Grocer back issues from April 2008:
Opinion.(Editorial)
Apr 05, 2008; ... It was really sad to see Food from Britain, on its website this week, calling plaintively for "expressions of interest from organisations in the private sector that might wish to take on elements of FFB's business--[including] the licensing of the FFB brand". Let's hope the ...
This week's hot topic.
Apr 05, 2008; ... Sainsbury's a garage chain? I think we can park that one Is Sainsbury's great again? It's a question you can expect to see answered (or at least deliberated on) in several newspapers over the next few weeks, as journalists and commentators prepare for the supermarket's results ...
Stella loses its throne.(news)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Carlsberg has overtaken beleaguered lager brand Stella Artois as the biggest-selling family of beer brands in the UK off-trade. Nielsen figures seen by The Grocer show the Carlsberg family of brands, which includes standard Carlsberg, Carlsberg Export, Edge and Special Brew, ...
Booker and P&H set to carve up Key Lekkerland contracts.(news)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... The future of buying group Key Lekkerland appears to have been decided this week following a series of high-level meetings between key executives and its wholesale members. The Grocer has learnt the parties are looking to agree an amicable division of Key's national supply ...
The 1% milk revolution.(news)(Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sainsbury's has added a new category of milk targeted at consumers looking for taste but low fat content. It will begin selling own-label milk with 1% fat content in all stores from the end of this month, a ...
Online retailers cut down on the bags.(news)
Apr 05, 2008 ... After more than a year of campaigning from The Grocer, retailers are finally using fewer plastic bags in home deliveries, according to results from the latest The Grocer 33 online survey. Excessive use of plastic bags in previous The Grocer 33 online deliveries has prompted ...
FreshXpress limps on as nine stores.(management of FreshXpress)
Apr 05, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Intense competition and poor purchasing power brought down the company behind FreshXpress, the administrator in charge of handling the failed business has told The Grocer. Stephen Clancy of Menzies Corporate Restructuring said the chain of 24 ...
Creditors aggrieved as parent of Farmers' City Market fails.(news)(Farmers' Hypermarket)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Creditors have been left fuming after the parent company of Farmers' City Market went into administration owing 831,000 [pounds sterling] in unpaid bills. Farmers' Hypermarket, which owned the 12,000 sq ft premium fresh food store in Hampton Hill, Middlesex, was placed into ...
Morrisons keeps up its momentum.(news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Morrisons is outperforming the grocery market with a third successive 12-week period of more than 11% sales growth, according to the latest TNS Worldpanel figures. The UK's number four has held on to its record 11.6% share thanks to 11.4% sales growth for the 12 weeks ending 23 ...
Defra looks into life after death of FFB.(news)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Exporters could continue to enjoy dedicated support after Food from Britain is wound up in March 2009. The government and FFB have met to discuss continuing FFB's work on a private basis from next April, and hope to have a successor in place by mid-July. "We are ...
Waitrose runs out of own-label pasta.(news)(Waitrose Ltd.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Waitrose stores have completely run out of own label pasta and other retailers could soon suffer the same fate. As predicted by The Grocer in February, supplies of dummwheat--the key ingredient of pasta--are close to running out across Europe and worldwide. With ...
FWD calls for tougher duty fraud tactics.(news)(Federation of Wholesale Distributors )(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... The Federation of Wholesale Distributors has called for stricter measures to help wholesalers tackle duty fraud. It has asked Prime Minister Gordon Brown to make the requirements for wholesale licences tougher so the sector could be carefully monitored. "Licences could be issued ...
Predatory pricing: suppliers could fight back says Costco.(news)(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Costco Wholesale trading director Steve Barnett has accused suppliers of tacitly endorsing the predatory pricing tactics of the multiples. Speaking at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors annual conference, Barnett called on the government to bring in legislation banning ...
Booker gives upbeat report on its environmental plans.(news)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Booker has raised its environmental game and made major progress in reducing its carbon footprint, according to group commercial director Bryan Drew. The wholesaler had delivered an overall carbon dioxide reduction of 10% in the past year, he told delegates at the FWD ...
Musgrave shakes up its supply chain.(news)(Musgrave Ltd.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Musgrave Retail Partners GB has instigated major changes to its supply chain that could deliver up to 25,000 [pounds sterling] of improvements to independent retailers' bottom lines, it has claimed. Supply chain director Scott Wharton said the changes were aimed at getting ...
Somerfield and Woolworths team up in convenience trial.(news)
Apr 05, 2008; ... A tie-up between high street retailer Woolworths and Somerfield has surprised analysts in light of its potential sale. The chain revealed it would launch a convenience-focused food trial in three Woolworths stores in the next six months. Products would include "everything ...
Absolut-ly no change.(news)(Absolut vodka will continue to be distributed by Maxxium Worldwide )(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Absolut vodka will continue to be distributed by Maxxium Worldwide for up to two years even after its sale to French drinks company Pernod Ricard is completed. The distributor said it would be "business as usual" for the brand, which was sold ...
Praise for helping local communities.(news)(Food and Drink Federation)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... The Food and Drink Federation is now accepting entries for this year's Community Partnership Awards. Sir Don Curry, chair of the Government's Sustainable Farming and Food Implementation Group, will be heading the panel of judges He will be joined by Professor Robert Pickard, ...
Summer proves great time for ... winter remedy sales.(news)(impact of weather on medicine sales)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... The poor summer last year led to thousands of consumers reaching for the Lemsip at the first signs of a sniffle when in fact they needed hayfever medicine. Confusion brought on by the cold and wet summer is likely to have played a part in the dip in sales of allergy tablets last ...
Republic may raise age limit for spirit sales.(news)(new age limit to be introduced for the sale of spirits by supermarkets, convenience stores and off-licences)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... A new age limit may be introduced in the Irish Republic for the sale of spirits by supermarkets, convenience stores and off-licences. A government source has confirmed that raising the limit from 18 to 21 was one of the measures being "actively considered" in a bid to curb binge ...
Ad watershed Bill blasted as unnecessary and irrelevant.(news)
Apr 05, 2008; ... It is too early to consider extending the watershed on the ban on advertising 'junk food' to kids, experts have warned, ahead of a Second Reading this month of a Private Member's Bill calling for it to be changed to 9pm. Food and Drink Federation communications director Julian ...
Manufacturers call for clear carbon footprint guidelines.(news)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Food suppliers are calling on the government to set clearer guidelines and standards for green initiatives. A survey of suppliers by food industry adviser Grant Thornton revealed many were put off monitoring areas such as carbon foot-printing and C[O.sub.2] emissions by a lack ...
Co-op buys stores from Sainsbury's.(news)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... The Co-operative Group has bought 10 former Bells and Jacksons stores from Sainsbury's, adding 17,500 sq ft of selling space. It plans to invest almost 2.5m [pounds sterling] in rebranding and refurbishing the stores, which will be converted to its convenience format, with an ...
Tobacco display ban looms for Irish stores.(news)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008; ... A ban on displaying cigarettes and other tobacco products in stores in the Irish Republic is imminent, according to health minister Mary Harney. Less than a week after the UK government revealed proposals to force cigarettes under the counter, Harney said retailer consultation ...
Mangans takeover boosts BWG's clout.(news)(BWG Group)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... BWG, the Republic of Ireland-based that runs the Spar and Mace franchises, has acquired rival wholesaler Mangans in a deal thought to be worth 45m. [euro] Mangans has worked with BWG for a number of years, operating the Mace franchise for the west of Ireland, as well Vivo and ...
Grab your chance for Gramia glory.(news)
Apr 05, 2008 ... If you have brilliantly marketed your brand, product or business, don't forget to enter the Grocery Advertising & Marketing Industry Awards. The Gramias recognise the finest creative work in food and drink. The 2008 awards are now open for entries, with categories covering PR ...
Green from costly dream to routine.(WORLD NEWS)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS: Wal-Mart has launched what is claims is its most comprehensive environmental sustainability campaign to date. As part of the campaign, which runs throughout this month, it will stock more than 50 new environmentally friendly products in stores and an extra ...
X5 to launch premium store.(WORLD NEWS)(X5 Retail Group)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... ST PETERSBURG: X5 Retail Group, Russia's largest retailer, is planning to launch a premium supermarket fascia called Green Perekrestok. The stores will stock high-quality prepared foods and will include a bakery and delicatessen and consultation services for gourmet products such as ...
Sun Capital acquires c-stores.(WORLD NEWS)(Sun Capital Partners Inc. acquires Worsley Companies Corp. and Li'L Cricket Food Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... BOCA RATON, FLORIDA: Sun Capital Partners has acquired c-store operators Worsley Operating Companies and Li'l Cricket Food Stores. Worsley Operating Companies runs 124 c-stores and forecourts in North and South Carolina under the Scotchman, Youngs' and S-E fascias while Li'l Cricket Food ...
Anheuser-Busch plans new brewery.(WORLD NEWS)(Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... HONG KONG: Anheuser-Busch is planning to build a new S49m (24.8m [pounds sterling]) brewery in the Fengnan District of Tangshan. The 160,000 sq m site will have on initial production capacity of 3.1 million ...
Delhaize buys La Fourmi of Romania.(WORLD NEWS)(Delhaize Group)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Delhaize Group has acquired Romanian retailer La Fourmi for 18.6m [euro] (14.7m [pounds sterling]). La Fourmi operates 14 supermarkets in Bucharest and had sales of 30m [euro] (23.7m [pounds sterling]) last year. Delhaize said the 14 stores would ...
MD of 'world's largest village store' retires.(movers & shakers)(Brian Godfrey retires from Roys of Wroxham)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Brian Godfrey, MD of independent retailer Roys of Wroxham, has retired. Godfrey has worked at the retailer, which markets itself as the "world's largest village store", for 34 years and was MD for 27 years. Edward Roy, a third generation of the Roy family, which ...
Petcare boss West exits Mars UK after 31 years.(movers & shakers)(Trevor West retires from Mars UK Petcare and Food)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Trevor West, trading director for Mars UK Petcare and Food, is retiring next week from Mars UK after a 31-year career spanning petfood, confectionery and wholesale trading. He joined Mars' Pedigree Pet Foods division in 1977 after graduating in modern languages from Oxford ...
Greene King 'fan' to grow off-trade sales.(movers & shakers)(Mike Turner appointed at Greene King PLC as business account manager )(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Greene King has appointed Mike Turner as business account manager in its take home division. Turner will have direct trading responsibility for the company's cash & carry, wholesale and convenience accounts in the UK. He joins after a 21-year career at Mars UK, most ...
ABF names world food team bosses.(movers & shakers)(Andy Mayhew appointed as chief executive officer at Associated British Foods PLC)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Associated British Foods has announced the senior management team for its newly created world foods business. AB World Foods brings together ABF's G Costa division, which has brands including Blue Dragon, and Patak's, which it bought last year in a 100m [pounds sterling] deal. ...
Asda sizes up Benton's potential: store manager Hugh Kitching has big plans for the Newcastle store and hopes an expansion will create a Supercentre the residents of a new housing development nearby can be proud of.(the grocer 33)(ASDA Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Outstanding customer service and a well-merchandised store have helped Asda's Benton branch in Newcastle upon Tyne pick up this week's Top Store award, strengthening Asda's position at the top of our customer service leader board. Our shopper was impressed with the friendly and ...
Q&A with Hugh Kitching: store manager of the week.(the grocer 33)(question and answers)(Interview)
Apr 05, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What is selling well at the moment? Our counters have seen fantastic sales in the past few weeks and rotisserie, dell and fresh produce are doing exceptionally well. This is because the quality of the produce has improved and we are receiving deliveries ...
This week a year ago the winner was ...(the grocer 33)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... There was no shortage of news from Waitrose's Barry branch in Wales, which won our Top Store award 12 months ago. Despite being the least-suited retailer to the area, the branch ticked all the boxes on our mystery shopper's checklist. One year on and business is even better, ...
Service champs.(the grocer 33)
Apr 05, 2008 ... <Pre> SERVICE CHAMPS Weekly winners since 16 June 2007 Asda 10 ...
Price survey.(the grocer 33)(Survey)
Apr 05, 2008; ... It's tight at the top again but Asda has reclaimed the cheapest retailer title after a series of price hikes forced Tesco back to third place. Asda leapt from fourth place to first with a 48.88 [pounds sterling] basket, despite only cutting the price of one product this ...
Availability.(the grocer 33)
Apr 05, 2008 ... ASDA Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne 0 OUT OF STOCK Though this Asda was packed with customers when our shopper visited, staff were really helpful and guided him to the location of various items. Availability was excellent and oil 33 products on the list were available ....
Top-up shop.
Apr 05, 2008 ... 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 CENTRA Belfast, County Antrim MACE EXPRESS Eastbourne, East Sussex ONE STOP Chandlers Ford, ...
Sharper performances by all come on line: our latest survey of the online grocery retailers reveals a marked improvement in their services.(the grocer 33 online)(Survey)
Apr 05, 2008; ... What a difference four months and rather stern criticism from The Grocer can make. The experiences of our shoppers in the previous online shopping survey in January were blighted by inaccurate invoices, numerous out-of-stock items, excessive use of plastic bags and long delivery ...
Online at a glance.(the grocer 33 online)(Statistical table)(Survey)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... <Pre> * ONLINE AT A GLANCE ASDAOCADO SAINSBURY'S Could you log on to theYes Yes Yes website instantly? Was it easy to moveYes Yes Yes around the system? How much was the 5 ...
Bag watch.(the grocer 33 online)(Survey)
Apr 05, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sainsbury's only used nine bags--half the number used in the previous survey. Asda and Ocado used three fewer bags than last time, while Tesco's order required one extra bag this time. However, Tesco was the only retailer to offer deliveries in crates. ...
Asda.(STAR ORDER)
Apr 05, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ordered: 26.03.08 Delivered: 29.03.08 Time taken online: 32 mins Location: Hove, Brington & Hove Number of items delivered: 33 Out of stocks: 0 Substitutions: 0 Delivery ...
Spirit prices have held firm in wake of Budget: despite the Budget's 55p duty increase on spirits, offers remain at pre-Budget prices, reveals the latest Assosia data.(promotrack)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Spirits--but not prices continue to soar down the promotional aisles despite an increase of 55p duty per bottle in the Budget. Of the top five spirits brands recorded by Assosia in its survey of promotional activity at the weekend, only one has increased its offer price post ...
The week's main activity.(promotrack)
Apr 05, 2008 ... <Pre> THE WEEK'S MAIN ACTIVITY BRAND/PRODUCT MECHANIC EXTRA SPACE FASCIA Bacardi Breezer 4x275ml half Gondola end Somerfield price Baileys Irish Cream 1Lsave Gondola end Asda Captain Morgan rum 70cl x for y...
Share of space: weekend 30/03/08.(promotrack)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... <Pre> Share of space Weekend 30/03/08 W'END: TOP 5 SPIRITS Smirnoff 29% Gordon's 24% Baileys 19% Malibu 15% Grant's 13% 2008: TOP 5 SPIRITS Smirnoff 33% Bacardi ...
Promotional activity hits suppliers as well as stores.(SATURDAY ESSAY)
Apr 05, 2008; ... We know how the retail culture of discounting has affected retailers but the pressures on manufacturers are if anything more acute A recent White Paper issued by the KPMG/SPSL retail think tank warned that "the current retail culture of constant discounting, sales and promotions ...
What the papers said.(comment)(Crawshows)
Apr 05, 2008 ... The Daily Telegraph Tesco has put the rollout of its US c-store chain Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market on hold while it reviews its performance. The Telegraph said Tesco was understood to hove tolled u three-month holt to the expansion after opening almost 60 stores since lost ...
A squeeze? More like a global crisis.(SECOND OPINION)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Rising food prices have sparked a slowdown in consumer spending. Could they also herald major economic turmoil? With National Statistics confirming that food prices are firmly rising, what matters more is that this is becoming accepted as normal. Last week the Governor of the ...
A salute to the MLC's achievements.(LETTER OF THE WEEK)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 05, 2008; ... The 12 months ending 31 March was the final year of operation for the Meat and Livestock Commission after almost 41 years of achievement and outstanding service to the British red meat industry. It is not so much an end, as a new beginning. Much of our important work in the red meat sector ...
Deplorable loss of Food from Britain.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 05, 2008; ... SIR, No one is better equipped than Clive Beddall to comment on the deplorable decision by Defra concerning the demise of Food from Britain and the unquestionably adverse effect it will have on the British food industry and exports of British food and beverages (Letters, The Grocer, 22 ...
Discounter chains win over shoppers.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 05, 2008; ... SIR, Congratulations to Netto for being named the UK's fastest-growing supermarket ('Netto fastest-growing chain in 'year of value retailer', The Grocer, 22 March, p5) Discounters should also be congratulated on the fact that the latest Sector Track research shows the percentage ...
Carling Premier 'was first with widget'.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 05, 2008; ... SIR; I read with interest your article regarding Scottish & Newcastle's new lager widget, available for cans of Foster's and Kronenbourg 1664 ('S&N is first brewer to add widgets to lager', The Grocer, 15 March, p74). The article appears to endorse S&N's claim that it is the ...
Luxury biscuits defy tighter purse strings.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 05, 2008; ... SIR, Despite consumers being very aware of the current economic uncertainty, the outlook for the luxury biscuit industry is good. At Bahlsen, biscuit sales have shot through the roof. We've just closed the books on the first two months of this year and sales are at a record high, ahead of ...
British biofuels will help slash emissions.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
Apr 05, 2008; ... SIR; The NFU is relieved the Chancellor has listened to the voices from across the whole spectrum of industry, transport and farming urging him not to add fuel duty to the fire of inflationary cost increases. We still believe the increase should not merely be postponed, but scrapped ...
Sainsbury's: on the road to restoring greatness? Three years ago Sainsbury's slogan was 'Making Sainsbury's Great Again'. Nick Hughes asks if it has delivered on this promise.(analysis)(Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd.)(Financial report)
Apr 05, 2008; ... As straplines go it was as much an admission of past failing as a bold statement of intent. The 'Making Sainsbury's Great Again' plan vowed to address the issues that saw Sainsbury's out-manoeuvred by first Tesco and then Asda as the former favourite lost its way. The sales-led ...
Mission impossible: Stony hits the rocks: Stonyfield has pulled its Stony yoghurts from the UK after poor sales. It tells Rachel Barnes what went wrong.(analysis)(Stonyfield Farm Inc.)
Apr 05, 2008; ... If we prove our relevance in the UK we can do it anywhere." These were the optimistic words of Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg just 10 months ago as he launched his 325m [pounds sterling] US yoghurt brand into the UK. At the time, he predicted the brand would "blaze a trail ...
Big names deliver service with style: it's time to reveal the winners of The Grocer's Branded Suppliers Survey 2008. James Durston finds out what separated the best from the rest.(branded suppliers survey)
Apr 05, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If there is one thing that makes a supplier stand out in the crowd it is its ability to offer great customer service. That's the verdict of grocery retail buyers, who picked this year's winners of The Grocer Branded Suppliers Survey based on ability to ...
Jay talking: this should have been a celebration for Food from Britain, 25 years old this year. Instead, it marks the beginning of the end. Its chair Lady Sylvia Jay talks frankly to Liz Hamson about the tough decision to disband.(the big interview)(Interview)
Apr 05, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It takes a lot to ruffle Lady Sylvia Jay's feathers. The Food from Britain chair's demeanour is usually as polished and composed as her title suggests. But she still finds it difficult to disguise her shock and disappointment over Defra's decision to pull ...
Carman's: on a muesli mission at UK retailers.(Company Profile: Carman's)(Company overview)
Apr 05, 2008; ... Established: 1992 Turnover: 10m [pounds sterling] No of lines: 8 If tenacity alone could guarantee success in the UK food and drink sector then Carolyn Creswell, owner of Carman's, one of Australian's best-loved cereal brands, has a bright future ahead of ...
Finding your secret weapon to compete.(The Challenge)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Carman's is competing in one of the most hotly contested food and drink categories in the UK. The company will go head to head with specialist companies such as luxury breakfast brand Dorset Cereals, which was bought last month by Wellness Foods, Eat Natural and the household cereal names ...
How can an overseas company break into the UK?(THE ADVICE SHOP)(Brief article)
Apr 05, 2008 ... Carolyn Creswell Carman's founder The UK has one of the most advanced grocery markets in the world so you need to be able to prove you can satisfy consumer needs. The first thing you need to do is decide the best place for your products to be sold, and ask ...