The price war moves lines, mass dismissals

French consumers' purchasing power stagnant or even declining, leave no alternative: the price war is declared over and intensifies, leading to casualties until the hushed offices s branches.

Treasurers and volatile, consumers hunt for bargains, not hesitating to visit several stores or surfing the net to find the best prices.

"Consumers are facing a first tightening of tax and price increases, wage freezes, not to mention the consequences of rising unemployment which lead them to save by cutting their defi ; think, "explains Alexander Mirlicourtois, an economist at the institute Xerfi. 

"In this context of zero-sum game where everything that is earned by some is lost by the other, the short-term strategies of both producers and distributors are very constraints and go through domination by prices and costs, "he adds.

"This is illustrated by the arrival of Free Mobile."

Frank Esser, head of the mobile operator SFR, which contributes 40% to operating income of its parent company Vivendi, has been sacked for not much anticipated the arrival of Free (Iliad).

This is the latest example. In large groups with the French market still represents a significant portion of revenues and profits, it is not good to be in charge of France.

At Carrefour, the replacement in May of the Executive Director for France did not allow the CEO of leading food retailer in France to save his head and Lars Olofsson will leave in June.

Earlier this year, PSA Peugeot-Citroen, whose market share of passenger cars in France fell in 2011, appointed his finance director Frederic Saint-Geours at the head of the management of brands.

POWER AND WANTING TO BUY

"Households have a strong feeling of restriction. They are bombarded with commercial offerings and have the desire to consume, but they feel very strongly that their purchasing power is not up to their 'will to purchase ", said Franck Lehuédé, Department of Consumer Research Centre for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Credoc)

……. .. "They make choices, and the first sector they highlight is the recreation and communication. There is a generation effect: even in times of crisis these areas remain safe havens, "he continues

……. .. "Health is another area that goes well the crisis. In an aging society, crisis or not, health spending increases. "

We must also consider spending constraints , some such as housing and energy soared, pushing consumers to restrict all others, especially the equipment housing, automotive, clothing and even food

. In the car, which has largely lost its role as a social marker, the price war is raging in particular small cars entered e range. This segment, which has benefited most from the scrappage scheme, is struggling since the demise of a measure which, in turn, has used drivers at prices even lower.

Household spending in textile-leather were down 5.6% yoy at end-January, according to INSEE.

In food, arbitrations are equally radical. The sector experienced in 2008 and 2009 two consecutive years of decline, the most since World War II. In 2011, these expenditures have stagnated in volume.

"If households do not necessarily consume less in volume, they consume less," notes Franck Lehuédé.

Carrefour, which France represents 43% of turnover and 39.5% of operating income, failed to divest itself of an image of higher price s that some competitors, and sees the market share of its hypermarkets erode steadily.

ABOVE THE INDEPENDENT

Food service, at the confluence of entertainment and food, is symptomatic breaks imposed by the price dynamics with purchasing power at half-mast. The concentration of the industry structured around clusters, chains and brands, will continue.

Independent restaurants with fewer than three employees, representing 60% of institutions-have seen their market share in the turnover of the sector from 30% in 1994 to less than 20% in 2007 and 2020 groups will distribute 45% of meals provided against 38% in 2007, according to research firm Eurogroup presented March 20 by the National Union of ho ; i-bays, restaurants, cafes and caterers (Synhorcat).

"When consumption is down, there is no other choice but to take customers to the competition through a strategy of capturing market share with a continuous expansion of networks distribution, "Alexander Mirlicourtois analysis. "The price war is no thank you and independents will be the main victims in 2012."

If the market is already locked by major retailers, the development is done either by transfer of a sign shop to another, like the 46 Carrefour stores recently spent ; s the flag-U system, whether by merger to the image network of garden centers and Pollen Villaverde who have come together to give birth to a group uniting 185 stores, now the fifth player in the sector.

The same logic was the end of 2010 the approximation of jewelers Histoire d'Or and Marc Orian, who formed a network of over 500 stores under six banners, high of 370 million euros of turnover. 

When the market is not locked or not, the chains held in place their denser mesh and open new stores. This allows them to have an additional strike force with their suppliers to drive prices down and capture the business of the independents.

But "low prices all year need to go deeper into offshoring, to pressurize perpetual sub-contractors, as soon as possible to substitute skilled jobs by unskilled jobs, "notes Alexander Mirlicourtois.

"If, initially, the price decline is pleasing to consumers, deflation is a deadly poison, it's a vicious cycle that becomes self-sustaining and that destroys the value of all goods than that of labor. "

In Italy, wine is combined with fashion to export

The largest wine producers in Italy are joining forces with the world of fashion to boost their sales in the U.S. and emerging markets, hoping to offset lower consumption in the pe Peninsula.

Italian wine sales were flat last year to 12 billion euros, and as Italy plunges into recession, dragged down by its austerity measures ;, the future of its wine industry depends increasingly on exports.

Italy is already the world's largest exporter of wine by volume and second only to France in turnover. Italian wine exports jumped 13% last year to 4.4 billion euros and represent, with 2.4 billion liters, about 55% of its total sales.

But as competition intensifies in France and relatively new entrants from Australia, South America and South Africa, the main Italian producers have chosen to partner with claws fashion and design to better stand out.

Members of the Federation of luxury Altagamma thus agreed to accompany their parades and events of their Italian wines, saying pleased to promote diversity and quality of products manufactured ; s in Italy.

"It is clear that fashion attracts more attention, it is better known around the world. Everywhere we go, we take our Italian wines and make known, "said Santo Versace, brother of designer Donatella Versace and president of Altagamma, on the occasion of inauguration of Vinitaly, a renowned wine fair which is held in northern Italy from March 25 to 28

. MARKETS WHO

THIRST While export volumes exceed those of its domestic consumption since 2010, the Italian wine is turning increasingly to its carriers in foreign markets like USA, Russia and China, following in the footsteps of other manufacturing sectors of the peninsula, from fashion to metal production ..

……. "The future belongs to export," explains Lucio Mastroberardino, president of the federation Unione Italiana Vini Italian wine (IVU). 

"The United States, North America will remain a long time the largest market for Italian wine. Exports to China, India showing strong percentage growth but volumes are still trè s low. People out there just find the wine, "he notes.

Italy is the first player in the American wine market, with a market share of around 30%. About a third of Italian wine exports are destined for the United States, world's largest market. According to the producer, Italian wine sales have increased 16% in 2011, a sign that the market has recovered significantly since the 2008-2009 crisis.

"Throughout the crisis, the volume (sales) wine continued to increase, but the price range has shifted. Some of the more upscale wines have suffered, some wines have benefited more accessible, "notes Thomas Matthews, editor of Wine Spectator magazine …….

.. This year, the increase in exports of Italian wine in the world should be similar to or better than last year, pre ; said Lamberto Vallarino Gancia, president of the federation wine Federvini

. "What distinguishes us is that What the big wines like Barolo and Brunello, which are the main drivers of our exports, we have a wide variety of quality wines in all price segments, "said he.

Havas buys 12% stake for 253 million euros

Havas Friday presented a proposed acquisition of 12% of its capital to reduce the discount on the stock exchange and optimize its financial structure.

Number six global advertising announcement in a statement launching a tender offer for 51,729,602 shares (Opra), for a price of 4.90 euros per share, giving a total of 253 million.

Vincent Bolloré, which controls 32.84% of Havas which he is president, is committed to the AMF not to exceed the threshold of 37.32% of share capital and voting rights and not to influence the decisions of the Extraordinary General Meeting of May 10 

Havas said its decision by the lag between changes in its net income, which more than doubled between late 2006 and late 2011 to 120 million euros, and that of his action grew only 2.3% over the same period, resulting in discounted valuation multiples compared to peers.

The action Havas has closed up 0.92% to 4.053 euros Friday, giving a market capitalization of 1.75 billion. She won 27% since the beginning of the year, after falling 18% in 2011.

Havas announced in early March organic growth greater than its European rivals WPP and Publicis in 2011, without providing a forecast for 2012.

Casino will be the sole controlling shareholder of Brazilian GPA

Casino announced that it would exercise its right to become the sole controlling shareholder of Grupo Pao de Acucar, a decision that could undermine the influence of the president's first distributor in Brazil .

The influence of the French retailer Grupo Pao de Acucar has intensified since President and member of the founding family Diniz attempted to mount last year a merger with Carrefour. 

"To prepare for the reorganization of the control of Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao (GPA) on 22 June, as provided in the shareholders of the company ; Wilkes (which controls GPA), Casino Guichard-(Casino) informed his partner that day Mr. Diniz it intended to exercise its contractual right to appoint the Chairman of the Board of Directors Wilkes, "said Casino in a statement released Wednesday evening.

"The decision to exercise this power Casino contract allowed him to obtain exclusive control of GPA, pursuant to the shareholders of the company Wilkes," says Casino, who said so confirm its "long-term commitment in Brazil." 

In the opinion of analysts, litigation with Casino qu'Abilio Diniz involves risks losing its control over a company founded by his father in 1948.

A spokesman representing the interests of the family Diniz said the right to control Casino was established in a shareholders' agreement and added that 'Diniz remain president Henrique.

But some analysts say it will not only be a minority shareholder of a corporation over which he exercised control once.

Its proposed alliance with Carrefour had received a time downstream of the Brazilian government, which subsequently withdrew its support. 

But Casino, who paid a premium to exercise its right to control when he came to the rescue of the distributor in 1999, had strongly opposed this and appealed to the courts.

The local press also wrote qu'Abilio Diniz wanted to propose a split of the subsidiary appliances, leaving the Casino supermarket division, which represents roughly half of turnover of the group.

Nissan and Dongfeng trucks come out of their joint venture

Nissan Motor and Dongfeng Motor Group will split the truck business of their Chinese joint venture for the transfer to the parent of Dongfeng public, paving the way for local production of Renault and Infiniti cars and a possible rapprochement between Dongfeng and Volvo trucks, reported Monday the website sina.com.

The activity of Nissan cars in the joint venture will remain intact, as its agreement with Dongfeng Automobile in small utilities, sina.com said, citing unidentified sources.

The hypothesis of an alliance between Dongfeng and Volvo Trucks is regularly mentioned for years but neither industry has recently reported on the subject. 

To get the green light from Nissan, Dongfeng could allow the Japanese manufacturer to produce its premium brand Infiniti and Renault models as part of their joint venture.

No spokesman for Dongfeng could not be immediately available for comment. A representative of Nissan said the group did not have information about an agreement.

As part of such an agreement, Dongfeng Motor will resume activity heavyweights as of July 1, said article of sina.com. He gives no details on the timing of an agreement Dongfeng-Volvo, nor on that of the production Infiniti and Renault.

Volvo has broken several years ago an alliance with China National Heavy-Duty Truck due to weak sales thereof.

Rome does not want to organize the Olympic Games 2020

Due to the economic crisis, the Italian capital has decided not to host the Olympics in 2020. Mario Monti, President of the Council, estimated that a candidate is not "responsible".

Rome will not host the Olympics in 2020. Council President Mario Monti said on Tuesday the withdrawal of the candidature of the Italian capital for the organization of the summer Olympics in 2020 stating that it would not be "responsible". Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul, Doha, Baku remain in contention. The host city will be unveiled Sept. 7, 2013 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Mario Monti announced the renunciation of Rome on the eve of the deadline for submitting applications, explaining it by the current economic crisis and the considerable investment necessary to host the Games. "We came to the unanimous conclusion that the government thinks it would not be responsible, under the present conditions in Italy, to assume these guarantees," he said at a news conference.

The U.S. rating agency Moody's announced late Monday lowered the credit rating of Italy by one notch to "A3", together with that of Portugal also one notch to "Ba3", and that of Spain by two notches to "A3".

"We do not feel able to make a financial commitment that could burden the Italian finances for years. At another point in our history we would have taken the risk, but not now," he said Italian Prime.

The City of Rome, who organized the Summer Games for the last time in 1960, needed a letter of commitment from the government to send its official bid to the IOC. "We lost a great opportunity, but we can only accept the government's decision," responded the president of the Promotion Committee for Rome in 2020, Mario Pescante. "The government's decision was well thought out, and due solely to economic reasons," he admitted, admitting, however, "a lot of bitterness". "Our plan for 2020 Rome was very serious, but the government has been steadfast on the accounts," he added.

Carrefour Friday categorically denied press reports suggesting a possible change at the head of the group.

Le Figaro wrote that the main shareholders of the supermarket group, funds Colony Capital and Groupe Arnault, have courted Plassat George, the patron of the group distribution of shoes and clothing Vivarte to replace the current CEO Lars Olofsson.

"Faced with rumors successive change of any officer of Carrefour, the Board of Directors of the Company expressly disclaims any information on this release," the group said in a statement.

No one was immediately available from Colony Capital and Groupe Arnault to comment.

Source familiar with the matter, it tells Reuters that George Plassat has been approached by the shareholders of Carrefour to take the CEO of the group but he refused the proposal this month.

"It has been proposed and he said 'no'. It was during November," said the source.

"There is still no candidate to succeed Lars Olofsson," she added.

According to Le Figaro on Friday, the board gave Lars Olofsson to the end of the year to prove itself, especially in terms of achievement of financial targets for 2011.

"(Georges Plassat) is courted for months by the main shareholders of Carrefour.

Increase in grants, including Milan slight easing of interest rates in the long run Italian … Silvio Berlusconi's announcement he will leave soon to relieve the financial markets. The Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi

The markets applauded Wednesday morning the next departure of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose ability to recover the finances of his country were strongly questioned by investors. So much so that the pressure on interest rates threatened to kill Italian Italy asphyxiation.

In the wake of the Asian stock market, the European equity markets have in turn opened up. Italian interest rates at 10 years have slightly relaxed the bond market and oil prices climbed. The euro, however, was stable.

Paris and London and took a little over 0.8% at the opening.

"The risk appetite increases, investors favor cyclical stocks at the expense of defensive background of relief related to the resignation of Berlusconi," he told Dow Jones Newswires Justin Rooney, head of sales at CBA in Sydney.

The Italian 10-year rate is slightly relaxed: they amounted to 6.65% Wednesday morning in Asia, after reaching a day high of 6.77% in Europe. Before the announcement of the forthcoming resignation of the head of the Italian government, the 10-year rate had risen to 6.77%, a level unprecedented since the inception of the euro, slightly more than the previous record which dated from the morning same (6.73%).

Sanctioned markets and Italy for its policy and had considered lax in their sights the prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, seen as unable to apply the meusres rigor demanded by the European Union.

Already stung by the latest developments in euro area markets have also been faced with the announcement of a further slowdown in manufacturing activity in China and the United States has accentuated the negative sentiment in the markets.

COR-No decisions but work in Brussels

No decision will be announced following the summit of the euro area held late Sunday afternoon in Brussels, even if the work is progressing well, said Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel.

French President and German Chancellor, speaking at a joint press conference after a summit in the first twenty-seven on Sunday morning and noon, said the work "techniques" were still to be completed by the next level of the EU and the euro area on Wednesday.

"Work is progressing well on the banks of the fund and the potential use of this fund are tightening the assumptions and broad agreement is taking shape.On the issue of Greece things are progressing.

The transformation of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) in the bank, which insisted on France, no longer part of the options considered by the finance ministers of the euro, has also said Angela Merkel.

Without commenting on this issue, Nicolas Sarkozy said that France was just as attached as Germany the independence of the institution in Frankfurt, which is itself hostile to the possibility of granting a banking license and Unlimited funding EFSF.

"No solution is viable if it does not have the support of all European institutions," said Nicolas Sarkozy.

The two leaders also said they urged the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, with whom they met ahead of the summit, for it to decisively implement a program of growth and debt reduction Alps.

"I hope that decisions will be taken (…) Italy is a major economic force but Italy has a very high public debt should be reduced in a credible way in the coming years," said Angela Merkel.

Nicolas Sarkozy has outbid by saying that Paris and Berlin were "confident sense of responsibility of all the Italian authorities' political, financial and economic," said Nicolas Sarkozy.