All articles by Beth Brooks – Page 76
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Government is scaring shoppers, says Marks
The Co-operative Group's CEO Peter Marks has accused the government of needlessly denting consumer confidence and making the economy and trading conditions worse.Unveiling the society's half-year trading figures, which showed a 1% dip...
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Independent View: On a winning streak
Indies have made the most of a sporting summer, bagging big names and capitalising on smaller events. With one eye on the Olympics, it’s time to push on. Beth Phillips reports
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NFRN management shake-up will give support to members
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents has restructured its management team and pledged to be a "fully joined-up" association for its 18,000 members.The Grocer revealed last month that the NFRN had come under fire from members who...
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They’re not in front but Sainsbury’s and M&S still wow City
Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer dazzled the City with the latest year-on-year sales growth ahead of Tesco and Asda. In the 12 weeks to 8 August [Kantar Worldpanel] Sainsbury's posted year-on-year sales growth of 5.5% , while M&S...
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Availability fears as Morrisons hit by IT upgrade problems
Morrisons' £310m upgrade of its IT systems has hit problems, which industry sources have warned could have a knock-on effect on availability in-store.The supermarket has been carrying out a comprehensive upgrade of its systems since...
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Makro moves to join in with online purchasing
Makro Cash & Carry UK is set to become the latest wholesaler to launch into online ordering.The wholesaler is working on a new website that it plans to launch later this year and will include a function to allow its members to make...
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Pets at Home hires Asda veteran as its new trading director
Peter Pritchard, the former non-food trading director of Asda, has been appointed trading director for petcare retailer Pets At Home. Pritchard will join Pets at Home in January 2011 from Wilkinson where he was head of buying for 16…
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Nisa-Today’s wins new members after record £4.5m payout
Nisa-Today's is toasting a bumper crop of new members just two weeks after paying out a record £4.5m trading surplus. CEO Neil Turton said 29 new members, with a total of 46 stores, had joined the buying group during July. It...
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NewsCustomer satisfaction levels plunge at The Co-op
Customer satisfaction levels plummeted at The Co-operative Group last year, its own customer satisfaction tracker has revealed.
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NewsPayPoint goes on offensive over ‘false’ Camelot claims
PayPoint has launched a stinging attack on the remedies put forward by Camelot in an attempt to reverse the National Lottery Commission’s decision to block it from entering the e-payment market.
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Newsagent federation reassures its members
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents has moved to allay member fears that it has "lost its way".Retailers have contacted The Grocer following the departure of Stefan Wojciechowski as NFRN head of newspapers and magazines two...
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NewsChris Etherington Q&A: 'The unexpected is always best'
Wholesale has had it tough over the past couple of years – with Palmer & Harvey no exception. Even now, sales and profits remain flat. But things are looking up, says this week’s guest editor, P&H CEO Chris Etherington. Beth Phillips put your questions to him – and a few ...
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NewsWar of words as retailers shun newstrade forum
Retail associations have rounded on a new self-regulatory body that has been set up to monitor the newspaper and magazine sector.
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NewsBlowin’ in wind creator Allen exits The Co-op
The Co-operative Group is on the hunt for a new marketing boss after director of marketing Patrick Allen revealed he was leaving the society. Allen has worked in the Co-operative movement since 2004 and was leaving to "seek opportunities...
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Indie retailers score World Cup success with 6.9% sales rise
Spain isn't the only World Cup winner - independents saw their sales leap to a three-year high during the tournament.
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Wilkinson plans major expansion in Scotland
High-street retailer Wilkinson has unveiled plans for a major push north of the border and a significant expansion of its own-label offer.
The chain, which has 337 stores and tops The Grocer’s Top 50 ranking of independent grocery… -
NewsCamelot ban sparks calls for fair play in e-payment sector
The barring of Camelot from the e-payment market has delighted PayPoint but left Payzone fuming – and contemplating legal action, says Beth Phillips
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Local heroes
Mary Portas, Queen of Shops, swears by it. Symbol groups are clamouring to fill their shelves with it. Indies across the country are arming themselves with it. What is it? Local produce....
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Bibby Line still hungry for acquisition in retail
Bibby Line Group, which owns a controlling stake in Costcutter, has admitted it is seeking acquisitions following two failed bids for Nisa-Today's last year. In the company's annual report, published this week at Companies House, MD Sir...
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NewsLottery commission blocks Camelot e-payment bid
The National Lottery Commission has blocked Camelot’s plans to branch out into the e-payment market due to concerns over competition law.