The Co-op news and analysis – Page 83

  • News

    Somerfield heads for history with break-up now expected

    2007-05-21T00:00:00Z

    The Somerfield brand could disappear from the high street "within 18 months" it was claimed this week.That the retailer is up for sale is grocery's worst-kept secret - in March, chairman John Lovering told a reporter that he was waiting...

  • News

    In Brief: First Milk win; Handley honoured; Another egg hatches

    2007-05-21T00:00:00Z

    First Milk win  First Milk has won Somerfield's Scottish cheese business contract. It will supply English and territorial cheeses and a new Highlands and Islands cheese. The deal lasts a year.  Handley honoured  Farmers For Action boss David Handley,...

  • News

    Co-op trays go green

    2007-05-14T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group is trying to green its fresh produce display by turning to reusable plastic containers for all its fresh produce.It has struck a deal with Chep for an unspecified amount to provide and manage six million container...

  • News

    First Milk wins Asda regional cheese deal

    2007-05-05T00:00:00Z

    Asda has signed First Milk on an 18-month contract to supply regional cheese, despite speculation that it was looking to switch manufacturers.The deal covers more than 20,000 tonnes of cheese from the dairy co-op's three creameries at...

  • News

    Somerfield triumphs over yobs - Q&A and Availability

    2007-04-30T00:00:00Z

    Vandalism and the nearby opening of a Lidl store are just two of the challenges this Somerfield outlet in Plymstock, Devon, has faced on the road to winning this week's Top Store award. Our mystery shopper commended the 14,000 sq ft store for its...

  • News

    In Brief: Barn- vice chair; Association duties; Baugur recruits; Manager search; Hynes' start on hold

    2007-04-30T00:00:00Z

    Barn- vice chair  The Association of News Retailing has appointed John Barn as vice chairman. Barn had worked at The Co-operative Group for three years and currently heads up the team that manages news and magazines on behalf of all co-operative...

  • News

    New Zealand plans lamb super co-op

    2007-04-23T00:00:00Z

    New Zealand lamb producers are considering forming a 'super co-op' to drive up prices in the $2.2bn per year export market.Agriculture minister Jim Anderton said the government would help the industry get round anti-monopoly legislation....

  • News

    Here's the brand new Kwik Save

    2007-04-23T00:00:00Z

    Kwik Save is to shed its soft discounter image and adopt a new high street convenience-focused format - a move that could take it into direct competition with former owner Somerfield.Speaking exclusively to The Grocer, Kwik Save chief...

  • News

    Sharper Co-op Group tactics deliver 'tremendous' uplift

    2007-04-16T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group this week hailed a "tremendous" turnaround of its food operations, as it reported strong annual sales and its fifth successive quarter of like-for-like growth.Guy McCracken, CEO of Food Retail for the Co-operative...

  • News

    Somerfield takes action to boost flagging stock levels

    2007-04-09T00:00:00Z

    Somerfield is overhauling its supply chain and in-store procedures in a bid to revive its flagging availability levels. Last month the retailer, which is the subject of takeover speculation, had an availability rating of just 93.8% having...

  • News

    United: merger would spark acquisition drive

    2007-04-09T00:00:00Z

    Peter Marks, chief executive of United Co-operatives, has promised a ramped-up acquisition programme if United merges with the Co-operative Group. ?Marks, ?who will become chief executive of the enlarged society if the deal goes...

  • News

    Percol hires Mount for an adventure in coffee

    2007-03-31T00:00:00Z

    Wine guru Angela Mount has linked up with coffee producer Percol to encourage consumers to explore different flavours of coffee. Ex-Somerfield wine buyer Mount, whose tastebuds were once famously insured for £10m, will be working with...

  • News

    Top-Up shop

    2007-03-24T00:00:00Z

    Who we visited Sainsbury's Local Birmingham, West Midlands Co-op Crieff, Perthshire Nisa Stockport, Greater Manchester Tesco express Amersham, Bucks Budgens Trowbridge, Wiltshire How they...

  • News

    Heated fields bring on early asparagus crop

    2007-03-24T00:00:00Z

    Underground heating in fields has put the first British asparagus onto shelves four weeks earlier than usual. The Co-operative Group said it was the first retailer to offer a home-grown crop, which went on sale in 11 stores on Monday 19...

  • News

    Co-ops reveal their plans if members approve merger

    2007-03-24T00:00:00Z

    The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives have admitted the merger of the two societies will result in redundancies. Last month, the two societies agreed to recommend to their members that approval should be given to a merger, which...

  • News

    Top-Up shop

    2007-03-17T00:00:00Z

    Who we visitedlondis Burley Grove, BristolCo-op local Benfleet, Essexlifestyle express Kirkintilloch, Glasgowone stop Roffey, West SussexSpar Saintfield Road, BelfastHow they...

  • News

    Farmers hope stores will follow Tesco lead

    2007-03-10T00:00:00Z

    The dairy industry is holding its breath to see what happens following Tesco's decision to raise its retail milk prices this week.Farming leaders are hoping Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons and Somerfield will follow suit, after Tesco...

  • News

    Farmers hope stores will follow Tesco lead

    2007-03-10T00:00:00Z

    The dairy industry is holding its breath to see what happens following Tesco's decision to raise its retail milk prices this week.Farming leaders are hoping Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons and Somerfield will follow suit, after Tesco...

  • News

    Shelf barkers give Comfort to shoppers

    2007-03-10T00:00:00Z

    A scented shelf barker is the latest innovation to hit the laundry aisle and forms part of an in-store media first for Unilever's Comfort brand.The initiative brings together Comfort with The Co-operative Group, which has signed a...

  • News

    In Brief: Bags not recycled; Focus group online; Clarification

    2007-03-10T00:00:00Z

    Bags not recycled Forty two per cent of Brits fail to recycle their plastic bags, according to Somerfield. The retailer is offering shoppers a free bag for life each time they return five used carrier bags. Focus group...