Archive of all The Co-op articles – Page 77

  • News

    Co-op Group confirms Somerfield talks

    2008-04-17T08:03:00Z

    The Co-operative Group has confirmed it is in talks to buy Somerfield, as its food stores report full-year like-for-like sales growth of 4.6%.Peter Marks, CEO of The Co-op Group, confirmed the society was in serious discussions with...

  • News

    Deal to buy Somerfield won't be done just yet

    2008-04-14T00:00:00Z

    Reports that The Co-operative Group could secure a deal to buy Somerfield within the next week are wide of the mark, The Grocer has learnt.The society was in exclusive talks to buy Somerfield but a deal was still some time off, a source...

  • News

    Somerfield and Woolworths team up in convenience trial

    2008-04-07T00:00:00Z

    A tie-up between high street retailer Woolworths and Somerfield has surprised analysts in light of its potential sale.The chain revealed it would launch a convenience-focused food trial in three Woolworths stores in the next six months....

  • News

    Co-op buys stores from Sainsbury's

    2008-04-07T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group has bought 10 former Bells and Jacksons stores from Sainsbury's, adding 17,500 sq ft of selling space.It plans to invest almost £2.5m in rebranding and refurbishing the stores, which will be converted to its...

  • News

    Integration boosted by EPoS revamp

    2008-03-31T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group will spend £8.3m on a revamp of its EPoS system following its merger with United Co-operatives.Some 550 Co-op food stores will be fitted with the InControl EPoS system, which is already used in 1,650 Co-op Group...

  • News

    One postcode left for Tesco

    2008-03-28T08:13:00Z

    Tesco has stores in all but one postcode area of the UK after buying three stores in the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland.The stores were bought from Somerfield and expands the supermarket giant's reach into every postcode area of the...

  • News

    Plymouth & South West to trial The Co-operative fascia

    2008-03-24T00:00:00Z

    Plymouth & South West Co-op has decided to adopt The Co-operative fascia in a major u-turn for the society.It plans to pilot the fascia, first launched by the Co-operative Group in 2005 at its Chaddlewood store in...

  • News

    Bond: online and Living are taking priority over c-stores

    2008-03-24T00:00:00Z

    Asda boss Andy Bond has insisted that c-stores are not a part of Asda's growth plans - but refused to be drawn on its rumoured bid for neighbourhood and high street chain Somerfield."I am agnostic on c-stores," said Bond, speaking at a...

  • News

    First Fairtrade lolly launched by The Co-op

    2008-03-17T00:00:00Z

    The Co-op is launching a raft of premium lollies and ice creams under its Truly Irresistible label to tap into the growth in luxury desserts.The lollies, which include Fairtade pineapple, mango and banana smoothie sticks, have a healthy...

  • News

    First Milk: 'Pay more so farmers can invest'

    2008-03-10T00:00:00Z

    First Milk is calling on dairy farmers to be paid a higher price that allows the industry not just to subsist but to grow.A report from the farmer-owned co-op claims producers needed to be paid 29.64ppl to be profitable. Farmers...

  • News

    What the papers said - 8th March 2008

    2008-03-10T00:00:00Z

    Somerfield's shareholders may be forced to accept a break-up bid for the group. Barclays Capital, Apax Partners and property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz had hoped to secure an offer for the business, but a break-up was more likely, the paper reported....

  • News

    Somerfield revamps lines to shake off top-up shop image

    2008-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Somerfield is overhauling its premium and healthy own-label ranges in an effort to challenge consumer perceptions it is just a top-up shop.It has launched dozens of new products in its Best Ever and Healthy Choice ranges after it...

  • News

    Welford at helm of Somerfield buying

    2008-02-18T00:00:00Z

    Somerfield has promoted Guy Welford to head of buying in the convenience chilled category. Welford has been buyer for in-store bakery, pre-packed cheese, butters, spreads & margarines, but his most recent role was as buyer for milk,...

  • News

    Two more societies sign up for The Co-operative fascia

    2008-02-11T00:00:00Z

    The drive to unify the co-op movement under a single brand received a boost this week when two more societies agreed to adopt 'The Co-operative' fascia.The Lothian Borders & Angus and Chelmsford Star co-ops will between them rebrand more...

  • News

    Milk merger collapse sparks dismay at 'lost opportunity'

    2008-02-11T00:00:00Z

    The proposed merger between dairy co-ops Milk Link and First Milk collapsed this week after the two parties failed to agree on a valuation for the businesses.The merger would have created a business with a turnover in excess of £1bn that...

  • News

    Sales of Cava up as drinkers spend less

    2008-02-11T00:00:00Z

    Marques de Monistrol has sealed a new UK supermarket listing with its latest launch, the Grand Tradicion Vintage Cava Rose 2005.The Spanish sparkling wine will be stocked in 330 Co-op stores from the end of March, retailing at...

  • News

    Waitrose/Co-op in Somerfield bid

    2008-02-04T00:00:00Z

    Waitrose and The Co-operative Group have teamed up to launch a joint bid for the Somerfield grocery chain, The Grocer has learnt. The two retailers will go head-to-head with Asda - currently the favourite to buy the retailer - and four or...

  • News

    The constructive approach - Q&A and Availability

    2008-02-04T00:00:00Z

    Deciding the winner of the Top Store award has been a tough call this week with all the retailers except Somerfield providing full baskets - but staff at Sainsbury's branch in Winchester, Hampshire, clinched it with an excellent display of customer...

  • News

    Top-Up shop

    2008-01-26T00:00:00Z

    Who we visited East of england co-op Stowmarket, Suffolkcostcutter Blackburn, West Lothianone stop Highbridge, Burnham-on-Seapremier Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshiretesco express Sutton, South...

  • News

    Commission must act to stop consolidation

    2008-01-26T00:00:00Z

    Sir; The sale of Somerfield is the latest major step in the consolidation of the grocery market ('Asda tipped to buy Somerfield for £2bn', The Grocer, 19 January, p4).Speculation suggests that bidders are three of the existing big four...