ECR
Everyone agrees on the need for global standards for electronic communications but still the process of establishing these standards is full of pitfalls. Despite all sorts of economic and political frictions, the hunt for global standards is developing into a new stage: the establishment of GS1 (Global Standards 1) after the standardisation bodies on both sides of the Atlantic finally merged into one body with a global reach.

Goodwill hunting

Country Profile
In the early 1990s local entrepreneurs established retail businesses in the post-Soviet Baltic states. These pioneers are now owners of well-established retailers in the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, who will become members of the EU on 1 May 2004. Currently, the world’s leading retailers are showing a keen interest in the Baltics, which will – after retail development in recent years – face retail consolidation in future years.

Baltic Bonanza

EFI Special
The ranking of the world's Top 100 food companies has changed little over the course of 2003. Although familiar names retain their hold on the top ten, 2003 presented a mixed picture with some companies advancing in the ranks due to the dollar's weakness, while others gained ground through acquisition activity.

Restructuring schemes

Food Watch
The enlargement of the European Union will bring to the fore a range of changes and challenges in the food retail sector of Central and Eastern Europe. But despite the varying levels of economic development within the ten new members and the possible market changes that will ensue, market analysts believe powerful and distinct regional characteristics will still persist.

Changes and challenges in a larger EU

The quest for the truly independent board has been accelerated by corporate reforms mandated by legislation after corporate scandals wreaked havoc on the stock market. Despite a significant increase in non-executive or outside directors, the question still remains as to whether there are enough independent directors serving on company boards, and whether they are independent enough to say and do the right thing for the good of the entire company and its shareholders.

The quest for an independent board

Instore
A key test for genuine customer service could well be the commitment of retailers to look after the needs of elderly and disabled shoppers. The 'greying populations' in many industrialised countries have grown in the last decade, and shoving the needs of these consumers to the sidelines not only betrays the 'lip service' shown them but also ignores good business sense.

Invisible market on the margins

Retail Profile
An uncertain economy, cautious consumer spending and an unlimited geographic potential are making the dollar store an increasingly viable and profitable format. Industry leaders like Family Dollar and Dollar General are moving away from their rural roots into suburban and urban markets, where the format is catching on among higher income customers as well. Moreover, the segment appears to be migrating away from the dollar orientation towards a limited assortment format.

A thorn in supermarkets’ sides

Fresh Foods
Latin American appetites for beef are seemingly unabated by global health scares; a long tradition of consumption and vast fertile lands ideal for grazing have sustained Argentina and Uruguay at the top of world consumption levels (65 and 60.5 kg per capita, respectively), while Brazil (5.8 kg) is not too far behind.

Beef: Americas’ all-time favourite