Weekly Top 5 Articles- Five Articles Worth Reading

Each week, we highlight five articles of interest focusing on the retail/consumer space. Enjoy.

China Wants Local Control of Foreign Auditing Firms Click to Open PDF

Estimates suggest that 90% of the senior positions are held by non-Chinese. That’s going to change. Fast. Don’t trust Chinese financial statements today? There will be one more reason to be dubious in the next few years.
Date Published: Thursday, May 10, 2012
Source: WSJ

Former SEC Head Slams Green Mountain Directors’ Borrowing Practice Click to Open PDF

It’s simple. Public companies should bar top execs from borrowing against their equity stakes. Beyond this particular margin call at GMCR, how many times does this happen when a regular trading window is open (i.e. when investors don’t know that the reason for the sale was to meet a margin call)?
Date Published: Thursday, May 10, 2012
Source: Reuters

U.S. Apparel Imports Down in March Click to Open PDF

Total apparel imports to the U.S. were down -4.8% in March 2012. But, apparel imports from China and Vietnam increased. Vietnam continues to gain share, but China rebounded in March. Apparel imports are down in India, Pakistan, and Honduras.
Date Published: Thursday, May 10, 2012
Source: WWD

Slowdown Expected in Asia-Pacific Growth Click to Open PDF

China is now expected to grow +8.6% in 2012, following +9.2% growth in 2011.
Date Published: Thursday, May 10, 2012
Source: WWD

Can Texting Save Stores? Click to Open PDF

Can retailers make the smart phone work for them instead of against them? Some interesting approaches detailed here.
Date Published: Tuesday May 8, 2012
Source: WSJ