Global Retail Update

Fighting Amazon

As it looks to make deeper inroads into the e-commerce fashion business, Walmart gets serious about offering department store chain Lord & Taylor dedicated space on its website, where the Hudson’s Bay unit will start selling its high-end products. The big box retailer is also in the process of adjusting its online pricing strategy.

Thinking ahead

Brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is replacing its North American chief, Joao Castro Noves, to stem a years-long sales decline in its largest market. Company veteran Michel Doukeris will take the helm. Meanwhile, discounter Target has unveiled its first “next generation” store in Texas.

Reducing emissions

Canadian grocer Loblaw is tackling its carbon footprint and has taken the first step toward moving its entire corporate-owned trucking fleet to electric vehicles with the goal to make commercial grocery deliveries with zero emissions.

Acquisition in Slovakia

Polish investment fund Enterprise Investors has purchased the Slovakian banners of Hungarian retail cooperative CBA. The company operates more than 300 stores under different banners in the country. Through the investment, CBA might get the boost to climb into the top 5 ranks in Slovakia.

Discounter decisions

As part of its ongoing revamp strategy, Aldi Süd is about to reposition its private labels in Germany and has hired Scholz & Friends as its new marketing agency. Archenemy Lidl has joined forces with accelerator project (paywall) Retailtech Hub to support emerging retail technology and partner with start-ups.

Italian treats

The world’s biggest food-themed amusement park will open this week in Bologna. The creator of Fico Eataly World is Oscar Farinetti, the man behind the Eataly food emporium. The EUR 120 million investment was financed by institutional investors and wants to attract 4 million visitors.

Negotiations in Russia

Chinese online major Alibaba is in preliminary talks with Moscow-listed retail chain M.Video about a possible cooperation. Options include the former taking an equity stake in Russia’s largest electronics retailer or the two companies set up a joint venture.

Thriving online

Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten enjoyed a net profit of US$ 640 million for the nine months ended September, up 64% on the previous year. China’s JD.com reported unexpected good results in Q3 with net earnings of US$ 151 million.

Compiled by Chinwe Agbeze