All articles by Beth Brooks – Page 89
-
News
Makro steps up store refurbs after promising early results
Makro is ramping up the pace of the makeover of its 33-store network and is to launch a marketing campaign to increase public awareness of the company. The wholesaler began revamping its stores two years ago with improved fixtures, new signage,...
-
News
United at last... but will others co-operate?
The world's largest consumer-facing co-operative society is officially formed tomorrow. The as-yet-unnamed society brings together the UK's number one and number two co-operative societies, The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives, and...
-
News
United: merger would spark acquisition drive
Peter Marks, chief executive of United Co-operatives, has promised a ramped-up acquisition programme if United merges with the Co-operative Group. ?Marks, ?who will become chief executive of the enlarged society if the deal goes...
-
News
Independents' fury at tobacco duty increase
Increasing duty on cigarettes will only encourage the illegal trade in tobacco, independents have warned. In his Budget this week, Chancellor Gordon Brown increased the price of a packet of 20 by 11p. "All this will do is increase...
-
News
Co-ops reveal their plans if members approve merger
The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives have admitted the merger of the two societies will result in redundancies. Last month, the two societies agreed to recommend to their members that approval should be given to a merger, which...
-
News
Budgens and Londis to get branding revamp
Musgrave Budgens Londis is planning a major overhaul of the Budgens and Londis brands, which could include development of new fascia and in-store signage. Although MBL is keeping details of the new branding under wraps, the makeover will...
-
News
Talk to MPs and each other says Spar chief
Independent retailers need to do more to communicate their problems to their local MPs, according to Jerry Marwood, managing director of Spar UK. Speaking at the Scottish Grocers' Federation conference last week, Marwood urged retailers...
-
News
Blueheath restructure helps to fuel recovery
Blueheath is on course to break even by the middle of this year, having made cost-savings of £3.1m and margin improvements worth more than £500,000. The online delivered wholesaler had a troubled 2006, reporting full-year pre-tax losses...
-
News
It's party time as Cook takes interactive route
Cook, the frozen ready meals retailer, is trialling Ann Summers-style parties as it bids to expand its customer base. The chain is recruiting 'demonstrators' to host parties for a minimum of eight people, who taste a selection of Cook...
-
News
United Co-op pours millions into developing new stores
United Co-operatives intends to break through the 700-store barrier within three years - thanks to a £150m investment in its food business. Tim Hurrell, general manager for United Co-operatives' Food Group, said the society would use the...
-
News
Dautzenberg leaves Makro UK for Portugal
Managing director of Makro UK Philipp Dautzenberg has been replaced by Hannes Floto after leaving to become MD of Makro Portugal. Dautzenberg had been UK MD for three years and has worked at Makro and its German parent company, the Metro...
-
News
Co-op Group hails Christmas success
It was a bumper Christmas for The Co-operative Group - thanks to better availability and new products. In an exclusive interview with The Grocer, Guy McCracken, chief executive officer of food retail for the society, said total...
-
News
Don't miss a chance to grab Grocer Gold gong
Have you launched a new initiative that's had a real impact on the market? Do you think your consumer activity is the best in the business? Are you a wholesaler or independent retail chain that stands out above the rest? Or have you got an own...
-
Profiles and QandAs
Greencore restructure brings new leadership
Convenience foods manufacturer Greencore Group has appointed three new category managing directors following a restructure. Over the past three years, Greencore Cakes and Desserts has been run as a single business with Greencore Frozen...
-
News
The supreme deal maker does it again
Premier Foods acquiring RHM? The very idea would have been dismissed as idle gossip not long ago. RHM tends to be tipped as a potential bidder in most takeover battles, after all. But this week it found itself on the receiving end of a £1.2bn...
-
Profiles and QandAs
Defra lends Young to lead FDF sustainability
As the Government turns up the heat on environmental issues, the Food and Drink Federation has named Callton Young as its new director of sustainability and competitiveness. Young, who takes up the position with immediate effect, has...
-
News
Marks & Spencer in mixed signpost labelling approach
Marks & Spencer has finally nailed its colours to the mast in the front-of-pack signpost labelling debate, revealing plans to pilot, er, both. From January, a combination of traffic lights and Guideline Daily Amounts will be introduced to...
-
News
An immediate exit for Taylor from MBL helm
Mike Taylor, managing director of Musgrave Budgens Londis (MBL), resigned with immediate effect on 13 November to "seek out new business opportunities elsewhere". Taylor was MBL commercial director before becoming managing director in...
-
News
Northern gets queue of 'sensible' bid levels
Private equity groups and food companies are lining up to bid for the businesses Northern Foods has put up for sale, The Grocer has learned. The news emerged a week after analysts expressed concern in these pages that the troubled...
-
News
Another lash for Labour's favourite whipping boy
First it was ads. Then came health. Now it seems the government is turning up the heat on the environmental front, as the minister of state for local environment Ben Bradshaw called this week for shoppers to dump food packaging at supermarket...