World Retail Congress 2011

The world's leading retailers have headed to Berlin this week to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. A stagnant economy, low consumer confidence across the US and Europe, multi-channel strategies, emerging markets and rising costs are among the issues on the agenda.

WRC 2011: Stores remain central to multi-channel retail

28 September 2011

For retailers looking to succeed in today's challenging economy, a joined-up strategy between their online and store presence is the key to success, according to speakers at this year's World Retail Congress. Consumers not only use smartphones and the internet to shop but to carry out research too, while retailers can boost their instore offers by incorporating key elements from the online experience. Petah Marian reports.

WRC 2011: Carrefour hails performance of Planet format

28 September 2011

Carrefour's hypermarket format Planet is performing "much better" than expected, given the economic turmoil in Europe, according to a senior executive at the French retail giant.

WRC 2011: Retailers should focus their online offer on men

27 September 2011

CBRE executive director Peter Gold has called for retailers to focus their online offers on men, after research found they shop over the internet nearly twice as often as women.

WRC 2011: Aditya Birla sees multi-brand FDI in "months"

27 September 2011

The CEO of Aditya Birla's More supermarket and hypermarkets expects FDI in multi-brand retail to open up in the coming months.

WRC 2011: Li & Fung sees apparel price rises continuing

27 September 2011

The president of Li & Fung US believes apparel prices will continue to rise over the next 10-20 years, even though cotton costs are falling.

Young consumers, emerging markets and multichannel - WRC

27 September 2011

One day through this year's World Retail Congress and some themes are already emerging - the importance of the young consumer, expanding abroad, and the ever ubiquitous issues faced by companies developing a multichannel offer.

WRC 2011: Retail federation calls for relaxation of Sunday trading rules

27 September 2011

The vice president of Germany's retail federation has called for the government to relax its restrictive Sunday trading laws.

WRC 2011: Gulf developing in the global retail industry

26 September 2011

A gulf is developing in the global retail industry between retailers headquartered in Western Europe, North America and Australia and those in Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East - with western European retailers more pessimistic about market conditions than their counterparts.

WRC 2011: Aurora Fashions to extend 90 minute online delivery

26 September 2011

European women's wear retailer Aurora Fashions has said it plans to offer 90 minute online delivery for the majority of its UK consumers by February next year.