<\/a><\/p>\n At the same time, the appetite for expansion has been recalibrated.\u00a0 For example, retailers are looking at creating a number of ‘scouting options’ through low risk entry options such as franchising and converting into JV’s or owned operations based on market adoption and regulatory ease.<\/p>\n While, there is no one universally accepted definition for an Emerging market, the most usual definition is one where consumers have confidence in their economic future over prolonged periods of time.<\/p>\n The global retail industry is one of the catalysts that instill this sense of hope. So what are the specific trends, challenges, and success strategies that retailers should adopt for varied emerging markets? A. T. Kearney’s Global Retail Development Index 2013, provides insights on Retailing in Emerging Markets.<\/p>\n Key Findings of the 2013 GRDI<\/strong> <\/a>As for the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), they still maintain their status of ‘magnificent monsters for global retailers’. Each one of the market is huge and attractive, however each is following a different path for future growth.\u00a0 (See Sidebar \u2013 BRICS of Retail).<\/p>\n BRICS of RETAIL<\/strong> Russia is in a difficult position\u2014a triple threat of sorts. Natural resource prices are falling, the country has a current account debit balance and a budget deficit, and its demographic profile places a large burden on government funding mechanisms. Although geographically massive, Russia’s population of 143 million (including autonomous regions) is relatively small and growing minimally. While middle-class spending and shopping behavior are vibrant and the Russian market is well-developed, what happens when the oil money dries up and the aging population starts to shrink? Could Russia benefit from shale gas?<\/p>\n India has a bumpy road to drive over the next few years. The country is a modern economy the size of Mexico working to provide educational and other opportunities to a rural population the size of sub-Saharan Africa. Two-thirds of the Indian states are surprisingly against open imports and foreign direct investment (FDI), in what could only be perceived as a conscious policy to stop global competitiveness. Still, there is a lot of good news in India as Indians get richer and more mobile. With the country poised to enjoy a demographic advantage for the next 40 years, it would be a shame not to seize all of the potential opportunities.<\/p>\n China needs to shift gears. Once everyone’s darling as a source for manufacturing, China is facing problems that more investment will not solve. The biggest issue is that the Chinese continue to be savers rather than buyers, which means all the global monetary shenanigans and fiscal intensity cannot “push” when there is no “pull.” To meet the expectations of becoming the world’s number two economy in a few years, China must move from first gear\u2014a high-energy, high-stress, high-ratio government push market\u2014to second gear\u2014a consumer pull market. Ideally, the country would take four to five percentage points of growth and use it to address environ.mental concerns about land, water, and human capital.<\/p>\n – See more at: http:\/\/www.atkearney.com,\u00a0 Extracted and edited from the A T Kearney 2013 Global Retail Development Index.<\/p>\n <\/a>Sub-Saharan Africa is a rising star as the region is building momentum. With Botswana & Namibia in the rankings and a few other nations on the cusp Africa is a promising market. By 2100, five of the 12 most populous countries in the world will be in Africa, there is no doubt that this continent is a dramatic retail opportunity-for those that can navigate the business and political risks.<\/p>\n Latin America : Regional Profile<\/strong> Increased consumer & investor confidence have created a favorable environment for retail development.<\/p>\n Factors that contribute to this consumer & investor confidence include: The expanding middle class continues to offer important growth opportunities, particularly as the retail footprint expands beyond main cities into the second and third tiers, where consumers increasingly prefer modern retail. And many local and regional retailers are providing strong competition for many of the international leaders. For example, Chile’s Cencosud has expanded into neighboring countries, gaining strength in markets such as Peru and Colombia.<\/p>\n Country Specific Highlights: Brazil<\/strong><\/p>\n On top again<\/strong> Factors propelling growth<\/strong> Key locations<\/strong> Investments scenario<\/strong> Key retail players in the market<\/strong> Additional Factors<\/strong> Country Specific Highlights: Chile<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a>Sophisticated, attractive market<\/strong> Factors propelling growth<\/strong> Key retail players in the market<\/strong> Country Specific Highlights: Uruguay<\/strong><\/p>\n Consumer spending on the rise<\/strong> Factors propelling growth<\/strong> Key retail players in the market<\/strong> Asia: Regional Profile<\/strong> Country Specific Highlights: China<\/strong><\/p>\n A global retail leader<\/strong> Retail market dynamics<\/strong>
\nSouth America surfaces to be the hot spot in the emerging market space as Brazil, Chile & Uruguay are the top three markets in the Index. Additionally countries like Peru, Columbia, Panama & Mexico also shine while Venezuela, Argentina and Bolivia have room for improvement.<\/p>\n
\nBrazil is in the midst of a great run, with the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Summer Olympics, high FDI, and vibrant fashionable shoppers. But what happens after 2017? In the World Economic Forum’s most recent Competitiveness Index, Brazil ranks high in size, sophistication, access to financing, and the use of information and communications technology. However, it posted low scores in key areas such as infrastructure, health, primary education, and government regulation and spending. Labor laws, a swollen welfare and pension budget, and an industrial sector that is shrinking as a percentage of GDP are hampering the country’s long-term development. The next couple of years will be wonderful, but what happens after that?<\/p>\n
\nDominates the GRDI as three nations of the region occupy the top three positions and seven of the top 30 overall.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Strong & growing middle class
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Controlled inflation
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Sustained economic growth
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Continual economic & political stability<\/p>\n
\nBrazil tops the GRDI for the third consecutive year. Despite a GDP slowdown (1 percent in 2012), retail spending remains strong and is expected to rise 11 percent in 2013.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Continued expansion
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Organic growth
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Infrastructure improvements
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rising consumer confidence
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stronger employment rates
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increased credit access for middle class
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brazil’s middle class – expected to grow to 113 million people by 2014, or roughly
\n56 percent of the population\u2014are proving attractive to retailers.<\/p>\n
\nSao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro and modern retail also percolating in Brazil\u2019s north & northeast and to larger interior cities<\/p>\n
\nMany international funds are showing confidence in the market.
\nJ.P. Morgan Asset Management invested more than $45 million in online fashion retailer Dafiti.
\nThe Carlyle Group acquired an 85 percent stake in toy store chain Ri Happy, which will add 20 new stores to an existing 110 by the end of 2014.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wal-mart
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Department store Riachuelo
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apparel Retailers \u2013 Hering & Lojas Renner
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Supermarkets –\u00a0 P\u00e3o de A\u00e7\u00facar and Polishop
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drug Stores \u2013 RaiaDrogasi
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Luxury Malls – JK Iguatemi in S\u00e3o Paulo and Village Mall in Rio de Janeiro. Housing international brands Valentino, Miuccia Prada, Miu Miu, Goyard, Lanvin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bare Minerals, Topshop, Dolce & Gabbana, and Nicole Miller, Gucci, Mont Blanc & Tiffany & Co.<\/p>\n
\nThe FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016 are drawing important investments in travel retail.<\/p>\n
\nA highly sophisticated retail market once again propels Chile (2nd) to near the top of the GRDI.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Steadily increasing retail sales. Disposable incomes have expanded by 10% in the past one year
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At $8,241 per capita, consumer spending ranks sixth among the GRDI’s 30 countries.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 High rate of economic growth for the past two decades
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Structural reforms, political stability & export oriented economy
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Low inflation (about 3%) supports domestic consumption<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Walmart Chile
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Costanera Center in Santiago
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Foreign retailers such as Armani Exchange, Brooks Brothers, Hugo Boss, Swarovski, Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic, G-Star Raw, Fa\u00e7onnable, Longines, and Hard Rock Cafe.<\/p>\n
\nUruguay (3rd) moves up one spot as consumer spending continues to increase. Historically dependent on its neighbors Braziland Argentina, the country is becoming a core retail destination on its own merits.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Economic growth
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Real estate availability
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strong flow of tourists
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Political Stability<\/p>\n
\nLouis Vuitton, Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Ermenegildo Zegna, Emporio Armani, and Calvin Klein have opened stores in Uruguay or plan to do so. Gap opened its first Uruguay store in December 2012 to enter its second South American market.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Six Asian countries rank in the GRDI.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asia has felt the effects of the global economic slowdown, but consumer spending growth, continued adoption of modern retail, and solid economic fundamentals keep Asian markets attractive to global retailers.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 China remains to be retail powerhouse both in bricks-and-mortar stores and online, as consumers outside of major cities flock to modern retail formats.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Other promising markets in Asia include smaller markets – Mongolia and Sri Lanka and large markets such as India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\nChina (4th) falls one spot in the rankings, but its retail market remains irresistible to global retailers of every stripe. With double-digit sales growth and rising consumer demand (albeit somewhat more slowly), China remains a dynamic retail environment.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The hypermarket format has room for growth. For example, Sun Art Retail Group, which operates Auchan and RT-Mart stores in China, had 14.3 percent revenue growth in 2012 as it expanded rapidly with 43 new stores.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The luxury segment has slowed, recently as consumers purchase more goods abroad and amid tighter regulations on gifting to government officials. Some luxury brands are rethinking their expansion plans in China.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 E-commerce now represents as much as 10 percent of retail revenues in some categories. Total online sales reached $207 billion in 2012, and continued growth is expected. Online players are using heavy promotions to grab share from bricks- and-mortar stores.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Small- and medium-sized stores are gaining popularity due to their lower-
\npriced offerings and formats that cater to Chinese shopping habits.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malls are growing more popular as they add more shopping and entertainment
\nalternatives into the mix. There are now 3,100 malls in China, with 288 added in 2012,
\nprimarily in tier 2 and 3 cities.<\/p>\n