All articles by Alex Beckett – Page 20
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News
Old El Paso aims to get families cooking
Mexican food brand Old El Paso is ploughing £5.5m into the launch of a strategy primarily targeting the family market rather than adults for the first time. To kick off the new positioning it is launching two dinner kits, Oven Baked...
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News
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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Profiles
Riley named Beam Global sales director
Beam Global UK has appointed Mark Riley as sales director. He joins Beam from Yoplait, where he was grocery sales controller. Prior to that he held sales management positions with Diageo. He replaces Paul Elliott, who has been acting...
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Profiles
Saunders takes key role in S&N strategy
Scottish & Newcastle has appointed a new head of off-trade customer marketing as part of its strategy to grow the off-trade long alcoholic drinks category by £300m over the next five years. Carol Saunders has been promoted to the position...
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News
Price Survey - 12th January 2008
Grocery prices were relatively static over the new year holiday but the retailers have made up for it this week with a flurry of pricing activity. The Christmas special offers on booze ended this week with Hardy's Stamp Shiraz Cabernet rocketing up...
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News
Asda passes the screen test - Q&A and Availability
It has been a poor week for availability across the retailers, but Asda's colossal Patchway Supercentre near Bristol combined hi-tech style with personal customer service and a full basket to win our Top Store award. Last year the 100,000 sq ft...
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News
Online services stumble intothe new year
It seems retailers are suffering from an extended New Year's Eve hangover. Our latest quarterly online survey shows the high standard of service achieved in September could not be matched this time round, with lengthy delivery times, a...
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News
Tesco starts 2008 with a bang - Q&A and Availability
Maintaining well-stocked shelves between Christmas and New Year has proved a challenge for retailers, but Tesco's Sale branch in Greater Manchester provided a full basket to win the first Top Store award of 2008. The 50,000 sq ft town centre store...
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News
Price Survey - 5th January 2008
Asda has started the new year with its grip on the title of Britain's cheapest retailer showing no sign of weakening in what has been a quiet week for price changes. Although Morrisons and Tesco matched 26 and 27 of Asda's prices respectively, Asda...
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News
Price Survey - 10th November 2007
There's no change at the top with Asda achieving its sixth consecutive victory as cheapest retailer with a £47.38 basket, but Morrisons has let its grip on second position slip. It is testament to the consistency of Asda's low-pricing strategy that...
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News
A very warm Welsh welcome - Q&A and Availability
Most bigger supermarkets struggle to recreate the sort of welcoming atmosphere that corner shops offer. Not Sainsbury's in Roath, Cardiff, however. It not only managed this feat but provided the only full basket this week, earning it our Top Store...
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News
Union says Cadbury's Polish move will cost environment
Cadbury's decision to move production of some of its chocolate bars abroad will lead to a massive increase in its use of diesel totally at odds with its environmental pledges, it was claimed this week. The Transport and General Workers'...
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News
Debbie & Andrew's sets up fair trade first
Sausage-makers Debbie & Andrew's has launched the UK's first fair trade scheme for British pig farmers in a bid to end the crisis in the sector. The Yorkshire-based company has agreed to pay pigmeat suppliers a 15% premium over the market...
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News
Outrage as Asda puts full halal meat on sale
Halal meat from animals that have not been stunned before their throats are slashed will go on sale in Asda for the first time next month in a move that has infuriated animal rights activists.
Asda admitted its decision would cause… -
News
We don't need rich shoppers - Q&A
With attractions such as the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and a trendy shopping centre a mile away, Waitrose in Southsea, near Portsmouth's historic waterfront, may not be on the tourist trail but its colourful flower displays, enticing fireworks range...
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News
Price Survey - 27th October 2007
This week Asda announced it would be making £150m of price cuts in the run-up to Christmas but its winning basket this week proves its prices are already the lowest. Asda was the cheapest retailer for the fourth consecutive week with a £45.94...
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Profiles
Commercial director for Greencore cake division
Convenience food manufacturer Greencore has appointed Jonathan Hodgson as commercial director of its cakes and desserts division. Hodgson was previously account group director at Young's Seafoods, where he managed a team that looked after...
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News
Nijhar to deal with Spar PR
Spar UK has expanded its head office marketing team by appointing Kam Nijhar as marketing manager. Nijhar will be responsible for internal communications with Spar wholesalers and retailers. She will also look after charity sponsorship...
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News
Commodity cost hikes push up snack prices
Bagged snack and biscuit prices are set to soar by inflation-busting levels over the next month, as another major supplier feels the bite of rising commodity costs. United Biscuits increased trade price rises this week, with snacks such...
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News
Price Survey - 22nd September 2007
After a minor blip in last week's commodity based list, Asda is once again sitting pretty as the cheapest retailer in The Grocer 33 pricing survey. However, Somerfield is closer than ever to breaking into the top four. Usually the second most...