All articles by Beth Brooks – Page 83

  • News

    First franchising, then foodservice for Cook

    2009-04-18T00:00:00Z

    Frozen ready meals retailer Cook is set to open up its offer to other retailers in its first move into franchising.Cook, which has 32 stores in south east England, is finalising a ­franchise package that will allow other businesses to run...

  • News

    Brealey moves from Dr Oetker to sales director at Rachel's

    2009-04-18T00:00:00Z

    Rachel's Dairy has named Neil Brealey as its new sales director. Brealey joins the company from Dr Oetker where he was head of sales for chilled. Prior to Dr Oetker, he worked at Arla Foods, St Ivel and Dairy Crest.Brealey said that...

  • News

    Shoppers increase c-store visits and push sales 2.2%

    2009-04-18T00:00:00Z

    Embattled c-store owners were offered a welcome glimmer of hope this week as Nielsen data seen by The Grocer revealed value sales for the convenience sector were on the up.According to figures for the four weeks to 21 March, value sales rose...

  • NEWSTRADE-STAND
    News

    Dawson News hit by major contract losses

    2009-04-11T00:00:00Z

    Newstrade sources have expressed concern over the future of newspaper and magazine wholesaler Dawson News, which has lost five major contracts in the space of six weeks. Dawson News revealed last week its £52m contract with Telegraph Media...

  • CELLAR-AND-KITCHEN-WINE
    News

    Cellar & Kitchen put on hold as recession hits

    2009-04-11T00:00:00Z

    Brewer Adnams is to put on hold any expansion of its Cellar & Kitchen wine chain because of the economic downturn. The Southwold-based brewer this week reported a 64% drop in full-year operating profits to £1.5m for the year to 31...

  • CADBURY
    News

    Cadbury chews over bid for Chewits owner Leaf

    2009-04-06T09:46:59.470Z

    Confectionery giant Cadbury has made a bid for Leaf International, the owner of Chewits sweets, according to press reports.

  • News

    Cranswick snaps up Bowes of Norfolk

    2009-04-06T09:36:53.970Z

    Pork specialist Cranswick has acquired the family-owned pork business Bowes of Norfolk for £17.2m.

  • News

    Smith retires from Unilever, making way for Simmons

    2009-04-04T00:00:00Z

    Tony Smith, vice president of customer development at Unilever UK & Ireland, is set to retire later this year following a 28-year career at the manufacturing giant.

  • News

    Merger 'not spurred by pension fund hole'

    2009-04-04T00:00:00Z

    Douglas Fletcher, CEO of Plymouth & South West Co-op, has poured cold water on speculation that the society had proposed a merger with The Co-operative Group to shore up a £17.4m deficit in its pension fund.Plymouth & South West Co-op, which...

  • News

    Indies urged to make most of Easter Sunday

    2009-04-04T00:00:00Z

    Wholesalers are urging independent retailers to capitalise on Easter Sunday when their larger supermarket rivals will be closed.Stores over 3,000 sq ft are not allowed to open in England and Wales on Easter Sunday, leaving independent...

  • News

    Metro Group report reveals 16.4% sales plunge for Makro

    2009-03-28T00:00:00Z

    Makro Cash & Carry’s sales plunged 16.4% last year – making it the worst-performing cash & carry company owned by Metro Group.Metro Group’s annual report for the 12 months to December 2008, published this week, revealed Makro recorded sales...

  • P&H-MACE
    News

    P&H to give Mace its second relaunch in two-year period

    2009-03-21T00:00:00Z

    Palmer & Harvey, the UK's biggest wholesaler, is following in Booker's footsteps by relaunching its symbol fascia Mace. The wholesaler planned to unveil a "fresh, modern identity" for the currently silver and blue fascia at its trade show...

  • MORRISONS-NO-FOOD-RANGE
    News

    Morrisons' non-food to grow by 500 lines

    2009-03-21T00:00:00Z

    Morrisons is planning to move further into non-food this year with the launch of 500 new lines. The chain had chosen not to offer an extensive non-food range like its rivals, but CEO Marc Bolland said the 500 lines would be added to...

  • ONTARIO-TABACCO-DISPLAY
    News

    Display ban 'will shut down 3,600 c-stores'

    2009-03-21T00:00:00Z

    As many as 3,600 independent c-stores are at risk of closure if the repercussions of a proposed tobacco display ban in the UK are as severe as those felt in Canada. The estimate, calculated by The Grocer, comes in the wake of new data from…

  • News

    Plymouth & South West Co-op to merge with The Co-operative Group

    2009-03-20T10:42:35.477Z

    Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society has become the latest regional society to join forces with the might of The Co-operative Group.

  • News

    Young's promotes Baker to expand its frozen seafood sales

    2009-03-14T00:00:00Z

    Steve Baker is the new sales director at seafood specialist Young's Seafood. In a new role, Baker will head a 12-strong commercial team and continue Young's drive to expand the frozen fish market.Sales of Young's frozen branded fish were up...

  • News

    Foo.go store closed after Greencore buys up just supply side

    2009-03-14T00:00:00Z

    Foo.go, the convenience food supplier and retailer that last May unveiled ambitious expansion plans to become a national retail chain within four years, has closed its only store.The company, which supplies sandwiches and other food-to-go...

  • News

    Floto vows to see off critics with a new focus for Makro

    2009-03-07T00:00:00Z

    Why hasn't Metro Group had the same success in the UK that it has elsewhere in the world? And can it reverse Makro's fortunes, asks Beth Phillips

  • News

    Mason exits post Co-op deal... but Cleland stays

    2009-03-07T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group has kept on two Somerfield directors following the completion of its £1.57bn acquisition of the supermarket chain this week - but a raft of others have now left the business.Retail director John Cleland will stay on...

  • News

    Wind of change

    2009-03-07T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group's completed £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield shows the co-op movement is once again a force to be reckoned with. But how will the deal affect the other societies? And does further consolidation lie ahead? Beth Phillips reports