HERTFORDSHIRE, U.K. -- North American convenience store retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Laval, Quebec, placed third among 10 retailers that are punching above their weight on the global retail scene identified by International food and grocery industry information and research firm IGD.
The Ten to Watch are not necessarily global retailers like Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carrefour, but they do have a presence in some of the world's leading retail markets, the company said.
The focus of the 2006 Ten to Watch' series is on differentiation, [image-nocss] rather than price, said Jonathan Gunz, senior business analyst and author of the report. A high level of customer service and a unique corporate culture or business ethos make a big difference for many retailers and can lead to their inclusion in our list.
He added, Wegmans in the U.S., for example, has a very strong fresh food offer, but also provides excitement to shopping, with in-store cooking demonstrations and enthusiastic, highly motivated staff. Pantaloon is India's most successful multi-format retailer, and provides another example of flair and innovation with live kitchens' in its food bazaars where shoppers can have their food prepared or cooked for them.
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on the list is eBay, although it is not a traditional grocery retailer. The online community has more than a billion registered members worldwide and is having a big impact on the way we shop, said Hertfordshire, U.K.-based IGD. The other retailers on the list include: Hong Kong's AS Watson, the world's largest health and beauty retailer; Perekriostok, a main Russian retailer with its rapid expansion plans and attempt to be a retailer for everyone; and Whole Foods Market, the U.S. natural and organic specialist, which arrives in the U.K. next year.
The IGD Ten to Watch
Retailer (Country), Turnover 2005 (U.S. dollars)/Growth vs. Previous Year
AS Watson (Hong Kong), $11,416 million/19.4% Central Retail Corp. (Thailand), $2,057 million/23.5% Couche Tarde (Canada), $7,689 million/72.9% eBay (U.S.), $4,552 million/28.3% Pantaloon (India), $246 million/66.2% Perekriostok (Russia), $1,014 million/53.6% Tchibo (Germany), $4,694 million/15.2% Wegmans (U.S.), $3,800 million/5.6% Whole Foods Market (U.S.), $4,701 million/20.5% Wu Mart (China), $478 million/50.9%Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.