Retail

  Bloomberg Flipkart Online Services Pvt has completed a $1 billion fundraising and aims to raise as much as $1 billion more over the next few months, according to people familiar with the matter, giving India’s largest e-commerce company capital to battle back against rising competition. Flipkart secured its latest funding at a valuation of about $10 billion, said the …

  Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business Etisalat postpaid subscribers can now make an online purchase of a customised mobile number based on their personal preferences from the comfort of their home. This is the first time in UAE customers can select, customise his/her mobile number and activate the same from any location in the country and offering a huge pool …

  Bloomberg Wal-Mart Stores Inc. acquired online apparel seller ModCloth Inc. in an all-cash deal, part of an effort to expand its online operations and appeal to customers that may have avoided the retailer in the past. ModCloth will continue to operate as a stand-alone site, as well as work with Wal-Mart’s other operations, the retail giant said. ModCloth Chief …

  Bloomberg Vodafone Group Plc is nearing an initial agreement to merge its Indian operations with Idea Cellular Ltd. in a deal that would create the largest telecom company in one of the world’s most competitive markets, people with knowledge of the matter said. The two firms plan to announce a preliminary agreement as soon as this month, according to …

  Dubai / Emirates Business Better Life, one of UAE’s leading home appliance retailers and a division of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC, introduced ‘Better Deals’ campaign to offer customers unprecedented value on purchases across their stores in the UAE. The incentives come in the form of bundled offers, instant-redeemable gift vouchers, free gifts and significant price offers, and …

  Bloomberg Marks & Spencer Group Plc (M&S) is severing ties to financial public-relations adviser Finsbury at the end of March as the London-based retailer seeks to cut costs. M&S’s internal press-relations team will take over responsibility for the work Finsbury has been carrying out since the WPP Plc-owned agency was hired by former Chief Executive Officer Marc Bolland in …

  NEW YORK / AP JC Penney listed for the first time the 138 locations it will shutter in the coming months as the retailer seeks to cut costs and improve its profitability. Like other department stores, JC Penney Co. is hurting as more people shop online instead of heading to the mall. The closures are part of the company’s …

  Bloomberg J Sainsbury Plc said it’s cutting costs in an effort to avoid raising prices in response to the drop in the pound, after sales fell in its core grocery business. British supermarket chains have begun raising prices for the first time in more than two years as the slide in sterling since the U.K. voted to leave the …

  Tribune News Service Special to Emirates Business A jewel and luxury fashion industry leader for more than 110 years is once again looking for a suitor. After reporting its sixth consecutive quarter of sales declines, Dallas-based Neiman Marcus said that it’s exploring all options, including a sale of the company. A sale has been rumored for some time. Saddled …

  MADRID / AP Zara fashion brand owner Inditex says strong sales and expansion of new stores boosted net profit in the past fiscal year by a 10 percent. The world’s largest clothes retailer said that net profit for the 12 months ending January 31 rose to 3.16 billion euros ($3.35 billion) from 2.88 billion euros ($3.06 billion) a year …