It's a good time to work in China's booming retail industry right now, unless of course your job is selling mislabeled pork.
Several Wal- Mart employees in the Southwestern city Chongqing were detained on Tuesday as part of a government probe into whether the retail chain illegally sold ordinary pork marked as "organic," The Wall Street Journal reported.
Chinese authorities have also shut down twelve stores in the region until the pork investigation is carried out.
Right now China is closely eyeing its food prices as the country struggles to push down inflation and keep its economy from growing too quickly. Pork, one of the country's staples, has been under particular scrutiny as its price has surged more than 50% s ince mid-2010.
Not a big surprise that Wal- Mart is targeted. Authorities in Chongqing said they've cited the company for numerous violations s ince 2006, including false advertising and selling expired food.
Sales Buzz
A&P Outsources Facilities Management (Retailing Today)
In a move that mirrors Wal- Mart's plan to outsource its shelf stocking, A&P has awarded a three-year contract to USM Services to provide facilities management at its 336 stores in the Northeast.
Supermarkets Test S martphone Technology (WSJ)
Supermarkets are experimenting with s martphone technology as more customers use mobile devices to compare prices.
Jones Group Looking to Sell Jeanswear Division (Retailing Today)
Jones Group is in discussions to sell its jeanswear division to Israeli clothing maker Delta Galil Industries. The asking price is between $350 million to $400 million.
Marketing Buzz
Paramount's New Animation President (WSJ)
Paramount Pictures has hired David Stainton, a Walt Disney Co. veteran, as the president of its new animation division, marking an escalation in the studio's ambitions in the genre.
Publicis Boosts Technology Efforts (Ad Age)
The French holding company Publicis Groupe is getting ready to launch a division that will license software to clients to help them manage relationships in the social media and mobile markets.
P&G Picks Ketchum (Ad Age)
Procter & Gamble has selected Omnicom's Ketchum as its global and North America PR agency for Gillette after 20 years with Porter Novelli.
Buzz Around the Office
Babies Against Wall Street (Buzzfeed)
Activists start so young these days.
List of the Day: 5 Ways to Avoid Unemployment
It's easier to get a job when you already have one. If you're nervous you're going to get laid off, here are some tips to ensure you can land on your feet.
1.Think about your options before you get fired
2.Start networking in earnest to stay in people's minds
3.Start looking for a new job so you'll be ready
(Source: Vault)