外资零售商的“多事跟春”：家乐福跟百思买的中国困境资料.docVIP

外资零售商的“多事之春”：家乐福和百思买的中国困境Carrefour in China: When the Price Isnt Right [ 2011-03-18 16:05 ] HYPERLINK /language_tips/2011-03/18/content2.htm \o \t _blank 点击查看中文全文 Like other big holiday seasons in China, Januarys Lunar New Year was a slow time for news. But perhaps not as slow as French firm Carrefour might have liked. As New Year revelers headed to their local stores to stock up for the festive season, many couldnt help but notice that the prices they were paying at Carrefours check-out counters were higher than expected. All of a sudden, the worlds second-largest retail chain (after Wal-Mart) -- and one of Chinas top five -- found itself in the headlines in the countrys newspapers for all the wrong reasons, and not just because of a national pricing scandal embroiling some of its stores. Public wrangling with one of its biggest suppliers also provided plenty of news fodder. And while news coverage of Carrefour is now dying down, it isnt in the clear just yet as it settles record fines with government regulators and wades through sticky contract negotiations with key suppliers. For better or for worse, Carrefour is in good company. Other foreign retailers in China have also stumbled recently. In January, Home Depot, a US-based retailer and the biggest home improvement chain in the world, confirmed that it shuttered its remaining store in Beijing -- its 5th closure in two years -- leaving just seven of the stores it acquired from local chain Home Way in 2006. And earlier this month, US toy-maker Mattel closed its loss-making flagship Shanghai Barbie venture, only two years after cutting the ribbon on the six-story, multimillion-dollar store. Meanwhile, US electronics giant Best Buy is beginning a new China strategy after its surprise announcement a few weeks ago that all nine of its stores in China will cease operating, leaving hundreds of staff and many customers high and dry. Like these multinationals, Carrefour has a lot riding on its China business.