Pernod to Buy Absolut Vodka Maker for EU5.28 Billion

March 31 - Pernod Ricard SA, the world’s second- largest liquor company, agreed to buy Vin & Sprit AB from Sweden’s government for 5.28 billion euros ($8.34 billion) to gain the Absolut vodka brand and take on Diageo Plc’s Smirnoff in the U.S.
Pernod beat out rivals including Fortune Brands Inc. and the billionaire Wallenberg [...]

Retailers try new ways to counter soaring rentals

Fashion retailer ETAM Future, a joint venture between the Future Group and French retailer ETAM, has closed three shops in Delhi, Surat and Ahmedabad owing to high rentals.
For the same reason, Liberty Shoes has put plans to launch its high-end brand “Pairs” on hold.
Indiabulls, the new entrant in retail with its brand Trumart, [...]

SEARS Kmart stores to sell appliances

(Reuters) - Retailer Sears Holdings said on Wednesday it plans to sell appliances in more of its Kmart stores and would open more dealer stores this year.
The retailer controlled by hedge fund manager Edward Lampert also said in its annual report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects capital spending this [...]

Woolworths Invests in Supply Chain Improvement Technology

Woolworths, Australia and New Zealand’s largest retail group, invested further in its supply chain redevelopment program by adding Software AG business process management” (BPM) capabilities.
Woolworths is also investing in a service-oriented architecture (SOA) registry and governance platform to underpin its overall corporate move towards SOA.
Software AG’s business activity monitoring (BAM) solution, webMethods Optimize, will [...]

KFC to launch healthy product range in Thailand

KFC has launched a non-fried chicken menu in Thailand in order to benefit from a growing consumer desire for healthy food choices. The first product to be launched under the range will be the Roasted Wing Hitz, which will be sold for THB49 (USD1.60) for three pieces.
The company said that the new range of [...]