All articles by Beth Brooks – Page 84
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News
Mason exits post Co-op deal... but Cleland stays
The Co-operative Group has kept on two Somerfield directors following the completion of its £1.57bn acquisition of the supermarket chain this week - but a raft of others have now left the business.Retail director John Cleland will stay on...
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News
Floto vows to see off critics with a new focus for Makro
Why hasn't Metro Group had the same success in the UK that it has elsewhere in the world? And can it reverse Makro's fortunes, asks Beth Phillips
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News
Co-op Group completes Somerfield acquisition
The Co-operative Group has completed its £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield.
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Category Report
Top 50 Independents 2009
The odds may be stacked against independents at the moment, but sales, profits, store and staff numbers are all up. Beth Phillips looks at the main winners and losers Independents never have it easy. This time last year, the sector was being challenged by energy price rises, greater employment regulation ...
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NewsTop 50 list shows indie discounters on the rise
The rise of the discounters has been much vaunted in the past 12 months but, as our latest ranking of the UK's 50 biggest independent retail chains has revealed, it's not just about Aldi, Lidl and Netto. Independent discounters are leading...
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NewsMakro refutes Metro UK pull-out rumours
Makro MD Hannes Floto has insisted that the cash & carry chain has the full support of its German parent company Metro Group. The claim came as key figures in the wholesale sector warned that Metro would pull out of the UK completely if its...
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News
Director general of NFU announces he will resign in 2009
Richard Macdonald is to stand down as director general of the National Farmers’ Union later this year after nearly 13 years.“It is a huge privilege to hold this job and I have greatly enjoyed all of my 13 years,” he said. “However, I have...
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NewsCo-op says it is right to push ethics over price
The Co-operative Group has insisted its epic advert trumpeting its ethical credentials is not out of touch with shoppers. Despite the big four pushing low prices in their advertising as the recession worsens, The Co-op Group's two-and-a-half...
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NewsCook refutes auditor's concerns over viability
Frozen ready meals retailer Cook has insisted it is in a strong financial position despite its auditor expressing doubt over the company’s future. The retailer’s accounts revealed Cook reported a pre-tax loss of £328,850 in the year to 31...
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News
Coppola role boosts technical innovation at Northern Foods
Northern Foods has appointed John Coppola to the new role of group technical innovation director as the food manufacturer bids to increase its NPD. Coppola joins Northern, which makes products including Goodfella's pizza and Fox's biscuits,...
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News
Cheap Easter eggs from Woolies set to hit stores
A glut of cheap eggs will flood on to the market this Easter because of the demise of Woolworths, retailers and wholesalers have predicted.
Tesco this week snapped up container loads of Easter eggs destined for the now-defunct chain, which… -
NewsMakro delists Carlsberg line in row over £5 deal
Makro and Carlsberg are at loggerheads after the cash & carry giant pulled 275ml bottles of Carlsberg Export from its shelves in protest against heavy discounts on the brand in supermarkets.
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News
Backhauling scheme to cut 1.3 million miles
Budgens and Londis owner Musgrave Retail Partners GB is planning to save millions of road miles this year by dramatically expanding its backhauling operations.Instead of returning empty to the depot after delivering products to Budgens and...
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News
Stans Superstore to consider second site as multiples move in
Shropshire-based independent supermarket Stans Superstore is considering opening a second store to battle ever-increasing competition in its area.Four multiples were moving into the Oswestry area in the next two years and a second store...
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News
Waitrose and discounters top customer service poll
Waitrose has been named top for customer service in a Which? poll.
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News
Somerfield reports sales growth of 3.7% for Christmas period
Somerfield has emerged as a surprise Christmas winner, posting like-for-like sales growth of 3.7% in the three weeks to 3 January. The figure, which is well ahead of Tesco's 2.5% growth, comes despite a smaller marketing budget than its...
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News
Spar begins massive revamp of own label
Spar is planning a massive overhaul of its 900-strong own-label range this year in what it claims is the company's biggest initiative since Eight Till Late.Next month, the company will relaunch its value range as Spar Extra Value to help...
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News
Can own label make its mark?
C-stores have woken up and smelled the own-label coffee and are now making shelf space alongside the brands, reports Beth Phillips
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News
Fifteen former Woolies shops become 99p Stores
99p Stores has snapped up 15 former Woolworths stores and has already started trading in a third of them.
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News
Co-op secures sale of 90 Somerfield stores
Waitrose and Tesco are among a host of retailers that have snapped up stores from the Co-operative Group following its £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield.