Electronics
French electronics chain Boulanger has acquired its Belgian rival Krëfel, including Hifi International from Luxembourg. The new group aims for market leadership in all three of the countries.
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Microsoft is going to open its first European store in London's commercial centre, "coincidentally" just a stone's throw away from the local Apple Store.
Domestic appliance manufacturer Miele has announced it will open two experience stores in the Benelux: Amsterdam is planned for next week, Brussels for later in the year. The stores are meant to offer a multi-sensory experience, with workshops and events.
Amazon is working on a device that listens to users and understands how they feel. It is however not sure that it will make it beyond the prototype stage.
German Ceconomy, the holding that includes MediaMarkt and Saturn, has had a tough quarter due to negative currency and calendar effects. Still, the company reaffirms its prospects for the rest of the year.
In the first quarter of 2019, Amazon has more than doubled its net profit - significantly outperforming analysts' expectations. The online giant sees its revenue from subscriptions and web services grow by 40 %, meaning sales in its online stores are now worth only half of the company's total turnover.
Virtual and augmented reality make shoppers more inclined to buy things, a new Belgian PhD study shows. “VR and AR fill in the gaps of traditional marketing”, the University of Brussels study finds.
Amazon has thousands of employees who listen to users' recorded commands to improve the algorithms of voice assistant Alexa. Of course, they do get to hear a lot of sensitive material that way.
Albert Heijn showed his latest innovation at a conference: a delivery robot. The aim is to extensively test the robot on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven.
Fnac, Darty and Vanden Borre may soon be joined by another chain: the group is said to be considering the acquisition of French retailer Nature & Découvertes. The hobby chain currently has 100 outlets, and might prove to be an interesting addition.
Telecom operator Orange has opened a Brussels flagship store according to a new store concept, that should boost the newcomer's brand awareness in Belgium. The store in Brussels' most fancy shopping street also wants to strengthen the relationship with the customers.
Two years after opening a French language web shop, Dutch Coolblue is now set to open its first physical store in Belgium's French speaking area. Bilingual Brussels has already been confirmed, but the company is also looking for suitable locations in Liège and Charleroi.
French electronics and books chain Fnac has announced a restructuring in Belgium that will cost 57 people their job (12 % of the work force), as turnover continues to slide.
Two big names in Asian e-commerce are working together: Chinese JD.com and Japanese Rakuten have signed an agreement to start using technology developed by JD.com, such as drones and robots, in Rakuten's unmanned delivery solutions in Japan.
In Vienna, Chinese cellphone brand Huawei is soon opening its first store outside of China. While it claims it is already the second largest smartphone supplier in Austria, it is looking to strengthen its position in the rest of Europe.
Despite difficult circumstances, Fnac Darty has finished 2018 with a small turnover growth and a 20 % profit increase. Sales improved in the Benelux as well, even after seven BCC stores were closed in the Netherlands.
