The Co-op news and analysis – Page 117
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News
Co-op congress: Co-op urged to seize the moral high ground i
Co-op societies must make better use of their social heritage and goals as marketing tools if they are to continue to compete against their rivals. CWS general manager for retail brands Wendy Wrigley said Co-ops had an obligation to exploit their...
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UNITED NORWEST SUPPLEMENT
A CONVENIENT CONCEPT The enticing smell of crispy, freshly baked baguettes and rolls meets early shoppers in the refurbished Co-op Late Shop in Buckingham Road, Cheadle. With fresh blue and green fascia and fittings, a clean layout and bread and...
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UNITED NORWEST SUPPLEMENT
CO-OP GETS WEB WISE Most companies realise the importance of exploring the brave new world of online retailing or digital tv, but how many managers have the time to do it? United Norwest has realised this and has formed a team of specialists...
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UNITED NORWEST SUPPLEMENT
IT'S IN THE FIGURES Ask Martin Beaumont what makes United Norwest a successful Co-op and he will tell you it's the society's unique blend of fierce independence, entrepreneurial spirit, regional focus, good management and financial acumen. "Our...
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Misguided sensationalism
It looks suspiciously like a publicity stunt to liven up this weekend's Co-op Congress, but it didn't require a sensationalist report from the Co-op to remind us that consumers have been "bewitched, bothered and bewildered" by modern food...
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The Morrisons are identical twins with the same pricing down
After last week's out of stock débâcle, thankfully only two stores failed to provide full baskets this week. Tesco, Roborough, had no Home Fries or milk, while chicken and Jacob's Creek wine was missing from Somerfield, Alton. Our shopper at Asda,...
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West Midlands Co-op takes over Morris Foods chain
Shropshire supermarket chain Morris Foods has been taken over by West Midlands Co-op for an undisclosed sum. The supermarket chain which is part of Morris and Company has seven stores and employs 430 staff, all of which will be retained. Four...
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Somerfield: An astonishing decline'
Somerfield has lost a quarter of its market share in the past 12 months, says an influential City analyst. Dave McCarthy of Schroder Salomon Smith Barney said the decline was "astonishing". He added: "New management will be trying to address the...
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Waitrose extension on track
Waitrose is on target to reopen the 11 Somerfield stores it bought in January by the end of July. The multiple is currently refurbishing three stores at Sudbury, Paddock Wood and Hythe and they are scheduled to reopen on May 24, 31 and June 1...
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Spain: Spanish cherry imports boost
Redbridge and Valle del Jerte co-op forge new link A new marketing agreement which is expected to boost imports of stalkless Spanish Picota cherries has been signed between Agrupacion de Co-operatives, Valle del Jerte, one of the region's largest...
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Somerfield: U-turn: We don't want the distraction'
The new Somerfield management team has announced a u-turn in the company's plans, taking 350 Kwik Save stores off the market. The announcement caused a sudden drop in share price last week after the City baulked at the third change of direction in...
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C0-op: Egg colouring is no yolk
The Co-op has followed Iceland's lead by selling eggs from chickens fed a natural diet. Buyer Geoff Cox said the society would source its entire range of eggs from hens fed an artificial ingredient-free and GM-free diet once a suitable supplier had...
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United Norwest on a roll
United Norwest Co-op has reported its sixth successive year of rising profits. The society the country's second biggest after CWS reported a 65% jump in pre-tax profit in the 12 months ending January 22. Excluding exceptionals, profit was up...
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Former Somerfield ceo on the scent of a truly fresh challeng
Exclusive Julian Hunt David Simons is already plotting how to make his comeback to the retail scene and that could include making a bid for Somerfield. Speaking for the first time since he was ousted as Somerfield's chief executive, Simons...
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A stretching' rebranding
Waitrose will reopen three of its rebranded Somerfield stores by June. But the store openings, in Sudbury, Paddock Wood and Hythe, will mean Waitrose's services department will be "uncomfortably stretched", as the company rushes to open the other...
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Name Martin Hyson
Position Chief executive Company Budgens The job A promotion prompted by the imminent departure of John von Spreckelsen who joins struggling Somerfield as executive chairman at the end of the month. Hyson is seen by the Budgens board as the natural...
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News analysis: all change at Somerfield The man for the job
He's done great things at Budgens so can John von Spreckelsen work the same magic at Somerfield, asks Tony Brown Somerfield first encountered John von Spreckelsen in its bid to take over Booker back in September 1998. On that occasion, both...
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THE HEAT IS ON FOR SALES
Supermarkets across the country are preparing a carnivores' feast in preparation for this year's barbecue season. Somerfield has streamlined its range of chicken products into a core range of popular lines namely chicken and chinese flavours ...
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Green light for Co-op merger
CWS and CRS will form Europe's largest co-operative when their merger goes live this week. But CWS says there is still much to be done before the benefits will be seen. Chief executive Graham Melmouth said: "This is a seminal moment in the...
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Somerfield boss hopes to trade out of the gloom
Somerfield's new chief executive Alan Smith arrives this week amid a commitment from the group that its focus on neighbourhood retailing and home delivery will remain unchanged. Smith will be charged with improving the trading performance of the...