To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world:

November 30 – Miniso Plans to Ramp Up Expansion in Mexico
Japanese-Chinese low-cost retailer, Miniso, announced an agreement with Mexican investment consortium Fibra Uno (FUNO) to accelerate the store chain’s expansion in the Mexican market. Miniso, which offers kitchenware and other products for the home, seeks to reach 180 sales locations in Mexico by the end of 2019. *This article is written in Spanish. From El Financiero

November 24 – Dutch Chain Topshelf to Close Down
Dutch department store operator Topshelf appears to be closing down. From Inside Retail Thailand

November 23 – Mexican Ecommerce Association in Mexico Launches Its First Cyber Monday Promotion
The Mexican Online Sales Association (AMVO) launched its first Cyber Monday-style promotion this month to stimulate internet sales in the wake of its “Buen Fin” November retail weekend promotion. Dubbed “Hot Monday”, the event included participation by 170 retailers and brands, the AMVO reported. *This article is written in Spanish. From El Economista

November 16 – Mexican Retailer, La Comer (Formerly Comercial Mexicana) Focuses on higher Income Consumer
Mexican grocery and general merchandise retail chain La Comer, formerly Comercial Mexicana, is implementing a strategic focus on higher income customers, the company reported. In addition to recently launching a new branded credit card, plans include new La Comer stores in Guadalajara and the affluent tourist zone of Nuevo Vallarta, as well as an upscale City Market store in the city of Puebla. *This article is written in Spanish. From El Financiero

November 13 – Amazon Confirms Launch Plans, Will Open with Retail and Marketplace Offering
Global e-commerce giant Amazon has said it will launch in Australia with both an online retail and a “marketplace” offering, confirming for the first time its plan of attack for the local market. From The Sydney Morning Herald

November 12 – Alibaba’s Singles’ Day Goes Global with Record $25 Billion in Sales
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Singles’ Day generated a record 168.2 billion yuan ($25.3 billion) in sales, as the e-commerce giant worked with more traditional retailers to market discounted lobster, iPhones and refrigerators to shoppers from at least 225 countries and regions. From Bloomberg News

November 12 – China’s Second Largest E-Commerce Firm Just Showed Alibaba Has Competition
Alibaba invented China’s biggest shopping day — 11/11 aka Single’s Day — and it dominates the headlines with record sales year-on-year, but another company just stepped out to remind us that others are busy trying to close the gap. From Tech Crunch

November 10 – Jumbo May Be Planning to Expand Operations into Belgium
Dutch retailer Jumbo is reportedly planning to extend its operations internationally, with up to 30 new stores in Belgium. From European Supermarket Magazine

November 9 – Canadian Tire Corporation Announces a New $550 Million Share Repurchase Program
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited reports strong third quarter results for the period ended September 30, 2017, increases dividend 38% and announces three-year financial aspirations. From Canadian Tire

November 8 – China’s JD.com Commits to Buy $2 Billion U.S. Goods Amid Trump Visit
JD.com Inc. will buy $2 billion of U.S. goods, more than half of which is beef and pork, in a deal that coincides with President Donald Trump’s visit to China. From Bloomberg

November 7 – Future Retail Q2FY18 Standalone Net Profit Rises 108.2% YOY
Future Retail Ltd. standalone revenue for the quarter came in at Rs. 4506.3 crore, registering 7.5% yoy increase. From India Infoline

November 6 – Mexico’s Grupo Sanborns Opened Two New Stores in the Fast Growing Industrial City of Queretaro
Company officials inaugurated one new department store under each of the Sears and Sanborns formats in the Plaza Puerta La Victoria shopping center in the Queretaro city center. *This article is written in Spanish. From El Financiero

November 3 – JD.com and Central Group to Launch an Online Marketplace in Thailand
JD.com and Central Group have reached an agreement to set up a US$500m joint venture and plan to launch an online marketplace in Thailand next April. From IGD

November 2 – Walmart Opens its First India ‘Dark Store’ in Bhiwandi
Walmart Stores has opened a fulfilment centre, or ‘dark store’, in India, one of its first globally, in an effort to speed up operations in the country, which is fast adopting online retail services. From The Economic Times

The International Business Council is a special interest group of IHA members, dedicated to helping its membership market and sell their products internationally by sharing information, providing networking opportunities and offering programs to assist, support, and educate. Membership is free to all regular, IHA members – visit the IBC website to learn more.