All articles by Sonya Hook
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NewsHisbe to open ethical supermarket in Brighton
Two sisters are gearing up to open an ‘ethical and modern’ supermarket in Brighton this summer…
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BAT claims Vogue launch is not a fashion statement
British American Tobacco has defended itself against claims it has "downplayed" the health risks associated with smoking in favour of the "trappings of style, supermodels and staying slim" for its latest cigarette launch, Vogue Perle.
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Fuel hikes spark calls for regulatory probe
Both the European Commission and the OFT are coming under mounting pressure to investigate and regulate the way petrol prices are set as motorists struggle to meet the soaring costs of fuel in the UK. An alliance of European motoring...
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NewsFocus On Back To School: The kids smarten up
A bargain basement approach to uniforms has depressed sales value but now Mintel is forecasting a return to growth as schools demand better quality, as Sonya Hook reports
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NewsPowerade Energy to both stimulate and revive its consumers
Sports and fitness brand Powerade is moving into energy drinks with what it claims is the category's first 'dual energy' product. Brand owner Coca-Cola Enterprises said the current market was split into two types of product those that...
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NewsNo ‘probably’ about it: Carlsberg keeps slogan
Carlsberg will continue to use its classic 'Probably the best lager in the world' slogan in the UK despite the introduction of a new global strapline.
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NewsMolson Coors to target women with new beer
Molson Coors is to launch a raft of new products designed to make beer more appealing to women, The Grocer can reveal. Much of the innovation focuses on making drinkers feel less bloated, a factor identified as a concern for women by the...
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NewsWine aisle faces charge of the lighter brigade
Retailers and suppliers are increasing their ranges of lower-alcohol wines in response to growing demand for lighter styles. Constellation this week announced it would be rolling out a 5.5% abv Moscato and a 5.7% abv Pink Moscato under...
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NewsExclusive labels drive Champagne recovery
The success of supermarket "exclusive label" Champagnes has helped to pull the overall market out of a two-year slump. Brits drunk five million more bottles of bubbly last year than in 2009, according to the latest Champagne Bureau...
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NewsFocus On Cereals: Instant success
Strong porridge sales, exciting NPD and heavyweight promos and ads have enabled the brands to claw back share from own label. But the outlook remains mixed, says Sonya Hook
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Self-regulation plan for vigilant booze retailers
The government is considering letting retailers and pubs conduct their own test-purchasing operations to stop underage sales of alcohol if they can show consistently strong pass rates, The Grocer has learned."A leading off-trade retailer...
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Retailers called to collect refunds from music licensing body
The Association of Convenience Stores is urging retailers to come forward and claim millions owed by music licensing company PPL.The refunds for licensees were secured as a result of legal action earlier this year after they had been...
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Petfood sales grow as shoppers pamper pets
Petfood sales are holding up despite a fall off in pet ownership as people spend more on pampering their furry friends - or putting them on diets. Volume sales of petfood dropped 2.2% in the year to 12 August, according to TNS Worldpanel...
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Imports of airfreighted food up 31%
The amount of food imported into the UK by air freight rose 31%, or 65,000 tonnes, in 2006, following a sharp rise in imports of ingredients for compound animal feed from the US and Brazil, according to Defra. Fewer than 1% of food...
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Jam boy gets Tesco deal
Teenager Fraser Doherty has landed a major contract with Tesco to sell his home-made preserves in 230 stores. Doherty, 18, started making jam at home when he was 14 following his grandmother's secret recipe. Until now his parents have...
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Consumers spurn chocolate biscuits for healthy options
Consumers are spurning chocolate biscuit bars for healthier options, according to exclusive research for The Grocer. TNS Worldpanel data shows that, for the first time, healthier biscuits have overtaken chocolate biscuit bars in terms of...
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Supply Something New goes abroad
Supply Something New, Sainsbury's Dragons' Den-style drive to find new products, is going global. The scheme, designed to boost the amount of British local produce in stores, is being taken to Australia, France and Germany. Head...
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Majority of Tesco space is now overseas
The ratio of Tesco's selling space in the UK to that abroad has shifted further in favour of the retailer's international operations. International now accounts for 60% of the company's total selling space - up from 57% this time last...
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Own label chocolates pass 'dinner party test'
Sales of own label confectionery overtook the biggest brand for the first time this year, according to research produced exclusively for The Grocer. The combined value of supermarket branded products squeezed out last year's biggest...
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Westminster urged to stop Scots booze promotion ban
The alcohol industry has asked Westminster to prevent a bid by the Scottish Executive to ban promotions on booze. The Wine and Spirit Trading Association has written to the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform on behalf...