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Finally a positive signal in the current economic environment. According to the firm AON-Hewitt, the companies expect an increase of 3% of their budgets for salary increases in 2012, against 2.8% this year. According to the 183 companies surveyed in this study, the general increases to 1.9% (against 1.7% in 2011) and the individual, mainly intended for managers, 2.7% (against 2.3% in 2011 ). These prospects for wage increases are close to pre-crisis levels of 2008, but achieving them. In 2009, budgets were part of an overall increase in growth of 3%, but reached 3.3% in 2008.

If companies somewhat loose purse strings is to best manage a triple constraint, says Ariane de Calbiac, head of compensation consulting at Aon, Hewitt."Their priorities for 2012 are at the same time to maintain the purchasing power of their employees, retain their best people while controlling costs payday advance online." The "talent retention" is indeed an urgent need for HR managers at a time when the rate of commitment of employees show great signs of weakness in a company in three.

The variable has the dimension

The current stock market turmoil, with their potential economic consequences of corporate life, are they likely to question the good intentions wage. Not at this time, meet officials of AON-Hewitt. "The forecasts are reliable at this point. The survey was conducted between late June and 19 August.At that time, companies were already aware of the economic uncertainty, "insists Ariane Calbiac.

Other trends survey wages, AON-Hewitt is the further development of variable compensation, including among the non-executives, and increase the overall value of the "package" of compensation, which includes the Perco or employee ownership.

The Department of Defense is mobilizing to help reduce public spending. Authorized since 2004 to sign agreements of public-private partnership (PPP), the military have a growing use, like other state services.

The Air Force is leading. It announced yesterday the award of the contract to upgrade its computer networks and communications in a pool of companies led by Alcatel-Lucent. This contract runs on sixteen for a value of 350 million euros, the amount of royalties to be paid by the Air Force over the period. The state expects "tens of millions of euros in savings" through the pooling of engineering resources used on other projects as well as the speed of network deployment."Without the PPP, we would never have as quickly renovate and take advantage of new technologies," says Marc Leclere, director of central purchasing in the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA).

Financial arrangements entrusted to the Caisse des Depots

PPP is the second signed by the DGA and the first for the Air Force. The yard is huge. This is to equip a hundred bases, to wire several hundred buildings and installing 36,000 "access points" (for computer, telephone or system) to build high speed, with the latest fiber optic generation, the future "Internet protocol network service" of the Air Force (Air-RDIP). The construction should start in the coming days with commissioning of the first "positions" equipped end of 2012. The deployment should be completed in 2014. Alcatel-Lucent's partner INEO, an infrastructure specialist defense techniques.

As for the financial package, it is entrusted to the Caisse des depots associated with the Luxembourg investment funds SEIEF. The pool of partners committed to cede 10% of contracts outsourced to SMEs and to provide reclassifications to hundreds of military and civilian personnel involved. Alcatel-Lucent will assume management and maintenance of networks of Air Force with the requirement, half-life of RDIP-Air, an "update" so that it benefits from technological developments.

All of the information flow internal air bases including allowing the Air Force to conduct its missions – such as surveillance of airspace – will therefore be outsourced. The information will be protected and secured through five levels of privacy from the most basic to the "secret NATO" and "confidential defense".Alcatel-Lucent is also committed to service quality (availability and reliability) together with a penalty system if necessary. The operation could RDIP-Air School with the Navy and the Army in time, although for now the two armies have computer networks and communications referred to as "suitable."

Three sectors where the state says its operations in private

1. The defense pointed

The Army had the ball rolling in 2008 benefiting from the first PPP contract signed by the DGA. Specifically, with the company DCI has taken over the management of flight hours and the helicopter fleet of the School of Dax which trains pilots of the French armies.

The contract worth 400 million euros spread over twenty-two years. It must allow a saving of 600 million euros.But the PPP's most famous landmark is undoubtedly the contract of 3 free 3-in-1 credit report.5 billion euros, signed in early June, with Bouygues to build the "Pentagon in French" (pictured) at Balard. In 2014, 10,000 military and civilian staffs of the three armies and the DGA have to regroup. The PPP is not always the rule to outsource activities and services where military competence is not necessary. After the lawn or airport maintenance (based Cognac), the Ministry of Defence had retained in 2006 the American GE Fleet Services to manage its fleet, more than 20,000 commercial vehicles. With, in sight, a savings of 25% on an annual budget of 90 million.

2. Transportation and Maintenance

Bikers of the gendarmerie and the police accompanying the convoy will soon be a thing of the past exceptional.The state decided to entrust to private companies the management of transportation of wind turbines, ships and other bulky goods. Effective November 1, this measure is indicative of the willingness of departments to focus on their core missions. This is the philosophy of the modernization of the state launched since 2007. The functions called "media" such as purchasing, information technology, are among the first to be restructured. "We look first at the pool," says one at Bercy. A purchasing department of the State, which oversees the current purchases of government departments, has been created. The state also uses outsourcing. No more garages in the ministries: the management of their 72,000 vehicles will be performed by private companies at the end of the year. Caretaking, cleaning, heavy lifting, the reception is already provided by the private staff at Bercy.This is also true at the Musée du quai Branly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he, a single private provider for the maintenance of its buildings in Paris. The government can also go further, by giving public-private partnership in the management and construction of prisons.

3. Public enterprises

Public companies, subject to increasing competition, should ensure the public service closer to the citizens without increasing their operating costs. It is the object, including the action plan for rural areas launched last year. The plan includes for example the Post Office launches 17,000 "contact points", mainly in shops run by individuals. In this way, 90% of French people will have access to a courier service within 5 kilometers.For their part, the old disused railway stations could be reused to pool several services in one place: social security office, ticket sales SNCF, EDF payment services. The state is full of ideas. Left to ogle the side of the private sector. The opening to competition of regional express trains (pictured) could well tip the railway in the private sector. It is expected that a "social framework harmonized" be defined so that they retain their current benefits. The Elysee confirmed in an engagement letter to the President of the SNCF. And Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the responsible minister of the SNCF, was asked last June that the negotiations between social partners are committed as soon as possible. These issues should be addressed in the coming weeks as part of Focus on the rail.

It is a small revolution for the station and its customers: under a decree published this summer in a discreet and identified by Challenges.fr, the railway company could now set its prices much more freely. Gone are the peak and normal periods, the timing was officially recorded in advance and who presided over the setting of tariffs.

"The decree allows to adjust the price cap to the station for the gradual opening to competition of the railway market," says the text. Clearly, to boost the attractiveness and profitability of the public entity within the opening to competition of the European network, SNCF should be able to offer its customers a range of rates much larger, developed based on supply and demand.

Rate increases on the crowded trains

The gain to consumers is mixed.On some busy routes, these new capabilities would enable the public body to go beyond the current full price of the second class in rush hour fast cash without a hassle. Holidaymakers taking TGV lines busy for example will be expected to pay more. However, for trains shunned by customers, the SNCF would be allowed to go below rates currently charged to attract new passengers.

Such liberalization was requested by the SNCF to the government at the end of last year, in return for the introduction of a tax to finance inter-deficient lines. Neither station nor the government have so far expressed on the subject.Signatory to the decree, the Minister of Transport, Thierry Mariani, was at the time held that freedom of the SNCF tariff should remain regulated, "in that competition does not really exist."

According to Challenges, consumer groups such as FNAUT will be formally consulted before the application of the decree, "probably in the fall."

Faced with bronce generated by the project operators to end unlimited Internet packages fixed, two questions remain suspens.Premièrement, who are these "netgoinfres" very heavy users of Internet operators that want coach? Opinions differ. "These are 5 to 10% of consumers who use 80% of the bandwidth. They are found in all countries. The population is fairly limited, "says Yves Le Mouël, Director General of the Federation of Telecom.

In Focus: the "geek" who downloads movies and massive music, spends time on YouTube and Dailymotion. "They are also SMEs with a standard Internet connection and download all day, they are hotels or student residences," said an executive at one operator.

David Charles, president and founder of MVNO Prixtel, but rather the fault of television over the Internet.Growing, it smoothly, he said, the networks. "If we want to free up bandwidth, it must be stopped. The TV is made to switch to TNT, especially since the state has paid dearly for the setting up in France. "

Edouard Barreiro, association UFC-Que Choisir, goes further. For him, "the netgoinfres, these are all of us." "During the day fixed networks are not busy. But they explode in the evening when everyone comes home from work, watch movies, videos, updates made its Apple … We all do the same thing at the same time, he says.Talking netgloutons is an excuse not to make the investments. "

Amend contracts

Operators deny it, but if they decided to go into action, could they change the current contracts? "Yes, it's Chatel law: an operator can easily change its offer, but the client is then free to go free, as was the case during the episode of the VAT," said Edouard Barreiro. Clearly, either the consumer accepts the new conditions, it is part.

But leave her Internet provider is not as easy as changing mobile operator. First, we must do without the Internet for about two weeks. Second, number portability works well on mobile remains fragile on the set. "Things are going well when you leave France Telecom to another operator.But when we leave SFR example, sometimes you lose his number, "said Edouard Barreiro. Finally, it must also return the box and be reimbursed for the possible bond. Not so simple!

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All weekend, they multiplied the meetings and news: the political leaders of industrialized countries have mobilized to show that they had taken stock of efforts to engage to address concerns about the state of their finances. This will reassure the markets, worried after the announcement Friday after the close of a deterioration in the rating of the sovereign debt of the United States by Standard & Poor's, but also disturbed by the difficulties faced by countries in the region euro to implement the solutions to the crisis in Greece. With always in sight the risk of contagion of debt to other countries.

In the wake of the Asian stock markets, down sharply this morning, the benchmark index in Paris has started his week on a further decline, however, moderate (-0.74%) before recovering quickly in green.Half an hour after opening, the CAC 40 rose 0.58% to 3297.71 points. Sign that the markets have understood, at least in part, statements of intent to both sides of the Atlantic, the austerity measures aimed at fiscal consolidation in industrial countries.

Yesterday, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated their determination to ensure that the bailout of Greece on 21 July be adopted before the end of September. They also praised the efforts of Spain and especially those of Italy, two weak links in the euro area at present. Indeed, Rome has advanced by one year (from 2014 to 2013) the goal of return to balance its accounts. In addition, the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would implement "active" its buyback program obligations.This measure, taken and announced last week by Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the institution, had absolutely convinced investors. On the contrary …

Relaxation rates in Spain and Italy

This does not seem to be the case this morning. The ECB did not specify to which countries would focus the bond buyback program, but rates in ten years Spanish and Italian relaxed strongly on Monday in the bond market, passing under 6%. Relaxation is expected to continue, while the French Minister of Economy and Finance has confirmed Baroin on Europe 1 that the ECB was ready to buy the Spanish and European debt, if investors withdrew.

Elsewhere in Europe, the trend is much better than the stock market crash feared by investors. In Frankfurt, the DAX opened down 1% to 6170.69 points.A little more for London, the FTSE 100 opened down 1.15%, before recovering slightly (-0.77%) to 6204.12 points. In Madrid, the Ibex 35 index wins more than 2.6% to 9.30 at 8843 points. Finally, Milan sign the best growth (+3%) to 16,500 points.

Next on the list?

However, uncertainty should remain in force on the European markets at the beginning of the week. The decision of Standard & Poor's in the United States continues to claim haunt the minds of the markets, despite a weekend to "digest" the news.Now that the world's largest economy, long considered one of the most reliable borrowers, is not as well marked, which could consider itself safe from degradation? In France, this concern should be limited, however, the chief economist for Europe, Standard & Poor's Jean-Michel Six, who said Saturday that the agency maintained the "AAA" of France, in a stable outlook no fax pay day loan.

Before testing the first effects on the markets of this political mobilization, the announcement of the ECB on repurchase of bonds has already led to support the euro against the dollar. At 7 o'clock this morning, the euro was worth 1.4321 dollars, against 1.4281 dollars on Friday night, after the dollar rose to 1.4370 on Sunday night.But above all concerns macroeconomic benefit to gold, which recorded a new record Monday on the market in Hong Kong, dying for the first time the maximum 1700 dollars an ounce, and benefiting fully from his safe haven status.

The sharp drop in oil

Instead, the side of the oil, oil prices continued to tumble on Monday. Result of numerous concerns about a possible global recession, prices show a sharp decline. In morning trading in Asia, a barrel of "light sweet crude" lost 2.59 dollars to 84.29 dollars, while that of Brent North Sea crude for September delivery fell by 2.48 dollars to 106.89 dollars.

Finally, the political mobilization should remain in force throughout the day, and guide the trend in European markets as U.S.. For the side of the macroeconomic data, the news will remain low in the first day of the week.Unlike last week, no statistics across the Atlantic will not give further details Monday about the health of the U.S. economy or the risk of a possible recession in the country. In France alone were expected business surveys of the Banque de France, unveiled on Monday its growth forecast for the third quarter. For the period, the institution expects an increase of 0.2% of French GDP, the same pace as in the previous quarter.

As for values ​​to follow, business publications are scarce this week.

Battered last week after interim results affected by exposure in Greece, banking stocks offered a nice rally this morning and take the lead increases the Cac 40.BNP Paribas (5.47% to 42.83 euros), followed closely by Credit Agricole (+ 5.01% to 7.51 euros) and Societe Generale (4.83% to 28.76 euros). For its part, Axa wins 3.81%, to 11.99 euros. The entire financial sector benefits from the relief this morning, the insurer CNP Assurances taking his side 3.91%, to 12.37 euros. Outside the CAC 40, ahead of Dexia 5.26% to 1.7 euro.

The manufacturer Archos tablet that will detail its annual accounts after market, has already won 4.77% to 8.35 euros.

Carmat (12.80% to 105.47 euros). The total artificial heart specialist said on Sunday evening the success of its capital increase launched from July 13 to 29. The former subsidiary of EADS has raised 29.3 million euros, which will fund the first clinical trials on humans.

GDF Suez (2.74% to 20.97 euros).The group of energy and services has sealed, according to Les Echos, a strategic Partenaris with the Chinese sovereign wealth fund CIC, which would lead to an acquisition of a 30% interest in the exploration and production arm of French.

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The U.S. stock market return in the green Wednesday. After a cautious start, the Dow Jones up 0.44% at 12,434 points, the Nasdaq climbed 1.03% to 2812 points and the S & P advance of 0.66% to 1338 points.

The indexes have regained upward shift after the publication of the conclusions of the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed in April. Participants spoke at length about inflation that has plagued the country prior to deduce that it was only "temporary." They also confirmed that interest rates would remain low until at least late June.

One solution is looming for Greece

Furthermore, advances in the Greek case are relieved. The option of rescheduling the debt held by creditors Hellenic both public and private, has gained momentum Tuesday in Europe, given the difficulties the country out of crisis.If Greece is making efforts, "we will see if it is possible to have a smooth restructuring of the Greek debt, has said the leader of the finance ministers of the eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker. Restructuring "soft" requires longer periods for repayment and possibly lower interest rates.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro fell slightly against the dollar at 1.4222 dollars against 1.4234 dollars late Tuesday. For their part, oil prices recorded a sharp rebound on Wednesday in New York, a barrel of benchmark win $ 3.19 to 100.10 dollars. U.S. inventories of crude oil fell against all odds last week, said Wednesday the U.S. Agency for Energy Information (EIA). Crude inventories were down 15,000 barrels to 370.31 million. Economists on average had expected an increase of one million barrels.Gasoline inventories rose much less than expected, rising by 119,000 barrels to 205.94 million, against an estimate of an increase of 800,000.

Staples plummet, Dell flies

The side of values, the number two U.S. computer, Dell (5 online payday loan lenders.72% to 16.81 dollars) on Tuesday after the close of Wall Street net profit more than doubled and exceeded expectations for its first quarter of year 2011/12 to $ 945 million, but with a disappointing sales, up only 1%.

For its part, Intel (1.19% to 23.83 dollars) has denied rumors that it could produce chips for mobile phones using technology from its competitor ARM.Intel has also maintained a growth forecast of just over 10% for sales of PC processors.

The group office supplies Staples (-14.54% to 16.80 dollars) has reported a quarterly profit below expectations due to rising costs and falling demand in a recovery economically fragile. Net income amounted to $ 198.2 million or 28 cents per share, against 188.8 million or 26 cents per share a year earlier. Analysts on average expected a profit of 32 cents per share. Turnover increased by 2% to 6.17 billion.

Skyworks Solutions (3.38% to 27.54 dollars) has announced the acquisition of SiGe Semiconductor for $ 210 million in cash, which will add 65 million additional cases of achievement.

The shareholders of JPMorgan Chase (-0.41% to 43.63 U.S. dollars) on Tuesday accused the U.S. bank of negligence in the proceedings of foreclosures and the change in loans to troubled borrowers, particularly in relation to ethnic minorities.

Russian oil giant Rosneft said on Wednesday it had received new proposals for cooperation on the part of BP (-0.28% to $ 7), after the failure this week of their proposed strategic alliance to explore the Arctic .

Please note that LinkedIn, a site of exchange of curriculum vitae, announced Tuesday that the actions it intends to market, perhaps as early as Thursday, would be made at prices not between 32 and 35 dollars, as he had announced a week ago, but almost 30% higher, between 42 and 45 dollars for a maximum value approaching 3 but not 4 billion.

The rebound in first quarter will not last, according to the Banque de France (BDF). If it maintains its estimate for first quarter to 0.7%, the institution table effect on an increase of only 0.5% between April and June. Slightly less optimistic, INSEE, which will publish its first quarter on Friday, table for its share of growing 0.4% in the second.

"With 0.7% growth over the first three months of the year as required by the BoF-or 0.8% as we expect, then 0.5% quarter over the rest of the year we get a growth of 2 to 2.1% growth in 2011, "anticipates Pierre-Olivier Beffy, chief economist at Exane BNP Paribas. The government expects its share to grow by 2% over the year.

"Moderate activity"

The first estimate of the BoF is based on the results of its April survey on the work of industry and services.In the first two sectors, the monetary institution observes an activity that is "remained moderate overall, with a business climate in retirement to 107 points in April against 110 the previous month totally free credit score. "This is the largest decline since the crisis began in late 2008," worries Ken Wattret, market economist at BNP Paribas. Economists expected an unchanged index.

While food has grown, other sectors have declined, particularly in the automotive and equipment. "Prices have tended to rising prices has again," notes the BoF, due probably repercussions of price increases of raw materials.

Services, which had been slow to recover in 2010, were known for their full growth "supported", says the BoF.The confidence indicator, lower than in industry, totaled 102 points in April, against 103 in March. Transportation and computer services from the sector, which continued to recruit. Good health services should continue, provided the Bank of France: "The prospects are growth-oriented farm activity."

The observations of the BoF in April similar to those of the INSEE. It had measured a significant improvement of business climate in services as well as stability in the industry.

On Thursday morning, Vivendi held its General Assembly at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. The opportunity for its chairman, Jean-Bernard Levy, back on the recent strategic transactions conducted by the media and telecoms group. The acquisition in early April, the entire capital of SFR marks the end of an era. The former Générale des Eaux was transformed into Vivendi Universal Jean-Marie Messier. This group was then a holding company, often minority participations disparate telecoms, television, cinema, internet, music … After going through a severe debt crisis in 2002, Jean-Rene Fourtou and Jean-Bernard Levy has radically restructured the group .

LE FIGARO. – The purchase of 100% of SFR is it a milestone in the history of Vivendi?

Jean-Bernard Levy. – Since its inception in 1987, we never had sole control of SFR.Jean-Rene Fourtou, upon his arrival, has understood the strategic importance and it has fought since 2002 to buy Vivendi's participation for sale by BT. It is only recently that Vodafone, our partner from the beginning accepted the idea of ​​selling his share. In late 2009, we launched the sale of our 20% stake in NBC Universal, and there is barely three months we have realized. The proceeds from this sale enabled us to negotiate and secure the purchase of 44% of SFR held by Vodafone. It is a major turning point for Vivendi. It marks the completion of a long phase of restructuring and simplification. In less than ten years, Vivendi has experienced a profound transformation.

What is your strategy?

First, Vivendi has strengthened its core businesses into global and national leaders.Then, a conglomerate we have an industry group, managing all its assets and without minority participation. Finally, buying GVT in Brazil, we went looking for growth. Now we focus on organic growth through internal innovation, developing new products and services.

This transaction is financially attractive it?

It is a very good transaction for our shareholders and I am sure they appreciate it. With 100% of SFR, we have better access to its cash, especially a sharp increase in the outcome of Vivendi over 400 million euros in 2011, more than 600 million euros in 2012 and 2013, 350 million euros in 2014. This acquisition will bring us so 2 billion euros in extra profits in four years. Accordingly, we expect to grow our dividend in 2012.However, the dividend will increase more slowly than profit, as our distribution rate, currently 64%, is among the highest.

Are you going to buy out the minority of Canal + and Activision Blizzard?

For our subsidiary Activision Blizzard, world number 1 video games, trading in the United States gives visibility and shows the true value of the company fast cash. It also helps to develop the best talent pay systems that underpin the success of such businesses. Regarding Canal +, Lagardère our agreement with a scheme based on fairly simple: either we reach an agreement on the purchase price of the 20% stake in Canal + France, or it can make the market participation stock. The operation failed OTC, Lagardere launched and then stopped the IPO.We did not reopen negotiations with Lagardere.

Vivendi now appears as a group of telecom. Will you keep the contents?

I reject the relevance of the classification between telecom and media. For me, it is the organization of markets in the last century. Today, we live in a continuity in the value chain to the consumer digital content creation, platform services and applications, network infrastructure. Vivendi has a unique advantage is that it is present at all stages of this chain. Recently, the value focused on platforms such as Google, Facebook, iTunes. We, we, our own specialized platforms that fully meet consumers' expectations and World of Warcraft in-game video, Vevo in music, Canalsat in television.We continue to firmly establish and develop platforms to expand our services, not to be reduced to the role of "dumb pipes" as some would have us confine.

Do you create platforms that will be the future of Facebook or Twitter?

From experience, this is not in large groups to create social networks like Facebook, Twitter or their successors. Our presence in the platforms has a logic of knowledge and travel beyond the borders of our core businesses. Our mission is to cultivate more land to our jurisdiction, our businesses and our territories.

Do you intend to create more synergies between telecom and content?

The group did not need to be justified by synergies artificial. In contrast, we develop joint projects in our activities, piecemeal.For example, Universal Music and GVT created a digital music offering in Brazil, SFR sells offers Canal + in its 820 shops, Morocco Telecom and Canal + are working together on pay-TV platforms in Africa. I think when the synergies they can create additional services and therefore additional growth.

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Spain calmly observes the release of financial assistance to its neighbor Portuguese. The Economy Minister Elena Salgado has ruled out any risk of contagion. The facts give him reason for now: the Spanish treasury was placed yesterday, four billion euros good for three years from 3.601%, a decrease compared to the issue of March 3.

Two new reasons for this positive market reaction. "On one hand, the European Union now knows how to respond to financial crises of its members, analysis Giada Giani, an expert on Southeast Europe at Citigroup. Moreover, Spain has implemented reforms that Portugal is just beginning to discuss on the labor market, fiscal policy and the banking sector. "

For Brussels, "Spain is facing significant challenges, but it is on track to meet its objectives."It would be "totally inappropriate to compare Portugal to Spain," said Secretary General of OECD, Angel Gurria.

"Spain has done much to reassure the markets, but has yet to take action on reforming the labor market," Jean-Claude Trichet shade no faxing 1 hour payday loans.

The position of savings banks also remains fragile. In 2010, Madrid has injected 11 billion euros in "cajas", the latter have sought additional 6.5 billion in March. But ratings agency Moody's believes that they will be provisioned and 50 billion euros to ensure their viability.

"Spain has done much to reassure the markets, but has yet to take action on reforming the labor market …" Jean-Claude Trichet shade situation Savings Bank also remains fragile.In 2010, Madrid has injected 11 billion euros in "cajas", the latter have sought additional 6.5 billion in March. But ratings agency Moody's believes that they will be provisioned and 50 billion euros to ensure their viability.

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Since the beginning of the year, battling top Ninjago snapped up in the playground. Kai warriors, Boneza, Kraz and friends compete in tournaments Spinjitzu. The star, Kai, is already No. 3 in sales behind the Beyblade spinning tops (Hasbro) and hamsters Zhu Zhu Pets (Giochi Preziosi). The point where it is now found in many stores in France.

The Danish manufacturer, now number 4 in the world of toys last year with 2.15 billion euros in sales (+37%), has bet big on the launch of Ninjago, one of the most important history of the group. Within months, the second diversification of Lego outside its core business. Last year, he embarked on the games to build. It is now invading action figures with six tops.Lego, which enjoys full of "phenomenon" Beyblade (1 million copies sold last year in France), hopes to ride the popularity of collections and mini-portable characters. One way for the group to broaden its audience and attract the universe "Lego" of children who are not necessarily fans of construction sets.

Convince children

"In France, Lego plans to sell over a million rotors in 2011," said Eric Le Figaro Maugein, the CEO of Lego France. "Sales in January and February exceeded our expectations." The entire collection Ninjago (figures, construction sets) could generate $ 20 million in sales. Nearly a quarter of sales in France. Eric Maugein placed on its Japanese warriors to advance his pawns in France and enhance brand appeal.After 35% growth last year (145 million euros in toys sold), it expects 20% in 2011. He also hopes to increase its share of the pie and from 5% to 6% of the market.

For if the group has doubled its sales in six years, it remains a challenger in France, No. 5 behind the industry heavyweights. Penetration remains three times lower than it has in Germany. The establishment of a French subsidiary, with its own marketing department and teams dedicated to each distributor, dates only from 2004. It has helped to clarify the expectations of French consumers. Since then, LEGO has relocated to France's "traditional" (Duplo, City, Technic, Star Wars) and put the accelerator on its advertising investment (+30% in 2010).

Lego face rising raw material costs

Last year, Lego has won 130,000 new children are now buying nearly three boxes per year."We are confident in the ability of Lego to convince even more children they can have fun while developing their creativity," said Eric Maugein, which has launched a "club" Lego and a dedicated website fans. In 2011, Lego also betting on the other pillar of the group, the licenses, which now generate 40% of sales, with the last episode of Harry Potter movies. He signed last year a partnership with Disney that will benefit him in 2011 to outflows of Cars 2 Cinema and Winnie The Pooh.

Only downside, higher raw materials. "We were able to absorb rising costs through productivity gains and growth in our volumes," said Eric Maugein, whose prices rise less than 1% this year. "Lego is already positioned as a premium brand.We really need that raw material prices to explode the situation changes. "

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