Industry Summits
Retail M&A seen restarting with a bang
LONDON (Reuters) - Retail mergers and acquisitions look to have dried up for at least another nine months, according to speakers at the Reuters Retail and Consumer Summit, but once the credit crunch eases and consumer trends are more predictable, buyers are poised for dealmaking. Full Article
New focus on customer service as economy slows
NEW YORK (Reuters) - As high gasoline prices and tighter credit lead people to curb their shopping, consumer products companies are renewing their focus on customer service but broadening the concept to try to engage buyers in new ways to win sales. Full Article
Retailers say impending holiday gloom overdone
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending may have slowed, but the gloom already being cast over the impending holidays is overdone, retailers and clothing makers ranging from Best Buy Co Inc to Toys "R" Us to Perry Ellis International Inc said this week. Full Article | Video
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Clothing makers more flexible than shoe makers
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumers, who are now paying more for everything from airline tickets to bagels, may soon notice that prices for their shoes are rising more quickly than prices for their clothes. Full Article
Online play seen more key for 2008 holiday season
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Online sales are expected to play a more critical role for retailers during the holiday season as U.S. shoppers juggle gift-buying with record-high prices for heating fuel and gasoline. Full Article | Video
Clothing makers see fashion in color, detail
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Looking for the next big thing in fashion? You may have to wait a little while longer. Full Article
Retail companies mull tactics ahead of holidays
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ahead of what could shape up to be a brutal holiday season for U.S. retailers, companies are mulling once frowned-upon tactics like selling wares in discount stores to banking on licensed brands, hoping to squeeze every dollar out of cash-strapped shoppers. Full Article
Trying to hide price hikes with trends, fabrics
NEW YORK (Reuters) - How do manufacturers or retailers mask a price increase these days? They bury it amid talk of high-tech fabrics, better quality clothes or the latest hot brand or product. Full Article | Video
Whirlpool sees housing weak into '09
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Whirlpool Corp , the world's biggest appliance maker, said on Wednesday that it expects the U.S. housing downturn to extend into 2009 as many newly built homes sit waiting for buyers. Full Article | Video
Distressed retailers' assets can be hard sell
NEW YORK (Reuters) - As tightening credit and slow consumer spending fuel a rise in the number of U.S. retailers liquidating their assets, distressed chains are now finding that even their real estate can be a hard sell. Full Article
More Consumer and Retail News
What are Summits?
Reuters Summits are your direct link to top business leaders, investors and regulators. Our journalists interview heavyweights in a particular industry, spin out hard-hitting breaking news and sharp analysis that can often move markets. If you want to understand what the insiders are thinking, look for Reuters Summits. Launch Full Video
Speakers
Upcoming Summits
| Autos | Sep 15 - 17 | Detroit |
| Restructuring | Sep 22 - 26 | News York, London |
| Autos II | Sep 30 - Oct 1 | Paris |
| Global Environment | Oct 6 - 8 | Washington, DC |
| Global Wealth Management | Oct 13 - 15 | Boston, Geneva, Singapore |
| Central European Investment | Oct 20 - 22 | Vienna, Warsaw |
| Middle East Investment | Nov 3 - 5 | Dubai |
| China Summit | Nov 5 - 7 | Beijing |
| Global Finance | Nov 10 - 13 | New York, London, Hong Kong |
| Health | Nov 17 - 20 | New York |
| India Investment | Nov 24 - 26 | Mumbai and Bangalore |
| Media | Dec 1 - 4 | New York |
| Investment Outlook | Dec 8 - 11 | New York |
| Aerospace and Defense | Dec 15 - 17 | Washington, DC |
