Discount retail: a good place to be in a market full of misses

Both chains controlled costs and used low prices to attract shoppers in the slowing economy. By improving the quality of basic merchandise, lowering margins, and counting on consumers' need to purchase general commodities, discount retailers are proving it is possible to meet performance targets despite the recession's effects.

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Burger King/eBay: forging electronic loyalty

The pact should complement Burger King's earlier deal with AOL Time Warner. Both are aimed at resuscitating flagging sales among today's tech savvy American youth. Yet while these efforts will raise the fast food chain's online profile, it is far more important that Burger King meets consumer demands for increased variety and healthier foods.

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Conoco/Phillips: it's all about scale

The Conoco/Phillips merger continues the wave of consolidation in the oil sector. While both companies had based their growth plans on being small and nimble, scale is becoming increasingly vital for success in the industry - particularly in gaining access to new gas reserves now that they are steadily being depleted in North America.

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US economy: some breaks in the clouds

This is positive news for the US economy. While the WTC attacks had a major impact on the US, aggressive rate cuts and buying strategies have been effective to an extent. Although the country is officially in recession, these figures deliver a source of encouragement for US retailers heading into the all-important holiday season.

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Marks & Spencer: another weight off its mind

Divesting Brook Brothers will help M&S focus on its UK business, which it sorely needs to do as recent performance begins to show early flickers of hope. Yet recently, its executive chairman has hinted at looking for opportunities overseas. This may raise a question over the company's degree of 'focus'.

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eCommerce: Amazon looking forward to a good Christmas

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Kmart: looking for the gas pedal

The alarming Q3 results come in stark contrast to recent positive news from rivals Wal-Mart and Target. To ensure its long-term survival, Kmart must realize that even the best-laid plans must be backed up by co-ordinated and concrete execution processes. And given its recent financial woes, this is a lesson that Kmart must learn quickly.

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US economy: ignore the self-fulfilling prophets of doom

Despite the downbeat economic news, inflation is no longer a concern, and fiscal and monetary policies are in place to resuscitate the economy. However, consumers, manufacturers and retailers must not allow panic to derail the speed and strength of the eventual upturn. Instead, they should stick to their existing long-term plans as close as possible.

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US retail: no festive cheer

Retailers will be hoping for more encouraging sales in the last remaining Christmas shopping days, since this is a crucial time for them to make up for shortfalls earlier in the year. Many have recently turned to heavy discounting in efforts to shift volume. Overall, it looks set to be the toughest Christmas for a decade.

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Kroger: getting lost in the supercenter aisles

Kroger's Q3 income was hurt by a series of charges, and the US' largest grocery chain also expects soft sales this quarter. Kroger's troubles can be attributed to Wal-Mart's aggressive expansion of its supercenters across the US. Kroger is now beginning to fight back, but it might need to cut costs even more severely than it currently plans.

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