Uruguay

Quick: Which are the best places in the developing world to set up shop? Did you guess Chile? Uruguay? Kazakhstan? All three figure among the top 10 locations for retailers, according to the 2014 Global Retail Development Index put out by A.T. Kearney. The ranking takes into account a country's wealth, logistical and regulatory environment, and overall riskiness to "persons, property and principles." The idea is to select those countries that have just enough of all of the above. Too little and it's tough to do business. Too much and it's tough to stand out. 

As the second part of a business collaboration, Wolverine Worldwide is purchasing a 49 percent stake in Forus' existing Colombian business, Forus SA Colombia, which currently has the rights to Wolverine's Hush Puppies and Cushe brands in Colombia. Forus SA Colombia currently owns and operates 23 retail locations and sells directly to Colombia's most important department stores and specialty footwear retailers.

Gap plans to expand in Latin America after its first namesake store in the region topped sales expectations. The Gap store in Santiago, Chile, which opened in October, was among the leading franchise performers out of 200 stores worldwide, said Stefan Laban, managing director of strategic alliances for Gap.

Broader economic warning signs — including a persistently high unemployment rate — have yet to slow down the recovery in retail sales. As a result, demand for retail space continues to grow and new concepts, of which there were few to be found at the depths of the recession, have re-emerged.

Brazil jumped to first place in A.T. Kearney’s annual ranking of the top developing economies for global retail expansion, followed by Uruguay and Chile respectively.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (BRAIN)—Timbuk2 has hired Nicole Chabot as international sales director. Chabot brings more than 18 years of business management and international sales experience in both the consumer lifestyle and outdoor industry arenas. “We see tremendous opportunity for international growth for Timbuk2, particularly in Europe and Asia,” said CEO Mike Wallenfels. “With Chabot’s successful track record for growing brands at both a national and international level, she will be a huge asset as we continue to build Timbuk2 as a globally-recognized brand.” Most recently, Chabot served as the director of sales at Carve Designs, where she played an

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