Elsevier Food International

Volume 5, No. 4 November 2002

Market Vision
In 1994, German retailer Dohle was the first foreign retailer to set up shop in Poland. Since then most large retailers have entered the Polish market, which is on the verge of a dramatic consolidation process. Dohle is the first of the leading hypermarket players in Poland to cash in and leave, in search of new early mover advantage elsewhere.

First in, first out

Country Profile
At the rate foreign retailers are putting up their stakes in China’s vast retail landscape, the world’s most populous country can rightly put a claim to the title “Retail’s Last Frontier”. China’s food retail market, though, is in a state of flux as the rest of the world awaits the crucial moves that China has to make after its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

China's retail revolution

EFI Special
Internationalisation of retailing has its own dynamics. Once retailers' eyes fall on virgin territory abroad with business potential, many of them flock together in search of the best parts of that market. Then consolidation sets in with some retailers cashing in and others going bankrupt. By then though, the retail pioneers are already on the lookout to restart this process ...

Retail Pioneers

Food Watch
In the next five years, a situation will arise in which retailers will increasingly prescribe how their suppliers are to act. In which consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies no longer have any powerful brands. In which retailers are controlling the supply chain. Is this situationunimaginable or realistic? Can suppliers escape the "Growth is Dead, Retailers Win" scenario?

The great escape

A national focus and a strong, independent position at home. Limited, or no ambitions to expand across borders, and a sixth sense for local customers' preferences. That is what "local heroes" are all about. Who are they, these local heroes?

Local heroes: Playing a national sport

Retail Profile
Can U.S. discount retailer PriceSmart continue to grow? Observers believe that as long as PriceS mart adheres to its basic principles, long-term success is virtually assured.

Steady growth for pricesmart