International expansion strengthens UK retailers
Venturing overseas is widely recognised as presenting a great opportunity for revenue growth, but how do you succeed internationally?
There are a number of retailers who have taken the leap into global expansion and are starting to reap the rewards with others taking their first steps into this exciting marketplace.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research show that Europe is now the world’s largest online shopping region and more than €200 billion is spent by Europe’s estimated 240 million online consumers with e-commerce sales predicted to keep on growing by 16% in 2012.
Marks & Spencer has entered four new European markets, launching localised customer websites in Germany, Spain, Austria and Belgium. Marc Bolland, M&S chief executive, said: “This is us moving forward with our plan to transform M&S from traditional British retailer to a leading international, multi-channel retailer.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!Topshop has identified expansion in the Far East as a priority with 27 stores trading in the region and five openings in the last year. Other international openings include Australia, Brazil and South Africa.
International sales for online fashion retailer Asos climbed by 47% in December with sales in the US up 53% and EU sales rising by 65%. Sales in the rest of the world increased by 31%.
Supergroup, which operates 375 stores around the world, recently said it was making “good progress” identifying potential sites for new stores both in the UK and Europe. In addition to its website in the UK, the group now operates through 12 overseas websites, up from four in 2011. Since the year end, the group has launched websites in Switzerland, Canada, Spain and Italy and in the last 12 months sold to more than 100 countries.
In the 13 weeks to 12th January 2013 Mothercare opened a net 31 international stores and now operates from 1,129 stores across 61 countries. International retail sales grew by 14.8% while retail sales were up 12% as progress from countries such as Russia and Turkey offset weakness in the Eurozone.
Debenhams has opened its first department store in Bulgaria as it looks to establish its brand in a strategically important market for its European expansion. The retailer is the anchor tenant at Bulgaria Mall in the capital Sofia, which services the affluent Boyana & Simeonovo districts. The store is its 71st international opening. The retailer aims to double the scale of its international business over the next five years and is also working on opportunities in Serbia and Croatia as part of a broad European focus.
The Retail Bulletin’s 2nd International Expansion Summit, 26th March 2013 is designed for UK retailers who are planning for and are developing an international growth strategy. Delegates will benefit from the experiences and vision of a top line-up of speakers including George International, Bench, Costa Coffee, Hobbs, The Hamleys Group, Alliance Boots, Mothercare Group, Austin Reed, Icon Live, Codex Global, The Javelin Group, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, Ogone UK.
Make sure of your place by registering now for this one-day, interactive and timely event.
