Ups & Downs

Massive retail Up, Exclusive retail Down

Corporations that reported both higher sales and profits are a rarity in current circumstance. Wal-mart, the world’s largest retailer, is the exception to the rule due to its DNA in generating savings and passing them to the consumer. Its long time low-price /good-value image helped lure more higher-income shoppers than its original crowd in tough times.

Sales for first 6 months of 2009 hit USD195.15 Bn while 2008 full year was USD405 Bn.

Interesting perception of consumer behaviour in the US:
~ increase in store traffic & sales in midnight on the first of the month, alas, when pay check is there
~ $4 generic drugs a big hit
~ vitamins, to stay healthy & not to miss work
~ more basic needs purchases, less on apparel

Wal-mart targets to step up expansion in Asia where it currently operates from 630 locations in China, India & Japan. 24% of sales is from these international operations.

Exclusive apparel brand, Yoshi Yamamoto, files for bankruptcy

Making a name in the international scene due to its unusual cuts & iconic black, Yamamoto shined in Paris & New York in the ‘80s. Recognized as a top-tier designer together with Issey Miyake & Rei Kawakubo, Yamamoto now carries a debt of USD68Mn and had to file for bankruptcy. It will continue to operate under bankruptcy protection & will be acquired by Integral Corp., an investment firm based in Tokyo.

Yamamoto will remain as chief designer for the brand.