Europe and the Middle East

Russian moves ▪ Moscow-headquartered meat retailer Cherkizovo Group has purchased a 75% stake in St. Petersburg food company Samson–Food Products. Meanwhile, two new Lenta supermarkets are opening in the country. The local retailer is launching stores in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Changing perception ▪ French multinational Carrefour continues its eastern development. Pakistan's Hyperstar line of supermarkets have been rebranded to Carrefour. The move is part of the plan to increase modern retail's presence in the area.

Turkish upgrade ▪ The Turkey branch of Swiss retail giant Migros is getting an EUR 60 million boost. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has given the retailer a loan, in order to help update and restructure Migros stores in the country.

Buying back ▪ Dutch retailer Ahold Delhaize is beginning its EUR 1 billion share repurchasing programme. The buyback was announced in November, and will be conducted through intermediaries. It is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

United States

Apple drops ▪ Stocks in US tech giant Apple have dropped, after the company lowered its revenue estimates for the holiday quarter. Factors for the decrease were said to be, largely, slowing product sales in China. China's slowing consumer economy and trade tensions between China and the US have contributed to the decline.

Sears saga continues ▪ Eddie Lampert, the chairman of the embattled department store chain, has submitted a last minute USD 4.4 billion bid for 425 Sears stores and a bank-up plan in case the buyout offer is rejected, however, it doesn't guarantee that Sears will avoid liquidation.

Positive growth ▪ Self-care app Shine has brought its services to Android. With a growing user base of 3 million, the service, which focuses on mental health and positivity, has created an official app for its large Android user base.

Asia & Australia

Software markets ▪ The app market continues to seek out fertile soil, with Chinese developers heading to India. A recent report has found that in the space of a year Chinese app makers in India have more than doubled, now holding up to 44% of the market.

Dollar decline ▪ Apple's forecast drop is only serving to heighten the ripple effect China's lagging retail market is having. The Australian dollar is another victim, having fallen to below 70 cents to the USD, 10 cents down from last year.

New openings ▪ Japanese rail company, East Japan Railway, is launching a mall in Taiwan, its first overseas venture of the kind. The mall is set to open this month, in Taipei's tallest building, Taipei Nan Shan Plaza.

Positive impact

Healthy ways ▪ German discounter Lidl is staying conscientious, with Lidl Germany doubling down on promise to cut back on the sugar, fat, and salt content of its own brand products. This is in response to a governmental report, setting food content targets for 2025.

Return, reuse, recycle ▪ Amid concerns of failing to reach recycling standards, Portugal has started a scheme to encourage consumers to return any non-reusable bottles to designated areas for recycling. Supermarkets and hypermarkets will be required to provide such areas, as well as stocking re-usable and biodegradable packaging.