Executive Summary

• This week’s From the Desk of letter discusses untapped opportunities in the European off-price space, which was long the exclusive domain of the TJX Companies. We think there are real opportunities to develop the off-price segment in Europe, especially in Germany.
• 75% of suppliers and importers “expect retail sales to significantly outpace gross domestic product for the spring and summer shopping season,” according to a recent survey. Respondents also expect retail sales to grow by 4% or more, which is greater than the 2–3% gain expected by economists.
• Swedish fast-fashion chain H&M announced that it has launched transactional websites for customers in Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Ireland. Shoppers will be able to shop the same collections online as those in-store, plus some exclusive “online-only” items.
• Singapore-based startup Pouch introduced NFC wristbands that are becoming popular among event organizers, solving problems including security, theft, fraud, event flow and control for organizer. Guests can pay for goods using the wristbands, eliminating the need to carry cash.