All articles by Beth Brooks – Page 84

  • News

    Scots will go on ‘booze cruise’ to fight the ban

    2009-03-07T00:00:00Z

    Carlisle could become the next Calais and Belfast the next Boulogne if the Scottish Government’s crackdown on alcohol comes to pass. That’s the prediction of retailers and wholesalers north and south of the border, who believe Scottish shoppers would flock into England and even Northern Ireland in search of cheaper ...

  • PREMIER-FASCIA
    News

    Booker targets 1,000 new Premier retailers

    2009-03-07T00:00:00Z

    Booker is relaunching its Premier fascia in a bid to become "the UK's biggest and best symbol group" and convert 1,000 new retailers to the cause. The cash & carry giant is re-classifying its 2,250 Premier stores as small, medium or large and...

  • News

    Co-op Group completes Somerfield acquisition

    2009-03-02T09:37:52.547Z

    The Co-operative Group has completed its £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield.

  • MAKRO-3
    News

    Makro refutes Metro UK pull-out rumours

    2009-02-28T00:00:00Z

    Makro MD Hannes Floto has insisted that the cash & carry chain has the full support of its German parent company Metro Group. The claim came as key figures in the wholesale sector warned that Metro would pull out of the UK completely if its...

  • TOP-50-INDEPENDENT-RETAILER
    News

    Top 50 list shows indie discounters on the rise

    2009-02-28T00:00:00Z

    The rise of the discounters has been much vaunted in the past 12 months but, as our latest ranking of the UK's 50 biggest independent retail chains has revealed, it's not just about Aldi, Lidl and Netto. Independent discounters are leading...

  • Category Report

    Top 50 Independents 2009

    2009-02-28T00:00:00Z

    The odds may be stacked against independents at the moment, but sales, profits, store and staff numbers are all up. Beth Phillips looks at the main winners and losersIndependents never have it easy. This time last year, the sector was being challenged by energy price rises, greater employment regulation and ...

  • COOP-ETHICAL-TV-AD
    News

    Co-op says it is right to push ethics over price

    2009-02-21T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group has insisted its epic advert trumpeting its ethical credentials is not out of touch with shoppers. Despite the big four pushing low prices in their advertising as the recession worsens, The Co-op Group's two-and-a-half...

  • News

    Director general of NFU announces he will resign in 2009

    2009-02-21T00:00:00Z

    Richard Macdonald is to stand down as director general of the National Farmers’ Union later this year after nearly 13 years.“It is a huge privilege to hold this job and I have greatly enjoyed all of my 13 years,” he said. “However, I have...

  • News

    Cheap Easter eggs from Woolies set to hit stores

    2009-02-14T00:00:00Z

    A glut of cheap eggs will flood on to the market this Easter because of the demise of Woolworths, retailers and wholesalers have predicted.

    Tesco this week snapped up container loads of Easter eggs destined for the now-defunct chain, which…

  • News

    Coppola role boosts technical innovation at Northern Foods

    2009-02-14T00:00:00Z

    Northern Foods has appointed John Coppola to the new role of group technical innovation director as the food manufacturer bids to increase its NPD. Coppola joins Northern, which makes products including Goodfella's pizza and Fox's biscuits,...

  • COOK-SHOP-FRONT
    News

    Cook refutes auditor's concerns over viability

    2009-02-14T00:00:00Z

    Frozen ready meals retailer Cook has insisted it is in a strong financial position despite its auditor expressing doubt over the company’s future. The retailer’s accounts revealed Cook reported a pre-tax loss of £328,850 in the year to 31...

  • MAKRO
    News

    Makro delists Carlsberg line in row over £5 deal

    2009-02-07T00:00:00Z

    Makro and Carlsberg are at loggerheads after the cash & carry giant pulled 275ml bottles of Carlsberg Export from its shelves in protest against heavy discounts on the brand in supermarkets.

  • News

    Stans Superstore to consider second site as multiples move in

    2009-01-31T00:00:00Z

    Shropshire-based independent supermarket Stans Superstore is considering opening a second store to battle ever-increasing competition in its area.Four multiples were moving into the Oswestry area in the next two years and a second store...

  • News

    Backhauling scheme to cut 1.3 million miles

    2009-01-31T00:00:00Z

    Budgens and Londis owner Musgrave Retail Partners GB is planning to save millions of road miles this year by dramatically expanding its backhauling operations.Instead of returning empty to the depot after delivering products to Budgens and...

  • News

    Waitrose and discounters top customer service poll

    2009-01-29T12:23:14.677Z

    Waitrose has been named top for customer service in a Which? poll.

  • News

    Can own label make its mark?

    2009-01-24T00:00:00Z

    C-stores have woken up and smelled the own-label coffee and are now making shelf space alongside the brands, reports Beth Phillips

  • News

    Spar begins massive revamp of own label

    2009-01-24T00:00:00Z

    Spar is planning a massive overhaul of its 900-strong own-label range this year in what it claims is the company's biggest initiative since Eight Till Late.Next month, the company will relaunch its value range as Spar Extra Value to help...

  • News

    Somerfield reports sales growth of 3.7% for Christmas period

    2009-01-24T00:00:00Z

    Somerfield has emerged as a surprise Christmas winner, posting like-for-like sales growth of 3.7% in the three weeks to 3 January. The figure, which is well ahead of Tesco's 2.5% growth, comes despite a smaller marketing budget than its...

  • News

    Fifteen former Woolies shops become 99p Stores

    2009-01-23T11:35:46.220Z

    99p Stores has snapped up 15 former Woolworths stores and has already started trading in a third of them.

  • News

    Co-op secures sale of 90 Somerfield stores

    2009-01-19T00:00:00Z

    Waitrose and Tesco are among a host of retailers that have snapped up stores from the Co-operative Group following its £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield.