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Roche Bobois is needed abroad

Roche Bobois this year hopes to become more international than French. "We should exceed the threshold in 2012 for 50% of our revenues generated outside our home market," states Gilles Bonan, CEO of Roche Bobois. Look outside the borders, nothing is more natural for this family company whose reputation has been built from 1960 on the distribution of Scandinavian furniture. Today, it was his Mah Jong sofa that draws customers Italians, Americans and Chinese.

"We continue to open this year a store per month, with many more applications for candidacy for the franchise a few years ago, says Gilles Bonan. Philippines, Argentina, Seoul, Abidjan, Indonesia at the end of the year, Roche Bobois, accompanied by the word "Paris" out of France, succeeds in distant lands.

In this context, Roche Bobois is looking for a new shareholder. While the group has lost one of its founders, Philippe Roche, a sale of a majority is no longer on the agenda, ensures Gilles Bonan. Three years ago, families and Roche Chouan had sought to organize a "transmission process more meaningful capital", having already sold a 15% share to funds and Azulis Siparex in 2001. Both funds "are intended to come out and be replaced by a new minority shareholder," according to the leader, and it likely this year.

Manhattan, Harrods and Printemps

2012 will also be marked by the reworking of the upcoming flagship store in Manhattan low fee cash advance. "We are in the Americas since 1974, but sales have nevertheless increased by about 20% in 2010 and 2011," Bonan said Gilles. Another success for the premium brand, which is not to be perceived as luxury, his corner at Harrods in London. Opened in 2010, he became the fourth store in its turnover. Even the more mature markets are reservoirs of growth. Germany is thus in the viewfinder of the sign: a third store has just opened there, but the potential is estimated at thirty.

In its home market, Roche Bobois returned last September to Spring Boulevard Haussmann. "In France, while the market is stagnating, sales rose 3% in 2011," says Gilles Bonan. An increase similar to that of total turnover, from 3.8% in constant number of stores. "These past five years, with the exception of 2009, growth was more than 3%," added the leader. Three years ago, sales were down 4%, and Roche Bobois had given Colonial House, House and renamed Co. This year, priority will be to the continued recovery of another sign of the group, Natuzzi, which saw its sales drop 12% last year. Five stores brand Italian sofas come close. Moreover, the sign Leather Center was "repositioned", with sales growth of 7% in 2011 to the key.

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Brussels denies the existence of a contingency plan in case of exit of Greece

From our correspondent in Brussels

Between doves and hawks her, Euroland barely keep a cool head on Greece. In a sentence, the European Commissioner Karel De Gucht has upset all the Friday speech intended to persuade Greek voters to make sacrifices if he wants to keep the euro.

"The ECB and the European Commission (…) study of emergency scenarios if Greece does not recover," dropped Karel De Gucht Belgian daily De Standaard. It was enough that a news agency transforms the event into "emergency plan" to exit the euro as markets become inflamed Friday.

Brussels later denied, against all probability, the very existence of the crisis scenario, whereas it is the role of staffs to anticipate. The ECB itself does not exclude it. Known for his outspokenness, Commissioner De Gucht is not the first to trip in the contradiction of speech.

The weekend is its chief Jose Manuel Barroso, who set fire to the powder by saying that "better" than Greece leaves the euro if it refuses to play the game President Committee had to make amends, just before reaching Washington, ensuring that Athens "is part of the family." Monday, it was the turn of Maria Fekter, Austrian Minister of Finance, a slap on the wrist because she wanted to leave Greece to the euro and the EU, even then readmit him.

To impress the Greeks, the European discourse can not ignore the scenario of rupture. The problem is that whenever the "bogeymen" open their mouths, they also wake up the specter of a breakup of the euro markets.

Profitable strategy

In Greece, the radical left Syriza, credited with 20% of votes in the polls, seen in the parliamentary elections of 17 June a referendum for or against the austerity, the euro should remain in the table. Europe, tired of paying to no avail, distills a message more complicated: June 17 it will be a referendum for or against the common currency, knowing that the rejection of the euro would lead to bankruptcy even more expensive for the Greeks.

The approach – now responsible Greek, European solidarity later – was agreed in Athens with the two traditional parties, the conservative New Democracy and PASOK socialist, says one in Brussels.

Without interfering officially, Europe wants to make clear to the Greeks that they can not pull the cake and eat it too. In return, Europeans are showing their commitment and offer a promise of better times. These days, were so bent on the exercise for Jean-Claude Juncker of Eurogroup, Mario Draghi for the ECB and Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel in Berlin: "Greece must remain in the euro."

Despite these boondoggles, the strategy can pay off. The conservative New Democracy (ND) replicate the advantage over their rivals Syriza recent days, according to surveys, in Athens opening the prospect of a majority in favor of austerity. Karel De Gucht said himself: the endgame has begun and the question "is whether everyone can keep his cool" to the end.

Trichet's plan to save the euro

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To avoid the breakup of the euro, the former ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet claims to have a plan: put the financially troubled countries under the tutelage of Brussels, if it is unable to implement policies budget approved by the EU. It would operate a federal mechanism "outstanding", when fiscal policy of a Member State slips to threaten monetary union.

"Federalism exception seems not only necessary to ensure a strong economic and monetary union, but it could also adapt to the true nature of Europe in the long run," said the former president of the ECB to Peterson Institute in Washington. The idea is not new. It was proposed by German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, who wanted to entrust the finances of Greece to a "supercommissaire". Interference rejected by Athens as deemed "undemocratic".

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Strawberry French have been waiting

They are praying. The gariguettes, Ciflorette, Clécy or mara des bois gradually come to market with nearly two weeks late. "The production schedule is shifted by two weeks compared to last year because of the cold spell of February, indicates the Agreste, the statistics department of the Ministry of Agriculture, in his final memo on the economy. In May, domestic production is expected to significantly ramp up and reach a peak around May 15. "

France, where people eat an average of 2 kg per year per person, has become a structural deficit in strawberries and even became the first importer. French production should be nearly equivalent to that of last year (1%), with 51,000 tonnes of strawberries this year. She points and sixth in Europe, behind Spain, leading with nearly 300,000 tons mainly in the province of Huelva, and Poland (about 200,000 tons), which mainly produces strawberries for the processing industry.

The "Drosophila susukki" threat

Germany, which allows the employment of seasonal workers from eastern Europe, the hourly cost almost twice lower than in the Hexagon, is third with 157,000 tons. In total, we produce on the Old Continent 1.1 million tonnes of strawberries, or nearly 30% of world production.

Pricewise, as frost damage to vegetation have not been fully assessed and are being expertise, it creates tension on line pay day loans. "Early in the season 2012, the index of producer prices is greater than 7% five-year average," notes the Agreste. By comparison, last year, the average price of the high season between March and June, stood at 5.01 euros per kilo. A price significantly less competitive than the call price charged by major retailers this weekend (two-thirds of the distribution of strawberries) to 1.80 per kilo. But it was strawberries come from the Iberian Peninsula.

In France, according to initial estimates, the surfaces of strawberries should be stable for the 2012 campaign compared to last season. Strawberries produced in the open air should fall by 30% in contrast to the greenhouses which represent two thirds of production. This mode of production should continue to grow (+30%) related to the increase in aboveground surfaces (36%) and burial (25%).  

However, in terms of health, some concerns loom over the threat of Drosophila susukki, a small fly that could cause serious damage. "It is not yet reached us, but vigilance is extreme," says Benedict Lopez, the producer Hautière, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre near Nantes.

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Pepsi resurrects Michael Jackson

One of the first stars to have turned in an advertisement for PepsiCo was James Dean. It was in 1950.

Since, there are many who have lent their brand image, including Michael Jackson in the 1980s. Following an agreement between the managers of agribusiness etles image of the former king of pop, this will again be the case in 2012 faxless cash advances.

The limited edition Pepsi cans bearing the likeness of Michael Jackson. Photo credits: Uncredited / AP

Deficit: Italy rejects its objectives

In Rome,

Even Professor Monti can not perform miracles. In the Document for Economic and Financial (DPEF) covering the years 2012 to 2015, on Wednesday approved Wednesday by the Cabinet, it is written that Italy will experience a recession in 2012 equal to 1.20% of GDP. However, until now, the government expected a 0.4% growth this year. The activity will walk away from the front in 2013 – timidly – to double next year to 1.2% in 2015.

Logical consequence of this failure of growth, the government recognizes that a balanced budget, wielded far as priority, will struggle to be reached in late 2013. Vittorio Grilli, Deputy Economy Minister now speaks of a deficit of 0.5% of GDP next year, adding that "overall structural balance and not episodic" is reached. A scenario much more optimistic than the IMF in its forecast released Tuesday estimates that Italy will not reach equilibrium before 2015.

Another sensitive indicator: public debt, which stood at 123.4% of GDP at the end of last year. It would decline to 120.3% this year, 114.4% in 2014 and 110.8% in 2015, when the simplification and liberalization adopted earlier this year will come to full speed, generating additional growth assessed 2.4% of GDP in 2020.

In presenting these figures, the chairman, Mario Monti, sought optimistic: "Our action has demonstrated safety of the public accounts. We will have a primary surplus (excluding debt service) of 3.9% next year. " Despropos primarily for financial markets, which have recently hosted the Italian slippage. MIB30 index of the Milan Stock Exchange closed sharply lower by 2.29%.

The balancing act that requires Mario Monti has become particularly difficult fast payday loans. It must assure citizens that their efforts are, not to undermine confidence without complacency. Mario Monti has paid tribute to the sacrifices "very high" imposed on the Italians, "we are fighting every day to avoid the fate of Greece," he said, deliberately severe.

But in a country where the tax burden – 45.1% of GDP – reached a record high and unemployment was 9.3%, an increase of rigor seems now to be excluded. The salvation is through more growth. This is why the government on Wednesday adopted a national reform agenda based on five priorities, which will mobilize tens of billions of euros. The 'major projects and public infrastructure "alone include 20 billion euros in public funding per year for three or four years for priority equipment, rail, road, airport, hospitals, schools, … Another sensitive issue: the immediate payment of the arrears that the state owes to private companies, whether of central or local governments. Twenty billion euros of state guarantees will be released to allow private creditors to enforce them at banks. Six billion will also be reimbursed immediately by local governments. Tax incentives, practical support to business creation and drastic simplification of administrative procedures should also encourage the resumption of activity. An effort of three billion euros a year for twenty years will be made in favor of renewable energy. Finally, the Senate passed Wednesday on a final golden rule placing a balanced budget in the Constitution. Mario Monti handling is the core growth budget and stick.

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Japanese whiskey is attracting more and more

If there are four or five years, Japanese whiskeys fell almost an anecdote, it is clear that the Japanese distilleries were located largely in the market for Liquor Stores. Of the four best whiskeys in the world, two are once more for the Japanese edition of the 2012 World Whiskies Awards, organized by Whisky Magazine. The setting was won in the categories best blended whiskey in the world by Taketsuru 17 years old Nikka from home, and in the category best single malt whiskey in the world with the Yamazaki 25 year old house Suntory.

The Japanese group Suntory is the origin of Japanese whiskeys, in the 1920s. It has two distilleries (Yamazaki and Hakushu) located in northern Japan, which develop blended and single malt whiskeys. The diversified industrial group also owns three Scottish distilleries. Its direct competitor, Nikka, a subsidiary of another giant, Asahi, came a little later (1952) in this segment. And also owns a distillery in Scotland. By themselves, these two houses share almost the entire market of Japanese whiskey world.

If the brand is more Nikka located on the French and European market, notably through the House of Whiskies, which has exclusive, Suntory is positioned more on the U.S. market. Thierry Benitah, CEO of the House of Whiskies, said: "The entry level and mid-range is slightly more expensive for Japanese whiskey over Scotch whiskey, but for more upscale products, including oldest, Japanese whiskey is cheaper, same quality. " It takes only 30 euros for a Japanese whiskey entry level (in comparison, one of the brands of Scotch whiskey sold in the world, Label 5, costs 12 euros). In amount in the range, Japanese whiskeys are between 150 and 650 euros, the price may even go up to 10,000 euros a bottle for a 50 years old.

France, the second consumer of Japanese whiskey

In 2010, according to the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR), it is consumed in the world 81 million liters of whiskey Japanese, representing 3 payday advance.2% market share of all whiskeys. Global consumption of whiskey, all confused, totaled nearly 2.7 billion liters. The United States are the largest importers of Japanese whiskey, with a volume of 5.2 million liters. France comes second with just under 3 million liters (2.9 million).

In 50 years, the French have adopted the whiskey. They are the biggest consumers of single malt Scotch whiskey, with 135 million bottles per year, or more than two bottles per person. In comparison, Americans consume 125 million bottles annually, depending on the portal Planetoscope.

Japanese whiskeys, more subtle and sweet

How to explain this craze for Japanese whiskey? Keinta Minari, head of the division of Suntory whiskey for France, gives some keys to this success: "One explanation lies in the style of Japanese whiskey, which is subtle and complex, where Scotch whiskey will be more strong and sturdy. "A view shared by Thierry Benitah of the House of Whiskies" Japanese whiskey is more accessible than the scotch in terms of taste. Unlike Scotch whiskeys, which have a slight bitterness on the finish, Japanese whiskeys receive a final grade soft, chewy and sweet "

According to Pierre Tissandier, head of the cellar Whisky Lodge in Lyon, and previously head of Diageo whiskeys, this development is surprising, "the Japanese whiskey differs from Scotch whiskeys including a search of the exotic, but also by a marketing and a highly developed packaging. " The Scottish distilleries would suffer a certain archaism, where Japanese whiskeys are more modern and stylish.

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HP leverages its printers to revive his PC

This is the first major policy decision announced by Meg Whitman, CEO of HP since September. PC and printer divisions of the group will be merged, as the company said Wednesday.

Since arriving at the head of the company, Meg Whitman will finally been consistently good the consequences of the announcement in August by his predecessor, Leo Apotheker. The latter had then referred to the release or surrender of HP's PC division. Which cost him his job and has had a disastrous impact on group sales. During the last quarter of HP – ended Jan. 31 – Sales of the division plunged 18% in volume and its revenues fell 15%. At the same time, the printer division saw sales fall by 7%. Combined, the two product divisions of the group will represent half of total HP revenue (127 billion). The other portion going mainly to dynamic two divisions: services and servers.

Since September, the world's number one PC had to swallow a few snakes. In particular, see Apple proclaim everywhere the last quarter, he had sold "more PCs that HP iPad". Although the difference is played with one digit after the comma, the comparison is no less painful for HP, which more conspicuous by its absence in the segment of tablets. Worse, Chinese Lenovo continues to gain market share and HP could double by the end of the year payday loan no faxing.

Reduce costs

In the last quarter of 2011, the worldwide market share from HP in the PC fell to 16%, while Lenovo has risen to second place with 14% market share. In one year, the gap between the two groups was reduced by 6 points. But the U.S. does not intend to cede its global leadership without a fight.

Todd Bradley, appointed to head the new entity, will have the burden to reinvigorate PC sales and reverse in printers. HP also aims to achieve further cost reductions through this merger. Savings could indeed be generated in the supply and marketing of equipment. While the line between professional and individual equipment fades, it becomes increasingly important to industry players to establish their brand. This allows to charge prices a bit higher, as does Apple. A point particularly important that the owner of HP has already said a return of the group on the market shelves were not excluded.

The announcement of the reorganization was moderately popular with Wall Street. At the opening, the title has sold 2.23%. Todd Bradley, former head of Palm, is known to cause the redemption of Palm in 2010 by HP for $ 1.2 billion. Instead, Vyomesh Joshi, head out of the printer division, was reputed to have doubled the operating margin for this division.

Greece: rescue relieves the euro area

EU leaders breathed a sigh of relief Friday after the success of the voluntary exchange of Greek debt, 85.8% subscribed by private creditors. Within the euro area, this is Nicolas Sarkozy, who hosted the agreement with more enthusiasm. "I am pleased that we have found a solution to the Greek crisis plaguing the financial economic situation of Europe and the world for months," welcomed the French president, traveling to Nice election. "With Angela Merkel we worked day and night to find a solution," he recalled. "Today, the problem is solved, and the page of the financial crisis is beginning to turn" it was welcomed.

In Berlin, the reaction was more cautious. According to the spokesman of the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel is "encouraged" by the agreement. "It would be a big mistake to give the impression that the crisis is resolved," warned the German Minister Wolfgang Schauble Finances.Pour "an important step was taken, but we are not out of the woods."

The agreement sealed between Athens and its private creditors will erase 107 billion euros of debt, a total of 350 billion. This is a historic debt reduction. It must allow the Greek debt, which now reaches 160% of GDP, reaching 120.5% in 2020, a ratio similar to that of Italy.

"This agreement allows more to protect Europe from Greece to help that Greece itself" summarizes Jacob Kirkegaard, a researcher at Washington. Photo credits: Kostas Tsironis / Bloomberg

The final closure of Florange looms

"We will put patterns Florange unemployed by taking control of the plant." Edward Martin, representative of the CFDT EWC ArcelorMittal, wants offensive. The occupation of the site, scheduled for tomorrow, is a direct consequence of the extension until 30 June of the closure of two blast furnaces Florange, the last of Lorraine. "The direction we to understand that, barring a miracle, this closure would last all year," says Edward Martin.

For several months, the largest producer of steel has many announcements to reduce its production capacity. Spain, Belgium and France but also Romania and Czech Republic were affected. Today, only the blast furnaces in Liege never reopen. Other closures are for the moment, temporary.

A temporary measure reaffirmed to the minister, Eric Besson

Bourrier Hervé, President of ArcelorMittal France, reaffirmed that "temporary" to Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, last week. Employees such as trade unionists fear yet more than this closing becomes final. The clues that point in this direction are beginning to be numerous.

"A blast furnace is designed to run continuously, says an industry expert. It degrades when it is not the case. "The first blast furnace Florange is closed since June. The second since October. Investment and maintenance are reduced. Some were made late last year but "there is nothing for a month and a half" notes François Pagano, CFE-CGC delegate. "The industrial base is deteriorating, laments Edward Martin. With the cold, some lines broken. "Worse:" The founders began to be reclassified in the group. Leaders do not take it otherwise if they had close Florange. "

The recovery of orders has not changed all that

The recovery of orders failed to revive the plant. Aditya Mittal, CFO of ArcelorMittal, said on publication of results in 2011 that "shipments are much better than the fourth quarter of 2011, but we are still far volumes 2006, 2007 and 2008." What does surprisingly, these years being excellent.

Francois Pagano explains that "the business unit North, including Dunkirk, Florange, Benelux and Germany, recorded 3.7 million tons of orders for the second quarter of 2012 while its production capacity is 3.8 million . So the plants are running at 97% capacity. At this level, it would be possible to reopen Florange to avoid a potential bottleneck. "

Finally, the closure would be consistent with the group's strategy to focus on very large production units in coastline at Dunkirk and Fos sur mer in France and Bremen in Germany Same day payday loans. The justifications for the closure of Liege seem perfectly applicable to Florange. "ArcelorMittal is considering a gain of 56 euros per tonne, which would be credited to the closure of Liege and transfer the production of slabs (Note: raw material for the manufacture of sheet metal) to Dunkirk," says the firm Laplace Council A study commissioned by the Walloon region. The forward gain is identical to Florange: "The leaders explain that ArcelorMittal bring slabs from Dunkirk saves 50 euros per tonne," confirms Francois Pagano.

With increased action "punch", although some have put Florange in the heart of the current election campaign. "Getting a formal commitment of a private company seems complicated," admits to the entourage of Eric Besson. A conclusion which adheres Francois Pagano whose only solution is to "convince Lakshmi Mittal's economic interest Florange".

"Ulcos" or last resort

All actors in the Lorraine steel cite Ulcos project, the acronym for "steel making process at very low CO2 emissions," as salvation for Florange. Launched in 2004, this is a program to find new techniques to produce steel with less carbon dioxide (CO2). Investments for carrying out are huge: 650 million euros! The French government has already pledged 150 million euros of funding. And Brussels could bring 250 million additional. ArcelorMittal leaders have vowed to launch Ulcos, and bring the balance of funding, if EU subsidies are granted.

Except that many obstacles have arisen in recent months. First techniques. The processes developed by Ulcos involve capturing and storing carbon. But experts are beginning to question this technique both for environmental reasons and efficiency.

Then the price of CO2 allowances collapsed in recent months, making plans to reduce CO2 emissions less urgent to implement. And nothing suggests that prices will go up quickly. In difficult economic times, as is currently the case, companies may be reluctant to invest in such technologies if there is no immediate financial implications.

Finally, there is little doubt that ArcelorMittal will decide to raise, or not, Florange on the basis of the only economic criteria. "The management of ArcelorMittal has told us clearly that Florange restarted if the market justifies it, and not only if Ulcos born," stated Michel Liebgott recently, area MP Florange.

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