The Co-op news and analysis – Page 82
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News
Irate Commission tells Tesco to halt work on Slough store
The Competition Commission was reportedly "seething" this week after being forced to stop Tesco developing the site of a former Co-op supermarket in Slough. The store is the subject of a parallel investigation to the main groceries inquiry and this...
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Co-op emergency plan defies disruption caused by flooding
Midcounties Co-operative Society is back in full operation following last week's devastating floods, thanks to some help from the Co-operative Group. The society was forced to close its chilled distribution centre in Osney Mead, Oxford, for eight...
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Somerfield has 'no plans to sell'
Somerfield chief executive Paul Mason has played down rumours the chain is poised for an imminent sell-off, insisting instead that the current owners had significant investment plans for the coming year. There has been conjecture about a...
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United at last... but will others co-operate?
The world's largest consumer-facing co-operative society is officially formed tomorrow. The as-yet-unnamed society brings together the UK's number one and number two co-operative societies, The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives, and...
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Shloer Bucks Fizz
Sparkling juice drink Shloer has secured three significant listings within the grocery channel.Shloer Bucks Fizz will be stocked as a permanent listing in Sainsbury's, within the seasonal aisle in Tesco's and within Somerfield. To...
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New Co-op label plays on farming credentials
The Co-operative Group has launched a campaign to tell shoppers that it produces food on its own farms.Claiming to be Britain's largest farmer, The Co-op is relaunching packaging to draw attention to its farming business, which supplies...
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DFB to threaten milk moustache campaign
Dairy Farmers of Britain could scupper a deal to promote liquid milk in England and Wales.The co-op has been slow to back a marketing campaign using the milk moustache device, despite the huge success of generic ads north of the border....
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Monopoly - or just doing good business?
Thanks to its ethical approach to business, The Co-operative Group is not usually seen as a villain. But that is what happened last week when Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, went public with his call for the Competition...
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Hudson takes on south east Co-op stores
Mark Hudson has been appointed chief officer of food retail operations for The Co-operative Group's south east region. Hudson will take responsibility for almost 350 food stores in the south east. He has more than 25 years experience in...
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MP asks for probe of Co-op purchase and closure tactics
Lib Dem MP Alan Beith has asked the Competition Commission to investigate The Co-operative Group, claiming it is establishing a local monopoly by buying up rival stores with the sole intent of closing them.Beith, MP for Berwick, said he...
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99 boast is 100 years too late
In a press release this week, The Co-op proclaims proudly that its "iconic" 99 Tea brand is going Fairtrade.Laudable indeed. But what comes next doesn't quite add up. "The Co-op invented supermarket own labels at the turn of the last...
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Top-Up shop
Who we visitedbudgens Tolworth, Surreyco-op Combs Ford, StowmarketOne stop Highbridge, SomersetSpar Uphall Station, West Lothian TESCO Express Stockport, Greater ManchesterHow they...
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Somerfield finance plan
Kwik Save's former owner Somerfield is considering refinancing its portfolio of 230 freehold stores, said to be worth £1.3bn.Somerfield's owners, Apax Partners-led consortium Violet Acquisitions, has asked banks to "put forward...
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Price Survey - 16th June 2007
Bizarre weather patterns in the vineyards of Chile and Egypt has led to a shortage of red seedless grapes, prompting dramatic price rises from every retailer except Somerfield. Asda has kicked off the new Grocer 33 year in the manner it ended it -...
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neighbourhood retailers
last year: 91Peter Marks Chief executive United Co-opThe plain speaking veteran of the Co-operative Movement has shot up the power rankings this year to take the number one spot after masterminding the...
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Scotmid co-op stores are to get fascia lift
Scotmid Co-operative Society is rolling out a new fascia as part of an overhaul of its food stores.Store fascias will be changed from light blue and green to a darker shade of blue and the word 'co-operative' will be added to the...
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Jobs lost as Galtee Meats plant closes
One of the Irish Republic's best-known food plants, Galtee Meats in Mitchelstown, County Cork, is to close with the loss of 70 jobs.The plant, owned by the Dairygold Co-op, has supplied pork products including ham, sausages and bacon...
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Will refinance plan put end to break-up speculation?
Ask anyone in the City what they think is going on at Somerfield and you get one answer: "It's up for sale." As a venture-backed business this is no surprise, but sources close to Somerfield have suggested a break up has become a strong...
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Merged co-op names food retail succession
Two leading figures in the co-operative movement are to bow out after the proposed merger between the Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives was rubberstamped by members of the two societies this week.Guy McCracken, chief executive...