Pay at the supermarket with a map Ticket Alimentaçao. It is possible to Brazil, the world laboratory industry services giant Accor for emerging countries. There, 95% of group tickets are paperless. If this case is still unique in the world, shopping, using products from Accor Services is already a habit for many citizens of Latin America. In Mexico, for example, families are disadvantaged, since 1983, to procure food in shops affiliated with Ticket Power.
Last year, the branch of Accor Services has achieved 943 million euros in sales in 40 countries, with 490 000 corporate customers, two thirds have fewer than 250 employees."Our top ten customers representing less than 5% of turnover," said Jacques Stern, Chief Operating Officer of Accor and future owner of the company focuses on services that will arise from the splitting of the hotel group in July. Today, 33 million users are using its services. Its two products will remain the tickets Restaurant and Food present in 24 countries (Mexico, Brazil, Chile …). They represented about 80% of the turnover of the industry in 2009, a figure broadly stable, despite rising unemployment.
Agreements with governments
In France, Ticket Restaurant claims leading position with over 35% market share before lunch check, Sodexo (Check Restaurant) and Natixis Headings (check table). For Accor Services is a profitable market, strong cash generation.The company receives because of commissions from businesses and merchants that accept Ticket Restaurant. That most of his earnings. As it takes between six and seven weeks between payment of securities by customers and their reimbursement by providers (restaurants, supermarkets …), Accor also generates substantial financial products guaranteed cash advance . Finally, each year, 0.4% of sales from prepaid sold but unused.
"In our business growth comes from the volume, explains Jacques Stern. Therefore one of our strategic objectives is to strengthen ourselves internationally, which requires new partnerships with local governments. "Last year, the branch Accor Services has signed such an agreement with the government Mali, which sought to encourage agriculture.It has launched a new ticket Agri, that farmers can spend in stores. Emerging markets already account for 40% of turnover (22% for France). Jacques Stern wants to continue to conquer the world. "Today, for example, we offer our food tickets in ten countries, there is a huge room for development, especially in emerging countries," says he. His priority in putting leading global Accor Services (40% market share before Sodexo), the controls of a listed company, totally independent of the Accor hotel. The change is immediately visible in a society becoming full-fledged branch Accor Services will change its name. "In people's minds, is associated with Accor hotels, not prepaid. We need to create our own brand, "explains Jacques Stern.Several specialist firms are working on the name of the new company, known until "New Services".
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Red or green? Wall Street has chosen Wednesday. After an opening in the red and a brief stint in the green, the financial markets remain more consistently in negative territory. Wall Street resumes its breath after two good sessions of rising early in the week. Since Monday, the U.S. financial markets seemed to want to permanently turn the page of a January that saw the stock market lost 3.5% in a month. But on Wednesday, the question is back. After returning the balance to 16 hours (0.05%), the Dow Jones loses in mid-session 0.12% at 10,289 points. For its part, the Nasdaq lost 0.03% to 2190 points and the S & P 500 down 0.42% at 1099 points.
The profit taking and caution that accompanies dominate before the publication Friday of the long-awaited report by the U.S. administration on the job in January.For the first time in years, the market expects to see new posts.
Until Friday …
On Wednesday, an hour before the opening, a positive signal was sent in this direction of investigation ADP (Automatic Data Processing). The latter has released its report on employment overseas for the month of January: while economists were expecting the destruction of 30,000 jobs, the survey listing the elimination of 22,000 positions (against 84,000 for the month of December ).
After the ADP survey, investors were awaiting the ISM index on the services sector. It appears to 50.5 in January after he settled at 49.8 in December.This is slightly below the consensus was counting on 51 points but it's still the highest index level since May 2008.
Side currencies, the dollar resumed ground against the euro Wednesday after the European Commission approved the new austerity plan Greek. In mid-session, the single European currency lost 0.42% to 1.3915 dollar.
U.S. crude oil, is stabilizing at 77.51 (+0.31%). The U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA) announced Wednesday that gasoline inventories last week fell by 1.3 million barrels and stocks of distillates also fell 1 million barrels free credit score online .In contrast, crude oil inventories jumped 2.3 million barrels.
Pfizer leaden atmosphere
Pfizer reported a 34% increase in sales to 16.54 billion dollars, half a billion dollars more than the consensus in the fourth quarter. However, net income disappoints. The latter has tripled to 767 million, or 10 cents per share, or 49 cents excluding items against a consensus of 50 cents. In exchange, the title derives indices down: -2.26% to 18.63 dollars.
Time Warner (-1.61% to 28.05 dollars) achieved results above expectations in the fourth quarter thanks to strong performance from its film division and cable channels. The media group has made a net profit of 627 million, or 53 cents per share, compared with a loss of 16 billion dollars, 13.41 dollars, a year earlier.
Comcast (-1.47% to 16.05 dollars) has released results above expectations in the fourth quarter thanks to the development of its Internet operations. Net income for the cable operator amounted to 955 million, or 33 cents per share, compared with $ 412 million, or 14 cents per share, a year earlier.
News Corp. unveiled Tuesday a net profit of 254 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $ 6.4 billion, or $ 2.45 per share, a year earlier. The news is very welcome Stock Exchange: title rises from 7.65% to 13.66 dollars.
Bank of America (+0.26% to 15.64 dollars) would have endorsed the granting of over $ 4 billion to pay its bankers and traders under the year 2009, according to sources in the Wall Street Journal. They receive on average between 300 and 500 000 dollars bonus.These fees represent 19% of 23 billion dollars of revenue that the U.S. bank has reached its activities in investment banking and trading, the newspaper said.
We have experienced "a crisis of globalization". Inaugurating the 40th World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Nicolas Sarkozy has led the charge against "financial capitalism" that caused the crisis that shook the world for over a year. Then it was the first time a French president opened the show, Nicolas Sarkozy has criticized the "distortion of capitalism, calling for a establishing a" common morality "to avoid relapse.
He also returned on the role of banks, lending its support to the banking reform and Barack Obama reminding bankers their jobs. "What is the job of the banker?" He asked. "This is not to speculate, but to analyze the risk of credit to finance the development of the economy."If the crisis occurred, "because bankers did more than their job," he said.
In terms of currency, he reiterated the commitment to reform the international monetary system, criticizing the "currency manipulation" personal business card . Citing unnamed Chinese yuan, the French President has condemned these currencies undervalued to prevent any fair world trade. In 2011, when it will chair the G7 and G20, "the France include on the agenda the reform of the monetary system", he again hammered.
Welcoming the decisions of the G20 regulations on bonuses, tax havens, Nicolas Sarkozy announced that France will lead by example and apply the new rules, including Prudential, decided at international level.
On a more general "indecent behavior will not be accepted by public opinion and that no country in the world," he said, castigating the salaries unrelated to the merits. "When you win every time, this is not a market economy." However, he added, "that creates jobs, wealth, many wins, I do not think it's shocking" .
The moral of households deteriorated slightly in December, the index dropping one point to -31, according to figures released Tuesday by the INSEE. "Although significant increase from its historically low level of late 2007, the indicator remains well below its average level over the last fifteen years," notes the INSEE.
More to come …
Dec
23
It must be with Air France, it will be finally on Tuesday with Trenitalia. Reportedly, the group Veolia is about to conclude an agreement with Trenitalia, the division of passenger transport operator of Italian public Ferrovie dello Stato, to ride the TGV in France in early 2012.
Neither partner can share in the unknown. The French group had initially started this project in 2008 with Air France before the airline waives last October. Veolia provides fruit and a year of joint discussions with Air France on the subject and plan of attack ready. For its part, Trenitalia is the first foreign operator to take advantage of the opening of international passenger traffic last December 13 to seek paths in France.The group is preparing to roll its TGV spring between Rome, Milan and Paris.
The liberalization of international trade makes it possible for an operator to run its trains in France if they have a path between two states. It is possible to make the Milan-Paris via Lyon and compete with SNCF on the Paris-Lyon section.
To ride the TGV early 2012, both partners are ready to draw: it takes at least six months to conduct the tender for rolling stock and nearly two years the builder to honor his order. Veolia should take over the project developed with Air France. It revolved around three TGV lines. An axis Brussels-Paris-Lyon which allows both to compete with the Thalys between Brussels and Paris and SNCF from Paris and Lyon. A Paris-London Eurostar rival but also competing with SNCF Paris-Lille.And finally, a Paris-Strasbourg line with after the Alsatian capital, a branch to Frankfurt serving lines Mannheim and Karlsruhe, and a branch to Basel with a stop in Mulhouse.
Ambassador of the French high-speed
With operating costs 30% lower than the station simply because of the social system of railway, Trenitalia Veolia and could become the low-cost airline of the TGV. Initial projections of rates which were estimated with Air France aimed at a Paris-Lyon to 30 Euros in second class cons 41 to 63.10 euros for the station (ticket Leisure in normal times), a Paris-Nantes to 22 euros second class cons from 36.50 to 56.80 euros for the SNCF and the Paris-Lille 19 euros against 25 to 38.90 euros for the station.
For Air France, this project means that the ally of yesterday will become a new competitor for its domestic flights.For the station, this is the end of a monopoly and the beginning of a battle that will necessarily lead the public company to lose market share.
For Veolia, the project is a first step since the group aims eventually to answer calls for tenders TGV abroad. The French would be very good in the role of ambassador of the French high speed in the world alongside the manufacturer Alstom. "To export the TGV, Alstom suffers from not being associated with an operator, said a close case. SNCF does not because she is not willing to take risks and cost of revenue abroad. "
It's going to Crédit Agricole evil SA! After conceding 4.59% Thursday as the bank lost 4.73% shortly after mid-session at 12.295 euros, or one of its lowest levels since three months, and signs for the second consecutive time the highest CAC 40 down and even the entire industry in Europe.
Like BNP Paribas (0.44%) and Societe Generale (0.57%), the entire banking sector is undergoing suffering. But the fall is more brutal for Crédit Agricole. "The strengthening of prudential bank by the Basel Committee" penalizes "greater mutual banks," said Vincent Ganne, strategist IG Markets. He added: "The capital of these banks (mutual) is composed of common shares and ITC (cooperative investment certificates).As stated Vincent Ganne, the Basel Committee intends to require banks that shares are the dominant form of their own funds. However, Credit Agricole has over ICC BNP Paribas or Societe Generale. According to the strategist, Crédit Agricole is expected to retreat further in the short term. In addition, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch recently lowered his rating from "buy" to "neutral."
Basel, Greece, recommendation: Crédit Agricole depression
Lastly, Crédit Agricole suffers for several weeks on fears its exposure to the debt of Greece, including Standard & Poor's, after Fitch downgraded the long-term notes. The rating agency also notes the gradient of two major Greek banks, Eurobank and Alphabank. However, the mutual insurance group is present in Greece, through its subsidiary Emproki. "A greater share of profits should be set aside to build social capital.Outside, Credit Agricole has lagged behind other banks, mainly because of Emporiki should not return to profitability by the end of 2011 "concluded Vincent Ganne.
Over a month, Credit Agricole fell 17%, when the CAC 40 gained 0.6% and the DJ Stoxx European banks down 7%.
U.S. traders are hoping that this Friday will be "black." Black Friday is the nickname given to the Friday following the Thanksgiving holiday would. This weekend three days in the United States marks the beginning of the season's shopping season. Last year, 172 million Americans had flocked to the malls during the seventy-two hours after the feast of Thanksgiving. The profession wants them to be as many this year, despite higher unemployment for twenty-six and a credit crunch.
The leading retailer for low prices, Wal-Mart opens a large number of its stores 24 hours of 24 on this occasion. Its rival Target is ready to welcome the hordes of customers at 5 am. Just as Best Buy, the number one electronics distribution. Kmart opened as early as Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.All these giants know that this year more than ever the buyers are looking for money sacrificed. Hence the importance of bringing many people into their stores to offset the lower margins.
Important factor: the weather, with a rather mild weather throughout the year, they will be favorable. But according to surveys, 93% of Americans intend to spend "less" or at most "same" as last year. In addition, 80% say they'd prefer to pay in cash. If consumers keep their resolutions and resist the temptation to use their credit cards, merchants' earnings will be significantly limited.
40% of total annual
Last year, while the financial crisis precipitated a collapse of activity, the mad shopping Thanksgiving had still spent an average of 372.57 dollars per person.Was 7.2% higher than in 2007.
But the season is long. A good weekend of Thanksgiving does not necessarily translate into strong sales until Christmas. We saw him in 2008 for the first time in over a generation, Americans have finally spent less than last year. This decline of 3.4% of purchases had traumatized the profession. From late November to late December, the department stores carry up to 40% of their annual turnover. While their association anticipates a further decline in sales in the 2009 season, but of lesser magnitude. The marketing channels such as Macy's and Nordstrom noted for example the collapse of the morale of Americans from October to November. But they also know that the reputation of Black Friday is overrated. The days of greatest influx of buyers are usually on the weekends before Christmas.The Americans, by calculation or by lack of preparation, expect more and more the last minute to buy gifts.
New offensive against pharmacies. A few weeks after winning a lawsuit against his advertising in April 2008 comparing drugs to luxury goods, Leclerc renewed the attack.
The retailer, which operates 134 parapharmacies within or adjacent to its supermarkets, has been calling for this Friday evening in a TV spot "that its doctors pharmacy have the right to sell all non-reimbursed medicines priced Leclerc." To now, the Leclerc parapharmacies mainly sell cosmetics, dietary supplements, dietary products and toiletries.
The market for 4 000 self-medication products is estimated at 1.9 billion euros. Unlike drugs sold only on prescription and reimbursed by Social Security, the price is free, but they remain the monopoly of pharmacists who have received authorization from Ministry of Health.They represent 6% of pharmacy sales and a greater share of their profits.
To put pressure on governments, Michel-Edouard Leclerc brandished a study commissioned from the Institute Bipe Showing that vitamins C Upsa, Nicorette patches and Nurofen tablets are sold up to three times the price of a pharmacy at the other in the same city.
"Free access to self-medication products in pharmacies and the pricing charged by Roselyne Bachelot in June 2008 does not work," thunders the boss Leclerc.It ensures that if its 180 doctors pharmacy got approval to sell these medicines, the purchasing power of patients and hypochondriacs increase.
Price halved
"If new operators held 20% of the market for non-reimbursed medicines, the prices of these fall by half," says Michel-Edouard Leclerc.
This time, it does not violate the law. "I'm not ready to accuse me of illegal practice of pharmacy, as was the case when Leclerc began to sell condoms," he acknowledges. But it is surprising that, despite anti-smoking campaigns, our parapharmacies have no right to sell Nicorette. "
The movement Leclerc, who is celebrating his sixty years, would it become less aggressive?