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Bompard, "We want to build a new Fnac"

July 20, 2011 - 3:52 am Comments Off

LE FIGARO. – How do you solve the structural problem of Fnac, the erosion of its major markets?

Alexandre Bompard. – With the offensive Wednesday unveiled, we want to build a new Fnac looking to the future and whose identity will be based on three strong pillars. The first is the extension of our current product offering. Today, our offer is concentrated around the cultural and digital entertainment. With this plan, we will extend it to other types of activities: those aimed at children and families first, and in the future than in the discovery of the escape or the home and interactive design. The second line requires a paradigm shift for a brand that was built around its product: it aims to put customers at the center of our business and our business, emphasizing the relationship at any time with them.Of these, we will finally pay special attention to customer expectations family: it is the third pillar.

How will decline precisely this strategic plan?

To pass this plan, we will implement a number of levers. With the new consumption patterns, our stores will no longer be organized by product, but by world usage. For music, for example, you will find the same space CD, MP3 players, but also hats, concert tickets … well, we will create a world dedicated to children under 12 years with not only a comprehensive range of books to products edutainment and advanced technology, but also animations and dedicated services. More generally, however, the development of personalized services is a priority.We will innovate in this area soon, especially with takeover bids and the subscription of technical products.

This plan does not sign then the end of your physical network?

On the contrary! To be closer to customers in two French Fnac does not close to home, we take two major initiatives. By 2015, thirty stores will be open as well, on the outskirts of large cities in particular. Furthermore, after signing a partnership with Lagardère Services establish ourselves in stations and airports (the sign will replace the Virgin next week, Ed), we will launch a new store format: fifty Fnac proximity, about 300 square meters, should be released in four years, first in clean and free.These small signs, offering all the universe Fnac, will complement the department stores and will allow us to install in smaller cities. Of course, this is also associated with an increased fnac.com, because customers prefer the greater integration of the two sales channels. With our power in store as on the Internet, we will deploy a multi-channel strategy so successful and will offer such customers to withdraw all their in-store purchases made online or ordering of kiosks in stores.

You mention the date of 2015. Can you elaborate on the timing of this plan?

Speed ​​of execution of this plan is a key to its success. The first initiatives will therefore emerge in the next few months. Openings and reorganization of our stores are involved, they mainly in 2012 and 2013.The mobilization of our people, aware of the need for change, will also be one of the key elements of enforcement. I hope that the implementation of this plan is a lever to renew the social dialogue.

What budget has been earmarked to ensure the success of this plan?

I do not want to give numbers. The planned investments are suitable for our ambitions as we can. It is both a plan of conquest and a realistic plan. Therefore, we will continue to identify what we need to do it alone and that we can do through partnerships, both strategic in nature, as with Lagardère Services, or Screenrush SFR, or commercial, as with Apple, which a dedicated space in stores.

When do you expect to see the first results of this new strategy?

The first effects will be felt in the second half of 2012.Our aim is then to find a sustainable and profitable growth in France and abroad.

The sale by PPR of Fnac it not only jeopardizes the implementation of this plan?

My mission is to ensure the economic development of the Fnac. Since 1994, the PPR Group has played a leading role in particular for the implementation of the Fnac outside France and its growth on the Internet. As it does for all its businesses, the PPR group will manage the Fnac as if it had intended to remain within the group. Proof: This strategic plan is not a buildup of short-term, but a plan of conquest.

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Wall Street sign a great week in the green

July 2, 2011 - 12:04 pm Comments Off

The NYSE has ended sharply higher Friday, boosted by a surprisingly strong industrial indicator in the U.S., allowing the Dow to gain 1.36% and the Nasdaq 1.53% on Friday before a weekend of three day – Monday, the stock market is closed due to national holiday in the United States.

According to final figures, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 168.43 points to 12,582.77 in points and the Nasdaq, dominated by technology, from 42.51 points to 2816.03 points.The broader index Standard & Poor's 500 rose 1.44% (19.03 points) to 1339.67 points.

The Dow Jones ended in green all sessions of the week on which it jumped 5.4%, its best performance since July 2009

The day before, now, Wall Street had closed on an open rise, encouraged in this direction by the Chicago PMI – and the relief felt on both sides of the Atlantic after the second vote in Parliament in Greece. Voting allows the application of the austerity plan as expected, and the release of 12 billion euros in aid to Athens.However, the agreement of the Eurogroup surl second aid plan, expected this weekend, take a little longer than expected, according to diplomatic sources.

U.S. Policy and Debt

Another current, more American and more uncertain, however, could be followed by operators, mindful of the political context, while U.S. debt back on the front of the stage: the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States Timothy Geithner, in fact, consider soon resign from his post.Information reported yesterday by the Bloomberg financial news agency and other U.S. media, but qualified this morning.

Consumption, construction and industrial activity

In terms of macroeconomic indicators, the activity of manufacturing accelerated in June in the United States, according to an index released Friday by the professional association ISM, which stood at 55.3% as against 53 3% month précédent.Cet index, analysts expected a decline to 51.1%, is above 50%, the line between expansion and contraction, for the twenty-third consecutive month.

Consumer confidence fell in June in the United States, according to the index of U.S. consumer confidence released Friday by the University of Michigan, who finally stood at 71.5, lower than analysts had thought .A first estimate, released in mid-June, the index stood at 71.8 and analysts expected that this figure does not change pas.Après two months of increases, this index declined 2.8 percentage points at the end of May, and falling to its lowest level since April.

$ 4.5 billion for Nortel patents

On the corporate side, the maker of BlackBerry phones Research In Motion (RIM), is 0.28% to 28.93 dollars after the announcement yesterday of an agreement avoiding, at the General Meeting of July 12, vote on a motion challenging the operation of its management.Turbulent in recent times, the action RIM has tumbled almost 41% in one year, closing at 28.85 dollars Thursday on the Nasdaq, while the S & P 500 gained at the same time 28.55%.

Apple (2.26% to 343.26 dollars) Research in Motion and Microsoft (0.08% to 26.02 dollars), however, are part of a group of six companies that got their hands on the latest patents The telecoms equipment maker Nortel (1.82% to 29.14 dollars). The acquisition represents $ 4.5 billion (3.10 billion euros), after an auction that Google has removed (2.89%) and Intel (1.67% at 22, $ 53)

EMC Corp., and Sony Ericsson are the other members of the winning consortium, Nortel said in a statement released Thursday night.Telecommunications giant to the Internet bubble burst, Nortel filed for bankruptcy in January 2009 and has since liquidated most of its assets, raising about $ 3.2 billion.

In any other industry, General Mills (0.35% to 37.35 dollars) announced Friday the completion of the acquisition of half of the yogurt maker Yoplait, which he was the franchise in the United States. General Mills bought for about $ 1.2 billion (830 million), with the investment fund PAI Partners and the cooperative Sodiaal, 51% stake in Yoplait SAS and 50% of the entity holding world Yoplait brands.

The draft JK Rowling unveiled

June 23, 2011 - 5:12 pm Comments Off

The excitement around the new project of the author of the Harry Potter saga was finally lifted on 23 June at 13h. In a video posted on the site and account pottermore.com youtube, JKRowling addressed her fans.

The website will therefore pottermore.com to create enhanced versions of books, with details given by the author. It will also offer for sale the digital and audio formats of each volume. Until October, when the public opening of the site, the author proposes an interactive treasure hunt to identify the fans who access this information in preview.

Each user is thus invited to register on the site by choosing a name for identity sorcerer.They will then answer a series of questions to be admitted to one of the "houses" where students are divided Hogwarts School of Witchcraft as Harry Potter and his friends are introduced to magic.

On twitter account "pottermore," the novelist wanted to cut short the rumors of false advertisement: "I can confirm that it's me on the video."

This new project had created a real rivalry over the Internet. On June 16, the novelist had launched a site called pottermore.com mysterious business

Greece: the United States urged Europe to act

June 21, 2011 - 6:44 pm Comments Off

Greek in the storm, the galley of the euro features a 18th passenger. It is not a secret, he even want to take orders. The United States is also concerned about a shipwreck in Greece that the Old Continent. They have continued to print their tempo in recent days to force the European crew to recover.

In Luxembourg, held since Sunday in yet another ballet departmental emergency, the American effort has found a leader: John Lipsky, the IMF acting boss since the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Monday, early morning, we have even seen take the pen and help correct what would become the final declaration of the Euro, according to several witnesses. Gender confusion? Among the Europeans at least, there is no doubt about the role vested in this native of Iowa, former chief economist at Salomon Brothers and JPMorgan."Lipsky is the U.S. Treasury and defending U.S. interests in Luxembourg, 'says one diplomat. The CEO can afford. Age 62, he announced his retirement before the arrest of DSK.

Under his leadership temporary, the IMF has taken a much more demanding vis-à-vis the financially troubled countries of the European Union. The turning point came during a visit to three with Angela Merkel and Wolfgang Schäuble, on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Deauville, said a European official. Prior to the rescue of countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal, the fund was content with a European political commitment. Since then, he stands still as his balls timelines, detailed austerity plans and supports encrypted.This partly explains the surprise decision of the Eurogroup, on Monday, to condition the release of the fifth tranche of the loan to Greece promised a vote by Parliament in Athens, new austerity measures and to a credible plan for privatization.

"Germany, a key country"

There is no mystery no longer on Washington's annoyance at the failure of the seventeen countries to overcome their susceptibilities to seriously address the problem payday loans guaranteed no fax. "Over the past year, the euro will fall into relapse and we see only bandages to stop the bleeding, said a U.S. official. The problem consumes time and energy of the Europeans. The world turns and do not wait. "It is also the best interests of the United States. A weak euro would threaten the sustained U.S. recovery, not to mention a rise in interest rates.More seriously, a European banking meltdown could spread to the other side of the Atlantic, reflecting the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. For the second time in less than a year, Barack Obama is telling the Chancellor that it needs to hand the wallet in favor of Athens. "Germany is the key country," stressed the president.

Christine Lagarde, a candidate for the succession of DSK, is more eager to place the main shareholder of the IMF. On the night of Sunday to Monday, the French minister took it upon herself to keep closely informed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. It was not a "phone G7" as improperly submitted.But a conversation to explain that two vital partner why 17 had once again decided not to decide on Greece.

Appointment is made Sunday, July 3 for a new conclave of the Eurogroup dedicated to the Greek debt. With the cap of the IMF, but also speaking on behalf of Washington, John Lipsky has not concealed his impatience Monday. He commanded the Europeans to "immediately put an end" to their debate on the restructuring of debt and start a new fund to rescue the euro. And he clearly put in danger the balance, "This is to prevent the crisis spreading from the periphery of Europe to the center and from there to the rest of the world."

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Renault: the State for a change of management

May 23, 2011 - 10:16 pm Comments Off

The state wants to step into the breach created by the false espionage Renault. Governments that hold nearly 15% stake in the carmaker, would like to take advantage of the replacement of number two Patrick Pelata to overhaul the state headquarters of Renault, says Les Echos.

For several weeks, the CEO, Carlos Ghosn has promoted Carlos Tavares, current head of Nissan's operations in the Americas, to replace Patrick Pelata. However, beyond the choice of a particular person, the debate among officers, directors and major shareholders of Renault is on the group's organization and its relations with the state, according to business daily. The Elysee Palace would have more influence on the choice of industrial builder and limit the power of Carlos Ghosn in particular through the recruitment of new blood in the group.

Several tracks

Reform could take several paths.The functions currently occupied by Patrick Pelata could be divided into several posts. Another track, the future heir of Carlos Ghosn could sit on the board and receive a title of CEO. That title would have the double advantage of providing greater autonomy to the number two group in relation to number one, Carlos Ghosn, and also make a successor designated by Carlos Ghosn. But Carlos Ghosn would not consider replacing it before 2014. The question of bringing the future number two immediately to the board of directors does not seem to have the endorsement of the CEO.

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Facebook founder confirmed eG8

May 17, 2011 - 2:32 am Comments Off

It should not make the trip. Then said "reserve its response". Finally, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, will indeed be in Paris on 24 and 25 May. He has confirmed his arrival in eG8 forum, organized on the initiative of Nicolas Sarkozy.

The young entrepreneur is one of over 1000 makers of the digital ecosystem to participate in this forum, whose aim is to discuss the Internet's role in economic growth. Among them are also Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder, Eric Schmidt, Google's chairman, Rupert Murdoch, or the boss of media group News Corp..

The result of their trade will be presented the next day at Deauville, the heads of state gathered for the G8.They will adopt a "statement" whose implementation will be another meeting in October at the initiative of Minister of Industry and the Digital Economy, Eric Besson.

The war in Libya has already cost 50 million

May 6, 2011 - 4:24 am Comments Off

A month and a half after the start of hostilities, the war in Libya has already cost 50 million euros to France. Gerard Longuet, the defense minister, that figure dropped Tuesday before the Committee on National Defence, says Les Echos.

The invoice missiles fired by fighter planes is around 30 million euros each cruise missile costing nearly a million. We add the operating costs of aircraft: the flight time of a Rafale is estimated at 40,000 euros and time response of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to 50,000 euros. Premiums paid to military also weigh on the bill, amounting to nearly 10 million.

The war is not over and the cost of operations should increase if the conflict stalled. But whatever the final cost of these unforeseen expenses will be funded.The budget of the Ministry of Defence was counting on 900 million euros for external operations in 2011, an amount identical to that of 2010, with approximately $ 500 million for Afghanistan. Of this amount, 630 million euros have been budgeted and 50 million are expected from the UN, says Les Echos. Thus, 220 million are already short and we must add the cost of expenditures in Libya. Part of the money spent in Libya are at present drawn from the budgets of the military trainings that may not be sufficient, however. Time and budget constraints, the sum could be more difficult to refinance.

To international funding Libyan rebels

The "contact group" on Libya has agreed Thursday on the creation of a mechanism of financial support to insurgents fighting against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.The special fund will be temporary "operational within the next few weeks," said the head of French diplomacy Alain Juppe, after a group meeting in Rome. "The temporary funding mechanism set in Doha is now well defined" so as to be "operational in the coming weeks," said the French minister told reporters.

After the announcement of the participation of the United States, France "also define" the height of his contributions soon, he added.

The National Transitional Council (CNT) formed by the insurgent wants to be granted loans totaling two to three billion dollars to cover its needs for food and medicines, to ensure essential services in areas it controls and to pay salaries.About 250 million has "already" been collected for humanitarian aid to Libya, said the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

This request has so far been examined carefully in the Western embassies, particularly because of legal obstacles that the Rome meeting was intended to circumvent.

The administration formed by the insurgents is far recognized only by France, Italy and Qatar.

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The Manager Finance DNCA soon under the American flag

April 30, 2011 - 3:36 pm Comments Off

A shareholder in American control will succeed one Italian: according to our information, the management company DNCA Finance is about to be bought by private equity firm TA Associates. The transaction values ​​between 300 and 400 million euros the French firm high of 5.5 billion euros of assets under management.

Banca Leonardo, the bank's business Gerardo Braggiotti owns nearly 70% of DNCA Finance which he had joined in 2006, continues its focus. The Italian bank will remain the capital of the management company, up to 10%. Jean-Charles Mériaux, patron management DNCA Finance, and Joseph Chatel, president, will remain second and third respectively shareholders of the firm.A share capital will also be reserved for employees, present and future of the management company established in 2000.

DNCA Finance, which manages a range of 10 French and Luxembourg UCITS, has based its development especially in the booming wealth management advisors. His new shareholder is an investment fund Boston, which already owns British fund manager Jupiter Asset Management. TA Associates, the head of funds totaling $ 16 billion of capital, fired on all cylinders. He just announced this week its entry into the capital of a management firm Stadion American Money Management, but also an investment in Bigpoint, the German tenor of online games.

Faurecia grows thanks to America

April 19, 2011 - 2:32 pm Comments Off

Faurecia, located in 33 countries with 238 plants has grown steadily over the first quarter. Its consolidated sales amounted to 3.963 billion euros, up 23.7% (+15% at constant exchange rates) over the first quarter of 2010, according to a statement released Tuesday. The turnover of 135.9 million includes Faurecia euros Plastal Germany and 46.7 million euros of consolidated Plastal Spain in April and October 2010. As for the activities of Angell-Demmel, taken by Faurecia January 1, 2011, their contribution to revenues is 17.5 million euros in the first three months of 2011.

It is thanks to its core auto parts – that the group, held 57.4% by PSA Peugeot Citroën has achieved this strong performance.Sales of parts and components for car manufacturers have exceeded 3.1 billion euros, or 23% increase over first quarter 2010 (+13% at constant exchange rates). Sales of tools for R & D and prototypes have risen a bit slower pace of 18% (2% at constant exchange rates) to 214.5 million euros.

Growth through American countries and Asia

The increased activity of Faurecia has been particularly strong in North America: +34.7% (+31.1% at constant exchange rates). This increase, especially noticeable in sales of catalysts is related to the purchase in 2010 by the American Faurencia MSCOM Technologies, specializes in controlling emissions.

Among emerging markets, Faurecia is a sales increase of 32.8% in South America (23.9% at constant exchange rates) and 29.1% in Asia (23.2% at constant rates exchange rates). The strongest sales in China jumped (+25.5%), with two Chinese joint ventures of Faurecia, which enable it to provide exterior parts of automotive vehicles for Chinese low-end.

At the Paris Bourse, the results were appreciated by investors. An hour after the start of trade, as Faurecia rose 3.66% to 25.6 euros on a market reopens after falling up to 2.35% on Monday.

Shale gas: defense industrial

April 16, 2011 - 10:32 pm Comments Off

If the state seems determined to bury the projects to exploit gas and oil shale, it is not the same industry. Total and after the oil is now up to CEO of GDF Suez, Gerard Mestrallet, to speak on the subject. Voices in the columns, the leader regretted that "France turns the page on shale gas before opening it."

The government has indeed done an about-face on the subject. Faced with a growing mobilization against the exploitation of these deposits to potentially harmful to the environment, the prime minister on Wednesday urged the cancellation of the exploration license. In March 2010, Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of Ecology, had authorized the search of these gases "unconventional" in the basement French Three licenses were awarded, one in Total and two other group Texas Schuepbach associated with GDF Suez.

Impact on prices

It is not certain that there are industrial. They surf on rising fuel prices to justify further research in this area. The CEO of GDF Suez and in Les Echos argues that "France will freeze gas prices on one side and the other refuses to produce shale gas. I recall that if natural gas is cheap in the U.S., thanks to unconventional gas. "

Same story at Total. In a recent interview in Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France, oil group's CEO, Christophe de Margerie said that gasoline prices will continue to blaze to 2 euros lellitre super and that this development necessitates the search other energy sources.It specifically targets the shale gas, "We can not defend one side of the security of supply in France, and the other, prohibit the exploration of these famous shale gas. How can we make a final decision without even knowing if this gas is present in the French soil and if it is usable? "

"An operation" clean "is possible"

Similarly, Gerard Mestrallet advocates a continuation of research, also on methods of extracting these gases. "To conclude that we will never be able to develop clean technologies to exploit shale gas, there is not as scientific as I would not cross," said the officer saving account payday loan. Total goes further. Courmes Bruno, director of Total Shale Gas in Europe, the Group subsidiary dedicated to oil shale gas, is "sure to offer a holding" clean "of shale gas."

Cleaner technology and less controversial, would bring the Prime Minister, currently opposed to the exploitation of shale gas, to review its position: "There is no question of closing the door to technological advances that allow for future access to new energy resources ", has underlined Francois Fillon during his speech in favor of cancellation of licenses already granted. A scientific research mission on the possibilities of exploiting these deposits with other technologies is ongoing.

No credible alternative for the moment

Except that it may take time. Asked by lefigaro.fr, Total acknowledges that, at present, there is no alternative to the hydraulic fracturing technique implemented by the Texas Haliburton. An efficient method known but the effects are harmful to the environment.This method aims to create small earthquakes over 2000 meters before injecting large amounts of water and chemicals to extract the fuel. The film Gasland shock, the Oscar-nominated 2011 – which had a significant effect on protest movements – really demonstrates what can be the impact on drinking water, air quality and public health of this method extraction.

Cap on foreign

And France, a "National Day of Action" against the shale gas to take place this weekend. It might then be that manufacturers are turning abroad. Total has also finalized an agreement with CNPC-PetroChina to operate an unconventional gas field in Inner Mongolia and the group has two exploration permits for shale gas in Denmark and six in Argentina.Remains whether the environmental impact of the same technique is different from one country to another.

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