* General retailer Aeon to pay nominal fee for stake
* Tesco put Japan business on block after struggles
* Aeon looking to expansion to drive domestic growth
TOKYO, June 18 (Reuters) - British supermarket giant Tesco Plc said on Monday it will sell half of its Japanese business to the country's No.2 general retailer Aeon Corp for a nominal sum, ending an eight-year attempt to crack Japan's tough retail market.
Many foreign retailers have struggled in Japan, hampered by fickle consumer tastes, a super-competitive landscape and prolonged, profit-sapping deflation. French retailer Carrefour SA and British drugstore chain Boots are among the companies to have pulled out over the past decade.
Tesco, the world's third-largest retailer, hired Goldman Sachs last year to advise it on the sale of its Japan stores, sources said last year, after paying 32.8 billion yen for the Japanese franchise in 2003.
The British supermarket group operates 117 outlets in Japan, which are described by industry watchers as typically larger than the average convenience store but smaller than a regular supermarket, located away from heavily trafficked areas and spread out thinly over six different prefectures.
The deal will help Aeon, which trails Japan general retailer Seven & I Holdings in terms of market value, expand its reach in its home market as it tries to drive growth.
Prior to the Tesco deal, Aeon had spent more than $775 million over the last five years, according to Thomson Reuters data, including taking stakes in Japanese supermarket chains like Maruetsu and Marunaka.
Aeon shares settled 0.6 percent higher before the announcement, underperforming a 1.8 percent rise in the benchmark Nikkei 225.
Source: www.reuters.com
Sussex Cyclists group makes safety its mission - Delaware Wave
In addition to promoting bicycle safety, the group schedules rides up to six days a week in the summertime and impromptu rides are announced over an email listserv.
Each organized ride is listed on the group's website and details how many miles and at what pace the ride will be. Rides typically range from 11 to more than 35 miles in length and 11 to more than 18 mph in speed.
Routes are mostly in the Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and Harbeson areas, but Kurpjuweit said the group is looking to expand throughout the county.
"People who don't live in the area full time, they don't know the best roads to ride on," he said. You can look at a map, but the maps don't tell you everything you need to know. Our routes might take us more miles to get from Rehoboth to Milton, but we're going to do the most safest and most enjoyable ride."
Many rides are scheduled with a destination in mind where the bicyclists can relax and socialize. While rides typically have four to seven cyclists during the week, on the weekends, that number can jump into the double digits.
"Cycling alone can be boring," Kurpjuweit said. "I find cyclists are social people. They like to ride with other cyclists and talk about bicycling and other things. Talking on the road isn't always possible."
Allen Segal leads several rides and said he enjoys his experience because of the camaraderie involved.
"These are people who turn out to be your friends," he said. "A lot of the rides, you have some wonderful conversations."
Segal said another advantage of the club is that he's able to see places he hasn't seen before, including Trap Pond in Laurel.
"It gives you an appreciation of Delmarva," he said.
Promoting bicycle safety is also an important aspect of the rides. No bicyclist can ride on a trip without a helmet, and new riders to the group are trained on how to ride with a group, Kurpjuweit said.
"We know that as cyclists, we have certain responsibilities to ride safely," he said. "We stress that with our members."
James Westhoff, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Transportation, said Sussex Cyclists has been an extraordinary partner in helping keep the Cape region's bicyclists safe.
Since 2005, when a Polish student was killed in a bicycling accident, Westhoff said he sees students now riding with traffic and keeping better-maintained bikes. He added the cyclists have taken on a maternalistic point of view with the students, as they are guests of the resort area and are far away from home and their families.
"There's no mistake that there are young people alive today because of the hard work of Sussex Cyclists and DelDOT," he said.
"We want them to be safe and go home safe with a good impression of the United States."
Source: www.delmarvanow.com
Sussex-based Rolls-Royce report record year (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex-based Rolls-Royce report record year
8:32am Monday 18th June 2012 in News By Ben James
SUSSEX-based Rolls-Royce has reported a record year thanks to the demand for luxury cars in China.
The company, based on the Goodwood Estate, near Chichester, sold 3,538 cars worldwide last year - 30% more than in 2010.
The figure tops the previous record of 3,347 in 1978.
China overtook the US as the car-maker's biggest market as the country's wealthier classes grow and demand for luxury goods rises.
The successful year comes as the British car industry is showing promising signs.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed car production rose 42% in May to 141,146, its highest level since 2004.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Sussex bowler James Anyon enjoying his great opening to season - thisissussex.co.uk
SUSSEX bowler James Anyon said he has been pleased with his form in the first half of the season after claiming 29 wickets in the LV> County Championship.
The 29-year-old has bowled with pace and aggression this season and is currently the county's leading wicket taker with 29 wickets at an average of 32.48.
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Aggression and pace: James Anyon
Together with overseas signing Steve Magoffin the pair have formed a potent opening bowling attack for Sussex, taking 53 wickets between them.
Both took four wickets in Surrey's first innings at Horsham last week as they were bowled out for 124 and another two apiece as Sussex eventually bowled out their visitors for 248 in the second innings on Saturday, to help Sussex win the game.
But it was Anyon who claimed the prized final wicket of Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown, who had looked like salvaging a draw against his former side with a stubborn knock of 47 runs from 160 balls. That was until Anyon sent his off-stump flying with half an hour left of play.
And Anyon said he was delighted to get the wicket, albeit he wished it had come earlier in the day.
He said: "To be fair, it was an absolute jaffa of a delivery.
"I just wished I could have bowled it three or four hours earlier."
Anyon added that it was a great win for Sussex, especially given their position on day two, when they were left reeling at 90-6 in response to Surrey's 124.
But Anyon was a big part of the fightback, hitting a career best knock of 64 not out to supplement Luke Wells' magnificent 127 and contributions from Naveed Arif Gondal (34) and Steve Magoffin (34) as Sussex posted 351.
Anyon shared a 10th wicket stand of 80 with Monty Panesar (31) and he said he was pleased to be able to contribute.
He said: "To be honest, I surprised myself.
"I hit a few good shots with Monty and everyone down the order played well.
"Naveed's was a big innings and it is important that the lower order do that. We work hard with the batting and if you can bat down to number 11, it bodes well and gives you a good chance."
Meanwhile, Anyon said he has been pleased with his own form this season with bat and ball, adding that he hoped he could pick up from where he has left off when the Championship campaign restarts next month following the T20 matches.
He said: "I am very pleased with how it is going.
"I think I have more wickets now than I did at this stage last year and hopefully I can continue that form in the second half of the season."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Sussex League round up: Horsham back to winning ways - wscountytimes.co.uk
Horsham recorded a comfportable win in the Sussex Premier League on Saturday, as Roffey suffered a first defeat of the season.
Current Champions Hastings Priory continue to lead after enjoying their fifth outright win of the season.
Preston Nomads, champions for the previous three seasons lie in second place, they, too, have won five games. Third placed Roffey suffered their first defeat of the season at home to East Grinstead.
Horsham enjoyed a comfortable win at home to Bexhill to consolidate fourth place whilst the battle at the bottom saw Eastbourne win for the first time this season in their away game at Worthing.
Another fine innings from Kirk Werners set up Hastings for a convincing home win against Chichester. The young Sussex all-rounder made 109 not out as Hastings were dismissed for 195.
John Morgan made 38 as Aussie Adam Zampa grabbed 4 for 78.
Morgan then stepped up with the ball to take 7 for 38 and with Werners taking 3 for 16 the visitors crashed to 59 all out.
Joe Gatting used his day off from county duties to whack a 63 ball century to take Preston Nomads to victory by four wickets at home to Brighton and Hove.
Brighton were bowled out for 198 despite 76 from Craig Young and 31 from Tim Jarvis, Carl Simon taking 5 for 39.
Gatting then hit 106 despite being dropped a costly three times. Rob Wakeford added 35 not out as Chris Liddle and Matt Wood each took two wickets.
Another Sussex youngster proved the match winner for East Grinstead at Roffey.
Will Adkin carried his bat for 86 not out as Grinstead made 176 for 6 facing a Roffey score of 175 for 6 declared.
For Roffey Michael Norris made 44 and Christ Plaister 32 as Craig Fowle took 4 for 62.
Adkin was dropped twice early in his innings but played a mature innings to see his side home despite drizzle and poor light for much of the time.
Andy McGorian and Stuart Whittingham each took two wickets for the home side.
Bexhill are finding life in the Premier League a tough battle after their promotion last year.
At Horsham they were dismissed for 138 despite 31 from skipper Malcolm Johnson and 26 from Tom Powell. Two leg spinners did the damage, Michael Munday taking 3 for 39 and Will Beer 2 for 21.
In reply Horsham cruised to 142 for 2 in just 25 overs as James Johnson made 60 not out and John Burroughs 40.
The Sussex success story continued as Luke Wells made 130 for Eastbourne at Worthing to take his side to their first win of the season.
Eastbourne looked in trouble at 30 for 3 but Aaron Mullins (55) joined Wells to rebuild the innings, Luke Vinter took 3 for 55 for Worthing.
Worthing then tumbled to 112 all out as Ed Giddins took 4 for 28.
Three Bridges continue to lead the Second Division by 21 points despite being held to a draw at Findon.
Bridges were dismissed for 168 as Jack Metters took 4 for 31.
Mick Demetriou then held the Findon innings together as they reached stumps at 132 for 8, he made 76.
Glynde, who finished third last season, are currently in second place following a six wicket win at Haywards Heath who they bowled out for 145.
In that total Ollie Graham top scored with 32 as Dale Tranter took 3 for 62.
Glynde them moved smoothly to 146 for 4 with 49 from Dominic Shepheard and 35 not out from Ollie Bailey.
St James’s lie third following their draw at Cuckfield where the home side made 209 with a hard hit 48 from Jamie Newson as George Taylor took 5 for 42.
In the visitors’ 189 for 8 Adam Davies made 31 as Ebrel Erwee took 4 for 60.
Ifield found it very easy at home to Sidley who they bowled out for just 122. Sam Steel was top scorer, he made 25 as Dan Groves took 3 for 36.
Raza Alli with 51 not out and Jovan Nel (53) took the home side to victory by nine wickets at 123 for 1.
Goring made short work of dismissing Pulborough for just 94 as Ellis Woolley took 4 for 19 and Matt Keen 4 for 34.
The home side then won by five wickets at 85 for 5 with 27 from Dan Pitham, Kuldeep Rawat took 3 for 43.
All league positions in Division 3 West remain unchanged after each the top five beat one of the bottom five.
Middleton’s Brandon Hanley enjoyed a fine all round game top scoring with 69 in their 218-9. Ben Hansford added 56 whilst Slinfold’s Guy Thorne took 4-68.
In reply Slinfold were blown away for just 50 as Hanley’s 4-28 was surpassed by Tom Davies who took 6-17.
Bognor remain second just three points behind after an equally resounding victory at home to Wisborough Green. The visitors were bowled out for just 89 with Elliott Clarke making 45 as Bognor won by 7 wickets.
Billingshurst also scored a maximum after a 4 wicket success at Arundel. Arundel’s 149 was marked by Dhanushka Mitipolaarachchi snaring 5-30 and Mike Burroughs 50 not out led them to victory.
Stirlands remain fourth after a 131 run win at Littlehampton. Sean Heather (129) also scored a personal fourth (century in succession) and, as last week was ably supported by Will Gubbins with 73 not out.
Stirlands declared on 241-4 and bowled out Littlehampton for 110 with Chris May taking 3-11.
The result left Littlehampton pointless from the game and rooted at the foot of the table.
Steyning won a relatively low scoring game at Pagham making just 144. Pagham however were knocked over for just 92 after 6-37 from Matheesha Ranasinghe.
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Tesco to leave Japanese market after nine years - BBC News
Tesco has announced that it is to exit the Japanese marketplace.
The UK supermarket group is to leave Japan in a two-stage process that will first see it sell 50% of its Tesco Japan subsidiary to the country's second-largest retail group, Aeon.
Tesco will then invest £40m in the joint venture before its eventual exit from the business. So far, no deadline for when this will happen has been made public.
The UK firm entered Japan in 2003.
Philip Clarke, Tesco's chief executive, said: "I thank our colleagues in Japan, who have done an excellent job for the business - in particular over recent months.
"We are very pleased to announce this deal with Aeon today, and are confident that this will deliver the best outcome for our staff, for our customers in Japan and for our shareholders."
Tesco first said last year that it wished to sell its Japanese business.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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