India to open market to global supermarket chains

Good example of how a Legal factor for an emerging market can lead to new International Strategies for existing players in this industry.

India to open market to global supermarket chains

India has approved long-awaited proposals to open up the retail market to global supermarket chains.
Food Minister KV Thomas said the cabinet has agreed to 51% foreign ownership of multi-brand retail stores, allowing groups like Wal-Mart and Tesco to open stores.

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-15869378

Why is Tesco struggling in the US?

Good example of MNEs and how companies struggle to apply their business model in (theoretically) similar markets. Also, it is worth noticing how Tesco has changed its strategy in US in order to position itself to a segment of the market which was pretty saturated.



Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13190124

Diageo to buy Turkish spirits firm Mey Icki

Good example of how a large established player in mature markets, seeks expansion in emerging markets via M&A. This acquisition is consistent with Diageos previous international strategies.


Diageo’s Turkish Delight
Diageo’s acquisition of Turkey’s Mey Içki from private equity firm TPG Capital today was not a real surprise, as nascent talks between the drink makers were first reported here back in December last year.
For the London-based drinks giant the numbers appear to add up.

Read the whole article at:http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2011/02/21/diageo%E2%80%99s-turkish-delight/

Dutch car maker plans move to UK

This is a good example of an International Strategy being developed based to ease operations and reduce costs.

Dutch car maker plans move to UK

A luxury sports car maker based in the Netherlands has announced it is moving an assembly plant to Coventry.
Spyker Cars makes up to 50 luxury cars a year, mainly for the US market, with prices starting from about £180,000.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/8372121.stm

Profits up at luxury group Hermes

This is a good example, of how developing international strategies spreads the risk of unexpected events (economic crisis). It is even more interesting because this is another luxury brand that reports profit.

Profits up at luxury group Hermes

French luxury goods firm Hermes has said profits rose in 2008, shrugging off concerns about the impact of the global economic downturn.
Shares gained 3.1% in Paris as its profit of 290m euros ($395m; £273m) was higher than analysts had forecast and the company increased its dividend.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7952666.stm

Fiat and Chrysler create alliance

Example of strategic alliance. It is interesting to note how the two companies seek to get different types of benefits from this collaboration: access to knowledge (efficient engines) and access to the largest market.

Fiat and Chrysler create alliance

Italian carmaker Fiat and US giant Chrysler have agreed to create a global strategic alliance, the companies said in a statement.
Under the terms of the deal, Fiat will get a 35% stake in Chrysler. In return, the US firm will get access to Fiat's fuel-efficient vehicle technologies.
It is hoped the agreement will lead to "substantial" savings for Chrysler.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7839542.stm

The trouble with Starbucks

Very Interesting. Lots of stuff to consider: unsustainable growth, expansion strategies, international strategies.


The trouble with Starbucks
By Jenny Wiggins. Portrait by Charlie Bibby
Published: December 12 2008 11:43 Last updated: December 12 2008 11:43

On a dark December morning three years ago, Howard Schultz bounded into a coffee shop in Dublin and started shaking hands with people in red T-shirts and green aprons before peppering them with questions. “Are you all new with Starbucks?” he asked the staff. “Who are the customers, and have they been to Starbucks before?”

Read the whole article at: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aa9831ce-c266-11dd-a350-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Nokia to end phone sales in Japan

Here is a case of withdrawal of an SBU due to the inability to respond to 'Pressures for Local Responsiveness'.

Nokia to end phone sales in Japan

Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia has said it will stop selling its handsets in Japan after struggling to grow its market share in the country.
Nokia said it would continue selling its luxury Vertu brand in Japan, and would dedicate its Japanese business to research purposes.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7752279.stm

BMI's no comment on merger rumour

Entry through a merger

BMI's no comment on merger rumour
UK airline BMI has declined to comment on newspaper speculation that it has been approached by Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad over a possible merger.
Etihad first went to BMI in the summer over a potential deal which values BMI at £600m, the Sunday Times reported.

Read the whole article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7615507.stm