The Co-op news and analysis – Page 102
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News
Somerfield ramps up fish range
Somerfield has boosted its fish range with 14 new lines after a major review. The new lines include a Scottish range, tailored to the specific needs of this market and following in the steps of the chain’s West Country fish range. A new...
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Despatch points
The major grocery chains in Northern Ireland are The Co-operative Group, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Safeway and Tesco. Our mystery shoppers do not visit Iceland and M&S, so how do they measure up?Iceland stores in NI are...
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Boom time for Co-op
The Co-operative Group has just chalked up sales records for two consecutive months following on from strong first half results.Chief operating officer for retail Malcolm Hepworth said: “The hot summer helped drive sales. Periods 7 and 8...
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Co-op sheds 75 Alldays stores
The Co-operative Group has sold 75 Alldays stores that fall outside its trading area to fellow retail co-operatives.Midlands Co-op and Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op have picked up the lion’s share of the disposals, acquiring 30 stores...
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The Co-op divvies up some Alldays stores
The Co-operative group has sold 75 Alldays stores to other retail co-ops as it looks to refit and rebrand the Alldays chain.Midlands Co-op and Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester have acquired 30 stores each, Colchester and Ipswich Co-ops seven...
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In Profile: Q&A with Kieron Mayes, Format Director, Somerfield
What is your career background? I worked for Asda for seven years in various operational roles, with responsibilities such as head office merchandising. After that I...
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In Profile: Rachel Warren, Head of Retail Marketing for the Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-Op
What is your career background? I spent two years working on customer research for Somerfield. After that I moved to its marketing...
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In Profile: Q&A with Jenny Clarke, category buyer, ice cream and frozen confectionery, The Co-operative Group
How did you break into buying? I worked as an administrator in the department of Mike Goulthorp, who is now chief general...
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Co-op wine sales soar by 18%
Wine sales at the Co-operative Group are growing three times faster than the rest of the market, new independent figures reveal, boosting the retailer’s revenue by more than £20m in the last year. The society saw sales swell by 17.7% last...
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Sainsbury withdraws Somerfield interest
Sainsbury has announced that it will no longer be considering buying the 171 Somerfield stores from Springwater.This follows the Competition Commission’s examination into the supermarket’s proposed bid. Sainsbury’s chief executive,...
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Keeping the dream rolling
United Milk’s collapse is not writing on the wall for farmer co-ops says Vic RobertsonHe is not exactly saying “I told you so”, but in 2001 government farming advisor Sean Rickard of Cranfield University accurately predicted a rocky...
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Co-op makes pledge on TV
The Co-operative Group is supporting the launch of its “bread and milk promise” with a TV ad to be shown across selected regions.The promise is being rolled out to the society’s 1,200 stores and states that if the store runs out of specific...
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Team talk: Heart of England Co-op
>>GEORGE FLOWER, GENERAL MANAGER OF FOODSTORES, AND HIS AREA MANAGERSHeart of England Co-op prides itself on the support it gives the area managers of its food stores. George Flower, general manager of its food division, says: “At a...
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United Milk heads into receivership
Leading dairy farmer co-operative United Milk, based at Westbury, Wilts, has gone into receivership.The country's other major co-ops – First Milk, Milk Link and Dairy Farmers of Britain – confirmed they were in active discussions with the...
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Somerfield gets funky for kids
Somerfield has launched its Funky Food Factory children’s food brand following trials in pilot stores. Marketing brand controller Nicholas Hall said 20 products would be rolled out by Christmas and a further 40 next year. Somerfield...
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New Tesco threatens a star Extra
Tesco’s recent purchase of the Co-operative Group’s superstore in Uxbridge Road, Slough, is a surprise given its close proximity to Tesco’s existing Extra store in Brunel Way, just over half a mile to the west of the new site.The converted...
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Kears takes franchise expertise to Somerfield
Norman Kears, managing director of Budgens Franchise which trades under the Budgens Local fascia, has been recruited by Somerfield.Kears, 63, has left to take up a two-year contract with the multiple in Yorkshire.Budgens said this...
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Co-op will now sue Regan
The Co-operative Group is to proceed with suing Andrew Regan in a £10m damages claim following his acquittal this week on charges of paying £2m in bribes to secure a lucrative supply deal with the Co-op.After the verdict, Nick Eyre,...
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Press round-up ... Regan acquittal
Andrew Regan has been cleared of stealing £2.4m from Hobson, the food group where he was chief executive, to use the money to bribe two Co-op managers to extend a food supply agreement. The Serious Fraud Office alleged that the money stolen...
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co-op’s irresistible
n The Co-op is aiming to change consumers’ perceptions of its stores with a new ‘super premium’ own label range called Truly Irresistible. n Award-winning chef Paul Heathcote is helping...