Trinity: hoping to boost investor confidence with NDA

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Tesco: heading for a Bangkok showdown

Tesco is under pressure from Thailand's commerce ministry to suspend all expansion activity until next year, jeopardizing plans to open three to four hypermarkets this year. This draconian move to protect the country's small independent shopkeepers is a clear move to secure votes before the country's general election in November.

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Tesco looks to the East for growth but must not neglect the UK

Competitive pressures are mounting in Tesco's domestic market and with growth in the UK set to become far more subdued, aggressively pursuing growth in its Asian operations is a sensible strategy for the grocer. However, Tesco must ensure that the emerging avenues of growth in the UK are exploited to the same extent as those provided by the exciting opportunities in its key growth region.

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Number of millionaires in emerging Asian economies set to overtake Western Europe in 2013

According to Datamonitor statistics, the emerging Asia Pacific economies are set to have a greater number of millionaires than Western Europe by 2013. This largely results from the emergence of the Indian and Chinese economies, which have experienced significant export-driven growth. Internal demand is also becoming increasingly important, and is helping to increase the number of millionaires.

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Nissan: taking control in Thailand

Nissan Motor [NSANY] has announced it will raise its share in its Thai joint ventures to increase its market share in Southeast Asia. Nissan sales in Thailand fell 1.8 % in 2003 in a total market that grew by 30%. By taking a controlling stake in its joint ventures, Nissan will be hoping to turn this trend around and seize the opportunities this growing market has to offer.

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New personal care products: customers demand a more individual approach to skincare

Customization appears to be a rising trend in personal care, as a look at the latest product launches on Productscan reveals. Revlon's new foundation offers numerous color combinations, while Avon's anti-aging treatment allows the user to adjust the product's abrasiveness. With consumers demanding more personalized products, customizable products could reach other sectors in the near future.

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New drinks review: water additives get convenient

In this month's review of beverage launches, the innovation potential of bottled water is being explored by drinks manufacturers. A striking "divided" bottle with separate compartments for water and flavoring has been launched in Russia, while concentrate powders have been reimagined as an on-the-go item, and spring water designed specifically for making baby food has hit shelves in Europe.

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Natural disasters: can the automotive industry weatherproof production?

While natural disasters are considered to be mostly unpredictable, a number of car manufacturers are finding that their location of choice has put them in the direct path of some of the most severe disasters in recorded memory. Recent movements within the automotive industry suggest that while loyalty to a native location is important, manufacturers are unwilling to tempt fate twice.

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Kasikornbank: seeking HNWs through premium services

Thailand's fourth largest lender, Kasikornbank, has officially launched Signature Private Banking services in an attempt to attract wealthy individuals living in the country. The private banking venture should be a success, providing the bank leverages from its existing customer base and large branch network throughout Thailand.

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HSBC's Thai sale will not interfere with the rebalancing of its assets under management

HSBC announced on January 25 that it is selling its retail banking and wealth management arm in Thailand to the Bank of Ayudhya, in a deal valued at THB3.56bn ($112m). The disposal by HSBC is evidence of a further refocus on higher growth markets within the targeted region of Asia Pacific.

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