Grocer back issues from November 2007:
Opinion.(reports of Association of Convenience Stores about supermarkets)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... The Association of Convenience Stores was doing its best, this week, to put a brave face on the inquiry. It described the provisional findings as a "curate's egg" (see p26). For ACS and independent convenience stores generally it looks like a rank rotten egg to me. We already ...
A great outlook for organics (if we are not caught up in a nuclear war).(THIS WEEK'S HOT TOPIC)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... The Competition Commission has understandably dominated the media's attention since midweek, but arguably an even more startling story commanded the top spot in The Sunday Times: 'Official: organic really is better.' I'm not sure whether it is more revealing about the ...
The beginning of the end?(news)(investigations of supermarkets)
Nov 03, 2007; ... Convenience chains could become a target again for the major multiples after the Competition Commission found Tesco's and Sainsbury's move into c-stores had done independent retailers no harm. The commission's surprise verdict in the provisional findings of its inquiry into the ...
Test may view discounters as ineffective competition.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Attempts by Aldi, Lidl and Netto to expand could be hampered by a Competition Commission proposal to introduce a 'competition test' for new store developments. The idea, mooted in the provisional findings, would mean any proposed new store would undergo a test, possibly ...
Waitrose expansion made easier.(news)(Waitrose Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Waitrose boss Mark Price believes the commission's provisional findings could accelerate its expansion. The chain aims to double sales to 8bn [pounds sterling] in 10 years through aggressive store openings. This week the commission suggested forcing supermarkets to sell ...
No, we're not OK say wholesalers.(news)(reports of whole sale trade)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Wholesalers have rounded on the Competition Commission after it insisted the sector was in rude health. There was "no evidence to suggest the financial viability of the wholesale sector is seriously under threat" said the commission in its provisional findings this week. ...
'Unconscionable' emails revealed.(news)(Tesco PLC)
Nov 03, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tesco has slammed a proposal by the Competition Commission to appoint a regulator to enforce a new, tougher code of conduct. In its provisional findings, commission chairman Peter Freeman said he believed the code "was effective in terms of ...
My levy is different says Graves.(news)(officials and employees of Cost cutter )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cost cutter executive chairman Colin Graves has hit back at accusations of double standards over his reaction to Nisa-Today's new Low Order Levy--and promised to pay it on behalf of any Cost cutter members who failed to meet Nisa's minimum requirements. ...
Less reliance on meat sends exports towards record high.(news)
Nov 03, 2007; ... The August outbreak of foot and mouth may not hit exports as hard as feared because Britain has widened its exports to such a degree it is no longer as reliant on beef, according to Food from Britain. Exports in the first half of the year rose 9% to 5.25bn [pounds sterling] on ...
Better for you? FSA decides to think again on organics.(news)(planning of Farm Security Administration)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The FSA is planning a major review of the science surrounding organic food, after a 12 m [pounds sterling] independent study concluded organic produce contains overwhelmingly more nutrients than conventional produce. The findings could force the agency to change its advice to ...
We'll stick with PLA says M&S.(news)(packaging of Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... M&S won't stop using polylactic acid (PLA) in its packaging, despite Innocent axing it because it can't be recycled by most councils. Innocent will switch to PET bottles by January after it emerged PLA material could not be home composted, as claimed on bottles, or recycled ...
Veggies call for a legal definition.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Veggie campaigners have launched a campaign for a legal definition of 'vegetarian' and 'vegan' foods They have fried a petition on the No 10 website stating: "We call upon the government to draw up a framework using the model of organic to create a legal definition for vegan and ...
Asda unveils first supercentre with department-store style.(news)(ASDA Group Ltd.)
Nov 03, 2007; ... In the next two weeks, Asda will unveil the first of a new breed of large supermarkets boasting a department-store style layout. The retailer's 100,000 sq ft Patchway store, Asda's oldest supercentre, is nearing the end of a three-month facelift that will transform it into one ...
Focus on retail not unity urges Green.(news)(analysis of consumerism)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The co-operative movement should focus on being a successful retailer instead of debating whether to become a single society, according to Dame Pauline Green, CEO of umbrella group Co-operatives UK. Dame Pauline urged societies to make themselves "fit for a 21st-century future" ...
PVC recycling saves day for plastic posters.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The promotional PVC banners used by retailers are being recycled into building materials and footwear. Mobile Media, which supplies M&S, Sainsbury's and Asda with plastic posters, has developed a recycling method to steer them away from landfill sites. The plastic can be turned ...
Coalition guns for soft drink adverts.(news)(laws on soft drink industry to market softdrinks to small children)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... A global coalition of pressure groups has started a crusade against soft drinks companies in a bid to tackle childhood obesity. The campaign, Dump Soda, is calling on governments across the world to ban companies from marketing high sugar drinks to children under 16 through ...
Imports of airfreighted food up 31%.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The amount of food imported into the UK by air freight rose 31%, or 65,000 tonnes, in 2006, following a sharp rise in imports of ingredients for compound animal feed from the US and Brazil, according to Delta. Fewer than 1% of food imports in ...
Petfood sales grow as shoppers pamper pets.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... Petfood sales are holding up despite a fall off in pet ownership as people spend more on pampering their furry friends--or putting them on diets. Volume sales of petfood dropped 2.2% in the year to 12 August, according to TNS Worldpanel data produced for The Grocer, confirming ...
Labour backs Scots plans for booze multibuy crackdown.(news)(laws and rules on drinking)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... A ban on cut-price alcohol deals in Scotland looks set to be approved by the Scottish Parliament. Nearly 90% of MSPs taking part in a parliamentary debate voted in favour of an SNP government motion to put through legislation to toughen licensing laws. The SNP wants ...
Rising costs force Co-op to relocate.(news)(planning of Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The Co-operative Group is planning to move from its Manchester city centre headquarters because of rising maintenance costs. The society occupies seven buildings on the edge of Manchester's northern quarter but plans to move out of five of these buildings within the next two ...
Salmonella alert shuts Fox's factory.(news)(product information of Fox's Biscuits Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Confectionery maker Fox's has reopened two of the four product lines it was forced to suspend at its Leicester plant after the discovery of salmonella a fortnight ago. The contamination, which was identified during in-house testing, has been traced to a batch of Brazil nuts. ...
Booker delivered gets boost from Rippleglen.(news )(contracts between Booker PLC and Palmer and Harvey (Holdings) Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... C&C giant Booker has given its new delivered business a major boost by winning an important contract from rival Palmer & Harvey McLane. Speaking after the group posted a 36.8% increase in pre-tax profit to 21.2m [pounds sterling] on sales up 2.5% to 1.5bn [pounds sterling] for ...
Tate & Lyle chief defiant as profit falls.(news)(Tate & Lyle PLC)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Tate & Lyle CEO lain Ferguson has insisted he will not resign following a 42% slump in the sugar manufacturer's interim profits. Pre-tax profit fell from 145m [pounds sterling] to 84m [pounds sterling] in the six months to 30 September on sales up l% to 1.7bn. [pounds sterling] ...
Cigarettes ditched at Lidl in Scotland.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Lidl is to stop selling cigarettes in its Scottish stores in a bid to enhance its healthy credentials. From next week, tobacco will no longer be stocked in any of its 78 outlets north of the border, bringing the offer into line with the rest of the UK, where it has never stocked ...
MLC hits back over bacon cancer fear.(news)(Meat and Livestock Commission )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The Meat and Livestock Commission has reacted angrily to the World Cancer Research Fund's recommendation that consumers should give up bacon and ham if they want to reduce their risk of getting cancer. WCRF said bacon and ham contained nitrate preservatives, which have ...
Public urged to buy less and cut waste.(news)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Retailers are to encourage shoppers to buy less food in a 2m [pounds sterling] campaign designed to cut waste in the home. The 'Love Food Hate Waste' drive, launched by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap), has the backing of major supermarket chains including Tesco and ...
Abel & Cole gets funds to widen offer.(news)(Phoenix Equity Partners Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Abel & Cole plans to broaden its offer after selling a stake to private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners in a deal reportedly valuing the organic vegetable box delivery company at 30m [pounds sterling]-40m. [pounds sterling] Co-founder Keith Abel told The Grocer last month he ...
BRC sounds alert as violent attack and theft levels soar.(news)(British Retail Consortium)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
Nov 03, 2007; ... Theft levels have rocketed to a m-year high, the British Retail Consortium's annual crime survey has revealed. The total cost of goods stolen shot up to an estimated 830m [pounds sterling] last year, with detected theft up 8.5% to 205m [pounds sterling] and undetected theft ...
Winterton blasts superstore voting.(news)(Nicholas Winterton)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The Electoral Commission has been urged to stop allowing supermarkets to set up in-store polling stations on the grounds it undermines small retailers. Tory backbencher, Sir Nicholas Winterton made the plea this week during a House of Commons debate about possible changes to the ...
Booths claims it's first to hit bag target.(news)(Booths Supermarkets)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Booths says it is the first retailer to meet the obligations of a voluntary agreement to cut carrier bag use signed by 22 retailers. In February the chains, including 11 supermarkets, joined forces to agree to reduce the environmental impact of their carrier bags by 25% by the ...
It's time to name c-store champions.(news)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Progressive wholesalers, innovative products and individuals who have given a lifetime of service are to be honoured at the 2008 Convenience Retail Awards, organised by The Grocer and sister magazine Convenience Store. Special awards for best wholesale business initiative, ...
Dunnes to expand in bid to fight off Tesco.(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... Dunnes Stores, the main rival to Testa in the Irish Republic, is planning to open 42 new stores over the next two years, taking the family-owned chain's total estate to 160. Twelve stores will open next year, with a further 30 scheduled for 2009. So far the locations have not ...
ACS: fine the teens who try to buy fags.(news)(laws and rules on buying tobacco products)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Small shop leaders have slammed the government for failing to make it illegal for under 18s to attempt to buy tobacco products. Last month the minimum legal age for buying tobacco rose from 16 to 18. But although retailers who sell tobacco to minors face prosecution, youngsters ...
River Cottage chain to grow.(River Cottage Stores)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall does not plan to expand his new grocery chain beyond the West Country. The TV chef opened his first branch of River Cottage Stores in Axminster, Devon, two months ago, and is ...
Bid to undo Wild Oats takeover.(case filed for stopping the acquisitions of Whole Foods Market by Wild Oats)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... WASHINGTON DC: The US Federal Trade Commission is continuing its efforts to block Whole Foods Market's 5565m (272.7m [pounds sterling]) takeover of rival Wild Oats despite the deal closing in late August. The US Court of Appeals in Washington denied the agency's request for an injunction ...
X5 Retail Group buys Korzinka.(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... MOSCOW: X5 Retail Group, Russia's largest food retailer, has acquired rival Korzinka in a US$11Sm (55.7m [pounds sterling]) deal. Korzinka is the largest retail chain in the Lipetsk region of Russia, with 22 stores and annual sales forecast to be US5190m (92m [pounds sterling]) this year ....
Kellogg's hit by rising wheat costs.(influence of rising wheat costs on profits of Kelloggs)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... MICHIGAN: Kellogg's has warned its 2007 and 2008 profits will be hit by the soaring costs of wheat and other raw materials. It now expects to make earnings of between 52.72 (1.31 [pounds sterling]) and 52.75 a shore this year, below predictions of $2.77. For 2008, Kellogg's expects to make ...
Carrefour buys Romania's Artima.(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... PARIS: Carrefour is to acquire Romanian supermarket chain Artima for 55m [euro] (38.3m [pounds sterling]). Artima operates 21 stores in western Romania with a total sales area of around ...
Albert Heijn bucks flat Ahold sales.(WORLD NEWS)(Koninklijke Ahold N.V.)(Financial report)
Nov 03, 2007 ... AMSTERDAM: Dutch supermarket giant Ahold said its sales rose 1.1% [euro] 6.3bn (4.4bn [pounds sterling]) in the three months to 7 October. The Albert Heijn division continued strong growth, with sales up 13.1% to 1.8bn [pounds sterling] (1.25bn ...
Fenwicks gets Bevan.(Richard Bevan appointed by Fenwicks)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Asda's finance director of retail and logistics Richard Bevan will leave the company in December to take up a new role ...
Recycling boost.(appointment of employees by Tetra Pak UK for recycling )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Tetra Pak UK & Ireland has appointed three new national recycling officers to accelerate the development of drinks carton recycling in the UK. Fay Dashper and Jenny Walden join the company from Oxfordshire ...
Wylie promoted.(Jessica Wylie appointed as senior brand manager in United Biscuits )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... United Biscuits has announced that trade communications manager Jessica Wylie has been appointed senior brand manager for savoury biscuits. She will be looking ...
Freshers operations.(Jonathan Kearns appointed by Freshers Foods)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Snackfoods manufacturer Freshers Foods has announced the appointment of Jonathan Kearns as its new operations director. Kearns has previously held operational and technical ...
No agm re-election.(Associated British Foods PLC)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Lord MacGregor and Mike Alexander, independent non-executive directors of Associated British Foods, have said they ...
Hawley steps down as biscuit association boss.(resignation of Penny Hawley from Biscuit Cake Chocolate and Confectionery Association)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... The Biscuit Cake Chocolate and Confectionery Association's director general Penny Hawley is to step down following a decision to transfer the majority of the BCCCA's activities to a sector group within the Food and Drink Federation. Hawley will be leaving the association once ...
Stephens new Whitworths sales director.(appointment of Colin Stephens as sales director of Whitworths Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Healthy fruit, nuts and seeds supplier Whitworths has taken on Colin Stephens as sales director. Stephens joins from RHM, which was taken over by Premier Foods last year. He has worked at RHM since 1993 in a number of senior sales positions and has been sales director of ...
Finsbury signs Lee to manage brands.(appointment of Victoria Lee by Finsbury Foods )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Premium cake manufacturer Finsbury Foods has appointed Victoria Lee as brands product development manager. Lee will be tasked with driving growth across the group's portfolio of licensed brands, which include Nestle, Disney and Thorntons products. She will also be responsible ...
Robinson's M and M move.(Steve Robinson moving to M and M Direct )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Former Tesco Direct chief executive Steve Robinson has taken up the role of CEO at discount online fashion retailer M and M Direct. Robinson, who helped set up Tesco's multichannel on-line and catalogue venture Tesco Direct, left last month ...
Select & Save regional sales force expands.(movers & shakers)(recruiting of Select & Save)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Select & Save has recruited three new members to its sales team to cope with the symbol group's rapid expansion. Paul Henshall, Andrew Kineton and Sam Amos have been taken on as regional business development managers for the North West, East Midlands and West Midlands ...
Eyles and Jefferson part of McCain rejig.(reorganization and restructuring of McCain)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Frozen food manufacturer McCain has restructured the top level of its commercial team as it continues to expand its portfolio beyond potato products. Sue Jefferson, who joined McCain from hygiene product manufacturer ]eyes in 1997, has been promoted from marketing director to ...
Jackson takes over at Taut.(movers & shakers)(officials and employees of Taut.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Former Golden Wonder chief executive Ed Jackson has been appointed MD of independent sports drink Taut. Jackson has stepped into the job following the derision by Taut's co-founders Vincent Bassch and Sarah Lang ...
We work together.(executives of alcoholic beverage industry views on each other)(Viewpoint essay)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I've been distilling gin for the post 40 years and the business has undergone a lot of change over that time, particularly in the post two or three years for Beefeater. We have refurbished the distillery and ploughed a lot of investment into ...
We don't need rich shoppers: Waitrose's Southsea branch, near Portsmouth, boasts none of the wealthy achievers that usually frequent the retailer's stores. But that hasn't stopped it winning this week's Top Store award.(the grocer 33)(Waitrose Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007; ... With attractions such as the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and a trendy shopping centre a mile away, Waitrose in Southsea, near Portsmouth's historic waterfront, may not be on the tourist trail but its colourful flower displays, enticing fireworks range and strong availability were enough for it ...
Q&A with Simon Pinkstone: store manager of the week.(the grocer 33)(Interview)(Statistical table)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What products are selling well at the moment? Flowers. We have a beautiful plant and flower display at the front of the store because we went cap in-hand to head office and asked for a new flower fixture. Beers, ciders and wines are also selling ...
This week a year ago the winner was ...(the grocer 33)(achievements and awards of Hugh Kitching )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hugh Kitching (left) is one of only a few store mangers who can claim to have won our Top Store award in two different branches--and in one year--first at Asda's Gateshead store last June and the at its Newcastle-upon-Tyne branch on Whitley Road in ...
Service champs.(the grocer 33)
Nov 03, 2007 ... <Pre> * SERVICE CHAMPS Weekly winners since 16 June 2007 Morrisons 5 Tesco ...
Price survey.(the grocer 33)(prices and rates of ASDA Group Ltd.)(Statistical table)
Nov 03, 2007; ... Despite implementing a number of price hikes as well as cuts, Asda has entered its fifth-consecutive week as cheapest retailer with a 40.43 [pounds sterling] basket. Pipping Morrisons to the post by just 72p, Asda boasted six of the cheapest items on The Grocer 33 list, ...
Availability.(the grocer 33)
Nov 03, 2007 ... * ASDA Belfast 1 OUT OF STOCK The staff at this Asda store were helpful and polite and the checkout operator made eye contact and cheerfully greeted our shopper. However, scraps of cardboard were left on the floor and abandoned packing trolleys were blocking a few ...
Top-up shop.
Nov 03, 2007 ... Every week The Grocer's mystery shoppers also visit convenience stores to check out the price of 10 commonly bought fast-moving food items across all grocery categories Who we visited CO-OP Bognor Regis, West Sussex LONDIS Leamington Spa, Warwickshire ...
Special offers push alcohol category into top position: featured space promotions on beers and wines have elevated alcohol into first place ahead of grocery in the activity chart.(promotrack)(Statistical data)
Nov 03, 2007; ... Alcohol has overtaken grocery in the promotional activity chart. Last weekend, the category accounted for 21% of total promotions, seven percentage points more than grocery, which was bumped into second place with 14%. Confectionery raised its game ahead of Hallowe'en and moved ...
Share of space: weekend 28/10/2007.(rankings of food industy)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... <Pre> Share of space * TOP FIVE ALCOHOL-WEEKEND Wolf Blass 27% Stella Artois22% Foster's 18% Hardys 18% Kronenbourg 16% * TOP FIVE GROCERY-WEEKEND Heinz37% Kellogg's23% Quaker ...
Commission's findings are somewhat of a curate's egg: the interim report on the grocery market is a mix of encouraging statements, frustrating oversights and worrying conclusions.(reports of grocery stores)
Nov 03, 2007; ... I hope you have all enjoyed the 270 pages, plus appendices, offered as provisional findings by the Competition Commission on Wednesday. With every section, the description of this paper as a 'curate's egg' becomes ever more apt. There are encouraging statements, worrying ...
The Daily Telegraph.(WHAT THE PAPERS SAID)(planning of ASDA Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Asda is planning to report football shirt manufacturers to the OFT unless they agree to supply the retailer with shirts. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Asda wrote to football shirt makers lost week to ...
The Times.(influence of mergers and acquisition of Grampian food on its owner Fred Duncan )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... Grampian food boss Fred Duncan could receive a 275m [pounds sterling] payout if the business is sold, The Times has reported. The food group, which has annual sales of 1.8bn [pounds sterling] and is valued at ...
The Sunday Times.(influence of organic foods on human health)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2007 ... The Sunday Times led with a story that organic food is more nutritious than ordinary produce. The paper cited evidence from a four-year EU-funded project, which found organic fruit ...