Archive of all Booker articles – Page 32
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GTA confident of replacing lost revenue as Makro goes
Makro is pulling out of Group Trading Alliance, the multi-billion pound buying group it set up with Spar UK and Landmark. The 27-depot cash and carry group will cease to be a member of GTA at the end of the year. In a statement it said: "Following...
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Sugro in supply-side rethink
CTN specialist wholesaler Sugro has called Mike Sonia out of early retirement to head its buying department. The former Booker buying director retired last year after two years as commercial director of Leeds based Fresh Fare. He said: "I am...
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Profile: Gerry Johnson, md Booker
Wholesale conversion Helen Gregory talks with the md who thought the wholesale sector languished in the shadow of the retail multiples, until he was charged with steering Booker into a new era Booker boss Gerry Johnson used to think wholesale was...
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Bradford riots: Fear is keeping shoppers away
Last year's Booker prize winning c-store in Bradford is feeling the impact of the hostilities which led to last weekend's riots. Sub Budwal, who owns the Quencher store, said rioting broke out near his premises and customers were now afraid to go...
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Cash and carry: Don't talk down sector C&C bosses tell Booke
Cash and carry bosses have rounded on Booker for blaming its own lacklustre performance on a declining market. In a letter to The Grocer this week (see p20) Landmark chairman Steve Parfett said the statement in Iceland Group's results that the...
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Own label exports: Who is exporting and to where?
- Cash and carry group Booker sells its Chef's Larder catering range and a small quantity of Happy Shopper products to Europe, the Middle East and the Falkland Islands. A spokesman says: "There are particular opportunities for supplying Chef's...
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Multiples: Grimsey's three-year strategy to restore fortunes
Iceland's chief executive Bill Grimsey hopes to transform the chain into the Tesco of high street retailing. His three-year strategy aims to improve availability, customer service and to exploit links with wholesaler Booker and foodservice firm...
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3663 strengthens service with team restructure
Former Booker wholesaler 3663 has divided its national accounts team into five sectors in a bid to improve customer service. Les Webb from Manor Bakeries takes the helm as national accounts sales director. Tony Ball joins from Brake Brothers as...
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Redesign for Malt House Vintners
Booker has invested heavily in a redesign for the 250 labels in its Malt House Vintners wine range. This will also feature the introduction of the Malt House Vintners Quality Seal (MHVQ) which will go on every bottle. This represents a promise of...
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Booker Prize for Excellence: Essex gold mine scoops Booker'
David and Veronica Tubby, whose c-store has thrived despite the close proximity of an Asda, were crowned Best Retailers at the Booker Prize for Excellence this week. Judges described the store Country Produce, Cold Norton, Essex as "the only...
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I predict Iceland will ditch online
Sir; You report (The Grocer, March 24, page 6) that Iceland says its tie-up with Booker has "answered its e-commerce prayers". This sounds like the last gasp wish of a dying soul. The "e" in "e-commerce" is relatively easy; the "commerce" part is...
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Multiples: Booker deal delivers for online Iceland
The tie up with Booker has been the "answer to Iceland's e-commerce prayers", said home shopping director Jon Grey this week. As Iceland uses Booker's depots and extended grocery range to "ramp up" its own online offer, Grey said: "Booker has...
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Booker builds Malt House
The first two in a selection of new wines to be added to the Malt House Vintners range have been unveiled by Booker. The two are both oak aged. The first is a Claret with a wholesale price of £19.99 for six and an rsp of £4.99. The ...
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Wholesaling: I'll take my time over Booker'
A new managing director for Booker will not be appointed for at least 12 weeks, says Bill Grimsey, chief executive of the parent Iceland group. Grimsey, who has just completed his first week at the head of Iceland, said he was prepared to take his...
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News review 2000: Booker's rose basks in the limelight, then
In May, the UK's biggest wholesale company Booker became the junior partner in a "merger" with Iceland, and Booker boss Stuart Rose took over as chief executive of the merged company. Iceland's charismatic founder Malcolm Walker became chairman and...
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Iceland: Grimsey replaces Rose and promises to release ener
Iceland has found a replacement for departing chief executive Stuart Rose in record time with the appointment of Wickes boss Bill Grimsey. But the company is still searching for a replacement for Booker chief Charles Wilson, who announced he would...
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Refurbishment: Makro
Makroscopic makeover Dominic Driscoll looks back on a bold wholesale refurbishment programme where vision and hands-on management combined to succeed in tearing up the rulebook When cash and carry chain Makro hatched a plan to totally refurbish...
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Couple retire from Exeter c-stores
Malcolm & Trudie Platt have been running Willeys Grocery Store in Willeys Avenue, Exeter, since 1988 and two years ago acquired what is now a Booker's Premier Store in Bowhay Lane. The Platts are now retiring and have put both businesses on the...
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Cash and carry: New boss at Booker pledges a revolution
The days of cost cutting at Booker are over, says new boss Malcolm Walker, who this week pledged to back the cash and carry business with more investment that would drive its future growth. Walker is taking day to day responsibility for the...
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Retail spotlight: Living with the enemy
A private passion became a tool for survival when Morrisons opened up across the road from Sub Budwal's c-store. Anne Bruce tells his story Sub and Neelam Budwal, who own this year's Booker prize winning c-store, trade under the nose of one of...