Pressroom
FEBRUARY 15, 2012 / THE FINANCIAL TIMES
China growth paradox baffles Walmart
China has been an unqualified success for Walmart in one sense: Chinese factories are the backbone of its low-cost global supply chain. Yet in another sense, the world's biggest retailer by sales has met its match in the world's biggest country by population. Unlike its clinical mastery of the manufacturing process, Walmart has found that the other end of its China operations – selling to consumers – is much harder. Despite dozens of store openings every year, its share of China's supermarket sales has slipped to about 5.5 per cent, according to estimates by the China Market Research Group.
JANUARY 19, 2012 / MARKETING MAGAZINE
Retail industry averages 1.8% Christmas lift, boosted by online
Retailers have bucked the climate of gloom surrounding the industry by posting an average like-for-like sales growth of 1.8% during Christmas, according to figures compiled by Kantar Retail. The average increase was drawn from the Christmas trading updates of 51 retail brands, but must be taken in the context of last year's tough trading environment caused by extreme weather conditions. Food sales performed better than general merchandise sales, with food increasing by an average of 2.0% and general merchandise jumping by 1.3%. The encouraging figures come amid a slew of administrations as companies struggle to refinance their debts as a result of a credit crunch. Brands including Peacocks, La Senza and Past Times have all entered administration since the New Year.
JANUARY 19, 2012 / BLOOMBERG TV
Roberts Says Carrefour `Too Late' in Online Retailing (Video)
Bryan Roberts, director of retail research at Kantar Retail, discusses Carrefour's SA fourth-quarter sales and the outlook for European hypermarkets. Roberts speaks with Linzie Janis on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown."
JANUARY 18, 2012 / HOUSE.CHINA.COM.CN
Survey Shows Leading Retailers' Expansion to Second and Third Tier Cities
Kantar Retail released their survey China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey last week revealing the top players of the manufacturing and retail industries in China, as ranked by their industry. The survey also points out that manufacturers agree with Wal-Mart and RT-Mart on operational strengths in China. The second and third tier cities are highlighted as focuses for the strategic planning and future development of the top ranked companies. Retailing companies also start to extend their business to online shopping. Additionally, transnational retailers are facing with stiff competitions from Chinese and Asian-based retailing companies.
JANUARY 17, 2012 / SZTQB.SZNEWS.COM
Chinese Companies Grow in Competitiveness
Kantar Retail has published their China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey recently indicating that Wal-Mart is ranked top with its clear business strategies while Chinese retailing companies are gaining stronger competitiveness. There are three Chinese retailers in the ranking: RT-Mart, Watson and CRV. Retailing markets in China are in stiff competition.
JANUARY 17, 2012 / WWW.PRNASIA.COM
Ranking Shows: Manufacturers Think Highly of Wal-Mart
According to China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey released by Kantar Retail, Wal-Mart is ranked as the top with 65.5%. Wal-Mart performed well in key indicators such as business strategies, growth and potential, marketing and branding approaches and supply chain capabilities. Wal-Mart has a long-term relationship with over 20,000 Chinese suppliers to learn about Chinese markets and grow with economics in China. In addition, Wal-Mart provides an international platform for Chinese suppliers. They can learn about Wal-Mart's sustainable development plan and develop better systems.
JANUARY 17, 2012 / WWW.YTWHW.COM
Survey Shows: Wal-Mart Won Suppliers Praises
Kantar Retail published their first survey in China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey. According to the survey, Wal-Mart is ranked top in the ranking and performed well in key indicators such as business strategies, growth and potential, marketing and branding approaches and supply chain capabilities. It shows great confidences from suppliers for Wal-Mart's future.
JANUARY 13, 2012 / THE OBSERVER
Tesco calls time on megastores after profit warning shock
Over the past five years Tesco has increased the productivity of its UK store staff to record levels. The average number of full-time employees in a 40,000 sq ft superstore has fallen from 275 to 226. Kantar Retail analyst Bryan Roberts says the slide in store standards was evident in everything from the queues at the checkouts to customers carrying their groceries home in plastic cones designed for fresh flowers because the carrier bags had run out. "They probably cut too much from store budgets and service has declined. Grocery shopping doesn't have to be a traumatic ordeal. It can be a fun, engaging thing to do."
JANUARY 13, 2012 / WWW.CNFOL.COM, HONG KONG COMMERCIAL DAILY
China's Retail Market Is in Concentration Phase
As Kantar Retail 2011 PoweRanking® Survey indicates, Chinese and Asian-based retailers accounted for 5 of the top 10 ranked retailers, demonstrating the progress that Asian companies are making in the manufacturing and retail industries. The Chinese retail market is in a stage that Kantar Retail calls the Concentration Phase, which sees retailers improving their operating models, increasing its market penetration levels with new store openings, buying out weaker competitors, and concentrating on increasing shopper loyalty and sales per store. At the national level, the mainland China market is in the Concentration phase. In some of the major cities, the market has already reached the Penetration phase.
JANUARY 13, 2012 / WWW.CNTV.CN, BEIJING MORNING POST
PoweRanking® Survey Revealed Foreign Retailers' Monopoly Is Changing
Kantar Retail, leading retail insights and consulting company, revealed the 2011 PoweRanking® Survey yesterday. The report demonstrated that Chinese and Asian-based retailers have made good progress in in the manufacturing and retail industries. The monopoly that foreign-funded manufacturers and retailers have on the market looks set to end.
JANUARY 13, 2012 / WWW.IFENG.COM, BEIJING TIMES
Kantar Retail Report Indicated Chinese and Asian-based Retailers Are Growing in Popularity
Kantar Retail's inaugural China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey has revealed the top players of the manufacturing and retail industries in China, as ranked by their industry. Manufacturers, P&G and Unilever, and retailers, Wal-Mart and RT-Mart have all performed well in key indicators such as business strategies, growth and potential, marketing and branding approaches and supply chain capabilities. Chinese and Asian-based retailers accounted for 5 of the top 10 ranked retailers, demonstrating the progress that Asian companies are making in the manufacturing and retail industries. In addition, Master Kong Holding Company was recognised as a manufacturer that excels in providing consumer insights and category leadership.
JANUARY 13, 2012 / WWW.HEXUN.COM, THE BEIJING NEWS
Wal-Mart Ranked Top in Retail Company's Retailer and Manufacturer List, RT-Mart Coming In Second
On Jan 12th 2012, Kantar Retail's inaugural China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey revealed the top players of the manufacturing and retail industries in China, as ranked by their industry. Kantar Retail survey indicates that in suppliers' eyes, Wal-Mart is still the partner with the clearest business strategy in the market. Wu-mart was not be ranked in the top 10, but it was viewed as one of the influential retail enterprises to lookout for in the next 5 years.
JANUARY 12, 2012 / THE GUARDIAN
Tesco shake-up after £5bn battering
Kantar Retail analyst Bryan Roberts said Tesco had been guilty of the kind of "complacency" that had enabled it to overtake former market leader Sainsbury's in the 1990s. "Big Price Drop is clearly not enough to win shoppers. Value is not just about price.
JANUARY 12, 2012 / WWW.SOHU.COM
Kantar Retail Releases Rankings of Chinese and Foreign Retail Industries in China
Kantar Retail's inaugural China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey has revealed the top players of the manufacturing and retail industries in China, as ranked by their industry. Manufacturers, P&G and Unilever, and retailers, Wal-Mart and RT-Mart have all performed well in key indicators such as business strategies, growth and potential, marketing and branding approaches and supply chain capabilities. Although these transnational manufacturers were ranked on the top list in 2011, they Chinese and Asian-based retailers are growing in popularity. Findings from the China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey also suggest that the Chinese retail market is in a stage that Kantar Retail calls the Concentration Phase , which sees retailers improving their operating models, increasing its market penetration levels with new store openings, buying out weaker competitors, and concentrating on increasing shopper loyalty and sales per store.
JANUARY 12, 2012 / WWW.LGOO.ORG
Kantar Retail Releases 2011 PoweRanking® Survey in China
On Jan 12th 2012, Kantar Retail's inaugural China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey revealed the top players of the manufacturing and retail industries in China, as ranked by their industry. Manufacturers, P&G and Unilever, and retailers, Wal-Mart and RT-Mart have all performed well in key indicators such as business strategies, growth and potential, marketing and branding approaches and supply chain capabilities.
JANUARY 12, 2012 / WWW.163.COM
Wal-Mart Ranked First in Retailer Ranking List, RT-Mart Coming In Second
On Jan 12th 2012, Kantar Retail's inaugural China 2011 PoweRanking® Survey revealed the top players of the manufacturing and retail industries in China, as ranked by their industry. Wal-Mart and RT-Mart have performed well in key indicators such as business strategies, growth and potential, marketing and branding approaches and supply chain capabilities. According to the Kantar Retail Survey, store execution is key in China. What is more, although transnational companies remain at the top of the ranking, Kantar Retail placed high hopes on Chinese and Asian-based retailers and manufacturers. The survey also mentions that the Chinese retail market is in a stage that Kantar Retail calls the Concentration Phase, which sees retailers improving their operating models, increasing its market penetration levels with new store openings, buying out weaker competitors, and concentrating on increasing shopper loyalty and sales per store.
JANUARY 9, 2012 / THE TELEGRAPH
Marks & Spencer chief Marc Bolland is hoping for festive cheer from Christmas sales figures
According to Kantar Retail, the market research company, the first 10 shops to report – both public and private – have posted an average like-for-like sales increase of 1.9pc. Even JJB, the struggling sportswear retailer, last week managed to record a sales increase of 5pc.
JANUARY 5, 2012 / SUPERMARKET NEWS
Retailers Report December Gains
Kantar Retail, Columbus, Ohio, calculated a 3.6% sales improvement among 24 retailers it tracked, representing an increase from 3.1% sales growth in November and an increase over last December's 3.2% gain.
JANUARY 5, 2012 / SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS TIMES
Holiday unwrapped: December retail sales results are in
December retail sales results are in, and some companies are thrilled with ... store sales at 24 retailers were up 3.6 percent, according to Kantar Retail.
JANUARY 5, 2012 / BBC
Clinton Cards posts profits but is still struggling
Bryan Roberts from Kantar Retail told Radio 5 live Breakfast if the firm would survive the economic downturn.
JANUARY 6, 2012 / FASHIONUNITED.CO.UK
Combined US retailers´sales rise 3.4%
"The holiday results reflect trends we can continue to expect into the New Year," said for the CNBC Frank Badillo, a senior economist at Kantar Retail.
DECEMBER, 2011 / POINT-OF-PURCHASE
FDI norm changes in Retail - Is India Inc. ready for it?
India announced a much awaited cabinet decision on allowing 51% FDI in multi-brand retail and 100% FDI in single brand retail on 24/11/11.
DECEMBER 12, 2011 / SUPERMARKET NEWS
Customer Driven: Food Industry Outlook
Though Wal-Mart's strength lies in operating big boxes in rural and suburban areas, the retailer is also developing smaller stores like Walmart Express and Neighborhood Market to help Wal-Mart reach into urban centers.
DECEMBER 2, 2011 / MARKETING DAILY
Q&A: Shoppers Rowdier Or Just Deal-Desperate?
Retailers, marketers and experts always paw through the remnants of Thanksgiving weekends, looking for signs about how the remainder of the holiday season will unfold. And while much of what has happened so far this year was as predictable as doorbusters and free gift wrap, Frank Badillo, senior economist at Kantar Retail in Columbus, Ohio, says some of it was unexpected.
DECEMBER 1, 2011 / BLOOMBERG
Wal-Mart Waits With Carrefour as India's Stores Win Instant Gains: Retail
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) and Carrefour SA (CA) waited seven years for access to India’s $400 billion retail market. They may have to wait almost as long to make a profit in the world’s second most populous nation. Expensive real estate, a warehouse shortage and congested roads will force foreign retailers to spend about 20 billion rupees ($382 million) on supply systems, said Anand Ramanathan, associate director at KPMG Advisory Services in India.
Real-estate costs for retailers have risen at least 2 1/2 times since 2006, according to Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive of the Retailers Association of India. Merchants in India pay 9 percent to 10 percent of revenue in rent, he said. The global average is 3.5 to 4 percent, Rajagopalan said.
Retailers such as Carrefour, the world’s second-biggest, and Tesco, the U.K.’s largest supermarket chain, face infrastructure that lags China’s and Brazil’s. “There are still very frequent power outages in a number of cities and the roads need a hell of a lot of improvement in terms of operating an efficient supply chain,” said Bryan Roberts, director of retail research at Kantar Retail in London.
NOVEMBER 25, 2011 / BLOOMBERG
India Paves Way for Wal-Mart, Tesco
India approved allowing overseas companies to own as much as 51 percent of retailers selling more than one brand, paving the way for global companies such as Wal- Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) and Tesco Plc to own stores.
India's decision may prompt expansion of existing joint ventures and trigger acquisitions, said Bryan Roberts, director of retail research at Kantar Retail in London. Still, the size of the opportunity may be "overstated," he said.
"A lot of retailers have already expanded and found that there's not enough middle-class shoppers around at the moment," said Roberts.
NOVEMBER 25, 2011 / REUTERS
Global supermarkets wary of fine print on India invite
(Reuters) - Global supermarket chains welcomed a long-awaited invitation from India to invest in the country's $450 billion retail market, but they fear the small print may keep a lid on investment in the short term.
The government on Thursday approved 51 percent foreign direct investment in supermarkets, paving the way for firms such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Tesco and Carrefour to enter one of the world's largest untapped markets. Shares in Indian retailers jumped -- bucking the weaker stock market trend -- in anticipation of interest from those big foreign retailers.
The conditions could also deter smaller international retail chains, said Himanshu Pal, global data manager at consultants Kantar Retail. However he said India should appeal to budget chains.
"The Indian shopper is at the moment starved of a discounted, value product offer. A Lidl or an Aldi could be very successful in India." Thank you very much.
NOVEMBER 14, 2011 / SUPERMARKET NEWS
From Wal-Mart to Kroger, Retail Ranking Shows Industry in Flux
That's what happens in Kantar Retail's 15th annual PoweRanking report, which was recently unveiled. This latest installment does a nice job of identifying the retailers, manufacturers and trends gaining momentum in the midst of fast industry change.
NOVEMBER 11, 2011 / THE WASHINGTON POST
Toymakers' muse: The app
Toys are much like fashion — most items don't stay in the line year after year. Toy manufacturers have costs that need to be recouped and there is just no guarantee that an item will even meet its forecast expectations.
OCTOBER 12, 2011 / FORBES
Retail inventories increase amid modest holiday sales views
And Kantar Retail forecasts 2.8% retail growth in the fourth quarter, compared with 5.6% growth in the fourth quarter of 2010. ...
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 / CNBC
Retail CFOs: Sales to Gain Despite Stagnant Economy
Research firm ShopperTrak is predicting a 3 percent increase in retail sales in November and December, while Kantar Retail calls for retail sales growth of 2.8 percent and the International Council of Shopping Centers is looking for a 2.2 percent ...
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 / INTERNET RETAILER.COM
A subdued holiday forecast
US web sales during the fourth quarter will hit $60.4 billion, up 13.5% from the $53.2 billion spent by online shoppers during the same period last year, predicts Kantar Retail. The retail research and consulting firm, however, notes that the growth ...
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 / MARKETING WEEK
Price promotions are here to stay
Sep. 16 (Marketing Week) -- Gary Carp, director of consulting for Kantar Retail, says brands have two choices; One is to accept the that promotions are a necessary part of retail and find a way to make it work, the other is to adopt new strategies that reduce the reliance on retailers such as direct selling. (Source: Marketing Week)
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 / MARKETING WEEK
Wal-Mart cashes in on income gap
Sep. 15 (The Globe and Mail) -- Still, in shifting to more upscale items, the chain risks alienating its core lower-income customers while frustrating the better-heeled, who can lose patience with long lineups at the checkouts, said Robin Sherk, senior analyst at consultancy Kantar Retail in Boston. (Source: The Globe and Mail)
AUGUST 31, 2011 / BLOOMBERG
Carrefour's Profit Warning, Business Outlook
Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Bryan Roberts, director of retail research at Kantar Retail, discusses Carrefour SA's profit forecast and business outlook. The world's second-largest retailer cut its forecast for this year, saying today it expects a decline of about 15 percent as slumping demand in France weighs on earnings. Roberts speaks with Linzie Janis on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown." (Source: Bloomberg)
AUGUST 4, 2011 / THE GROCER
Express format comes to Fresh & Easy
Tesco will open its first smaller-format US store in November.
However, Tesco's primary focus will remain on Fresh & Easy's regular format stores. It recently opened 12 new stores in northern California, including two in San Francisco. The retailer is also gearing up to start testing its US loyalty card at seven stores in central California. The scheme begins in the autumn.
JULY 27, 2011 / THE GROCER
Whole Foods Market targets Cheltenham with new store
Due to be open in the autumn of 2012, the supermarket is located within a few miles of a large Waitrose and the independent Daylesford Organic shop.
"It is a fantastic location," said Kantar analyst Bryan Roberts. "The west of England is relatively affluent and there is significant interest in more ethical and organic food."
JULY 25, 2011 / THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Popular Discounters May Yield Bargains
Discounters stock as few as 1,000 products, compared with 30,000 at a typical supermarket, and prices on their own labels are often more than 40% cheaper than branded goods, estimates Planet Retail. That has made them popular at a time when financially stretched households are becoming more price-sensitive. Discounters have an 18.5% share of the €1 trillion ($1.436 trillion) European grocery market, which should rise to 20.5% by 2016, forecasts Kantar Retail.
JULY 8, 2011 / RETAIL WEEK
The Great Space Race
Some might view the grocers as being on a final push to bank as much land as possible before opportunities dry up. Bryan Roberts, retail insights director at consultancy Kantar Retail, says: "There's a sense that the space race is coming to an end. Each supermarket wants to get as big as they possibly can and bulk up before the opportunities start slowing to a trickle."
JULY 19, 2011 / THE TELEGRAPH
Kantar Retail
But what sets the best above the rest? Kantar Retail is a global insights and consultancy business delivering tangible and transformational growth solutions to the world’s leading blue chip brands and companies.
JULY 8, 2011 / JUST FOOD
Just Food McKenna Appointment at Asda
"While it's true that McKenna's heritage is in finance, she should by no means be dismissed as a bean-counter. Obviously, some finance personnel have made a mess of running retailers but I don't think McKenna will be one of them." - Kantar Retail director of insights Bryan Roberts on the appointment of former finance director Judith McKenna as COO of Asda.
JULY 1, 2011 / THE GROCER
Top 50 Global Retailers
In The Grocer's first-ever survey of the Global Top 50 Retailers, caried out by Kantar Retail, Tesco is expected to turn in the steepest rate of compound annual growth (7%) of the world's 10 biggest retailers in the coming five years...
JULY 5, 2011 / BLOOMBERG
Second-Largest Retailer in World Rebranding UAE Stores
July 5 (Bloomberg) -- Carrefour SA’s board approved a plan to merge Brazilian assets with Cia. Brasileira de Distribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar, intensifying a battle with rival French retailer Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA. Eric Coleman reports on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown." (Source: Bloomberg)
JUNE 29, 2011 / BRAND CHANNEL
Second-Largest Retailer in World Rebranding UAE Stores
"Particularly in the Emirates, Carrefour is focusing on smaller stores to continue growth," Vincent Verdier, an analyst and director at Kantar Retail, said. "The opening of big 10,000 square foot markets will get reduced in the future. That's quite particular to the Emirates."
JUNE 28, 2011 / THE FINANCIAL TIMES
Walmart: a thinner throng
Today we're seeing a trend for more immediate 'filling-in' consumption,” says Robin Sherk at Kantar Retail, a consultancy. “If I'm living pay cheque to pay ...
JUNE 28, 2011 / BLOOMBERG
Safeway Rolls Out Natural Foods
to Avoid Becoming ‘Road Kill’
While the move helped the company generate higher sales during the housing boom, when consumers were feeling flush, the benefit was lost when the economic crisis hit, said John Rand, senior vice president at consulting firm Kantar Retail.
JUNE 27, 2011 / BBC
Ocado shares slump after its results disappoint
Retail expert Bryan Roberts says Ocado is struggling to keep up with the pace of demand
JUNE 27, 2011 / DRUG STORE NEWS
Gildenberg to Marketplace business session attendees:
Being smart helps retailers grow
Those were a few of the key messages Bryan Gildenberg, chief knowledge officer of Kantar Retail, had for attendees of Monday morning's business session at ...
JUNE 27, 2011 / SUPERMARKET NEWS
Takeover Bid Could Boost BJ's
Going private would allow the 190-unit chain to make investments in technology, talent and other areas that it might not otherwise be able to as a public company that needs to show short-term returns, said Brendan Langan, director of retail insights in the Cambridge, Mass., office of consulting firm Kantar Retail.
JUNE 21, 2011 / DRUG STORE NEWS
Kantar Study Dissects Category Management
As more consumers incorporate social media sites and other online shop-assist tools into their daily shopping routines, the concepts defining traditional category management — category schematics and optimized facings and assortments, for example — are fast becoming obsolete.
JUNE 20, 2011 / MASS MARKET RETAILERS
Category management under pressure to evolve
Mass market retailers and their partners in the consumer products sector have for years debated what exactly constitutes the practice, how best to implement it and what should be done to improve it. “Linked,” a new report from Kantar Retail, confirms that no industrywide consensus has yet emerged on those questions.
JUNE 15, 2011 / FORBES
What Not To Buy In Bulk
“The warehouse club is not a model intended for everyone,” says Brendan Langan, who oversees warehouse club research at Kantar Retail. ...
JUNE 8, 2011 / PROGRESSIVE GROCER
Kantar Study Advocates 'Linked' CatMan Approach
The evolution of category management, from a narrow scope of tactical planning and organization to a holistic approach incorporating shopper insights and marketing, was the main topic of “Linked,” Kantar Retail’s recently released 2011 Category Leadership Benchmarking Study. Formerly known as CMAR, (Consumer Marketing at Retail), the study focuses on best practices, historical trends, and category leadership insights from both a retailer and a manufacturer perspective.
APRIL 16, 2011 / THE GROCER
Own Label Ups It's Game
Whether we’re going to see a marked shift back to branded is difficult to say, but the growth of own label is undoubtedly being constrained by the unparalleled lev els of branded promotions, believes Bryan Roberts, retail insights director of Kantar Retail, and a speaker at World of Private Label. However, he believes the long-term prospects for the category remain strong. “Own label has become an established part of shoppers’ repertoires, regardless of the economy,” he explains. “I believe its gen eral trajectory will remain in an upwards direction for many years to come.”
APRIL 16, 2011 / THE GROCER
Is Morrisons the New Trailblazer in Grocery?
This is shaping up to be a big year for Morrisons. Indeed, the various initiatives put in place by Dalton Philips sug gest that 2011 will take its place alongside 2004 as one of the most pivotal in the retailer’s history.
MARCH 9, 2011 / MARKETING
Memo to the New CEO: Tips from the Trade
Simon Michaelides, Director of consulting, Kantar Retail and a former marketer at PesiCo UK and Procter and Gamble...
