Global Retail Update

Walmart ramps up

The big-box retailer is ramping up its online grocery delivery service to cover Dallas and Orlando, enabled by a partnership with Uber. The retailer also plans to sell its new fashion brands (paywall) – Modcloth and Bonobos – via Jet.com, signalling its intent to use the platform for younger, urban shoppers rather than its typical target market.

Novel idea

Discount chain Target is teaming up with Barnes & Noble to target the college crowd, in a bid to fend off Amazon’s play for the sector. The retailer has also launched a new apparel line for children with disabilities. The sensory-friendly items include heat-transferred labels and one-dimensional graphic tees.

Wins and losses

Struggling department store chain Macy’s will restructure its merchandising operations, which could see 100 jobs lost. The company hopes the move will save about US$ 30 million a year. Meanwhile, Dollar General is celebrating an important milestone with the opening of its 14,0000th retail location.

Conquering territories

German retailer Rewe’s independent shopkeeper Hundertmark is likely to push harder in Luxembourg after opening a store there earlier this year, reports LZ Retailytics. Italian shoe retailer Gino Rossi is set to make its foray in Russian, Kazakh and Belarusian markets (paywall). German discounter Lidl has enjoyed fivefold growth in revenue in Croatia over the last decade.

Sweet imitations

UK discount retailer Poundland is fending off a legal challenge from Mondelez, the owner of Toblerone, over its Twin Peaks chocolate bar. Swiss chocolate maker Nestlé is defending itself against a lawsuit from Atari over claims it copied its iconic ‘Breakout’ game in its latest KitKat marketing campaign.

War on waste

Spar Norway will cut the price of its fresh bread by 50% the hour before store closure in a bid to prevent food waste. UK grocer Tesco is turning to mini avocados – which previousy would have been rejected by growers because of their size – to meet demand for the fruit.

Ele.me spends up

The Alibaba-backed food delivery service is reportedly in talks to purchase the delivery arm of China’s leading internet search company, Baidu. The deal is valued at around US$ 500 million and will stem the flow of money Baidu is pouring into the struggling service.

Unicom surges

The Chinese telecom group has enjoyed a massive boost in its shares following confirmation that its ownership reform plan, announced earlier this month, does not violate rules. The agreement will raise US$ 11.5 billion from investors including internet heavyweights Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and JD.com who will take a 35.2% stake in the state-owned company.

In and out

Fast food giant McDonald’s will close all restaurants in India’s northern and eastern regions, after concerns over the conduct of its local partner. Thai retail conglomerate Central Group plans to invest US$ 512 million into its operations in Vietnam, with an eye for expansion.

Compiled by Chinwe Agbeze