Europe
Record performance ▪ Aldi staff in Britain are in for a pay rise after the German discounter enjoyed its busiest-ever Christmas season, posting sales of over GBP 10 billion in the UK and Ireland, 15% more than in the year before. Salaries are about to increase by 4.6% and the minimum hourly rate will go up as well.
Mixed results ▪ British department store Debenhams issued a profit warning and will cut jobs as well as close stores after a disappointing Christmas period. Thanks to a growing supplier network, convenience chain Nisa is in a better position. Sales rose 17.7% to GBP 277 million in the season.
Going urban ▪ Lidl has revealed plans to enter city centre locations in Greece and is set to roll out its new international store concept. Being the only discounter in the country, LZ Retailytics notes that Lidl's exceptional position can help the German company to steadily expand its market share.
Thought-provoking reads
Voice potential ▪ Smart speakers are now the fastest-growing consumer technology, according to a new report. Analysts expect the market to grow by US$ 56.3 million this year, with both Amazon and Google leading the way. Plus, with some devices adding screens, there is more potential.
Privacy challenge ▪ Chinese companies are increasingly criticised for the way they handle personal data. The scrutiny over privacy is likely to haunt tech giants such as Alibaba or Tencent. Despite the odds, China's leading companies are determined to try to crack the American market.
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