LG/Hyundai: big steps in fulfillment in Korea

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BP: targeting 1000 service stations in China

BP is catching up with rival, Shell, in penetrating the Chinese fuel retailing market. With fast growth forecast, the oil majors are all trying to get in on the action. BP hopes to have 1000 sites, putting it ahead of the other international players. Currently BP owns 30 stations and manages a further 100; gaining more than 500 over the next three years seems a real challenge.

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Shell/Coles Myer: alliance may prompt fuel price war

Coles Myer is going head to head with Woolworths in the fuel retailing business to drive growth among its supermarkets and other outlets. While the alliance may help grow sales, Coles Myer will need to be wary of the wafer-thin margins in fuel retailing while Woolworths will surely fight hard to maintain its share.

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Kingfisher: weak UK performance takes shine off strong international results

Kingfisher, Europe's leading home improvement retailer, pinned the blame for a disappointing set of UK figures on the recent unseasonal weather. While results from other markets are generally encouraging, Kingfisher desperately needs to convince skeptical investors that its recovery strategy at B&Q can deliver results.

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Kingfisher: looking for Indian partner

DIY retail group Kingfisher is reported to have held informal talks with Reliance about opening stores in India as a joint venture. However, it is thought that Kingfisher has rejected the opportunity, because it was unhappy with the terms of the deal offered by Reliance. If the retailers manage to iron out an agreeable deal, this could be an excellent move for Kingfisher.

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HRG: spreading the risk

The benefits of a multi-channel, multi-fascia retail business were shown when the UK's HRG reported contrasting fortunes for its two retail brands, Homebase and Argos, over the last quarter. While there is a certain amount of crossover between the two businesses, each one's different focus helps insulate the group from poorly performing markets.

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Kingfisher: B&Q upsets a good performance

On the surface, Kingfisher's results look promising, with a 6.4% rise in total sales, helped by a 1.9% like-for-like improvement, but beneath this, the Group has a number of underperforming divisions it needs to address. Crucially, this includes B&Q in the UK, and with an uncertain economic outlook in the UK, B&Q has its work cut out.

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Kingfisher faces more pain before gains

Kingfisher, the European DIY market leader, has reported weak Q1 results. However, this seems to be an industry trend, as Kingfisher's new figures, which follow results from its US rivals, Home Depot and Lowe's, paint a bleak picture of home improvement retailing. With the possibility that retailing conditions may worsen, Kingfisher will have to work hard in order to return to financial health.

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Kingfisher: results better than expected; outlook bleak

DIY retail group Kingfisher has posted better than expected results for 2008/09, with total retail sales up 11.1% to GBP5,130m, masking a like-for-like decline of 2.6%. However, the gloomy prospects for the DIY market could mean hard times ahead for Kingfisher. In the current climate, managing costs and cashflows has become all important, as the global outlook continues to darken by the day.

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Kingfisher: positive results but tough times ahead

Home improvement retailer Kingfisher has experienced a largely positive 2010 so far, with retail profit boosted by an increased focus on cost efficiency and cash generation. However, with its key markets - particularly the UK and Ireland - showing no imminent signs of significant upturn, 2010 is shaping up to be a difficult year for the group.

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