Wal-Mart’s Painful Lessons

Wal-Mart has clearly seen its successes in North America. The headquarters in Arkansas gave early and easy access for the company to venture into Mexico in 1991, where the chain of stores really began to hit it off. Across North America, the strategy of “…big box – low cost model…” clicked with everyday and bargain shoppers. However, the very opposite happened in parts of Europe and Asia; after experimenting with Wal-Mart in Germany and Korea, the chain withdrew from these countries in 2006 due to poor results.

Campbell’s trying to avoid sales slump as economic recession closes

During rough times, people often choose to eat out less and eat home more, turning to cost-conscious brands like Campbell’s. Soup sales rose 5% in the United States in 2009, a considerable increase from the 1% increase in 2008. But as the recession recedes, and Americans begin to venture back into restaurants, Campbell’s must prove that the brand still resonates with consumers. To stay on top, Campbell’s is launching a new line of soups and bringing back old favorites. They are also looking to expand their markets.

“Gazprom Strikes Preliminary Gas Deal With China”

Our countries need energy to keep our societies running, but what does a country do when their main resource for energy is expensive, in high demand, dwindling down and harder to come by? China is faced with this question as their need for energy increases. Vladimir Isachenkov further explores this in an article called, “Gazprom Strikes Through Preliminary Gas Deal With China”. Russia’s Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation made a deal to supply 2.4 trillion cubic feet every year. Russia needs the wealth of China and China wants to have energy resource relationships with a diverse group in order to maintain their developing economy.

Russian Pipeline of Gas

The article I read was on newyorktimes.com and it’s titled, “Russia Gas Pipeline heightens East Europe’s Fears” published on October 12, 2009. The article is all about the Russian company Gazprom who is planning to institute a new gas pipeline along the Baltic sea and how Eastern Europe is worried that it is going to cause political dilemmas. Instead of going through Eastern Europe like it does now, the gas will be jet streamed straight to the richer nations of Western Europe. The European Union plans to act together to prevent any Russian “domination”.

Ukraine Teeters as Citizens Blame Banks and Government

Recently, the Ukraine has been facing great economic turmoil. Their main industries, the steel and chemical factories, have been releasing many workers, and their currency has been declining as well. On top of this, many people are blaming the government and losing faith in them. The Ukraine is an important country in Eastern Europe with a large population, strategic location, and they had recently instituted a pro-Western government. If the government and economy of the Ukraine were to collapse, it could have major repercussions for the rest of Europe and especially Eastern Europe.

Davos: Demographics, Economics, Destiny

Socioeconomic factors are equally as important as economic factors when understanding a country’s framework. Indicators such as population density and age distribution can effect important decisions of international companies. Demographics can show patterns that are not obvious on the surface but contain valuable information that contradicts a nation’s wealth.

G7 provides few answers to economic crisis

G7 met over the weekend to discuss the financial crisis and economic slowdown occurring in the world. Russia did not attend because it is not a fully developed country. The group only came up with vague intentions of what they plan to do.

The stoppage of Natural gas at the Ukraine border

The article that I read was about the stoppage of Natural gas at the Ukraine border because of I disagreement with which pipes are being chosen by Russia to send they gas. However the pipes that in question have been export pipes since their commission.