Long reads – Page 339
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InterviewsMcMeikan on a roll
Since joining Greggs, Britain’s biggest high-street bakery, chief executive Ken McMeikan hasn’t put a foot wrong. Now he’s selling frozen sausage rolls through Iceland and eyeing another 500 store openings.
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Analysis & Features
Brands capitalise on x-for-y as savings increase vs 2010
Brands continue to lead in the promo stakes, with average savings increasing year-on-year at twice the rate of own-label. Vince Bamford reports
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Analysis & FeaturesCan Thorntons perk itself up with a shot of Caffè culture?
Group CEO Jonathan Hart plans a more personalised experience on the high street and more sales through supermarkets. Hannah Stodell reports
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Thatchers 2010 Vintage Cider
A distinctive, premium blended cider produced from some of the finest English apple varieties grown in the company’s Somerset orchards
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Analysis & FeaturesFarm Africa: Climbing Out of Poverty
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not for the fainthearted, but for the 10 senior food and drink industry executives preparing to tackle Africa’s tallest mountain, the biggest challenge is raising the profile of FARM-Africa, an aid agency that is helping African farmers climb out of poverty. Virginia Matthews reports
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Analysis & FeaturesHarris hits back at ‘spurious claims and disgruntled staff’
What led to the rapid demise of Haldanes after only 18 months? CEO Arthur Harris gives Beth Phillips his own account of events leading to the meltdown
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InterviewsEaton mess
Geoff Eaton saved Uniq from the brink by skillfully hurdling its monumental pension fund. Now all he has to do is sell the company. The proof, says Hannah Stodell, is in the pud
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Analysis & Features
Grocery prices still on the up despite impact of promos
Food prices are up 4% on last year, even with promos factored in. And with sales flat, the future looks tough for consumers.
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Burgen Buckwheat & Poppy Seed loaf
The vitamin D fortified loaf will fill a gap in the market for a healthy bread that doesn’t compromise on taste
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Analysis & FeaturesEngland’s grape expectations
English wine makers have grand ambitions – to increase output and steal 10% of the booming Champagne market in the next five years. Can they do it? Rob Brown
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Analysis & Features
Industry slams ‘hypocrisy’ of government food standards
The government’s new food buying standards fall short of the ambitions it has for private companies, retailers and producers claim. Why, asks Julia Glotz
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Analysis & Features
Promotional plans vary as consumers slow spending
Consumer spending has fallen with the rain, and retailers’ responses have been mixed, with deal numbers fluctuating. Ronan Hegarty reports
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Analysis & FeaturesWhat it takes to become the Store Manager of the Year
“It was the best professional night of my life”, says Nathen Newark of being named Store Manager of the Year at last week’s awards. He reveals the secrets of his success at Asda Wembley to James Halliwell
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Analysis & FeaturesManufacturing: Made in Britain - A new dawn?
Investment in food and drink production has declined in the past decade. But with the government looking to a ‘manufacturing-led recovery’ in the UK, will the situation change? Nick Hughes and Adam Leyland report
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Analysis & Features
The high street that thinks it's a supermarket
The race is on to save indie retailers – and one Derbyshire village is even looking to revive its high street by taking a leaf out of the supermarkets’ book. Rob Brown reports
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Analysis & FeaturesMakro economics: what will ice-cold AlixPartners do?
All but one of Makro’s directors has been replaced in Metro Group’s latest attempt to salvage the wholesaler. Will it stay in the UK, asks Elinor Zuke
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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
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Analysis & Features
Commidities: Baked beans feel squeeze as tomato prices increase
Baked beans and canned spaghetti are set to become more expensive as EU tomato production falls while demand rises, says Mintec’s Robert Miles
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Analysis & FeaturesAcid Test: Thorntons Chocolate Liqueur
The liqueur’s “quality and association of the luxury Thorntons name” would make it a perfect fit for today’s discerning consumer
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Analysis & FeaturesSalary Survey 2011: Climbing the greasy pole
Tesco’s CEO isn’t the only commander-in-chief to have started out on the shop floor. But what is it about the sector that makes such meteoric rises possible? Catherine Wheatley, armed with our new salary survey, investigates