Global Update

Carrefour launches service stations Carrefour has unveiled its first motorway service stations in France. It acquired 17 sites from oil company Total-Fina-Elf last year and relaunched them last month under the Carrefour name, offering motorists lower prices than its major rivals both at the pump and in the store. The retailer is stocking 230 of its own-label products while undercutting rival service stations by up to 60% on national brands. However, these value prices are at present available at only eight stations; the other nine, which operate under franchise, are continuing to set standard motorway prices in order to protect their margins. In a parallel development, Carrefour is also looking to establish service stations in Italy.



Ito-Yokado's IYBank opens for business Japanese retail group Ito-Yokado has launched its own banking operation, known as IYBank. The new bank started deposits on May 7, followed by other services later in the month. Customers can access the bank via a network of 1,650 ATMs installed in Ito-Yokado's supermarkets and 7-Eleven convenience stores. The group plans to install 3,650 machines this year to support IYBank.

Metro unveils cash-and-carry store in Japan German retailer Metro has moved into the Japanese market by opening a cash-and-carry store there in collaboration with trading house Marubeni Corp. Metro, which is the world's largest cash-and-carry operator, intends to develop a network of up to 50 stores in Japan. The group stated that it was confident that the previously unknown concept of cash-and-carry would win over Japanese business clients given its success in 20 other countries. The planned stores are to have an average selling space of 55,000 square feet, with around 60% given over to fresh food.



Asda follows Tesco into grey market U.K. retailer Asda is set to unveil a series of special promotions on designer goods in a new grey market strategy. The Wal-Mart-owned supermarket chain is to put on sale brand items such as sunglasses, fragrances and jewelry as part of a $42 million (£30 million) promotion. It is due to open its first in-store jewelry shop in June to coincide with this grey market drive. The move represents the latest attempt by U.K. retailers to defy brand manufacturers over the distribution of their products.



Auchan leaves Thailand to target other markets French retailer Auchan has sold its sole outlet in Thailand to fellow French operator Casino, which is the largest hypermarket operator in the country with 23 Big C stores. Auchan explained that it was not in a position to gain the necessary critical mass and pointed to the adverse effect of recent changes in Thai planning regulations. The retailer now intends to focus on its other foreign investments, including Taiwan and Morocco. Auchan is also planning to increase its number of stores in Poland to 14 this year, and is among those retailers to have acquired land in Moscow with a view of entering the Russian market.



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