ReleaseWire Connect

This report investigates the current position and the issues for the next generation of Europe's power industry.

Firms in this industry operate shipyards or boat yards. Shipyards are fixed facilities with dry docks and fabrication equipment capable of building a ship. These firms manufacture barges, cargo ships, container ships, ferryboats, fishing boats, passenger ships, patrol boats and sailing ships. Civil boat manufacturers build cabin cruisers, dinghies, motorboats, pleasure boats and rowboats. Boats are defined as watercraft typically suitable or intended for personal use.

Gross consumer credit lending continued to grow in 2011, following the marked decline in 2009. France was significantly affected by recession, which stunted the demand for consumer credit in 2009. The improvement in the economic situation in 2010 and 2011 had a positive impact on the industry. The French economy returned to growth in 2010, weathering the recession earlier than had been anticipated. France's GDP increased by 1.5% in 2010 and 1.8% in 2011.

The Global Soft Drink & Bottled Water Manufacturing industry produces bottled, tinned and canned beverages for human consumption. Finished soft drinks and bottled waters are sold to grocery product wholesalers, retailers and export markets. This industry comprises establishments engaged in one or more of the following: manufacturing carbonated soft drinks; purifying and bottling water; and manufacturing functional beverages, such as energy and sports drinks.

Qantas weathered a tumultuous year in 2011 filled with natural disasters and labour strikes while still managing to grow revenues and remain profitable. However, the company is not resting on its laurels. It is undertaking a restructuring of its international flying division and improving its operational efficiency while looking for new revenue opportunities through its loyalty programme and Jetstar brand.

The Railway Equipment Manufacturing industry in China consists of enterprises that manufacture railway equipment for the transport of passengers and cargo.

In 2011, Chattem Inc's Allegra brand of antihistamine/allergy remedies (systemic) switched from Rx-to-OTC, representing one of the largest switches in the segment's history. First stocked on store shelves in March, Chattem accompanied Allegra's launch with significant promotional spending both in-store and via media outlets. Attractive end-caps and displays at major retailers heralded the brand's switch, while television and online advertisements appeared with great frequency.

Despite Australia's mining boom and growing exports to China, many consumers remain concerned about a number of broad economic and personal finance issues. Consumer concerns about the impact of what they see as a 'two-speed economy' on household budgets are affecting buying habits. Many are cutting back on spending in the short term, but it is expected that consumer attitudes (and spending) will improve as interest rates stabilise, unemployment holds steady and incomes continue to edge upwards.

In China, retail value sales of men's jeans totalled RMB30.5 billion in 2011, compared to the corresponding figure of RMB27.2 billion seen by women's jeans. The general impression was that players attached more importance to developing men's jeans, particularly from the perspective of advertising, as male consumers tend to buy more jeans than females.

The Passenger Rail Transport industry operates railways for passenger travel in urban and interurban areas. The industry also provides some support and auxiliary services to passenger railways and transports small amounts of freight and mail. The industry excludes the operation of railways for the transport of freight and the operation of light rail networks.