Clive Black
The Grocer
Dr Clive Black is head of research at Shore Capital Stockbrokers.
Stories by this contributor.
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A land of milk and no money Subscription
18 Aug 2012
Tempers have been flaring across pastoral Britain as farmers, far from a radical bunch in the main…
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An idle Adjudicator must go Subscription
26 May 2012
Given the structural issues facing the British economy, it is surprising that the government sees fit to prioritise a Grocery Adjudicator Bill in the Queen’s Speech.
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Bratislavans want bargains, too Subscription
09 Jul 2011
That’s why Tesco is shipping from the UK rather than paying Continental prices, says Dr Clive Black
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Can Britain remain a nation of shopkeepers? Subscription
16 Feb 2013
Is Britain still a nation of shopkeepers? For the third year in a row, we have seen a plethora of shop closures…
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Get ready for the big VAT debate Subscription
29 Aug 2009
The Grocer has been championing the need for a more sensible timetable to the return of VAT to prior rate levels.
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Is Iceland about to melt away? Subscription
14 May 2011
If Malcolm Walker and co decide not to buy Iceland, it could well disappear.
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Dancing around the handbags Subscription
29 Oct 2011
The Big Price Drop initiative is not radical enough to herald a price war, says Dr Clive Black
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Europe should 'muddle through'
07 Jan 2012
For all the uncertainty, there are still major opportunities to be grasped.
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Is food speculation a good thing? Subscription
31 Mar 2012
Spring is in the air and the speculative season for soft commodities begins. It’s not just farmers, flour buyers, grain importers and bakers watching the crop reports with interest.
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Developments may leave investors worse off Subscription
28 Apr 2012
The UK supermarket industry has entered a phase of development where existing stores are the battlefield.
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Fears for Morrisons figures Subscription
23 Jun 2012
Sir Kenneth Morrison CBE is one of the world’s greatest grocers. When he speaks, people listen…
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Can we expect a little quiet on the farming front? Subscription
13 Apr 2013
Could 2013 be a ‘quieter’ one for all those involved in and depending on the output of arable farming?…
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Saturday Essay: Why there isn't, and won't be, a price war Subscription
18 Apr 2009
Forget the headlines - the industry's margins and returns are too low to justify a price war, says Dr Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Discounter revolution? Hmm... Subscription
04 Jul 2009
The deep discounters are doing well but their growth isn't sustainable, says Dr Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Is the party over for promotions?
24 Oct 2009
With improved price stability, suppliers - and retailers - may promote less, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Get set for all change at the top Subscription
23 Jan 2010
The fiscal policy of a new government is the key event in the coming year, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Organic must spring into action Subscription
27 Mar 2010
The UK has moved out of recession into growth. Clive Black asks if organic can do the same
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Second Opinion: Is Ocado a sound investment? Subscription
19 Jun 2010
Top marks for its customer service, but profitability is another matter, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Inflation is the big worry this year Subscription
15 Jan 2011
Retailers will push the promotional envelope to deliver value to shoppers, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Is it time to trust new food tech? Subscription
12 Feb 2011
GM, hormones and irradiation may help ease the global food supply crisis, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Outlook worse than we thought Subscription
09 Apr 2011
Retailers should brace themselves, warns Clive Black. Consumer spending continues to be squeezed…
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Second Opinion: Inflation puts focus on own label Subscription
18 Jun 2011
The middle ground of private label is being given a more strategic role, says Dr Clive Black
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Second Opinion: A mixed bag for today’s shoppers Subscription
06 Aug 2011
In a delicate balance, consumers are buying less, but not foregoing quality, says Dr Clive Black
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Our organic food is in a quandary Subscription
01 Oct 2011
But it needn’t be – the movement just needs to play more to its strengths, says Dr Clive Black
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Is the tunnel in sight, if not the light? Subscription
03 Mar 2012
The new year has brought disappointment in financial markets with downgrades to profit expectations - not just for Tesco…
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Rainy days for food inflation Subscription
21 Jul 2012
The definition of ‘summer’ may have permanently changed in Britain with yet another inclement July…
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Is online shopping penalising the poor? Subscription
15 Sep 2012
We were struck by a comment from Morrisons CEO Dalton Philips at the group’s meeting for analysts…
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Is Ocado playing with fire talking to Morrisons? Subscription
12 May 2013
Morrisons’ talks with Ocado raise questions about Morrisons’ capabilities and Ocado’s business model.
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Who benefits from regulation? Subscription
01 Aug 2009
Costly competition probes are hard to justify when Britain is deep in debt, says Clive Black
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The space race is well and truly on Subscription
26 Sep 2009
This time, so far, it’s a much more restrained affair - according to Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Santa is conservatively optimistic Subscription
21 Nov 2009
It won't be a wild one this year, but neither should it be. Loyalty is now key, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Who’ll be the Christmas winner? Subscription
19 Dec 2009
Waitrose and Morrisons will do well, and Tesco is set to improve on 2008, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: The case against an ombudsman Subscription
27 Feb 2010
When public spending needs to be cut, this is a waste of taxpayers’ money, says Dr Clive Black
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Second Opinion: The deficit may trigger a fat tax Subscription
24 Apr 2010
Penalising unhealthy lifestyles may look attractive to a new government, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: The forecast is stable for 2010 Subscription
22 May 2010
The rest of the year looks set to be a period of low-level price inflation, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: We’re in the doldrums for a while Subscription
24 Jul 2010
Even without double-dip recession, consumer spend will remain cautious, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Should we panic over wheat prices? Subscription
14 Aug 2010
No we shouldn't, given residual stocks. But oil prices are up and that could hit inflation, says Clive Black
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What price the age of austerity? Subscription
11 Sep 2010
The food industry may be stable but the overall market will stay jittery, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Sir Terry Leahy’s story of success Subscription
09 Oct 2010
Tesco’s departing boss should be proud of his list of notable achievements, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Promotions can be force for good Subscription
06 Nov 2010
While they may dilute consumer loyalty, deals can help drive up case values, says Clive Black. There may be a paradox in the actions of the food retailers and their rhetoric. We have heard several retail magnates talk of their discomfort at the level of promotional activity in the UK market, yet trade research organisations such as Nielsen talk of recent promotional participation operating at record levels (circa 35% to 40%)...
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Second Opinion: Tesco’s second engine powers up Subscription
04 Dec 2010
Major retail and property developments in Asia will deliver years of growth, says Clive Black
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Second Opinion: Tesco’s engine needs fine-tuning Subscription
12 Mar 2011
In the wake of Sir Terry’s departure, what course will the new CEO steer, asks Clive Black
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Tesco finds the market in the gap Subscription
03 Sep 2011
Fresh & Easy got off to a sterile start. But now it’s getting its act together, says Dr Clive Black
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Tesco needs to listen... and learn Subscription
04 Feb 2012
Tesco’s decision to accelerate the process of change to its core chain was a big surprise to the stock market.
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Tesco calls an end to the space race Subscription
13 Oct 2012
Houston calling’… ‘This is the end of the space race’. And so Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke announced that supermarket development…
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Waitrose and Aldi are set for a Merry Christmas Subscription
10 Nov 2012
With the shelves now full of seasonal product, how will the supermarkets do over Christmas 2012?…
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The big supermarket squeeze Subscription
08 Dec 2012
That meat processor Vion is deciding to exit the UK came as a surprise to Shore Capital…
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The end of the retailer space race? Subscription
19 Jan 2013
A flurry of festive trading statements reveals the retail charts for the supermarkets…
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Will Tesco change its spots with a new strategy? Subscription
16 Mar 2013
It has been a tough few years for Tesco. The business that could once do no wrong stopped listening to customers…
