Global powers of retailing

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group has added a couple of valuable files to the group in the past few days. This 48-page 2008 Global Powers of Retailing pdf (Standing out from the crowd) apprises just what it says and makes some interesting observations about who is gaining ground and why. Here is a sampling of big picture commentary from the report:

The medium-term direction of the global economy will be set largely by two countries: China and the US. Together, these behemoths account for a sizable share of global economic growth, and especially import growth – thereby stimulating exports and economic growth in the rest of the world. Hence, how they perform matters. Moreover, the financial imbalance between these two countries has already had serious consequences for growth, exchange rates, and interest rate. More may follow. Currently, the global economy is undergoing a transition from one era of economic expansion to another. The transition itself was brought on by the bursting of a bubble in the US housing market. Yet bubbles don’t emerge at random. They are usually caused by an economic shock — which in this case was the huge flow of liquidity from China to the US. And, of course, bubbles eventually burst.

TK: The discussion group continues to be a great place to feel the pulse of the industry, with recent threads about the farm bill, genetically modified crops, Russia, the EPA and third party audits. You are missing out on some keen observers of food politics, production and marketing by by not being a member. Follow the file link above to join.....