http://www.foodinternational.net Elsevier Food International articles on Country Profile en-gb http://www.foodinternational.net http://www.foodinternational.net/images/logo_rss.gif 34 144 Food International: Tomorrow's food industrie in perspective http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1466/australia-challenging-times-down-under-.html Australia’s splendid isolation has meant the retail sector has developed at a different pace to many other parts of the world – but change is coming, and coming fast. Elsevier Food International, Vol. 11, Number 2, May 2008 Chris Jones Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:02:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1466/australia-challenging-times-down-under-.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1160/the-netherlands-an-overview-of-food-retailing.html The Dutch grocery market has gone through some major restructuring in the past few years. This is expected to continue as organic expansion remains limited, leaving acquisitions and disposals as the key means by which transition can occur. However, for a variety of reasons the Dutch market has and will continue to be the focus of small grocery outlets. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:33:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1160/the-netherlands-an-overview-of-food-retailing.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1074/poland-new-horizons.html Poland’s economic boom is helping retailers discover new markets outside the major cities for the first time, and the prospect of further EU integration is likely to boost the country’s status as the leading investment market in Europe. Elsevier Food International, Vol. 11, Number 1, February 2008 Chris Jones Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:09:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1074/poland-new-horizons.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1064/retail-in-the-wild-east.html After an initial focus on the largest cities along China’s coast, both local and foreign retailers are geared at rapidly setting up shop in the manifold of other large cities in China. Expanding operations is a delicate process, as there are many pitfalls in this very promising emerging market. Very different consumer preferences, lacking logistic infrastructure, food safety issues, counterfeit and corruption are some of the problems to deal with. Despite this, China’s huge potential is something the large multinational retailers cannot ignore.Elsevier Food International, Vol. 10, Number 4, November 2007 Pascal Kuipers Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:28:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1064/retail-in-the-wild-east.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/950/new-eu-members-romania-and-bulgaria-a-mixed-bag-of-hope-and-scepticism.html On the night of 1 January 2007, thousands of blue and yellow European flags were waved on the streets of Bucharest, Sofia and other big cities in Romania and Bulgaria, as people in both countries celebrated their new membership in the European Union. Their path to the EU had been a long and winding road: it had taken twelve years from initial application to final acceptance. And their case was hotly debated until the very last minute.Elsevier Food International, Vol. 10, Number 3, September 2007 Patrick Müller-SarmientoKristina Dengler Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:22:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/950/new-eu-members-romania-and-bulgaria-a-mixed-bag-of-hope-and-scepticism.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/851/south-africa-alive-with-possibility.html For 46 million South Africans the agricultural and food processing industries are of prime importance. The agro-food complex (inputs, primary production, processing) contributes approximately R124bn to South Africa’s GDP, i.e. 14% and employs 451 000 people in the formal sector, i.e. 9.7%. [Advertorial] Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:54:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/851/south-africa-alive-with-possibility.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/836/a-passage-to-india.html Pressure in India’s retail sector is rapidly mounting. The announcement of Wal-Mart’s cash & carry joint venture with local partner Bharti was like a stone tossed in the Indian retail pond, which led to feverish negotiations between local conglomerates and foreign retailers, and increased activity of local retailers. Despite all activity, India’s retail infrastructure still needs to be built from scratch. Elsevier Food international Vol. 10, Number 2, May 2007 Pascal Kuipers Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:09:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/836/a-passage-to-india.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/589/thailand-after-the-coup-struggle-between-modern-and-traditional.html Since the economic crisis of 1997/98, the Thai economy has been recovering despite a global economic downturn in the first years of the current decade. Like in other emerging markets in Southeast Asia and worldwide, modern retail infrastructure in Thailand is developing to the detriment of traditional channels of food and grocery distribution. Elsevier Food international Vol. 10, Number 1, February 2007 Pascal Kuipers Mon, 07 May 2007 13:37:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/589/thailand-after-the-coup-struggle-between-modern-and-traditional.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/480/russia-a-treacherously-attractive-retail-market-%3C-br%3E.html Russia is a booming retail market but up to now only four multinational retailers ventured to this promising land that hosts 144 million consumers and covers eleven time zones between St. Petersburg and Wladiwostok. Why? Elsevier Food international Vol. 9, Number 4, November 2006 Pascal Kuipers Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:12:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/480/russia-a-treacherously-attractive-retail-market-%3C-br%3E.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/408/sharing-in-romanias-retail-promises.html Romania is recovering. From difficult political, economical and social times as well as from natural disasters such as the devastating 2005 and 2006 floodings of the Danube. This failed to break the country’s economic recovery which also means promising perspectives for retail development.Elsevier Food International, Vol.9, Number 3, September 2006 Jürgen Kneiding and Klaus Schwarz Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:20:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/408/sharing-in-romanias-retail-promises.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/356/brazil-financial-stamina-needed.html After a setback in the early years of this decade, Brazil experienced an economic recovery in 2004 that – despite lower growth in 2005 – is expected to be structural. Leading multinational retailers Casino, Carrefour and Wal-Mart play a leading role in Brazil’s retail sector, which is also characterised by resilient structures of traditional and small retail units.Elsevier Food International, Vol.9, Number 2, May 2006Pascal Kuipers Wed, 13 Sep 2006 15:44:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/356/brazil-financial-stamina-needed.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/164/indonesias-rapid-retail-development.html All eyes are on China and India as promising markets for the future. The huge Indonesian market, however, also offers interesting opportunities. Local and foreign retailers are developing modern retail structures at a rapid pace, especially in the urbanised areas where a middle class is emerging. Carrefour and Dairy Farm are actively engaged, while there is speculation on other foreign retailers’ interest in Indonesia.Elsevier Food International, Vol.9, No.1, February 2006Pascal Kuipers Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:59:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/164/indonesias-rapid-retail-development.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/8/turkey-torn-between-tradition-and-modernisation.html With its population of some 70 million, and a growing economy, Turkey is an interesting market for local and foreign retailers. Retail is modernising rapidly but high prices, tariffs, slotting fees and inequality in income levels, are slowing down this process. Consolidation and reform might further stimulate Turkey’s retail sector.Elsevier Food International Vol.8, No.4, November 2005Teuta Narazan Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:25:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/8/turkey-torn-between-tradition-and-modernisation.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1275/the-philippines-resilience-amid-crisis.html Incomes are rising in the Philippines, new policy has provided a friendlier environment for imports, and the ban on the establishment of operations by foreign companies has been lifted. This has resulted in an increase in consumer spending on non-food items and imported goods. Although the traditional food retail businesses still account for 90 percent of the retail distribution network, the potential for growth lies with the innovative retail concepts offered by the large retail stores. Elsevier Food International, Vol. 5, Number 3, September 2002 Wed, 21 Sep 2005 15:50:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1275/the-philippines-resilience-amid-crisis.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/36/italy-retail-modernisation-with-help-from-abroad.html With an economy in recession and discounters gaining market share, Italy hardly seems an interesting retail market. However, its quality-sensitive population of 58 million and a retail sector that needs further modernisation, offers potential that attracts foreign retailers, especially from France. These are largely responsible for Italy’s retail restructuring and they hope to reap the fruits of their efforts once the economic tide turns.Elsevier Food International Vol.8, No.3 September 2005Pascal Kuipers Fri, 09 Sep 2005 22:33:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/36/italy-retail-modernisation-with-help-from-abroad.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/49/canada--outsiders-outnumbered.html The grocery industry is still one of the few sectors in Canada where local ownership prevails, and this is unlikely to change. Competition is not only fierce but is also largely dictated by home-grown leaders Loblaw and Sobey’s. For outsiders, finding opportunities in Canada’s retail cracks may mean going beyond one’s traditional strengths. Potential new entrants are also expected to come from across the border such as Walgreen, Albertsons and Target.Elsevier Food International Vol.8, No.2, May 2005 Len Lewis Mon, 16 May 2005 00:50:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/49/canada--outsiders-outnumbered.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/4/south-africas-two-tiered-retail-sector.html There is a big difference in catering to South Africa’s middle and higher income groups and the large groups of lower income earners that often live in township areas. As the former customer base is efficiently catered to, retailers increasingly look at the latter in their search for growth.Elsevier Food International Vol.8, No.1, February 2005Pascal Kuipers Sun, 27 Feb 2005 23:53:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/4/south-africas-two-tiered-retail-sector.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1109/mexico-consolidate-or-die.html Two main features of the Mexican retail market are the stagnation or slowdown of Mexico's economic growth in recent years and the dominance of Wal-Mart Mexico. Combined, these two characteristics do not make life easy for Wal-Mart’s main competitors, a triad of local retailers Soriana, CCM and Gigante. Consolidation is the only solution to meet the Wal-Mart challenge. Elsevier Food International, Vol. 7 Number 4, November 2004/STRONG> Pascal Kuipers/A> Mon, 01 Nov 2004 14:08:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1109/mexico-consolidate-or-die.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1122/upbeat-trends-in-ukraine.html Positive economic trends and rising incomes are boosting Ukraine’s retail scene. By format, supermarkets are winning shopper loyalty and with double-digit growth rates in retail sales more foreign players are either moving in or expanding their presence. Bureaucratic red tape and difficult political and legal situations, however, remain important concerns. Elsevier Food International, Vol. 7 Number 3, September 2004/STRONG> Wed, 01 Sep 2004 10:37:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/1122/upbeat-trends-in-ukraine.html http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/64/baltic-bonanza.html 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.Elsevier Food International, Vol.7, No.2, May 2004 Pascal Kuipers Thu, 27 May 2004 19:52:00 GMT http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/country-profile/64/baltic-bonanza.html