All articles by Ian Quinn – Page 242
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News
Tesco to quit Japan
Tesco is set to pull out of Japan admitting that it “cannot build a sufficiently scalable business”. The supermarket revealed today that it plans to sell its entire business in Japan, eight years after launching in the country.
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NewsTesco racks up ‘fans’ on Facebook...but they’re not all happy
Supermarket giant Tesco has proved an unlikely hit with the Facebook generation, after more than 260,000 people joined its social network in the past three months. ChannelAdvisor revealed Tesco had one of the fastest-growing retail...
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NewsBRC advice to Portas: ‘don’t focus on rioting’
The race to repair Britain’s riot-scarred high streets risks hijacking the review by the government’s retail tsar, industry leaders have warned.
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NewsWhitehall vows 'no fat tax' as study warns of soaring obesity
The government has ruled out imposing a ‘fat tax’ on food companies – despite a new study warning that almost half of British men will be obese by 2030.
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Comment & Opinion
Out of sight, out of mind
For years small retailers have blamed the big-box, out-of-town shopping centres and a light touch planning system for what we all recognise these days as the death of the high street.
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NewsMorrisons is hit by Twitter trickery in Tunbridge Wells
Morrisons was the unwitting victim of a Twitter hoax aimed at residents of Tunbridge Wells this week. CEO Dalton Philips has written to residents in the town after fake Twitter account @Morrisons_PLC taunted residents over a former…
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NewsAsda pins hopes on smaller stores after slender Q2 improvement
Like-for-like sales at Asda grew by 0.5% in the second quarter, excluding VAT, the supermarket revealed today. US parent Walmart said conditions remained challenging and vowed to accelerate its plans to open smaller-format stores to speed up growth.
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NewsNew half measures: IGD rethinks five-a-day code
Half-portions of fruit and veg that are hidden in ready meals and other 'composite' food will count towards your five-a-day under a novel new industry scheme announced last week. The new voluntary code, launched by the IGD on behalf of 30...
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Analysis & Features
Inflation is much worse at some retailers than others
Base prices across the big four are up 5% on a year ago, but this masks huge variances in what’s happening at individual retailers, says Ian Quinn
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NewsAsda celebrates its longest-serving staff
Asda claims to have the edge on rivals when it comes to staff loyalty. As more than 700 staff attended a celebration at Harewood House, Leeds, in recognition of their service, the retailer boasted it had one of the lowest turnover rates...
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Analysis & FeaturesYes, half portions add up, but will the government buy it?
The food and drink industry has launched a major drive to increase consumption of fruit and veg. But will it convince the government? Ian Quinn reports
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News
Asda offers back to basics mobile
Asda has become the latest supermarket to offer customers a new back to basics mobile phone.
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NewsShoplifters look out - Facewatch is on to you
Leading retailers have signed up to a new crime-fighting database that is set to dramatically increase the number of shoplifters who are caught. Billed as a Big Society-style fight-back to store crime and an answer to
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NewsLansley backs out of health deal, but Scotland signs up
The government has been accused of pulling the rug from under the UK's retailers after it dramatically refused to sign up to their plans for the next big push under Andrew Lansley's Responsibility Deal. A raft of fresh commitments were on...
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NewsChange4Life campaign slammed as “gimmick"
Asda and a number of leading suppliers spearheading the government’s anti-obesity drive have found themselves under fire from opponents who claim they are unfairly boosting their profits.
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Analysis & FeaturesIs a career in finance a key asset for prospective COOs?
Following the surprise exit of Simon King, Asda has found its new COO in Judith McKenna, its long-term financial chief. Ian Quinn looks into the reasons for casting CFOs in operational roles
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News
PepsiCo still optimistic on healthy crisp ‘challenge’
PepsiCo's search for a new baked crisp product that is a hit with consumers is "by far its biggest challenge", UK president Richard Evans has admitted. PepsiCo this week released the results of its UK and Ireland business against a raft...
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NewsTesco: supplier cull to benefit ‘power brands’
Tesco has revealed plans to slash its number of suppliers and replace their products with its own brands and "power brands" produced by its key strategic partners in its central European stores, and experts are predicting it could provide a model...
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News
Two directors tipped to take over in wake of Asda COO’s exit
Asda's retail operations director Mark Ibbotson and operations director Glenn Bowles have been touted as the favourites to replace Simon King, who left Asda earlier this week after just six months as chief operating officer.
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Analysis & FeaturesAsda wows shoppers to take 'favourite' crown from Tesco
Asda has prised open Tesco’s iron grip on the Grocer Gold Award for Britain’s Favourite Supermarket. How did it do it? Ian Quinn reports