AUSTRALIA: Speculation that Woolworths is set to acquire drinks manufacturer Independent Liquor has been cooled by the drinks company's chief executive, who has insisted the business is not for sale. Peter Murphy said its private equity owners had "no intention of selling", while Woolworths declined to comment.
Any deal would be complicated by existing trade relationships between Independent Liquor and rival retailers such as Coles, for which it supplies branded products and makes own-label drinks. Woolworths last year acquired a 25% stake in independent brewer Gage Roads.
SPAIN: Auchan has relaunched its website in Spain, alcampo.es, after shutting it down in October 2002 after just 18 months of trading. At the time the French retail group said Spain had not embraced internet shopping at the same rate as the rest of Europe.
"Both growth potential and profit opportunities remain too weak and unstable to justify retaining the business," the company said. The relaunched website covers the Madrid region, offering the same prices as stores.
US: Walmart is to close 10 loss-making Sam's Club stores and cut 1,500 jobs to reduce costs. The stores, across the country, will shut on 22 January.
"Despite the efforts of our associates, these clubs continued to lose money and we have decided to close them," said Sam's Club chief executive Brian Cornell. Cornell said the company would try to find jobs at other stores for workers. Walmart said it would disclose the financial details of the closures when it announced fourth-quarter results on 18 February.
MALAYSIA: Carrefour is planning to expand its presence in Malaysia with three new hypermarkets in the western region of Klang Valley, taking its total to 22 stores. Reports suggest it is also planning a move into eastern Malaysia and is negotiating with several parties.
Meanwhile, it has filed an appeal against a ruling in Indonesia by the competition watchdog. Carrefour was ordered in November to sell its 75% stake in local chain Alfa because of concerns it dominiated the market.
Any deal would be complicated by existing trade relationships between Independent Liquor and rival retailers such as Coles, for which it supplies branded products and makes own-label drinks. Woolworths last year acquired a 25% stake in independent brewer Gage Roads.
SPAIN: Auchan has relaunched its website in Spain, alcampo.es, after shutting it down in October 2002 after just 18 months of trading. At the time the French retail group said Spain had not embraced internet shopping at the same rate as the rest of Europe.
"Both growth potential and profit opportunities remain too weak and unstable to justify retaining the business," the company said. The relaunched website covers the Madrid region, offering the same prices as stores.
US: Walmart is to close 10 loss-making Sam's Club stores and cut 1,500 jobs to reduce costs. The stores, across the country, will shut on 22 January.
"Despite the efforts of our associates, these clubs continued to lose money and we have decided to close them," said Sam's Club chief executive Brian Cornell. Cornell said the company would try to find jobs at other stores for workers. Walmart said it would disclose the financial details of the closures when it announced fourth-quarter results on 18 February.
MALAYSIA: Carrefour is planning to expand its presence in Malaysia with three new hypermarkets in the western region of Klang Valley, taking its total to 22 stores. Reports suggest it is also planning a move into eastern Malaysia and is negotiating with several parties.
Meanwhile, it has filed an appeal against a ruling in Indonesia by the competition watchdog. Carrefour was ordered in November to sell its 75% stake in local chain Alfa because of concerns it dominiated the market.
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