All articles by James Ball – Page 7
-
News
Unions and MPs ask UB to open up about proposed India move
United Biscuits faces mounting opposition to restructuring plans that opponents warn will lead to 170 UK jobs moving to India. Unite has collected more than 3,000 signatures on a petition opposing the move, which would see 55 finance jobs go...
-
News
Retail Prices: Own label makes return to featured promotional space
Brands are still promoting hard, but now retailers are beginning to push their own-label lines in high-profile promotional spots once more. James Ball reports
-
News
Northern in talks over Sainsbury's VMI deal
Northern Foods is in talks with Sainsbury's about managing its own inventory with the retailer – and unlike similar past deals Sainsbury's would only pay for what it sells. Marking a possible return to prominence for vendor-managed inventory (VMI),...
-
News
'Bread not suitable for UK vegetarians,' claims foodie group
Organisers of a leading food industry event are claiming much of the bread eaten in the UK is not suitable for vegetarians.
The Real Bread Campaign, which represents local, organic and artisan producers behind the Real Food Festival, an… -
NewsGovernment reneges on insurance pledge
The Government this week ruled out providing cover for companies whose suppliers’ insurance had been pulled - as yet more businesses had their cover withdrawn or reduced. In January, it was reported that the Government planned to part-support…
-
NewsWine volumes fall as doctors call for minimum pricing
While the Government faces fresh calls from health campaigners for minimum alcohol prices, Nielsen data seen by The Grocer this week shows off-trade wine sales are already falling. According to figures for the 12 months to 21 March 2009,...
-
News
Will Asda's blind e-auctions leave suppliers in the dark?
Asda has decided to bring back the e-auction. While it stands to benefit from more efficient negotiating, suppliers are not so happy. James Ball reports
-
NewsTesco aims to fill gaps with PoS label alerts
Tesco is trialling a new system to improve availability on its key products at peak trading times.
-
NewsNew NHS fat ad 'will give kids anorexia'
The latest Change4Life ad has come under fire from a leading eating disorder charity for pushing “unhelpful” health messages. Susan Ringwood, chief executive of eating disorder charity Beat, said although advice to eat sensible portions was…
-
News
Promote or BANG!
You don't have to like it, and it's getting more scary by the minute, but trade promotion is an essential feature of modern retailing. Adam Leyland and James Ball report
-
News
Asda brings back online auctions to decide prices
Asda has provoked anger by reviving blind online auctions with its own-label suppliers. Under the controversial system, suppliers are required to submit their lowest price via a website for products they either already supply or want to...
-
NewsRetail Pricing: Asda may be cheap, but it lags behind on promotions
Asda isn't shy when it comes to telling the country all about its deals. But how promotion-happy is it really? James Ball deciphers the figures
-
NewsRetailers reap 90% of trade promotion profits
Retailers pocket 90% of the profits generated by trade promotions, despite manufacturers spending £8bn a year funding the deals.
-
News
AG Barr energised by Irn-Bru but water sales dry up
Fizzy drinks fuelled solid growth in profits for soft drinks group AG Barr, despite a flat performance by waters, juices and smoothies.
-
News
Commodities: Will the 'exceptional' spike in the price of wheat recur?
After hitting record highs last year, commodity prices are back to more reasonable levels. But how much volatility lies ahead, asks James Ball
-
News
Northern Foods puts factory on hold until market calms down
Northern Foods has shelved plans to develop a new factory for its Fox's biscuit production for at least six to nine months.Workers in the company's Batley and Uttoxeter plants had been campaigning for the company to site the new facility in...
-
NewsShoppers stick to brands despite own-label push
Shoppers have spent the past year being told to switch and save, look for cheaper alternatives and try Discounter lines. But new figures collated for The Grocer by TNS reveal they haven't been paying much attention - in fact, they are...
-
NewsBrands grow sales as price gap with own label narrows
Contrary to expectations, brands have outperformed own label in both value and volume terms. James Ball asks how they've managed to pull it off
-
NewsGrocer 33 Online: Tesco shines with service and stock
Tesco’s online service has blown its rivals out of the water in the latest online Grocer 33 survey. Improved search and navigation on the site sped up the shop, and once again the retailer was the only supermarket to offer an alternative to bags....
-
Analysis & FeaturesPromo Dynamic: Salty snacks steal into top 10 ranking
Confectionery has widened the gap at the top of the Promo Dynamic table in a week marked by almost identical levels of activity as last week