RUSSIA: X5 Retail Group has reported a first-quarter loss due to a drop in the value of the ruble. Russia's biggest retailer reported a loss of $82.1m (£49.4m) compared with a $83.3m (£50.1m) profit for the same period last year. Sales were up 5% to $1.9bn (£1.14bn).
"For the rest of the year, we will make every effort to drive efficiency and profitable growth, with a focus on cash generation and deleveraging," said chief executive Lev Khasis.
GERMANY: Customers of Metro Group's Real chain of hypermarkets can now store their weekly shopping list on their mobile phones, after the retailer rolled out an innovation it had been trialling in its Future Store over the past year.
"Modern mobile phones are getting increasingly powerful and offer opportunities for new customer services. The mobile shopping list is a logical step for us," said Zygmunt Mierdorf of Metro Group. Customers can compile their shopping list online then download the list to their phone.
AUSTRALIA: Supermarket chiefs have welcomed the news the Australian economy has avoided entering recession. The latest economic growth figures showed GDP rose 0.4% in the first quarter of 2009.
Woolworths chief executive Michael Luscombe told Australian journalists he was optimistic of an economic recovery: "If we can manage to keep as many Australians in jobs as possible then I think that, given China has sent a signal to the world that it is in business again, we can come out a little bit quicker and a little bit stronger than perhaps we thought a week ago."
But Coles chief executive Ian McLeod was more measured. Australian shopping behaviour was still cautious, he said. "I think they are still looking to see how far they can stretch their dollars."
GERMANY: Rewe Group has submitted its own-label non-food products for independent quality checks.
"Transparency and reliability are important in today's competitive environment," said Manfred Esser, who manages strategic purchasing. The tested products will be marked with a seal from testing company TÜV Rheinland.
"For the rest of the year, we will make every effort to drive efficiency and profitable growth, with a focus on cash generation and deleveraging," said chief executive Lev Khasis.
GERMANY: Customers of Metro Group's Real chain of hypermarkets can now store their weekly shopping list on their mobile phones, after the retailer rolled out an innovation it had been trialling in its Future Store over the past year.
"Modern mobile phones are getting increasingly powerful and offer opportunities for new customer services. The mobile shopping list is a logical step for us," said Zygmunt Mierdorf of Metro Group. Customers can compile their shopping list online then download the list to their phone.
AUSTRALIA: Supermarket chiefs have welcomed the news the Australian economy has avoided entering recession. The latest economic growth figures showed GDP rose 0.4% in the first quarter of 2009.
Woolworths chief executive Michael Luscombe told Australian journalists he was optimistic of an economic recovery: "If we can manage to keep as many Australians in jobs as possible then I think that, given China has sent a signal to the world that it is in business again, we can come out a little bit quicker and a little bit stronger than perhaps we thought a week ago."
But Coles chief executive Ian McLeod was more measured. Australian shopping behaviour was still cautious, he said. "I think they are still looking to see how far they can stretch their dollars."
GERMANY: Rewe Group has submitted its own-label non-food products for independent quality checks.
"Transparency and reliability are important in today's competitive environment," said Manfred Esser, who manages strategic purchasing. The tested products will be marked with a seal from testing company TÜV Rheinland.
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