The Co-op news and analysis – Page 84
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News
First Fairtrade lolly launched by The Co-op
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...
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First Milk: 'Pay more so farmers can invest'
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...
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What the papers said - 8th March 2008
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....
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Somerfield revamps lines to shake off top-up shop image
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...
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Welford at helm of Somerfield buying
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,...
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Two more societies sign up for The Co-operative fascia
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...
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Milk merger collapse sparks dismay at 'lost opportunity'
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...
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Sales of Cava up as drinkers spend less
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...
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Waitrose/Co-op in Somerfield bid
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...
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The constructive approach - Q&A and Availability
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...
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Top-Up shop
Who we visited East of england co-op Stowmarket, Suffolkcostcutter Blackburn, West Lothianone stop Highbridge, Burnham-on-Seapremier Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshiretesco express Sutton, South...
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Commission must act to stop consolidation
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...
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Opinion - "Who will buy Somerfield? Asda's Andy Bond dismissed smaller format stores but he is reviewing the situation"
It's no longer a question of if or when, now the cat's out the bag, the only question seems who. Assuming it can't be carved up (very hard to do), who would buy Somerfield, with its £4.6bn sales and its 908-strong portfolio of c-stores, forecourts...
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Asda tipped to buy Somerfield for £2bn
Asda has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to buy high-street grocery chain Somerfield, The Grocer has learnt. Somerfield hired the bank Citigroup this week after receiving "some unsolicited approaches", according to a source close...
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East of England pulls out of milk processing
The East of England Co-op is pulling out of the dairy processing sector, blaming tough market conditions. The co-op this week confirmed it is in discussions with Dairy Crest for a sale of its dairy distribution business in February that...
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Briddon to oversee north-west co-ops
John Briddon has been appointed chief officer of The Co-operative Group's new north-west region, covering 553 food stores. The region, which stretches from Newcastle to Sheffield and from Rhyl to Hull, was the former trading area of...
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Supermarkets to stop selling battery eggs
The Co-operative Group and Morrisons have pledged to stop selling eggs from caged birds.The Co-op Group said that it was planning to withdraw the sale of eggs from caged birds in the near future, while Morrisons said it would stop selling...
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Co-op Group consolidates distribution
The Co-operative Group is set to close two food distribution sites in the north east of England to make way for a new 270,000 sq ft RDC. The £12m site will be built next to the Co-op Group's existing RDC in Birtley, Tyne & Wear, and is...
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Milk co-ops welcome OFT merger approval
First Milk and Milk Link have welcomed the Office of Fair Trading's decision not to refer their merger plans to competition authorities - effectively giving it the green light. Having looked at territorial, milk supply, cheese production...
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Court slaps alcohol marking order on Somerfield store
A Somerfield store must have all of its alcohol products marked by police so they can be traced back to the store if they are found in the possession of minors.The condition was imposed this week by a licensing panel at Brighton and Hove...