Handelsblatt via NewsEdge Corporation :
According to a survey by Euro-Handelsinstitut , the German retail research institute, growth is currently of greater importance to German retail companies than profitability: it is said that 74 per cent of companies questioned said that turnover growth was of increasing importance, compared with 30 per cent stating margin improvement.
According to a survey by Euro-Handelsinstitut (EHI), the German retail research institute, growth is currently of greater importance to German retail companies than profitability: it is said that 74 per cent of companies questioned said that turnover growth was of increasing importance, compared with 30 per cent stating margin improvement.
Growth is to come primarily from outside Germany, with three-quarters of retail companies focusing on an aggressive internationalisation strategy, particularly in Bulgaria, Romania, Russia and Ukraine. Property portfolios in these countries are said to be seeing expansion, whereas those on the German market are being sold. Few jobs cuts are expected, however. Procurement is the main focus on the cost side, and timely delivery and an expansion of companies’ own brands are being boosted by acquisitions in Asia.