HOME Mitsumi adds Samsung IT rights in Africa
Mitsumi has added distribution rights for all of Samsung’s IT products across sub-Saharan Africa. The deal with Samsung Electronics Africa will see Mitsumi push the vendor’s kit through all its offices in 19 countries. Samsung will also benefit from Mistumi’s numerous in-country stocking points as the two companies look to build channel sales of the vendor’s IT portfolio.
Read full story
Senheng announces MOLPay collaboration
Malaysian retailer Senheng has announced a strategic collaboration with online payment solution provider MOLPay. Under the terms of the agreement, MOLPay will add a physical payment service to its online merchants’ payment methods. Consumers will be able to purchase online and pay for the transactions in cash at any of Senheng’s 130-plus outlets in Malaysia.
Read full story
Reliance Digital plans massive expansion
Indian retailer Reliance Digital plans to embark on a massive expansion plan, taking its number of outlets from just over 100 now to 500 by March 2014. To meet this aggressive target Reliance Digital will need to open a new store every single day somewhere in India. Reliance Digital will focus on retail formats designed for tier two and tier three cities in India.
Read full story
Kelway to buy Equanet from Dixons
UK-based IT solutions and service provider Kelway has agreed to purchase the non-trade and public sector business of Equanet, the IT solutions brand of Dixons Retail. Kelway reckons that the deal will extend its midmarket reach and enhance its public sector capabilities. Dixons Retail will continue to operate its PC World Business offering, serving small businesses in stores across the UK.
Read full story
Merlion appoints Raskolova as CEO
Russian distributor Merlion has appointed Sergei Nikolaevich Raskolova as its new CEO. In his new role, Raskolova will help the channel giant develop further and meet strategic business objectives. Merlion has entered a number of new distribution areas in recent years and Raskolova will also focus on developing internal structures within the company.
Read full story
Tech Data announces fourth quarter figures
Distribution giant Tech Data has announced sales of US$7.46 billion for its fourth quarter ending January 31st 2013 – a 5% year-on-year increase. Net profits for the quarter came in at US$56.6m, down 23% from US$73.3m a year earlier. Tech Data’s acquisition of VAD outfit SDG, which closed on November 1st 2012, contributed sales of US$623m in the distributor’s fiscal fourth quarter.
Read full story
Saudi Arabian retailers take social media lead
The latest data from the Middle East Retail Academy (MERA) Twitter Tracker shows Saudi Arabia’s top two retailers leading the way in terms of social media reach. Big box retailer Extra now boasts 83,189 followers on Twitter and more than 450,000 likes on Facebook. Rival retailer Jarir Bookstore has boosted its number of Twitter followers by 86% in the last eight months to 68.271. Jarir has also now achieved approximately 320,000 likes on Facebook.
Read full story
Sales boost for Middle East retail channel
Retailers, distributors and vendors were upbeat about Middle East ICT and consumer electronics (CE) sales volumes during working month January 2013, according to the latest Monthly Monitor Report (MMR), published by the Middle East Retail Academy (MERA). The overall MMR Sales Index rose for the second month in a row, hitting 6.88 (scored out of 10.00) compared to 6.30 a month earlier. The MMR Sales Index is now at its highest level since January 2012 – exactly a year ago – when it reached 6.97.
Read full story
Asbis announces full year 2012 figures
Emerging markets distribution specialist Asbis has announced record annual sales for 2012, with revenues hitting US$1.75 billion – up 18% year-on-year. After-tax profits for full year 2012 were up 60% year-on-year at US$9m. During the fourth quarter of 2012, Asbis’ sales came in at US$566.4m – more than 20% higher than a year earlier.
Read full story
Extra expands to Bahrain and Oman
United Electronics, the parent company behind Saudi Arabian big box retailer Extra, recorded sales of US$804m in 2012 – up 22.5% year-on-year. Extra also increased its store network from 24 to 29 branches in 2012. The retailer has also expanded geographically in early 2013, opening new outlets in both Bahrain and Oman. Extra’s net profits in 2012 were up 20.2% year-on-year at US$43.6m.
Read full story
