The top 20 retail companies you've never heard of...
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Christian Purser, CEO, Interbrand London, talked about the global retail marketplace at Retail Week Live in London in March 2016. Your competitors might not be who you think they are. With Central Group (Thailand) buying a majority stake in three German department stores and Hudson Bay (Canada) buying Galeria Kaufhof, it is clear that new entrants into Europe will bring additional competition in Europe and here in the UK.
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- 2. Interbrand Overview 1200 Employees 29 Offices 22 Countries 20 Languages 6 Continents 1 Mindset 2 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 3. The Interbrand Mindset We pioneered the idea that brands have financial value 3 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 4. European brands are attracting significant inward investment 4 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 5. 5 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 6. The top 20 retail companies you've never heard of... 6 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 7. Sanpower Turnover: $13.4bn Countries: China, UK, Ireland, UAE, Oman, United States, Puerto Rico Industries: Finance & Investment, Retail & Trading, Information Services, Medical & Health Care, and Real Estate Properties: 100+ Brands: Hisap, Funtalk Telecommunications, Hirealty, Guangzhou Jinpeng, China Newsweek, Lashou.com, Cnshangquan, House of Fraser (UK), Brookstone (US), and Natali (Israel). 7 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 8. Wanda Group Turnover: $38.2bn Countries: China (currently expanding into 8 additional capital cities) Industries: Commercial Property, Culture and Tourism, E-commerce and Department Stores Properties: 99 Brands: Wanda Plaza, Wanda Wuhan Film Theme Park, Wanda Hotels & Resorts, Wanda Changbaishan International Resort, Atheletico de Madrid 8 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 9. Central Group Turnover: $7.5bn Countries: Thailand, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives Sri Lanka Industries: Retail, Shopping Centres, Department Stores, Real Estate, Hotels and Resorts Properties: 70+ Brands: Central DS, Robinson DS, Central Embassy, ZEN, SuperSports, La Rinascente, ILLUM, Alsterhaus, KaDeWe, Oberpollinger Franchises: M&S, MUJI 9 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 10. Charoen Pokphand Group Turnover: $43bn Countries: Thailand, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey, Belgium Industries: Agro-industry, Food, Marketing and Distribution, Telecommunications, Retail Properties: 10,000+ Brands: 7-Eleven, Lotus SuperCenter, Thai Smart Card Co., Kitchen Joy, CP Fresh Mart, Tops Foods 10 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 11. TATA (Trent Retail Ltd) Turnover: N/A Countries: India Industries: Retail Properties: 500+ (est.) Brands: Westside, Landmark, Starbazaar, Croma, Tanishq, Titan Franchises: Tesco, Zara 11 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 12. Steinhoff Turnover: $12bn Countries: UK, Poland, France, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, China Industries: Retail, Global Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Property, Motors Number of stores: 6,000+ Brands: Pepkor, Bensons for Beds, Harveys, Best & Less, Harris Scarfe, Pep & Co. 12 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 13. Brait Countries: South Africa, UK, Swaziland, Mozambique, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Namibia, Thailand, Singapore, China, France, Belgium, Poland, The Netherlands, Germany, Bahrain, Georgia, Indonesia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE Industries: Investment Group, Retail, Food, Healthcare Number of stores: 1,900+ Brands: New Look, Iceland, Virgin Active, Premier Foods 13 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 14. Woolworths Holdings Turnover: $2.5bn Countries: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Lesotho, Tanzania Industries: Retail, Finance Number of stores: 1,300+ Brands: Woolworths, David Jones, Country Road, Witchery, Mimco, Trenery 14 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 15. Landmark Group Turnover: $5bn Countries: UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Libya, Turkey, Yemen, Tanzania, Nigeria, Iraq, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Zambia Industries: Retail, Shopping Malls, Healthcare, Hotels Number of stores: 1,350+ Brands: Centrepoint, Babyshop, Shoe Mart, Fitness First, Splash, Lifestyle, Landmark International, SportsOne, SPAR, FunCity, Home Centre, (Franchise: New Look, Reiss, Kurt Geiger) 15 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 16. Sun Capital Partners Turnover: $45bn Countries: USA, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, China, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Canada, Poland, Bulgaria, Spain, Finland, Lithuania Industries: Retail, Food and Beverage, Paper and Packaging, Industrial Number of stores: 11,100+ Brands: Dreams, ScS, American Golf, V&D, Bon Marche, Jacques Vert Group, Sharps Bedrooms, Johnny Rockets 16 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 17. Hudson’s Bay Company Turnover: $10.2bn Countries: Canada, USA, Germany, Belgium Industries: Retail Number of stores: 322 Brands: Hudson's Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, Galeria Kaufhof, Galeria Inno, SportArena, Home Outfitters, Lord & Taylor, DINEA #11 17 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 18. Wittington Investments Countries: UK, Canada, Ireland, USA, Spain, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy Industries: Retail, Food, Agriculture Brands: Selfridges Group, Selfridges & Co, Brown Thomas, Holt Renfrew, De Bijenkorf, Arnott’s, Fortnum and Mason, Associated British Foods, Primark, Twining's, British Sugar, Silver Spoon, Ryvita 18 Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 19. 19 PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk Turnover: $5.2bn Countries: Indonesia Industries: Retail Number of stores: 1,900+ Franchises: Starbucks, Zara, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, SOGO, Seibu, Galeries Lafayette, Topshop/Topman, Next, Mango Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 20. 20 Arvind Turnover: $800m Countries: India Industries: Retail, Textile, Real Estate, Telco, Engineering, E-commerce Brands: Flying Machine, Newport, Ruf N Tuf, The Arvind Store, Mega Mart, ANUP Engineering Franchises: Gap, Gant, Next, Lee, Wrangler, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Sephora Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 21. 21 Liverpool Turnover: $4.4bn Countries: Mexico Industries: Retail, Real Estate Number of stores: 100+ Brands: Liverpool Department Stores, Fabricas de Francia Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 22. 22 Falabella Turnover: $12bn Countries: Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay Industries: Retail, Construction, Commercial Finance, Travel, Insurance, Real Estate Number of stores: 439 Brands: Falabella Department Store, Tottus Supermarkets, Precio Uno, Homecenter, Sodimac Peru, Homy, Banco Falabella, Mall Plaza Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 23. 23 Foschini Group Turnover: $11.5 bn Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UK, Norway, Belgium, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico Industries: Retail, Finance Number of stores: 2750 Brands: Foschini, Phase Eight, G Star Raw, Total Sports, Charles & Keith, Home living Space, Fashion Express, American Swiss, Sportscene Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 24. 24 Alshaya Turnover: $6bn Countries: Saudia Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Morocco, Russia, Iraq, Turkey, Poland, The Czech Republic Industries: Retail Number of stores: 2,800 Franchises: Debenhams, Mothercare, H&M, Next, Topshop/Topman, Harvey Nichols, River Island, Warehouse, Starbucks, MAC, The Body Shop, KidZania Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 25. 25 Fawaz Al Hokair Countries: Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, USA, UK, Spain, Morocco, Serbia, Egypt, Iraq Industries: Retail, Real Estate, Construction, Finance, Healthcare, Hospitality Number of stores: 2,100+ Franchises: Aldo, Gap, Accessorize, Banana Republic, Bershka, Costa Coffee, Desigual, Mango, M&S, Miss Selfridge, Pull & Bear, Quiz, Superdry, Topshop/Topman, Wallis, Zara, Zara Home, Nike Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 26. 26 Abdulla Al- Futtaim Countries: UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Singapore, Malaysia Industries: Retail, automotive, real estate, construction, engineering, finance Brands: Robinsons Singapore, Al Futtaim Travel, Al Futtaim Motors (Toyota, Lexus, Hino) Franchises: M&S, Coast, River Island, Fat Face, Ikea, Toys R Us Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 27. 27 Majid Al-Futtaim Turnover: $7 bn Countries: Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Pakistan, Armenia, Georgia, Bahrain, Lebanon Industries: Property, retail, leisure development Number of stores: 17 shopping malls, 11 hotels and 3 mixed-use communities Franchises: Juicy Couture, Abercrombie & Fitch, Jane Norman, Peacocks, All Saints, Halston Heritage, Hoss Intropia, Lululemon Athletica, Carrefour Retail Week | Interbrand | March 2016
- 28. Thank you Interbrand London 85 Strand London WC2R 0DW T: +44 20 7554 1000 london@interbrand.com
Editor's Notes
- Sanpower is a chinese conglomerate controlling 100 companies in sectors including banking, retail, media and property, with assets worth £4.8bn. The company is run by another Chinese billionaire – Yuan Yafei who worked as a government official in Nanjing City until 1993. Sanpower operates department store brands in China and last year the Nanjing-based company snapped up House of Fraser, for £500 million. Sanpower Group will apply the HoF retailing model and brand to the Chinese market—using a blend of house brands and own-bought products to establish the Oriental Fraser department store brand. Oriental Fraser is a luxury brand that provides retail services for high-end clientele in major provincial cities. Oriental Fraser focuses on international first-tier brand retail offering and Nanjing’s Oriental Fraser is Nanjing’s first centrally located luxury department store. Sanpower has also been recently been linked with an approach to buy Hamleys. C.banner a strategic partner of Sanpower completed the £100m cash deal – C.Banner is thought to be linked to Sanpower through family relationships between the two chairman and they are looking to do a distribution deal through HoF. Hamleys is financially robust with huge overseas growth potential, and experts say that Sanpower's acquisition of Hamleys fits Sanpower’s desire to expand its influence internationally. Chairman Yuan Yafei is on record as saying that Sanpower and its partners will continue to pursue mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, as well as the establishment of other business relationships with leading retailer brands, to further implement its global expansion strategy. They are targeting strong brands with long histories.
- Wanda Group is a Chinese conglomerate and China’s "biggest private property developer” and the world's largest cinema chain operator, owning Wanda Cinemas, AMC Entertainment and the Hoyts Group. The company operates in four major industries—commercial property, luxury hotels, culture and tourism, and department stores. CEO Wang Jianlin is China’s second richest man and has said that he seeks to "make Wanda a brand like Walmart or IBM or Google, a brand known by everyone in the world”. Wanda operates about 99 department stores in China and aims to become the world's largest department store retailer in terms of area, reaching 25 million square meters (269 million square feet) in 2015, compared with 12.9 million square meters in 2014. Wanda Group continues to aggressively diversify out of the Chinese property market and has recently created a special division focused on opportunities in Europe in both real estate and other investments. The 2013 purchase of British Yachtmaker Sunseeker and an announcement that it is investing $1.1 billion to develop a new five-star hotel in London next to the Thames River in Vauxhall, South London, as part of the Nine Elms regeneration are just the start. In a move that demonstrates their direct approach, Wanda Group also officially announced an investment of €45 million to acquire a 20% equity stake in Club Atlético de Madrid (45m) as an agreement to acquire Infront Sports & Media AG, the world’s most respected international sports marketing company based in Switzerland. These deals will enable Wanda to build their brand through their football investments in Europe as well as develop football as a business in China. Wang Jailin is a keen football fan. But, shortly after the Club Atheletico De Madrid deal Wanda unveiled plans for the construction of a 2.2bn Euro business and leisure complex with 18,000 apartments, shops, office buildings and a shopping center featuring activities set up for families with children, including Europe’s largest indoor waterpark. Already the largest department store retailer in the World, it wont be long before Wanda Group make an impact in European retailing.
- The Central Group of Companies is a family-owned conglomerate holding company in Thailand that is involved in merchandising, real estate, retailing, hospitality and restaurants. Among its subsidiaries are Central Pattana and the Central Retail Corporation. Central Department Store Group accounts for around 40% of Central Group’s revenue. The group runs leading department store brands both in Thailand - Central Department Store (18 stores) & Robinson Department store (34 stores) as well as overseas La Rinascente (Italy) and Illum (Scandinavia). Central Group stated in 2014 that they are targeting European sales for the group accounting for about 40 per cent of overall sales value in 2020. The purchase of La Rianscente in Italy in 2011, and Illum in Denmark in 2013 will account for approximately 15% of sales volume of the group in 2015, so it’s no surprise then that in June Central Group took a 50.1% stake in KaDeWe Group therefore taking a controlling interest in three premium department stores. The KaDeWe store is located in the heart of Berlin, Oberpollinger is in Munich and Alsterhaus is in Hamburg. Each of the department stores has more than 100 years of history, and they are among the most established and well-recognised premium and luxury department stores in Germany. Central group will spend around 75m on refurbishing the stores and break even in 2017. Tos Chirathivat, CEO of Central Group went on the record at the press conference for the KaDeWe deal as saying “We also are negotiating other deals, but they will take time to finalise, which is normally about two years for overseas deals,” So there is no doubt that Central Group already are building a pipeline of European deals beyond the three they have delivered in the past four years.
- The Charoen Pokphand Group is Thailand's largest private company and is one of world's largest conglomerates. It operates in agribusiness and food, retail, and distribution, and the telecommunications industries with investment in over 20 countries. The CP Group currently employs, through its subsidiaries, over 300,000 people with offices and factories worldwide. CP All Plc. is the sole operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand. The first 7-Eleven outlet was opened in 1989 on Patpong Road in Bangkok. At the end of 2014, the company had a total of 8,127 stores nationwide In the 1980s, as China opened up to foreign firms, the firm became the preferred partner for international brands such as Honda, WalMart, and Tesco. The company sold its stakes in the Tesco Lotus venture with Tesco in 2003 to focus on 7-Eleven, however, the company kept its shares in Tesco Lotus outlets in China and operates over 70 Lotus SuperCenters providing Chinese consumers with high quality merchandise prices in a ‘one-stop’ shopping experience. CP Group also just tried to buy out Tesco’s remaining stores in Thailand. CP’s food business is beginning to invest and expand in Europe buying Tops Foods this year, investing in Russian poultry, is linked with buying the Quorn brand and is expanding selling its own food brands in through European retailers. CP Group is expanding in European healthcare, taking a 8.3bn stake in a Swedish Healthcare company Karolinska Development AB. Tse Ping, vice chairman of the Thai conglomerate. “Assets are relatively cheap in Sweden and cheaper than in other developed countries” As growth in Asia slows down and the CP Group expands its food and healthcare business in Europe, it’s one to watch for the future in terms of retail investment.
- Trent is the retail arm of the TATA group. Started in 1998, Trent operates Westside, one of the many growing retail chains in India along with a books and entertainment chain called Landmark. Westside is a rebranding of the Littlewoods operation that TATA acquired in 1998 and spun off into Trent. TATA group is the largest Indian multinational with revenues of over $108bn dollars. TATA has been acquisitive in other areas of its business in Europe, but to date Trent has been focused on the Indian market and also runs joint ventures with European brands in India. Westside is edging towards being a 100 store operation in its own right in India and Trent is a major and fast growing player in the Indian retail market. Still waiting to see whether Prime Minister Modi’s promises of deregulation, reform of subsidies and taxes, and increase in infrastructural investment will materialise. Until the environment becomes more conducive for international retailers it is likely that the local department stores will continue to dominate, for those entering the Indian market over the next 5 years, you wont be able to ignore Trent and if they follow in TATA’s footsteps then investment outside of India is a distinct possibility. In addition to its core brands, Trent also operates Zara stores in India under a JV with Inditex and has signed a £85m partnership with Tesco to operate 12 stores in the southern and western regions of India.
- Steinhoff International is a South African-based international furniture and household goods retail chain, which operates in Europe, Africa and Australasia. 60% of its revenues come from Europe. STEINHOFF is vertically integrated and manufactures, sources and retails furniture, household goods and clothing through a variety of brands. In the UK, Steinhoff owns the high street brands Cargo, Harvey’s Furniture, Bensons for Beds and Sleepmaster. In 2011, Steinhoff bought Conforama, Europe's second largest retailer of home furnishings, with over 200 stores. Steinhoff bought Pepkor, a discount retailer of selling clothing and footwear, accessories, textiles and homeware in 2014 from Brait for $5.7bn. More of Brait later. Pepkor is Poland’s largest non-food retailer. Under the brand Pep & Co, ex ASDA chief exec Andy Bond will open 50 Pep & Co stores in the UK in the next six months targeting mums on a budget. He describes the offer as “George on the high street” After reducing its debt by almost half, Steinhoff International plans to cut borrowings further and pursue growth opportunities it says are present all over the world. There are a lot of exciting opportunities to apply our cash," Steinhoff International CEO Markus Jooste said of the cash pile the group was sitting on at its year end. The companies in the group’s stable had submitted plans to grow their business this year, particularly to increase their retail space as there were "opportunities all over the world", he said. One of the Directors of Steinhoff is South African Billionaire Christoffel Wiese and he just bought a controlling stake in New Look and Virgin Active through his investment vehicle Brait. Brait is up next.
- Brait is a South African investment holding company chaired by Christoffel Wiese, a Director of Steinhoff, focused on driving sustainable long-term growth and value creation in its investment portfolio of sizeable unlisted businesses operating in the broad consumer sector. Brait is heavily targeting the UK and the $5.7bn in cash raised from the sale of Pepkor in 2014 is already finding its way to the UK. In April Brait bought 80% of Virgin Active for $1bn with Sir Richard Branson retaining 20% and in May, Brait bought 90% of New Look for $1.2bn from Permira and Apax. The company plans to roll out 500 Chinese New Look stores over the next five years. In addition to this new $2.2bn investment in the UK, Brait has also increased its 2012 19% stake to 57%, making Brait the single largest shareholder in the frozen food retailer. Braits strategy of making UK investments in underpriced assets is delivering a very strong performance in its home market of South Africa. As the Rand continues to depreciate and the pound slowly strengthens with ongoing talk of an interest rate rise, the cash flow in sterling and re-rating of the businesses due to international expansion, Brait is acquiring is delivering a strong performance for shareholders. Brait still has a healthy war chest for more UK acquisitions. Watch this space.
- Woolworths Holdings Limited (JSE: WHL) is a South African retailer, modelled on Marks & Spencer of the United Kingdom. This relationship with Britain's Marks and Spencer was formed after the Second World War, which led to the retailer buying all of the unissued share capital of Woolworths in 1947. These shares were later sold, but close ties still remain Its core business focus is the provision of retail products and services to upper and middle income customers in the Southern Hemisphere. The Woolworths brand incorporates a series of food stores, some of which are attached to department stores, while others stand alone. Woolworths goods are sold at 149 corporate stores, 51 international franchise stores throughout the rest of Africa and the Middle East and 69 South African franchise stores nationwide. Woolworths also operates two multiple retail propositions in Country Road Group and David Jones which it bought in 2014. Country road is a retailer that sells clothing and accessory items under a number of its own premium brands, namely Country Road, Witchery, Mimco and Trenery across the southern hemisphere. David Jones operates 38 department stores across Australasia. Woolworth Holdings appear content to operate in the southern hemisphere for now, but with the Australian market cooling off due to China, they may look north for opportunities in more favourable currencies.
- Landmark Group is a multinational conglomerate based in Dubai, UAE headed by Micky Jagtiani, who is the Founder & Chairman of the company. The group is involved in retailing of apparel, footwear, consumer electronics, cosmetics & beauty products, home improvement and baby products. The group also has interests in hospitality & leisure, healthcare and mall management. The group has several in-house brands and also works with other brands, acting as a retailer. Micky Jagtini is a college dropout, drove a taxi in London before moving to Bahrain and taking over his family's baby products shop. Over the years his Landmark Group moved to Dubai and expanded across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In 2008, Jagtiani now a billionaire mall developer and the chairman, Landmark International, Dubai-based retail group, bought a 10% stake in the UK high-street retailer Debenhams, and entered the Forbes list of billionaires Landmark operates its own brands and also holds franchises for European brands in the Middle East. Landmark operated the middle east franchise of Carluccios until they bought the entire business for £90m in 2010. They also bought the franchise for Fitness First in MENA in 2010 and plan to expand the brand to over 20 markets. Despite the fact that Landmark haven’t made significant investments on UK or European soil for a few years, Micky Jagatini has recently been linked with a shareholder rebellion at Debenhams. According to a report in the Sunday Times, Milestone Resources – a holding company controlled by billionaire Jagtiani – is one of three large investors that pushed for a board shake-up at the retailer. Maybe this signals that Landmark are once again taking an interest in the UK retail market.
- The Hudson's Bay Company commonly referred to as "The Bay” is a Canadian retail group. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada, Germany, Belgium and the United States with Galeria Kaufhof, Hudson's Bay, Home Outfitters, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue. In June 2013, the HBC announced its takeover of Saks, Inc., operator of upmarket American department store operator Saks Fifth Avenue. On June 15, 2015, HBC agreed to buy German department store chain Galeria Kaufhof and its Belgium subsidiary from Metro Group for $3.2 billion U.S. dollars. According to the wall street Journal in June this year “For Hudson’s Bay, one of North America’s oldest companies, the Galeria Kaufhof acquisition represents its first move onto European soil. As part of the plan, Hudson’s Bay plans to introduce the Saks Fifth Avenue and the Saks Off 5th banners in Germany and Belgium.” “We have been carefully surveying the European retail landscape for many years for a potential expansion opportunity,” chairman Richard Baker said in a joint statement. “It is the right investment and the right time.” “We will use Kaufhof’s headquarters as a European base to expand into new countries over the next 20 years The combined company will have 464 stores worldwide and annual revenue of about C$13 billion ($10.6 billion), of which just under a third will come from Germany.
- Wittington Investments Limited is an unquoted British investment company. It is 79.2% owned by the Garfield Weston Foundation, which is one of the UK's largest grant-making trusts, and 20.8% owned by members of the Weston family. At 5 April 2008, the trustees of the Garfield Weston Foundation valued their 79.2% stake in Wittington Investments at £3.62 billion. Wittington Investments owns 54.5% of Associated British Foods, one of the largest food companies in the world, and is the parent company of Primark, the largest discount clothing chain in the UK and Ireland. Further assets include ownership of the British department stores Fortnum & Mason, Selfridge's, and Heal's, Wittington Investments also owns Brown Thomas in Ireland, and De Bijenkorf in the Netherlands, an upscale department store. Wittington bought Selfridges for £600m in 2009 after a frenzied period where Sir Tom Hunter, Selfridges own management, Robert Tenguiz and others all tabled rival bids. Last week it was announced that Selfridges Group have delivered record profits of £155m off 1.3bn, largely due to online sales, and that Selfridges will acquire Dublin-Based Department Store Arnotts to compliment their existing investment in Brown Thomas. Wittington Investments is hugely cash generative and the personal fortune of the Westons runs into billions. Whilst they have been relatively quiet in terms of retail acquisitions for the past 5 years, they have the cash, scale and expertise to make large acquisitions in this sector.
- PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk is one of Indonesia's largest retail companies. The company operates stores of major foreign brands such as Starbucks and Zara as well as department stores such as Debenhams and Marks & Spencer in Indonesia under franchise contracts. Mitra's vice president, Virendra Prakash Sharma, has been with the company since it started in 1995. He is known to be the key figure in building Mitra up from a few sports shops to a retail empire. However, the company is now facing headwinds. In 2014, it cut back on expansion plans after its profit plunged due to a weakening rupiah, rising wages and intensifying competition. It opened only 99 stores in 2014 compared to nearly 400 stores in 2013. The company also sold a part of its stake in subsidiaries that operate Domino's Pizza and Burger King stores to Everstone Capital, another private equity firm. Early 2015, the company partnered with London-based private equity firm CVC Capital Partners to reverse a steep decline in profits. http://asia.nikkei.com/Company/063G93-E http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/AC/Indonesia-retailer-partners-with-London-fund-in-turnaround-bid
- Arvind retails its own brands like Flying Machine and Newport and licensed international brands like Gap and Tommy Hilfiger, through its nationwide retail network. Arvind also runs a value retail chain, Megamart, which stocks company brands. Arvind Group patriarch Sanjay Lalbhai’s sons, Kulin and Punit, are now looking to cater to younger shoppers, many of who are expected to buy 40% of their apparel and footwear online by 2020, according to a report by UBS Securities India Ltd. Last month, Arvind announced the launch of its online business by selling some Internet-only fashion labels, including its two in-house fashion labels, Shuffle and Prym. The two brands are sold on Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal and will also be sold through Arvind’s e-commerce platform likely to be launched in 2016. Rajiv Mehta, Puma India’s former chief executive, was hired earlier this year by Kulin Lalbhai, to build half a dozen Internet-only fashion brands over the next two years.
- Liverpool is the largest department store chain in Mexico and was a new entrant in Interbrand’s Best Retail Brands 2014 ranking, ranked #5. The brand has received high levels of investment, mainly focusing on opening new stores and remodelling old ones. It has nearly 100 stores across Mexico, catering to the middle class families that represent the country’s social and economic foundation. In-store, it offers a complete shopping experience, including (in some locations) luxurious extras such as gourmet food. Liverpool also demonstrates that it’s up-to-date with fashion trends by hosting the annual Fashion Fest event, replete with celebrity spokespeople. The retailer has also taken advantage of the credit card market, which has helped it become the third most important credit card issuer in Mexico, and is bringing U.S. brand Chico’s into the market via a partnership this year. Recently, Williams-Sonoma said it will open 13 stores across its various brands — Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen and West Elm — in Mexico City by the end of 2015. The stores are opening through a franchise partnership with Liverpool.
- Falabella is a Chilean multinational company. It is the second largest retail company in Chile after Cencosud and one of the largest in Latin America. It operates its flagship Falabella department stores in addition to Mall Plaza shopping centres, Tottus hyper & supermarkets, Banco Falabella banks, and Sodimac home improvement centres. Its fast pace of expansion in South America continued despite slowing growth in much of the region. Falabella has the largest market share in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Argentina and announced investment in region of $4,100 mn to drive further expansion in these markets, as well as Brazil and Uruguay. Falabella department store was a new entrant in Interbrand’s Best Retail Brands 2014 ranking, ranked #4. Founded in 1889 in Chile by Salvatore Falabella, the store that began as a tailor shop is now one of the largest retailers in South America. By providing access to a world of affordable design at a time when few brands had the courage to set down roots in the region, Falabella became a great ally of Latin American women. Synonymous with trust and expertise, in addition to the vast array of brands, products, and services (from banking to travel) it offers, it has become the answer to many consumers who are seeking to fulfil the needs of everyday life. It competes on the loyalty created through its instalment-payment store card which enables cash advances to cardholders. Falabella also has its own bank, tapping into a niche market of lower income consumers with scant access to traditional lines of credit. Falabella department store chain exemplifies how to use good service to stand out in its category and create a bond with customers.
- The Foschini Group Limited was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. The company was formerly known as Foschini Limited and changed its name to The Foschini Group Limited in September 2010. As of March 31, 2015, it operated 2,724 stores in 27 countries. The Foschini Group Limited operates independent retail chain-stores in South Africa and internationally. The company retails clothing and footwear for men, women, and family, jewellery, sporting and outdoor apparel and equipment, cellular goods, homeware and furniture, cosmetics and accessories. It is the biggest reseller of Adidas and Nike products and the third-biggest clothing retailer by market value in South Africa. It operates retail stores under various brand names, including exact!, Charles & Keith, DonnaClaire, Foschini, Fashion Express, Phase Eight, Fabiani, G-Star, Markham, @home, @homelivingspace, American Swiss, Sterns, Mat & May, Totalsports, Sportscene, Duesouth, and hi, as well as an e-commerce platform. The company serves middle and upper income groups. The Foschini Group Ltd. agreed to buy U.K. clothing chain Phase Eight from TowerBrook Capital Partners LP, hastening the South African retailer’s international expansion. TFG will pay 140 million pounds ($212 million), giving it an 85 percent stake in the women’s fashion seller. Phase Eight’s management will own the other 15 percent. Founded in London in 1979, Phase Eight has 107 stores and 203 concessions throughout the U.K. and Ireland as well as 15 stores and 113 concessions in 16 international markets including Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
- M.H. Alshaya Co. W.L.L. is a multinational retail franchise operator that was founded in 1890 and is based in Shuwaikh, Kuwait. The company owns and operates retail stores. It provides various brands of fashion and footwear, food, health and beauty, pharmacy, optics, leisure and entertainment, and home furnishings in the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Turkey, and Europe.
- Fawaz Alhokair Group is a company focusing on the retail and real estate business sectors. It started in 1989 as a retail apparel store operator with two menswear stores. Today it is Saudi Arabia's most valuable retail and real estate company with 11 shopping centres across the Kingdom. Fawaz Alhokair has diversified into other sectors such as real-estate, construction, financial services, health care and hospitality. It has also expanded its business operations beyond Saudi Arabia, reaching to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), USA and Central Asia and Caucasus. Fawaz Alhokair now operates more than 2,100 stores across 16 countries representing more than 80 international brands. Its strength lies in attracting established global brands to Saudi Arabia. Retail sector growth is being driven by the country’s many wealthy citizens and residents, a young population eager for Western goods and more women with disposable incomes from new employment opportunities
- Abdulla Al Futtaim owns conglomerate Al Futtaim Group, which is run by his son Omar. It is the exclusive distributor of Toyota and Honda vehicles in the United Arab Emirates, and sells Toyotas in Egypt. In addition to its automotive business, Al Futtaim owns the franchises for Ikea, Toys "R" Us, and Marks & Spencer, which anchor its real estate projects, such as the urban community of Dubai Festival City, and the newly opened Cairo Festival City. More »
- Majid Al Futtaim is the estranged brother of billionaire Abdulla Al Futtaim. Non-family members run his eponymous holding company, which operates malls and Carrefour hypermarkets across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Michael Rake, the chairman of British telecom company BT Group, is chairman. Although privately held by Majid, it is the most transparent conglomerate in the UAE, raising capital on the financial markets and publishing its financials.