Australia could impose billion dollar fines on big supermarket chains that fail to comply with an industry code of conduct, the federal government has said as it seeks to address concerns that suppliers have been unfairly squeezed on pricing. Grocers with more than A$5 billion ($3.3 billion) in annual revenue — currently Woolworths, Coles, Germany’s
McDonald’s will roll out its $5 meal deal from June 25 for a limited time at some restaurants across the USA, the burger giant has said, as fast-food chains ramp up cost-friendly options to boost spending among lower-income groups. Restaurant Brands International-owned rival, Burger King, is also considering a $5 ‘Your Way Deal’ as companies
Retail giant Walmart says it is against putting panic buttons in stores — a move that the New York legislature wants to require under a new law aimed at keeping retail workers safe. The New York State Senate recently passed legislation that would make most big retail chains, including Walmart, to put panic buttons in
Zara will expand its live shopping broadcasts to the UK, Europe and the United States this year, testing a format that is already wildly popular in China but one with which Western shoppers are less familiar. The fast-fashion brand is investing in new ways to engage shoppers as analysts expect sales to grow less strongly
Hong Kong and Singapore face extensive retail leakage, with residents in Asia’s top financial hubs preferring to shop and dine across their borders – Shenzhen for Hongkongers and Johor Bahru for Singaporeans – where they get more bang for their buck. Analysts expect the trend to persist, calling it a “new normal” in the case
Amazon Payment Services, a regional leader in digital payments operating across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has shared its latest research on recent and upcoming changes shaping the payments industry. The report, titled ‘Leading Trends in Digital Payments: Driving the Real-Time Economy in MENA’, identifies key trends and shows why they matter to
Aside from ramen and sausages, South Korea’s convenience stores have a new popular item on the menu — gold bars. The country’s largest convenience store chain, CU, has been collaborating with the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO) to offer customers mini gold bars — and they’re selling like hot cakes. A variety of
India’s food safety regulator has said that it had ordered testing and inspections at all companies making spice mixes, widening an investigation into the sector as global regulators look into suspected contamination in two popular local brands. Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends made by India’s MDH and an Everest spice
KFC Malaysia has temporarily closed outlets in the country, citing challenging economic conditions, after local media reported that the closings were because of boycotts over the fast food chain’s perceived links to Israel. Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some
India’s spice exports regulator has asked leading spice brands MDH and Everest to provide details of quality checks after sales of some of their products were halted in Hong Kong for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. The companies’ products are hugely popular in India and are exported to countries in Europe, Asia
