News Line

W, the brand of luxury hotel opens in Paris

October 11, 2011

A new brand of luxury hotels in Paris to establish themselves on Valentine's Day. On 14 February, the American group Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which operates 1,070 hotels worldwide under nine brands (Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien …) will open a "W", the most trendy brand, launched in 1998 in New York . He will manage the hotel, located on rue Meyerbeer, near the Opera Garnier. The owner of the walls, Spanish Meridia Capital, has achieved 85 million work in this building Haussmann.

With approximately 150 employees, W is hoping to attract a trendy clientele of artists, designers, models and other "b eautiful people", in Paris for business or pleasure. With 91 rooms including 20 suites from 36 to 70 square meters, it is a five-star rating. "Our average price will be between 400 and 450 euros (against 700 minimum in a palace, Ed), says Olivier Servat, its chief executive.We seek an occupancy rate of about 75% the first year. "

Jostling codes, "W is a laboratory of trends that will revolutionize the language of hospitality, he says. The idea is to have a head start. We are rather than Kate Moss Claudia Schiffer. " Thus, no hall to W, but a "living room", where do its check-in, but also a drink while listening to a DJ. The concierge service promises "Whenever Whatever" and the best places "hype" of the capital. If the decor is signed Rockwell Group, the hotel will offer either pool or spa. However it will organize regular "happenings" (fashion show …), against a backdrop of electronic music.

Starwood "under-represented in France"

The next Fashion Week in February, which attracts the who's who of fashion in Paris promises to be a key week for the hotel cheap pay day loans.The first W in Paris will be the 41st of the brand in the world and 5th in Europe (after Istanbul, Barcelona, ​​London and St. Petersburg).

It will also be the sixth facility in France from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, in addition to the Sheraton Roissy, Le Meridien Etoile Le Meridien Nice, The Westin Paris Vendome and the Prince of Wales, closed for renovations until fall 2012.

"We are under-represented in France, Flavio Bucciarelli admits, Regional Director, also head of the Meridien Etoile. But the good opportunities are few. "Since the opening of the Westin Paris Vendome in 2005, the chain had no hotel opened in France. In January, he lost the use of the Meridien Montparnasse, in favor of Accor, who renamed Pullman Paris Montparnasse.

"We focus on the Bric (Brazil, Russia, India, China), said Flavio Bucciarelli.In the next two years, China, with 150 hotels, will be our first countries to the United States. "All brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announces 350 hotel projects under development in the world, the trend is to be less and less owner of the walls. Thus, while it operates since 2006 the Meridian Star (the largest business hotel in France, with 1021 rooms), he never owned. Its current owner, the company Starman, considering the walls to sell 350 million euros.

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Carrefour reinvents his supermarket trolley

October 9, 2011

This may be the end of the old carriage with us for fifty years at the supermarket. Carrefour tests from Monday at five stores in France, Spain and Belgium a new model. Exit the metal cage. Place one on which will be suspended for reusable shopping bags. In France, it is the clients of the Carrefour Market in Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine) and Carrefour hypermarkets Planet of Ulis (Essonne) and Wasquehal (North) who will reign. The test, which covers 800 trucks, runs until the end of the year. If this cart, called "mobility" in-house, attracted customers, its use will be widespread by the spring of 2012. "If the consumer tests are successful, a model carriage that could become a standard at Carrefour without geographical limitations," said Philippe Picaud, Design Director of the sign.

This is a revolution in shopping habits. "We have completely changed the profile of the truck, said Christophe Rebours, founder of In process design agency that designed the new truck, manufactured by German Wanzl. It was necessary to facilitate purchases and allow customers to better organize their shopping in stores. We bet on the flexibility of use thanks to the bags and different spaces that can accommodate the volume of races. "Notches on the side let slip a broom, for example. Downstairs, the buyer may ask the TV screen or drink without having to break the back by lifting them above the truck … Customers will come with their bags (or those of its competitors Carrefour) or purchase on site ( around 0.60 euro).One in two of the brand are already being used for shopping.

With fixed rear wheels, the new truck that will be offered the choice alongside the old, is more manageable. Lighter, with less metal, it will also make less noise. For young children, being unable to sit inside the truck, they can stick to vertical handles designed for this purpose on each side.

Scanner Procurement

Finally, a shelf was intended to put the shopping list or a loyalty card. "One can imagine eventually having screens or more sophisticated information systems integrated or connected to the trolley smartphone customers," said Philippe Picaud. But new technologies are not absent from the new truck. "Mobi" offers buyers the ability to scan their own bar code their products via technology ScanLib.The buyer, who no longer out of her shopping cart at checkout, the range directly into the closet after returning home. 10% of purchases are ScanLib today at Carrefour.

The observation of teaching was simple. After fifty years of loyal service, the truck needed a serious facelift. Apart from the introduction of plastic in the last five years, he had hardly changed. "We became aware of the expectations and frustrations of users when we worked two years ago on the reinvention of the supermarket, says Philippe Picaud. The truck was old, it was not the object that clients were proud to use to shop in the 1960s, these new temples of consumption. "

Carrefour bets on the mass production of its new truck to absorb the extra cost of manufacturing (10%).The company has filed a patent to protect his invention. When the group is experiencing difficulties, particularly in France (40% of revenues), the arrival of these new trucks is welcome.

In unsheathed before its competitors, Carrefour offers a small facelift.

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Vallourec, a bad signal to the market

October 7, 2011

Vallourec has lowered its forecast for profitability. The specialist in seamless tubes warned that its gross operating income would be lower in the second half than the first six months of the year. According to our calculations, the net profit could decline in 2011 compared to 2010. This new burden on the share price drops to 4.5% in mid-session and 46% since the beginning of the year.

The whole problem is whether the profit warning could be the first of a series in the CAC 40. Companies are affected by the stock market crisis of the summer. Order books deflate. At the same time, companies have made great efforts to optimize their costs. A new lower spending takes time. For their part, financial analysts are slow to revise their forecasts.

The companies involved in these kinds of concerns are primarily industrial and cyclical stocks. Eramet had also warned that its prospects were less favorable in the second half. The work of specialist nickel and manganese drop 57% since January 1 cash advances pay day loan.

Despite a more difficult context, ArcelorMittal has maintained its forecast. But investors are very cautious since the title is down 52% since the beginning of the year.

Financial analysts continue to anticipate an increase of about 6% of profits in 2012 for CAC 40 companies. They may be forced to correct the optimistic estimate.

U.S. companies will give indications

Investors could have their questions answered with the wave of quarterly results expected in the United States. open the show on October 11.The specialist for aluminum had anticipated a sharp rise in net profit in 2011. This optimistic forecast could be questioned. Each variation of 100 dollars per tonne of aluminum has an impact of $ 200 million of annual net income. Now, three months, a tonne of aluminum has declined by more than 300 dollars.

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Google bosses shun + Google

October 6, 2011

The Google executives appear to abandon Google +, the application of social network group, launched on June 28. Indeed, Michael Degusta, a blogger had fun identifying the activity of the main leaders of the American company, the first search engine on the Internet. And what he found was surprising.

Not only almost all the members of the Board has never published anything on their respective accounts, but even better, Eric Schmidt, Google's executive chairman, has not even seen fit to open an account! Yet he had recognized in June, its social responsibility in the corner of the Web missed by the group of Mountain View. Obviously, if the realization has occurred, it has not seen fit to invest personally in the newly created social network.As for Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, one would expect them to lead by example. But with a total of twenty-three publications between them at the beginning of October, they do not shine by their reactivity.

The essential personal use leaders

When you know that Google + is considered by its leaders as critical to the future of the company, it is startling how. If Google executives are not even interested in using their own social network, how can they think that people will be tempted to turn?

Like the work of Mark Zuckerberg on his Facebook page or the number of daily tweets Dick Costolo, current CEO of Twitter, the personal use of the leaders of their computer tool is indispensable. A fortiori the case of a new service.It is also the best way to test his tool and consequently, to anticipate possible changes in the future.

As Michael enjoyed in his article, users are perhaps not to expect an extensive use of Google + by its leaders but regular use, if not casual, is a minimum.

The message seems to have been heard by the leadership of the group because in the hours that followed the publication of the article, no less than three vice-presidents have been active on Google +. Even Larry Page made a comeback yesterday in the morning.

U.S.: Starbucks launches its own plan to combat unemployment

October 5, 2011

After having "saved the skin" of Starbucks, the title of his latest work (1), Howard Schultz, owner and founder of the coffee chain will do the same for … U.S. employment. Called "Create jobs for United States" ("Let's create jobs in the United States"), the project, which will begin November 1, will involve clients in the chain of coffee with donations from $ 5. The money raised will be distributed as loans to small businesses or for housing construction. For the launch of the operation, Starbucks will inject $ 5 million through his foundation, but does not provide information on the expected level of contributions.

Following a partnership with the network Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), which brings together EU funding programs, the Iniative is especially disadvantaged communities.On its website the program said that the U.S. unemployment rate (which reached 9.1% in August) was respectively 11.3% and 16.7% for Hispanic and African-American. "Most of them lose hope in the American Dream," will raise the project on its web page.

Starbucks treats its corporate image "responsible"

By playing the card of solidarity with America as "indivisible" on its website, the program appears to be a snub to American politics, still divided on the plan for the use of Barack Obama cash advance no fax. On a $ 447 billion, it runs for hours with opposition from Republicans, who control the House of Representatives."Massively increase taxes, to save and build on a ghost reform of social programs, it is not a recipe for economic growth and labor market," blasted the leading Republican senators, Mitch McConnell, in mid-September, while a vote on the plan should take place this month.

This picnic doubles as a political stunt for sacred Starbucks. With his "plan for employment", the chain founded in 1971 reinforces its image as a "responsible" to boost its business. The abyss in 2008 and 2009, marked by 800 closures, including the channel up the slope by converting to fair trade coffee, even raise the price of some of its cappuccinos and espressos.

For now, the strategy is paying off.Howard Schultz, founder and boss, recently welcomed a "record year" in our columns this year, but ahead of numbers. Starbucks, which already has 9,500 coffee shops across the Atlantic, wants to open 200 in 2011-2012. The business of small black are actually ironed the green.

(1) "How Starbucks saved his skin without losing its soul", published by Editions of Telematics and Patron

The Paris Bourse expected in the red

October 3, 2011

The Paris Bourse is scheduled to begin this week in the red, as at the close Friday. Futures contracts on the CAC 40 were down 2.88% to about one hour of the opening. The debt crisis continues because of European concern the markets, and lead the outlook for global growth. The fear of lead and impact in China Asian stock markets are in the red Monday morning, dropping the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by almost 5%.

Greece announced Sunday night that it would lack its budget deficit targets. The second Country Assistance Plan will be on the menu for more discussion this week: Monday, finance ministers of the euro area will meet in Luxembourg to 17 pm and Tuesday, those of the entire European Union.This will then be the turn of the Franco-German Nicolas Sarkozy said he expected to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel "in the coming days in Germany" to discuss in particular "ways and means to accelerate economic integration the euro area ".

On the macroeconomic front, investors are waiting for the car registrations for the month of September, around 9:45, the manufacturing PMI for the month. In the U.S., the ISM manufacturing index will be released in 16 hours, Paris time.

In this context, oil prices have opened lower. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 50 cents to 78.70 dollars in early electronic trading.A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave up 77 cents to 101.99 dollars.

As for currencies, the euro lost ground and is worth 1.3315 dollars and 102.6 yen, against more than 104 yen in the middle of last week.

Steria wins contract public

Axa

The first offers for Axa Privaty Equity (AXA PE), the division of equity sold by Axa, must be filed early next week, according to sources familiar with the matter low interest rate personal loans.

Renault-Nissan

The group announced Saturday the construction of a new plant in Brazil and the expansion of another existing site to boost its presence in the fourth global automotive market.

France Telecom

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes digital strategy is expected to announce on Monday that the EU wants to reduce the revenue that incumbents derive copper telecommunications networks to boost investment in fiber optics.

Air France-KLM

Alexander Juniac could take the management of Air France in January in favor of a reorganization of the Air France KLM with Pierre-Henri Gourgeon retain the reins, according to La Tribune published on Monday.

Steria

The computer services company was awarded a public contract with the French Ministry of Budget, Public Accounts, the Civil Service and State Reform, to ensure the implementation of the Information System (HRIS) to several departments that will ultimately pay more than 3 million employees of state.

Hermes

The group currently finds no sign of spending restraint to its customers despite a darkening economic outlook, said Sunday the manager of the French luxury group on the fringes of Paris Fashion Week.

Carmat

The designer of the total artificial heart on Monday announced that preclinical data will be presented at the 25th Annual Congress of the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Lisbon on October 4.

Packages of mobile will last 24 months

September 30, 2011

Of the 600 amendments to the bill on consumption currently being debated in the National Assembly, MPs have finally decided to limit to 12 months duration of mobile phone packages. The maximum consumer engagement remains at 24 months. "I do not want a ban long packages. It is the right of consumers not wanting to change every year all of its contracts, "asserts Jean Gaubert, MP PS opposed the amendment.

As for the arrival on the market Free Mobile, the fourth operator who promises to cut prices, the MP highlights the importance of "honor its commitments": "I'm not the VRP or the Orange Free , defends it. But it is a matter of principle. I am for freedom of the consumer, but when it's choose freely, he must assume.When his engagement is over, he can, why not look at other offers. "

"This amendment was not included"

"Even if your commitment is complete, you can stay at your service," Edward replies Barreiro, deputy director of studies at the UFC-Que Choisir. "This amendment was not included. We do not force consumers to change operators, but they have the opportunity. " The involvement of customers in 24 months' lock the market, "he laments: for two years, customers are not interested in other offers, even if they are more profitable. They re-enlist even if they want to renew their mobile age."It's a vicious cycle that prevents to choose," complains Edward Barreiro.

"Our position is clearly to punish all practices designed to keep customers captive, had also argued before the Assembly Jean Dionis du Sejour, Deputy New Center, who filed the amendment. The competition, which should work with the arrival of the fourth operator, and finally take-off of mobile virtual network operators, will allow the French to gain purchasing power. "

Free Mobile should, in fact, launched its first early 2012, while in parallel develop MVNOs, these operators without their own network, such as La Poste Mobile, Virgin Mobile, NRJ Mobile Mobile or Carrefour. In this context, the UFC-Que Choisir claims to have seen an increase in the number of "so diverted re-commitments."The consumer association has collected 270 customer testimonials rehired without their consent, such as accepting a trade offer without knowing it meant a re-engagement of two years. "Until January, the operators will try to keep their consumers, said Edouard Barreiro. There is a sense that they are afraid of competition. "

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Profit taking is expected in Paris

September 29, 2011

The Paris Bourse is expected to undergo some profit taking on Wednesday, rebounded strongly after the previous day. The CAC 40 was indeed awarded 5.74% to close at 3023.38 points. Same trend in Frankfurt the Dax gained 5.29% and in London the FTSE was up over 4%. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones gained 1.33% and the Nasdaq 1.20%. Wednesday morning, part of Asia continues to rise, but shows a little more caution.

Global stock markets are indeed won by a renewed optimism since the beginning of the week on the ability of Europeans to enrayerla debt crisis in the area euro.Les Europeans should take measures to stabilize Greece and the banking sector . Strengthening the emergency fund indebted countries (EFSF) was particularly mentioned.

On Wednesday, France also formalize and discipline its budget for reducing government deficits and contain the debt.The presentation of the presentation of the draft budget law for 2012 by the Minister of Economy Baroin and budget minister Valérie Pécresse is expected in 17 hours.

The numbers of zero growth (0.0%) in the second quarter were confirmed by INSEE on Wednesday morning. Other macroeconomic indicators are expected across the Atlantic: orders for durable goods in August, the United States will be published at 14.30 and the weekly crude oil inventories at 16:30.

As for the oil markets, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 1.25 dollars to 83.20 dollars in early electronic trading. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave 96 cents to 106.18 dollars.The previous day, oil had spread over 4 dollars in New York.

The bank to follow

Among the values ​​to be followed, the bank should always enjoy the rumors sector support. Tuesday, these values ​​have soared: Société Générale jumped nearly 17%, 14.15% BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole and Natixis 13.10% 11.26%.

Societe Generale is also seeking to sell its stake in Newedge, a subsidiary jointly owned derivatives with Crédit Agricole, as part of its plan to sell non-strategic assets, according to Reuters.

Green Bank is expected to announce a sale of assets today, reports the Financial Times. Following the example of BNP Paribas and Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and wants to improve its solvency ratios.The amount of the sale, however, was not known by the British newspaper.

The Franco-Belgian bank Dexia examines options to strengthen its balance sheet but excludes any split in the group, said Tuesday its chairman at the end of a board of directors held fueled much speculation.

Neopost announced Tuesday an increase of 2.7% of its turnover in the first half (+5.9% excluding currency effects). The solutions specialist courier has confirmed its forecast 2011 and launched a plan to optimize its structures in the United States and Europe which should generate annual savings of about 7 to 8 million euros in 2013 .

Renault: According to a source familiar with the matter quoted by Reuters, its partner Nissan will invest $ 1.5 billion (1.1 billion) in building a plant in Brazil, likely to produce electric cars .

Alten must also publish its first half results.

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LyondellBasell could close its site in the Etang de Berre

September 27, 2011

Vigil at the refinery of the American French LyondellBasell at Berre, near Marseilles. Employees are called Tuesday morning to a works great. "We believe that we will announce the closure of the refinery," alarmed Fabien Astier, CGT secretary of the works. The refinery employs 350 people but the whole site which is backed by total 1250 employees which must be added to both the outsourcing. "But if the refinery closes, the whole is threatened," said trade unionist. The company declined comment.

For over a year since employees bought the complex in 2008 by the American group at Shell are worried about the survival of their institution on the banks of the Etang de Berre, a center of petrochemical refineries with four French.In May, they had hope again, the company announced it was selling its refinery in which "the extent of losses (…) was no longer sustainable." She had mandated Barclays Capital to find buyers. Soon after, the government had instructed the French agency for international investment to assist. But if the AFII continues to seek a candidate, LyondellBasell would have thrown in the towel.

"Berre refinery is old and of modest size with an output of 5 million tonnes against a national average of 7 absolutely free credit score.5 million, says Jean-Louis Schilansky, president of the Ufip. However, gross margin refining fell to 13 euros per tonne, a level close to that of 2009, when the French refineries had recorded nearly $ 1 billion in losses. "

But, said a council employee, the decision to close seems taken since last spring.Otherwise, why ask in June, the commercial court to appoint an ad hoc agent for the Company's petrochemical Berre covering all employees of the site but not the assets and accused of heavy losses, forcing them to recapitalize before end of the year?

General Assembly

Employees do not agree with the diagnosis of their direction. A study by McKinsey, commissioned as part of a right to notify, concluded that "the next five years, the site is profitable as a whole, integrating the refinery."

So they want the company to reconsider its position and keep the refinery or offer to sell the entire site has been designed on a model built around the refinery.The inter-union (CGT, CFDT, CFE-CGC, FOR, CFTC) will hold a general meeting Tuesday at the end of the works council at the entrance of the petrochemical complex, "to decide on a large-scale strike if announcement is confirmed. "

A draft budget for 2012 that uses the more affluent

September 26, 2011

Wednesday that it will be considered by the Cabinet the draft budget law for 2012. A text that includes fiscal measures, fixed departmental budgets next year and, by inference, determine the government deficit – it should be around 80 billion euros in 2012. But this year, the timing of the budget period is upset. The financial crisis has forced François Fillon announced on August 24 an austerity plan of 12 billion euros. The first steps of the plan, those taking effect in 2011, were included in a text budget which was discussed by Parliament in early September. MPs and Senators have thus already officially recorded, among other things, higher payroll taxes on savings, increasing the tax on additional health or the exemption after thirty years instead of five, the real estate gains .What to report over $ 6 billion in a full year free business cards. Another part of the austerity plan in the budget of the social security system, including higher taxes on alcohol, the hardening of calculating overtime and lower benefits for CSG.

But as of August 24 the menu was plentiful, there are steps to the draft budget law in 2012. The most symbolic is the contribution on high incomes.

Another highlight, this time for more households, the text provides for a new plane to 10% on tax loopholes, applicable to income taxes payable in 2013 on the income of 2012. Niches related to employment, such as for an employee at home, will be spared. In fact, the devices are planed the twenty-two last year.Among them, the more niches are used overseas and the tax credit for energy-saving work in the slot.

Real estate very touched