sales Falling
7.30.08        The latest Bloomberg Eurozone Retail Purchasing Managers' Index, based on a mid-month survey of economic conditions in the euro area retail sector, rose from 44.0 in June to 46.0 in July.  By remaining below the 50.0 level, the index pointed to a further fall in sales during the month despite an easing in the rate of decline from the steep pace seen in June.
The PMI, which provides data one month ahead of government issued figures based on interviews with more than 1,000 retail executives in Germany, France and Italy, suggests that retail conditions remained difficult at the start of the third quarter.

New Carrefour Group Executive Committee Named
7.29.08        Following a change in the Carrefour Group’s management structure approved yesterday at Carrefour’s Shareholders’ Assembly, Jose Luis Durán, appointed Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors, has named his Executive Committee.
The members of the Executive Committee are:  Javier Campo, Executive Director Hard Discount; Pascal Duhamel, Executive Director Carrefour Property; Thierry Garnier, Executive Director in charge of South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand), European countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey), Russia, India and the International Partnerships Department; Ignacio Gonzalez, Commercial and Merchandise Director; Eric Legros, Executive Director China; Gilles Petit, Executive Director France; Jean Marc Pueyo, Executive Director Brazil; Eric Reiss, Chief Financial Officer; and Guy Yraeta, Executive Director in charge of Spain, Italy, Belgium and Poland.
The full press release is here.

Kingfisher Reports Strong Sales
7.24.08        Kingfisher plc today reported total sales at its UK B&Q unit grew 3.7 percent in the second quarter with same-store sales increasing 0.2 percent.  Kingfisher’s UK trade businesses, Screwfix and Trade Depot, delivered strong total sales growth of 18.7 percent, supported by 13 new openings.
In France, Castorama sales grew 4.3 percent (+2.7 percent same-store).  Brico Dépôt sales were up 2.2 percent (-4.8 percent same-store), impacted by fewer housing starts (down 31 percent).
Sales in other international markets grew 4.8 percent (-4.7 percent same-store) with 24 new stores trading compared with the same period last year.  Castorama in Poland delivered strong sales growth of 18.8 percent  (+9.3 percent same-store) in a buoyant market.  Sales for Castorama Italy increased 5.1 percent (-0.5 percent same-store) in a weak market.  B&Q China declined 24.5 percent (-28.5 percent same-store), reflecting market weakness driven by housing regulation changes and a significant reduction in unprofitable deep discounting and special promotions, according to a press release.
The full financial report is here.

Lowe’s Opening Three More Canadian Stores in Q4
7.21.08        Lowe’s Companies Canada, ULC announced today plans to open three additional stores in Canada by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.  Stores are expected to open in Belleville, Whitby and South Windsor, Ontario.  Additional sites remain in the pipeline.
“Lowe’s commitment to serving our customers throughout Canada continues with these additional locations in Ontario,” said Don T. Stallings, president, Lowe’s of Canada.
    Lowe’s press releases are here.

Hornbach Sales +6%
7.18.08        Net sales of Hornbach Holding AG rose 6.1 percent to euro 777.7 million in the company’s first fiscal quarter ending May 31 2008.  Sales at Hornbach Baumarkt AG, rose by 6.2 per cent to euro 739.2 million.
Same-store sales throughout the group improved 1.5 percent, rising 0.6 per cent in Germany and 2.9 percent in the rest of Europe.
    Hornbach financial releases are here.

Canadian Tire Opens First Small Market Stores
7.18.08        Canadian Tire opened the doors of its first two small market stores today with the grand opening of its store in Hearst, ON and a soft opening in Deep River, ON.  The two new stores are the first of four test locations planned for 2008.
The small market store is designed to provide customers in smaller towns with a one-stop shopping experience.  Ranging from 14,000 to 18,000 square feet, the new small stores are anchored by Canadian Tire's key cornerstone businesses - automotive, hardware, home, sports and seasonal.
The full press release is here.

New India Sourcing Fairs in Hong Kong and Dubai in 2009
7.18.08        Global Sources today announced the launch of its new India Sourcing Fair trade show series for 2009.  The India Sourcing Fair: Home Products show “will feature a wide range of products made in India, such as kitchenware, basketware, arts & crafts, and ceramics & porcelain,” according to a press release.
The first India Sourcing Fair: Home Products will be held April 20-23, 2009, in Hong Kong, to coincide with the spring buying season and Global Sources' China Sourcing Fair: Home Products organized at the same time.  The second India Sourcing Fair: Home Products will take place June 14-16, 2009, in Dubai.  The Dubai event will be co-located with Global Sources' China Sourcing Fair: Home Products.
    The full press release is here.

U.S. Group Buys Canada’s Hudson’s Bay
7.17.08        “NRDC Equity Partners and True North Retail Investments, an affiliate of The InterTech Group, Inc. and the owner of Hudson’s Bay Company (Hbc), announced today the completion of a transaction in which NRDC Equity Partners acquired Hbc and consolidated its ownership of Lord & Taylor, Fortunoff, and Creative Design Studios (CDS) under a holding company called the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company (HBTC).  Combined, these companies comprise more than US$8 billion in retail sales, 75,000 employees, and 55 million square feet of stores in the United States and Canada,” according to a press release.
    The full press release is here.

Kingfisher Names Execs
7.17.08        Kingfisher plc, Europe's leading home improvement retailer, today announced two appointments to the Group's senior management team.
Kevin O'Byrne is appointed Group Finance Director effective October 1, 2008 and will join the Kingfisher main Board as an executive director on the same date.  Kevin, 43, joins Kingfisher from DSG International, the electrical retailing group, where he has been Group Finance Director since 2004.  He succeeds Duncan Tatton-Brown, who has been Group Finance Director for the last four years and who will leave Kingfisher in mid-October to pursue a new career outside the Group.
Kingfisher also announced today the appointment of Peter Hogsted as CEO, International, responsible for Kingfisher's operations in Poland, Russia, Italy, Turkey and China.  Peter, 39, joins Kingfisher from IKEA where he is currently Chief Executive of its UK operations and also Chairman of IKEA in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland and Hungary.
    The full press release is here.

British Retail Sales Slowing
7.15.08        UK retail sales values in June fell 0.4 percent on a like-for-like basis, compared with June 2007.  Sales have now been lower than a year ago in three of the past four months, the worst since summer 2005, according to a repot from the British Retail Consortium.
“Food and drink was the only sector to show significant growth but that was against a weak June 2007.  Clothing and footwear fell back sharply after May's sun-driven boost.  Furniture and homewares, both large and small, weakened further below year-earlier levels, despite continued discounts and promotions.  Consumer confidence has continued to fall, reaching new record lows.  Increasing demands on household budgets and the weakness of the housing market mean shoppers are increasingly price-conscious and reluctant to spend on big-ticket items,” according  to the monthly report.
The full report is here.

Walmex Q2 Sales Up 12%
7.10.08        Wal-Mart de Mexico SA (Walmex) said yesterday that second quarter net income rose by 9 percent over the year-ago period as new stores opened and customer traffic increased.
Walmex said profits rose to 3.23 billion pesos (US$313 million) in the quarter from 2.97 billion pesos (US$288 million) in the same period last year.
Net sales rose 12 percent to 57.2 billion pesos (US$5.6 billion), as same store-sales increased by 5.9 percent.  Mexico's largest retail chain also opened 36 new outlets in the second quarter, bringing its total store count to 709.
    The full report is here.

Carrefour H1 Sales +8.6%
7.9.08        Carrefour today released its first half sales statement.  Overall group sales increased 8.6 percent in the half and 6.7 percent in the second quarter.
    Same-store sales in the group’s French hypermarket units fell 2.4 percent in the half and were down 5.5 percent with fuel excluded.
    The company plans to address a difficult second half outlook by “intensification of promotional activity, cost reductions and tighter screening of capital allocation.”
    The full report is here.

CRH Expects H1 Profit of Euro 0.6 Billion
7.8.08        CRH plc, the Ireland-based international building materials group, today released its 2008 interim statement saying first half profits are expected to fall to euro 0.6 billion this year from euro 0.67 billion in the year-ago period.  For the full year, the company expects “a high single digit percentage decline.”
    The full report is here.

China Retail Study Available
6.30.08        Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Retail in China 2008" report to their offerings:
“Retail in China 2008 is the first PMR publication to focus on the retail market in China.  This brand new report presents vital statistical data and analysis on the market as a whole, and also covers each individual segment - grocery, consumer electronics (includes mobile phone segment) clothing and footwear, cosmetics and toiletries, and DIY.  Major market trends and influences are explored, and leading industry players are profiled at length.  The challenges of selected retailers are also described via interesting case studies,” according to a press release.
The full press release is here.

Carrefour Shares Drop 9% in One Day, Issues Statement
6.26.08        “In the light of the share price reaction today, we would like to make the following clarification:  Assuming no further deterioration in consumer spending, we are confident that we will grow sales, including VAT and on constant exchange rates, in line with last year’s growth (+7.0 percent) and grow Activity Contribution significantly, at around the same rate as sales.”
    The full press release is here.

Canadian Home Improvement Sales Down Slightly in April
6.20.08        Canadian retail sales of building and outdoor home supplies fell 0.6 percent in April to C$2.23 billion, according to the latest report from Statistics Canada, a government agency.  Sales compared to April 2007, however, are up 3.5 percent.
    Overall retail sales in Canada for the month of April increased 0.6 percent to C$35.63 billion and are up 4.2 percent from year-ago levels.
    The full report is here.

U.K. May Retail Sales Up Unexpectedly
6.19.08        According to a report from the UK’s Office for National Statistics released today, “total sales volume in the three months to May was 5.4 per cent higher than the same period a year ago. Sales for predominantly food stores rose by 2.6 per cent. Sales volume for predominantly non-food stores increased by 6.2 per cent. Sales for the non-store retailing and repair sector rose by 16.9 per cent.”  Many analysts were surprised by the report given recent disappointing sales estimates and forecasts from the country’s major retailers.
“Total sales volume rose by 3.5 per cent between April and May, the largest growth in the series. Sales volume in predominantly food stores increased by 3.3 per cent, the largest rise in the series. Sales volume for predominantly non-food stores rose by 3.9 per cent, the largest increase since March 1991 (6.2 per cent), this was mainly driven by textile, clothing and footwear stores. Sales volume for the non-store retailing and repair sector rose by 0.4 per cent,” according to the report.
    The full government report is here.

AkzoNobel Selling Brands to Canada’s General Paint
6.17.08        AkzoNobel has agreed to sell its Para and Crown Diamond decorative paint brands in Canada to General Paint Corp.  The sale is in line with the commitment package signed with the Canadian authorities in connection with AkzoNobel’s acquisition of Imperial Chemical Industries plc (ICI) in January.
    The full press release is here.

Retailing in France Report Available
6.17.08        “French retailing is entering a new phase. Compared to other countries in the EU such as the UK, Germany and Spain, the long-term outlook for retailing in France looks relatively healthy,” according to a press release offering a new report on retailing in France.
The report promises “accurate insights into key trends, future developments and discusses the strategies of the main operators in the market.  Proprietary data on market value, specialists sales and growth. 2002-2007 data for six different retail sectors and overall value data for France.  Detailed sector analysis for grocery, DIY, electricals, furniture, clothing (including department stores) and out-of-town retailing is provided.  Market shares for leading retailers in each sector and analysis into their operating strategies.”
Ordering information is here.

Mexican Retail Same-Store Sales Up 2% in May
6.16.08        Same-store sales at Mexican retailers rose 1.9 percent in May from the year-ago month, according to retail association Antad.
Antad said total sales at member retailers grew 9.5 percent in real terms from year-ago levels to 60 billion pesos ($5.8 billion) in May, helped by an 11.3 percent increase in new selling floor space.
For the January-through-May period, same-store sales were up 1.7 percent from the first five months of 2007, said Antad, which represents 14,275 retail establishments.
The Antad website is here.

China Hand Tool Study Available
6.13.08        “Export sales of hand tools from China have been increasing an average of nearly 20 percent in each of the past two years.  The country's mature hand tools manufacturing industry consists of about 4,000 suppliers, most of which target the DIY market,” according to a new report available from Research and Markets.
“Rising production costs, the revaluation of the yuan against the US dollar and the recent reduction in export rebates are now forcing suppliers to increase export prices.  The upswing in prices will continue in the months ahead.  To maintain their profit margins, some suppliers are moving upmarket by releasing a selection of professional-use models.  Companies are also enhancing their manufacturing efficiency to cut down on expenses and gain better control over prices,” according to a press release from the research firm.
    Ordering information is here.

Homebase Sales Down 5%
6.12.08        Home Retail Group today released its Interim Management Statement for the first 13 weeks of the financial year.
    The company’s DIY chain, Homebase, reported a sales decline for the period of 5.0 percent to GBP440 million.  Same-store sales declined 12 percent in the quarter.
    The company operated a total of 343 Homebase stores at the end of the quarter, up from 311 a year ago.
    The full report is here.

Dubai World Buys Wal-Mart’s Gazeley Distribution Unit
6.11.08        Economic Zones World (EZW), a Dubai World company, has announced the acquisition of Gazeley Limited, the Wal-Mart-owned global provider of sustainable logistics space, as part of its “strategy to expand into global markets and deliver a robust global platform to support the dynamic and complex supply chains of its customers,” according to a press release.  The price was not disclosed.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, said:  “This is an outstanding acquisition for EZW and a milestone in our global expansion strategy. It will ensure a leap in the qualitative services provided to our customers worldwide, thus enhancing our position as a strong and effective global business partner.”
Ms. Salma Hareb, Group Chief Executive Officer of Economic Zones World, said:  “We are growing our business to respond to our customers’ needs for better integrated and more effective supply chain solutions.  Our capability as a developer and operator of economic zones fits naturally with Gazeley’s experience in developing distribution facilities and together we believe we can offer our customers a higher quality of service globally.”
The full press release is here.

Tesco Q1 Sales +14%
6.10.08    Tesco PLC today released its first quarter trading statement showing overall Group sales strong with a 13.7 percent increase over year-ago sales levels.  Non-Food sales in the U.K., however, have slowed.
    International sales increased 26.6 percent at actual exchange rates and by 13.9 percent at constant rates.
    The full trading statement is here.

Trade Deficit Increases
6.10.08        The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that total April exports of $155.5 billion and imports of $216.4 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $60.9 billion, up from $56.5 billion in March, revised.  April exports were $5.0 billion more than March exports of $150.6 billion.  April imports were $9.4 billion more than March imports of $207.1 billion.
    The full report is here.

Posted 6/6/08:
Walmex May Sales +15%
Wal-Mart de Mexico yesterday reported total sales for the month of May increased 15.2 percent to 19.99 billion pesos ($1.94 billion). Same-store sales increased 8.5 percent.
The full financial report is here.

Saint-Gobain Forms Joint Venture in Japan
Saint-Gobain's Construction Products sector has gained a foothold on the Japanese insulation market through its acquisition of the 43.64 percent stake held by Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG) in MAG ...

Posted 6/4/08:
Carrefour Proposes Change to Corporate Structure
The Supervisory Board of Carrefour “has decided to modify its articles of association in order to transform it into a company with a Board of Directors,” according to a press release today ...

Kingfisher Sales Up 8.6%
Kingfisher plc, Europe’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported retail sales and profit updates for the first fiscal quarter ended May 3, 2008. Total Group retail sales increased 8.6 percent to £2.490 billion ...

Posted 6/2/08:
Housing Market Strong and Growing in Canada
Unlike the current slowdown in the housing market in the U.S., the housing market up north in Canada remains very robust. The total value of residential construction investment reached C$19.8 billion in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 7.5 percent ...

Praktiker Business “Picking Up” After Slow Start
After a slow start into the year 2008, business of the Praktiker Group in Germany has picked up appreciably in the last two months, according to a press release today ...

Posted 5/28/08:
Sears Canada Q1 Sales +3%
Sears Canada Inc. today announced its unaudited first quarter results. Total revenues for the 13-week period ended May 3, 2008 were $1.254 billion compared to $1.219 billion ...