摘要：The global economy has continued to perform reasonably well, lifting retail sales and profitability. However, heightened concern about the growing risks facing retailers is changing the management agenda from one of managing for profitable growth to one of managing and mitigating risk. There is growing awareness among senior management and corporate directors in the retail industry - whose risk management agendas heretofore have been focused primarily on financial integrity issues - of the non-financial risks confronting their organizations. The paper presents the situation on the global retail industry based on the last year’s dates and prediction its course in the near future. The studied markets are: North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Africa/Middle East. The global economy has emerged from its doldrums, which has put more money in consumers’ pockets. Profitability and cash positions have risen. Investments in technology are beginning to pay off. Various international markets are showing increasing signs of promise. Competition remains intense in the industry, but the successful industry players have developed the focused strategies that are allowing them to flourish.
关键词：retail market; global economy; competition; risk management
