Long reads – Page 339
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Analysis and FeaturesRetail royalty
Mary ‘Queen of Shops’ Portas has big news – soon she’ll be striding down Downing Street to dish out some of her trademark no-nonsense advice. And Tesco had better watch out.
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Analysis and Features
Prices up 3% as promotions keep inflation costs in check
This week’s GPI shows that, thanks to record levels of promotions, food price inflation is less dramatic than was feared.
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Analysis and FeaturesEFSA’s health claim rejections aren’t just baffling consumers
Some 80% of food and drink health claims have now been turned down by the European Food Safety Authority. Why, asks Hannah Stodell
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Analysis and FeaturesThe mults to blame for £14bn waste mountain? Bogof!
The cost of throwing away good food and drink reached a staggering £13.7bn last year, according to the Local Government Association. It lays the blame squarely at the door of the bogof, which it claims is a cunning ploy to divert waste out of retail operations and into the home. Is there any truth in its argument? Helen Gilbert reports
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The Big InterviewAllied force: an interview with Mark Fairweather
Soaring costs and deep supermarket promotions – it’s tough being a baker today. But, with a little help from a couple from Solihull, Allied Bakeries is succeeding where others aren’t, as CEO Mark Fairweather tells Rob Brown
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Analysis and FeaturesAcid Test: Tails Espresso Martini
The do-it-yourself format of Tails and the higher alcohol content (18% abv) will help it stand out among its bigger-brand rivals
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Analysis and Features
Sainsbury’s quietly takes the lead in promo activity
While Price Guarantees continue to be the focus of the big two, Sainsbury’s has gradually stepped up promotions.
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Analysis and FeaturesToday’s tomorrow: why the Nisa demerger plan makes sense
The consultation is underway, but leading players already accept the undeniable logic of Today’s Group splitting from Nisa, as Beth Phillips reports
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Analysis and FeaturesThe Grocer Suppliers of the Year 2011: And the winners are...
With consumer spending power declining while cost prices rise, it takes a very special performance to win the approval of the leading grocery retail buyers. Nic Paton salutes the 39 winning suppliers in our 2011 survey
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Analysis and FeaturesAsda’s baby brand grows up
Brands beware. Retailers are looking to steal your customers with revamped own-label lines. Rob Brown meets the team behind Asda’s Little Angels baby range to find out how fresh design and grand ambitions are converting shoppers to own label
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Analysis and FeaturesLocal shops for local people
The Big Society may be David Cameron’s big idea but in the grocery sector communities have been pulling together for years for the benefit of the greater good, as Judy Sharp discovers
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Analysis and FeaturesRubbish publicity for mults as police swoop on bin diver
News that a bin diver faces trial has not just thrust the spotlight on freeganism, but also the amount of food the mults chuck out, says James Halliwell
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Analysis and FeaturesAcid Test: Hollows Superior Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Hollows Superior Alcoholic Ginger Beer describes itself as the ‘thoroughbred’ option in the growing alcoholic ginger beer category.
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Analysis and Features
Snacks are biting back with a crunch on British pockets
Price hikes on raw materials mean shoppers may soon have to pay more for their snacking habits. Mintec’s Robert Miles reports
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Analysis and FeaturesAcid Test: Seabrook Goodbye Salt, Hello Flavour Tommy Ketchup
Seabrook positioned the range as the first on the market that was full of flavour despite reduced salt content
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Analysis and Features
Promo Dynamic: Cracking Easter egg offers hit shelves earlier than ever
Brands are doing their best to make the shopping seasons longer, while bogof is making its mark – especially at Tesco. Vince Bamford reports
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Analysis and FeaturesAcid Test: Thirst Pockets Multi Cloth
The new “super-strong kitchen towel” aims to wow consumers and shake up the sector
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Analysis and FeaturesCould DIY cigarettes prove a £2bn market in the making?
Is Imperial Tobacco fighting the illicit trade in tobacco with Make Your Own cigarettes, as it claims, or has it spotted a nice little earner, asks Vince Bamford
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Analysis and FeaturesThe royal bandwagon: what Wills and Kate's wedding means for grocery
Last year’s World Cup didn’t quite live up to the promise as far as merchandising went – for obvious reasons. But with the Royal Wedding nearly upon us, brands and retailers have another chance to strike gold. So who’s poised to cash in? Rob Brown reports
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The Big InterviewThe value engineer: Heineken UK's Stefan Orlowski
After beer and cider was again refused a lifeline in last week’s Budget, Britain’s biggest brewer is making its own plans to inject life into the sector. And they involve a ladder. Nick Hughes speaks to Heineken UK MD Stefan Orlowski