The Co-op news and analysis – Page 99
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CRTG steps up search for new buying partners
CRTG, the buying group for the co-operative movement, is actively seeking new partnerships in the independent sector.Martin Beaumont, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, which runs CRTG, confirmed the development at the Association of...
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Somerfield move on Scots
Somerfield is targeting Scottish convenience operators as it expands its Essentials convenience estate, building on the Aberness business it bought in March.Head of convenience business David Cheyne said it was talking to Scottish chains as...
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Conveco is ‘not the last’
The Co-operative Group’s appetite for acquiring c-store chains is undiminished, despite taking over another 64-store company this week.Chief operating officer for retail Malcolm Hepworth said the society was still on the lookout for further...
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PayPoint rebel blazes a trail for Somerfield
PayPoint maverick Romesh Perera is set to open the London flagship store for Somerfield’s new franchise scheme for independent retailers.Perera, who also has a Costcutter store and formerly ran a Budgens Local franchise store, has scheduled...
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Co-operative Group buys Conveco
The Co-operative Group has purchased the Conveco c-store chain for an undisclosed sum.The 64-store chain, 38 of which trade under the Spar fascia, is based in the West Country and is ranked 23 in The Grocer Top 50.Commenting on the...
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The fifth force in food retailing
With the realignment of the top end of the grocery trade now probably complete with the takeover of Safeway by Morrisons, the focus is on changes in convenience and high street retailing. This week Somerfield said group like-for-like sales...
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Kwik Save dies in Scotland
Somerfield is ditching the Kwik Save brand in Scotland with the closure of 22 unprofitable stores and the £20-30m conversion of the remaining 29 to the Somerfield fascia.Somerfield executive chairman John von Spreckelsen said the 22 stores...
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Small business delivery launched by Somerfield
Somerfield has launched a delivered wholesale operation targeting village stores, B&Bs, schools and nursing homes. The Business Delivery service, which is being trialled from 38 Somerfield stores, targets businesses that don’t have time to...
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Broadhurst joins Uniq as commercial director
Uniq Prepared Foods, the UK division of Uniq, has recruited Somerfield commercial director Nigel Broadhurst in the same role. His move coincides with the appointment of Jed Kenrick, previously group organisation and change director at Uniq, as MD of...
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Kwik Save’s growth boosted by own label success
Kwik Save moved into positive like-for-like sales in the second half, with 1% underlying growth boosted by store refits, the success of its new own label range and improved store standards.Somerfield posted 1.8% like-for-like sales growth in...
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Scotland Waves Goodbye To Kwik Save
Somerfield has announced plans to ditch the Kwik Save brand in Scotland.The multiple said it aimed to close 22 Scottish Kwik Save stores altogether because they were in poor locations and were not sufficiently profitable.The...
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Getting tough on RTDs
Asda and Somerfield are following in Sainsbury’s footsteps by revamping their RTD ranges. Less than a month after Sainsbury cut back on the number of lines it stocks (The Grocer, April 3, p68), rivals are also preparing to unveil plans to simplify...
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They’re icing on the cake
Asda and the Co-operative Group were most on the lips of suppliers when it came to naming the six best buyers in the bread and pastry category. Gill Woodfield and Adele Balmforth from the Co-op Group were both mentioned. Balmforth was praised by one...
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Welcome set for the next step
The Co-operative Group is finalising plans for a new generation of Welcome stores as the current crop has spearheaded growth in both turnover and profitability of its food business.Unveiling profits up 63% to £113.4m on sales up 17.4% to £3bn...
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Somerfield tightens grip on convenience
The appointment of David Cheyne to the new post of head of convenience business at Somerfield signals the multiple’s stronger focus on the c-sector.Cheyne, who moves from his job as group development director, replaces new business development...
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Morning Noon & Night makes switch to Filshill
Somerfield-owned Aberness lost £17m of business when Scottish convenience chain Morning Noon & Night defected to wholesaler FW Filshill this week.Morning Noon & Night marketing director Stephen Thompson said the deal, which ends a 13-year...
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Scotmid on the acquisition trail
Co-operative group Scotmid is to invest £20m to ramp up technology at its grocery outlets and at its health and beauty stores SemiChem.For the year to January 31, Scotmid posted a 32% rise in annual turnover from £223m to £295m.The...
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Co-op staff set to vote on pay offer that tops 10%
Staff working in co-operative stores are being advised by their union to accept a 10.4% pay offer. Under the deal, the hourly rate for more than 35,000 employees would rise to £5.The offer has been made by the Co-operative Employers’...