Somerfield is strengthening its non food offer with the accelerated roll-out of its in-store clothing and homewares range from high street value chain Peacocks.
The number of shops to introduce the Peacocks concessions will increase by more than 50% in the next six months from 20 to 32.
The first Peacocks-branded area was introduced into Somerfield’s Weymouth store in July 2003 as one of six trial outlets. But a spokeswoman for Somerfield said the range was now being expanded into more stores.
“It’s going well and our customers like the opportunity to purchase value-for-money clothing as part of their one-stop shop,” she added.
According to research by retail analysts Seymour Pierce, for the first Weymouth concession about a quarter of the store’s floor space was given over to Peacocks, resulting in a sales uplift of 25% in the first five weeks alone. Typically, Peacocks occupies floor space of between 2,500 and 4,500 sq ft.
The latest Somerfield store to receive the Peacocks treatment is the former Kwik Save in Burntwood, Staffordshire, which re-opened last week with a 2,300 sq ft concession following a £1.5m refit.
Rhys Jones, franchise and concession controller for Peacocks’ parent company, The Peacock Group, said women’s, men’s and children’s ranges had proved “really popular” with Somerfield shoppers.
In 2003, Somerfield tied up with German retailer Tchibo to sell themed non food items within branded stands. These are now in more than 200 stores.
The government has warned British beef producers that they should not presume the lifting of the EU export ban is a fait accompli. The industry is working towards a February lifting of the ban, but Lord Bach, minister for sustainable farming and food, said this week: “We cannot be entirely sure when or whether the EU states and Commisson will lift the ban. But there is no good reason for them not to.”

Blakemore Wholesale has relaunched its delivery service under the banner ‘Blakemore Delivers You More’ in a bid to support independents in their battle with major supermarkets.
From November 7, the Spar wholesaler’s retail and catering customers will be able to place orders via a comprehensive price list and order form.

Tesco will close a food distribution depot at Kiln Farm in Milton Keynes in February because of its lack of investment potential, with the loss of up to 650 jobs. A spokeswoman said capacity could be picked up at other depots. Union Usdaw said it was a “devastating blow”.

Cook has beaten larger competition including Tesco, Sainsbury and M&S to win the Vegetarian Society Award for best retailer for vegetarian ready meals. Cook earlier this year also won The Grocer Gold award for best independent retail chain. Quorn won the award for best meat or fish substitute, while New Covent Garden Food Company took the first award for best range of vegetarian soup.

Tryton Foods has scooped the Company of the Year Award at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2005. The judges were impressed by Tryton’s excellence in process innovation, NPD and training.
Rachel Barnes
EU ban uncertainty
Delivering more
Tesco depot to shut
Cook wins award
Scoop for Tryton

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