European retailers eye self help and emerging markets

Results from top European retailers next week are set to underscore the importance of self-help measures and of expanding in fast-growing emerging markets as companies battle weak consumer spending at home.

Germany's Metro (MEOG.DE), the world's No.4 retailer, will provide an update on its Shape 2012 restructuring plan, which helped to boost profits last year, while analysts will be looking for more details on its plans, announced on Thursday, to expand into Indonesia and Latin America.

Expanding in developing markets and improving profit margins will be themes for Kingfisher (KGF.L) as well when the world's No.3 home improvements retailer unveils its strategic blueprint for the next three years.

Despite growing signs of a robust global economic recovery, investors are worried that austerity measures to cut government debts, along with rising food and fuel costs, will hit consumers hard across much of Europe in the coming months.

Source : Mark Potter - Reuters