The U.S. stock markets, ended sharply higher on Friday: the Dow Jones gained 2.31% to 11,808.79 points, the S & P 500 1.88% to 1238.25 points. Thursday already, the New York Stock Exchange ended without direction. The Nasdaq was in turn awarded 1.49% to 2637.46 points. Over the whole week, the Dow and the S & P rose by 1.3% and 1.1% but the Nasdaq fell 1.1%.
Buoyed by the performance of large U.S. companies, the market will also confident about the progress of the sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone as EU leaders have pledged to agree on a solution by Wednesday. Sunday will begin a crucial summit and Paris and Berlin have announced that Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel will hold talks in Brussels the day before to prepare an "ambitious and comprehensive response" to the crisis.Concrete measures will be considered Sunday to be adopted during a second peak "no later than Wednesday."
Discussions will focus on how to increase the capacity of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), but also on the rescue of Greece. Meanwhile, in Greece, the anti-austerity continues. A new law has been de rigueur in the Greek Parliament voted Thursday. This Friday night, the euro area has announced its approval of the sixth tranche of aid to Greece scheduled in the first rescue plan adopted last year. Remains the green light from the IMF co-finance the loan.
Summit high risk in Europe
For many observers, however, profound differences remain between France and Germany. "There is no joint proposal" European at the moment, has acknowledged Thursday the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble.For his part, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso called on Europeans to "compromise" to reach decisions "resolved" and "immediate."
Another failure might further undermine investor confidence in the ability of Europeans to fight effectively against the debt crisis. They would now have a highly sensitive situation at the G20 to be held in early November.
Pressure rating agencies
Rating agencies are increasing the pressure on the euro area. After Moody's, S & P raised doubts about the AAA rating of the long-term debt of France.The agency suggests a probable degradation of notes France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and Portugal according to economic conditions.
On the macroeconomic front there was no major indicator not on the agenda of U.S. investors no credit check payday loans.
On the foreign exchange market, the euro lost ground to 1.3893 dollars against 1.3772 dollars on Thursday night. Oil prices ended in a disorganized after rising following the announcement of the disappearance of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The barrel of "light sweet crude" for December delivery gained $ 1.33 to 87.40 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On the week, won 60 cents per barrel.In London, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for December delivery lost 20 cents to 109.56 dollars on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
Earnings rise for McDonald's and Microsoft
The side of values, General Electric (-1.92% to 16.31 dollars) announced Friday that it saw its net profit rise by 18% in the third quarter to $ 2.4 billion, in line with market expectations and announced an increase to rely on double-digit earnings per share in 2012.
Verizon Communications (0.86% to 37.42 dollars) recorded a profit in the third quarter of $ 1.38 billion, against 659 million (23 cents) a year earlier. The turnover registered at 27.9 billion against $ 26.5 billion over the same period a year ago.
Honeyell (5.82% to 51.28 dollars) has announced a 45% increase in net profit in the third quarter to 862 million.
The world's leading fast food McDonald's (3.72% to 92.32 dollars), reported a net income above expectations at 1.51 billion dollars against 1.39 billion a year earlier.
Schlumberger (-0.90% to 67.38 dollars), worldwide leader of services to the oil industry, announced a profit lower than expected in the third quarter, with $ 1.3 billion (96 cents per share) against a , 7 billion ($ 1.38 per share) a year earlier.
After the close Thursday, Microsoft (0.44% to 27.16 dollars) issued for the first quarter, revenues of $ 17.4 billion, up 7% year on year. Net income reached 5.74 billion, up 6%, while earnings per share rose 10% to $ 0.68.
Capital One Financial (6.94% to 43.29 dollars) issued for the third quarter net income of $ 813 million against 803 million last year and 911 million in the second quarter.
Note also, from Monday, October 24, the company Groupon, which specializes in online distribution of discount coupons for shopping in local markets, should do its IPO on the basis of a valuation from October to December billion. However, it is far from the capitalization of 15 to 20 billion, of which Andrew Mason, founder of the company was still dreaming in June.
What is the country with the largest trade surplus? Germany, with 194 billion dollars over the last twelve months, ahead of China (173 billion). What is the state that attracts the most capital of the world? The Netherlands, where foreign direct investment to date some 3000 billion, far ahead of the United States (2.25 trillion), according to the review of the IMF. What is the country which hosts the most tourists? France has received 78.9 million last year, against 61 million for the United States.
Each of these expresses a form of performance excellence. Germany feeds her flawless manufacturing tradition since the industrial revolution. The Netherlands, taxation deliberately advantageous for multinational companies, is one of the hubs of global capitalism since its "golden age".The Hexagon cultivates an image of cultural universality and good living. Taken one by one, most Old World nations are doing much better than the European Union, or the idea of it.
The Americans accused him of set themselves up as "fortress" when "big market" Europe was created in 1992. Now she is unable to defend its weak links, as révèlela sovereign debt crisis. Public deficits are, however, generally two to three times lower than those of the United States and Japan, as Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, continues to say. But markets look weak countries, not the average of a "Union" in front.
Europe is becoming "the global village idiot" in the words of Hubert Védrine, former foreign minister.He who has not grasped the rules and fails to protect its interests. This is particularly evident in relations with China, became the first trade and investment partner of the Old Continent. The EU has a trade deficit with China of 169 billion (in 2010) of similar magnitude to balance US-China (205 billion euros). But the complaints vis-à-vis Beijing are very far from achieving the shouts of Washington. The Committee of Foreign Trade of Parliament held on October 11 a special session on Sino-European trade.As responsible for relations with the Far East in the European administration, Helena König wanted to do things in perspective: "It is clear that for European companies in China is a source of profits" at she said, with emphasis on German and French companies in China. Certainly.
Unfair competition of the "Made in China"
This can not hide everything savings account payday advance. First of all the unfair competition of the "Made in China", which led last week the U.S. Senate to vote for the first time, a bill accusing Beijing of "manipulating its currency." Or access the Chinese market, fully controlled, as we see "a rush of China in Europe." This is the title of the study that came to write scathing François Godement Jonas Parello-Plesner and for the European Council on Foreign Relations. They describe an all-out acquisition strategy.The recovery of ailing brands such as Volvo and MG in the car, the establishment of SMEs. Beijing has established a fund of 2.8 billion euros to assist innovative German SMEs to develop partnerships with their Chinese counterparts. This may take the form of real industrial cities, as in Florence, on the outskirts of Florence, where 4 800 small businesses employing 40,000 Chinese expatriates in Mainland China are a bridgehead offshore.
Faced with this wave, "Europe has no information or regulations," stigmatizes Francois Godement. The Bulgarian ambassador in Paris, Marin Raykov, explains how his country, not having been able to interest the French car manufacturers, has brought the Chinese Great Wall Motor to manufacture cars in Bulgaria.Deindustrialization and fiscal difficulties of the southern states are an ideal soft underbelly.
With its 3.2 trillion (dollars) of foreign exchange reserves, Beijing appears in turn as the white knight to the rescue of Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Hungary. Last summer, a delegation from the Italian Treasury, modern-day Marco Polo, visited with great ceremony in Beijing to his court. It was rumored that the Chinese central bank holds 25% of all European public debt. Information without foundation, insists Francois Godement. Unlike the U.S. Treasury, following precisely the holding of Treasury bonds by Beijing and publishes its figures, Europe has no statistical tool.Like Greece, which has Eurostat in September 2004 that its accounts were rigged, had not a lesson.
This lack of information is a godsend for Beijing, which keeps his secret. What easy conquest, according to the principle of "divide and rule", as old as the Roman Empire, the British had returned to their use to colonize the Middle East.
After the sale "Flash" will there be shown the concept of selling "super flash"? Papercut, a Swedish chain of distribution of cultural products, offers on its website a unique experience to its customers. SpeedSale called, this feature leaves only four seconds to users to enter a promotional offer.A list of 16 products at bargain prices is presented to them once and only once! If the client does not validate any purchase, it is impossible to return to the list and a message appears: "You had a chance and you ruined, come back the next century." The user is then redirected to the page Home Papercut site.
"Sales 'flash', 'private sales' and other 'deals are limited in time' have always been part of the promotional techniques invented by retailers to increase the desirability of their offerings," noted experts LaSer, equal subsidiary group Galeries Lafayette and BNP Paribas Personal Finance specializes in marketing and customer relations."With the online business, these opportunities have continued to increase until the proposal Papercut extreme, proof that people are always looking for new shopping experiences and, for them, use n ' is never very far in the game "
This view is shared Olivier Mathiot, co-founder and marketing director PriceMinister. "The sales script 'flash' or other private sales makes shopping even more fun." He was convinced that the Internet boosts "impulse buying". "This media immediacy causes a sense of urgency that forces the user to decide very quickly. It recreates an environment conducive to the frenzy and excitement, "said Olivier Mathiot. PriceMinister also take account of this trend.
Bought by the Japanese Rakuten in June 2010, the site led by Pierre Kosciusko-Morizet draws its sales processes favored by the Japanese. It has well before mid-2012 to implement his concept of "shopping marathon", an event that lasts 30 hours and is conducted twice a year in June and December. "Ten merchants in the same sector, such as fashion or food, offering users a selection of products at bargain prices, and product category changes every hour," explains Olivier Mathiot. This visit a huge success. "The turnover of Rakuten in Japan grew by 150% during these periods," says co-founder of PriceMinister overnight pay day loans.
"Everyone wins"
"Everybody is up with this kind of promotional offers," says one at eBay, the specialist in online auctions."The customer is doing well and the merchant increases its visibility while achieving dramatic sales volumes in a timely manner." In order not to miss the boat, eBay launched in early October its "Daily Deals", inspired by the "daily deals, "such sales 'flash' already well proven in Britain and Germany. For one day, merchants offer discounts on products theme, depending on the season and current events. Like Papercut and his concept of 'speed dirty' in Sweden, eBay distills the game in the act of purchasing: "Auctions are the adrenaline and that's what consumers are looking for. The evidence, from 20 to 25% of people who come to our site looking for auction, "says eBay.
Of adrenaline to the frustration, there is a site that has taken Swedish Papercut cheerfully. "The frustration is part of the game and users know it.If the sale is concluded, the satisfaction is increased tenfold, "Marc Lolivier analysis, managing director of Fevad. However, the practice of selling 'flash' requires good organization. Beware of stock-outs that could raise the ire of consumers, while retailers would pay back customers who have already paid for their order. Here, no one would gain.
E-commerce: the bar crossed the 100,000 sites by 2012
Internet sales continue to take their game in a morose for household consumption in France. The turnover of e-commerce sites has reached 17.5 billion euros, up 20% from January to June, according to the Federation of e-commerce and distance selling (Fevad). Nearly 20,000 new commercial sites have been created, an increase of 28%, bringing to nearly 90,000 the number of active sites in France."The bar of 100,000 sites could be reached by 2012," said Fevad. In the first half, the areas of fashion clothing and Tourism signed the largest increases in turnover (+16%), far ahead of the high-tech products (8%) and sales professionals (+ 5%).
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The future common agricultural policy (CAP), presented Wednesday by the Romanian European Commissioner Ciolos on 2014-2020 proposes "a new compact between farmers and European society." With three challenges: food security, economic competitiveness and ecology together in preserving natural resources, and develop rural areas. Brussels each year spends about 45% of the total budget of the EU, mainly in the form of direct aid to farmers.
In the new project – budget of 435.5 billion euros – these are basic aid to boost growth and employment. "The average income of a farmer is still below 40% in other sectors," says one in Brussels. But they must be better targeted and more accurate.The Europe that "for years", has prompted farmers on the road "to productivity without constraint," should move towards "sustainable production practices," noted Ciolos.
Specifically, the aid will cover more than "active farmers", referring to the subsidies received by golf clubs or airports. They will also be progressively reduced from 150,000 euros per year per farm, while taking into account the number of jobs created, and will be capped at 300,000 euros. Dacian Ciolo wants to establish a single payment per hectare, to promote extensive agriculture and non-intensive, as is the case in France or Italy, where the aid is based on production levels.In fact, there are still large disparities between, for example, Greek or Italian farmers who receive some 400 euros per hectare, as against less than 100 for Latvian peasants no fax pay day loan.
Emergency reserve
The objective is to achieve by 2020 a rebalancing of budgets between states. The countries of Eastern Europe will see their share rise but France will continue to be the main beneficiary, receiving 7.6 billion euros a year, followed by Germany (5.1) and Spain.
To cope with crises and deregulation of markets, safety nets – private storage, mutual funds … – Brussels will be maintained and can tap into an emergency reserve of 500 million euros a year.
On the environmental side, 30% of farm payments will be conditional on good practices, namely set-aside 7% of the total area, minimum diversification three cultures.The Commission also proposes to double the research budget to promote innovation and support for young farmers under the age of 40 years, during the first five years of installation. It remains to convince the MEPs and the 27 Member States. The negotiations will be already difficult to reach an agreement by early 2013 at the latest. France has already expressed support for "the principle of greening" but believes that at the proposals from Brussels do not correspond to "the economic substance of operations." Same story with the FNSEA.
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After Societe Generale and BNP Paribas, is the turn of Credit Agricole announced asset sales. The bank is expected to formalize the announcement today confirming the information in the Financial Times published on Wednesday that does not specify the amount that could take these asset sales.
Particularly exposed to the crisis in Greece with its local subsidiary Emporiki, Credit Agricole, was downgraded by one notch Mood'ys ten days ago, as its rival Societe Generale. By reducing the size of its balance sheet, the bank may, mechanically strengthen its financial soundness. BNP has already announced plans to reduce by 10% the size of its balance sheet by the end of 2012, while Societe Generale provides 4 billion of asset disposals.
This is also seeking to sell its stake in Newedge, the joint venture of Societe Generale and Credit Agricole specializing in derivatives personal loan for poor credit.According to a source quoted by Reuters, the bank will also consider transfer SGSS, its management subsidiary titles, but no decision had yet been taken.
Reorganization in North Africa and the Middle East
Tuesday, the head of Crédit Agricole in the UAE had told Reuters that the bank had closed its merger and acquisition in North Africa and the Middle East. "We want to focus on areas where we can create value for our customers," he said.
At the Paris Bourse, the Crédit Agricole yield 1.04% to 5.134 euros after climbing 13.10% yesterday, amid rumors of measures to support the banking sector in the euro area.
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While many companies publish their results on Wednesday, so good for Vivendi. The group of telecommunications and media has indeed released the results broadly in line with market expectations for the first half and confirmed its outlook for 2011.
On the occasion of the publication, the Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy said he "confirms the outlook annual adjusted net income in excess of 3 billion euros" against 2.69 billion euros in 2010, which will increase the dividend per share. The businessman says he is confident because of "operational indicators on the rise, despite a financial and economic disruption."
In the first six months of the year, the group has doubled its net profit after minority interests of 2.6 billion euros with a net gain of $ 1.2 billion related to the settlement of a dispute in Poland.Adjusted net income shows him up by 20.2% to 1.83 billion euros. As for the EBITA (operating income, net of amortization of goodwill), it stood at 3.36 billion euros, up 4.6% at constant exchange rates free online credit report. Group sales reached 14.25 billion, up 2.4%. The market on average expected a turnover of 14.24 billion euros, an EBIT of 3.31 billion and adjusted net income of 1.73 billion, according to estimates by seven analysts quoted by Reuters.
For businesses, the group's results were supported by the performance of Activision Blizzard and GVT. The developer and publisher of French-American game has achieved an operating profit of 833 million, up 34.4%.Over the past twelve months, the portfolio means of Canal + France recorded a net growth of 96,000 subscriptions.
Asked about the proposed IPO of 20% of Canal + agreed by the other shareholder of the group, Lagardère, and rejected the first time in March due to the nervousness of the markets after the earthquake in Japan, the CEO of Vivendi, Jean-Bernard Levy, kicked into touch. "As we all know the ball is in their court," he said. "We expect the recovery Lagardère decides whether or not what is now the right according to our agreements.
When in 2007 the Merkel government has created an additional income tax of 45%, Germany was against the current. At the time, it was time to lower taxes to encourage work. But the crisis and rising public deficits have changed everything. Germany has become more and more followers. In 2010, the UK has increased to 50% the rate of the highest portion of its income tax (IR). And Italy is preparing to introduce a solidarity tax for employees earning over 90,000 euros.
More surprising number of taxpayers potentially affected by such a tax do not hesitate to ask now open! American side, the billionaire Warren Buffett has called this week for a contribution of "mégariches."In France, Maurice Levy, chief executive of Publicis Group and president of the Afep (French association of private companies), wrote in his name, an article in Le Monde, where he considered it "essential that the effort Solidarity begins with those whom fate has spared. " All indications are that it will be heard as the French government pledged last spring to introduce a tax on high incomes. "Today we are working on the issue of remuneration is said sometimes extravagant," reiterated on Wednesday on Europe 1, the budget minister, Valérie Pécresse.
The majority has already noted last year from 40% to 41% in the final tranche of IR. But this time it is hit with higher incomes (the final installment begins 71,000 euros in annual revenues). And this without creating a new rate of IR.While some lawmakers, like Senator Jean Arthuis centrist, still defend the idea, Nicolas Sarkozy is opposed to any new slice. Since the fall, the government has consistently rejected in Parliament every initiative of his majority to create a slice with 46% annual earnings per share in excess of 100,000 euros.
A million or 150,000 euros of income a year?
The Ministers of Economy and Budget has established a working group of parliamentarians who must propose measures in the fall, in the 2012 budget pay day loans. The idea of the executive, initially was rather taxing high incomes via the company by making non-deductible from corporate tax wages above a certain level. But the government now seems to favor a direct taxation at the household level, a solution advocated by many parliamentarians.Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the budget in the Assembly proposes to introduce a contribution of 1% to 2% of annual revenues in excess of one million euros.
Advantage: All income is affected, including dividends and capital gains, not just wages (as with the non-deductibility). The threshold of 1 million French can target very easy – 30,000 homes would be affected. "The measure must be a symbol. This is not to bail out of the state, "said Jerome Chartier, UMP du Val-d'Oise. In fact, 2%, the new tax would yield only 300 million (against $ 1 billion for the portion eg 46%). "Be careful not to pour into demagoguery and rich hunting. The contribution must be calibrated, "adds Philippe Marini, UMP rapporteur of the budget in the Senate.
Problem: all members do not see it that way.Pierre Mehaignerie, the UMP president of the Committee on Social Affairs in the Assembly hopes that the contribution applies from 150,000 to 200,000 euros in annual income for couples and 80,000 euros for a single. At this level, more than 300,000 homes were affected, including many executives. "I understand that. But our people are ready to make an effort if, at the same time, the state reform, "Pierre defends Méhaignerie. The animated discussions ahead in the majority!
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What are the consequences of a decline in the rating "AAA" American? The risk increases after a prolonged disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on the management of U.S. debt. The problem may seem far from the concerns of citizens, but U.S. President Barack Obama warned, "If we lose the AAA, everyone will pay more taxes. This will cause a rise in interest rates, which would have the same effect as raising taxes on all Americans. "And to raise the specter of rising rates of car loans on credit cards and in real estate.
Banks lend to their clients because at rates directly correlated to the performance of bonds. However, the higher the rating of a country, the lower the rates at which it must borrow increases.According to rating agency Standard & Poor's, the loss of "AAA" could cost between 0.25 and 0.5% growth rate in the United States. Analysis challenged by some economists, who point out that Japan, after seeing his note deteriorated in the early 2000s, had seen the contrary interest rates fall.
"Zero risk"
Still, never in the history of the United States has lost their prestigious note, despite a technical default part in 1979 (a few dates could not be met on time). It symbolized far "zero risk" to markets, which could buy U.S. debt with the confidence of being repaid.
A decline in the note, a real paradigm shift, "would affect the actions and change," warns Ciaran O'Hagan, strategist at Societe Generale. How much? Hard to say.The United States never lost their prestigious note, "the unprecedented nature of this reduction makes it difficult to determine all the ramifications of the financial markets and the economy," says agency Fitch.
Thus, it is not clear that the long-term investors seeking safe investments are fleeing the U.S. Treasury. For example, foreign central banks, which own 33% of U.S. debt, will not sell their shares, say analysts surveyed after UBS interested. According to Fitch, the Treasury will keep the short and medium term "their status as reference for interest rate markets."Clearly, there will be no widespread panic in the market for U.S. debt.
More than a threat to the United States themselves, "noted a deterioration in the U.S. crystallize the challenges for all developed countries, probably by opening the way for the degradation of other countries," says Jean- Baptiste Pethe, Exane BNP Paribas. If the U.S. lose their "AAA", France and the UK may well follow. The United States could then argue them, as Secretary of the Treasury Nixon had done about the dollar, "it is our rating, but your problem".
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CEO of TF1, Nonce Paolini, confirmed that he filed with the Higher Audiovisual Council an application for free for its continuous news channel, LCI. He stated that the free market is the right thing for news channels. "There is room for three news channels," he said in a conference with analysts. The television group should indeed file with the Higher Audiovisual Council a request to enter the free streaming news channel, LCI and BFM TV come and compete, owned NextRadio TV and i-TV, that of Canal +. But even before this request may be made, TF1 is already under the spotlight.
The subsidiary of the Bouygues group has indeed provided a strong rebound in net income increased 60% in first half year on year, to 118.6 million euros.As for further cost reductions, the television group posted a net increase in operating income over one year, 78.6% to 186.5 million euros. The cost of the grid of the TF1 channel has in fact declined by 482.6 million euros to 423.6 million. Good performance hailed by investors since the title was climbing to 11 hours of 6.80% to 13.59 euros, the largest increase in the SBF 120. One of its main competitors, M6, which must also publish its results on Tuesday but after-hours trading, climbing from 0.77% to 15.74 euros. Meanwhile, the Cac 40 was down 0.57%.
This policy of cost reductions initiated since 2008 had been welcomed on Friday by the U.S. rating agency, Standard & Poor's, which had raised a notch note of the group, believing that these savings would result in a better rentatibilité easy payday loans.The TF1 group has recorded a marked improvement in its operating margin, which has doubled in a year to reach 18.8%. "These statistics confirm, quarter after quarter, the effectiveness of measures taken to change positively the economic model of the group" welcomed the television group, which has however avoided giving details of its profitability target medium term.
Advertising revenue, "no particular concern" (Paolini)
In contrast, sales of the TF1 Group, which owns the Eurosport channel, TMC or LCI, fell slightly from 0.5% to about 1.3 billion euros. "Unlike last year, TF1 did not broadcast major sporting events (like World Cup soccer)," the statement said.Before the analysts, Nonce Paolini said he did not have "specific concerns" about the evolution of advertising revenue. The group is pleased to return to growth in advertising revenues in the second quarter (+0.7%) after a decline of 2.6% over the first three months of the year. Of all the activities, the advertising revenue shows an increase of 4.7% to 905.2 million euros. "The group remains more than ever mobilized to consolidate its leading position in the field of information and entertainment on the TV market and / or free," says TF1.
This slight decline in sales, however, makes the television group cautious about the stability of the whole of 2011. It evokes a persistent lack of visibility on the changing conditions.
Jul
16
The world champion loves yogurt tracks. Especially when it comes to change its scope of activity or distribution channels. In 2002, he landed in cosmetics. Eight years later, he experimented with home delivery and "customization" of its Evian bottled water. With Danone Activia Bar-based, it pushes even further the "brand stretching" (extension of its brands), which it is Champion with the various versions of its flagship product (to be paid to drink …).
Here, the yogurt came directly from the factory-Littry Danone Molay, Normandy. They are served in pots of 80, 150 or 250 g. You can buy classic or glazed, with a score of "toppings" (fruits, chocolate chips, cereal …). Two other outlets are also tested in Paris, a kiosk at the Galeries Lafayette and a "corner" in a pasta bar eighteenth arrondissement, Nooyi."These pilots are aimed at developing a new range of commercial catering, says Alain Gauthron, Director of Professional Danone, a subsidiary of Danone France Fresh Products. We give ourselves a year and a dozen stores to test the concept. "
A separate activity
In Rosny 2, one of the busiest shopping centers in France, where its competitors are called Haagen Dazs, Paul and Pomme de Pain, the Danone Bar displays relatively accessible price (from 2.20 euros the potty ). "If it works, we can replicate this type of situation in other shopping centers," predicts Alain Gauthron.
The facts are simple. If the yogurt has found its place in canteens or in hospitals, it has less popular at the restaurant where only one in eight integrates its meal. Yet the French are among the largest consumers of yogurt."When outside, the consumer wants a different experience than it may have at home," said Alain Gauthron, including frozen yogurt are less calories than ice cream.
The idea of yogurt bars comes from Spain, home of Daniel Carasso. On the occasion of 90 years the group in 2009, "Danone casa" was born in Barcelona, both museum and store. Eight shops have followed.
In France, the starting point is different. "This will not only be a vector image, but a new activity, says Alain Gauthron. The whole business model is to build. "Shops or corners, own stores or franchises, Danone is given time to develop his concept. He bets first on its brand. "When we say Danone, everyone thinks of the yogurt.It is a very important asset when starting from scratch, "says Alain Gauthron.
The idea was matured by the "innovation incubator" Danone's Fresh Produce, a team of researchers, engineers, marketing specialists working on projects with two, three or four years. Then, a "lab" (test) was set up size. This is the "method Danone" to deploy new concepts.