All articles by Grocer Staff – Page 5

  • News

    M&S brands cheaper than at Sainsbury’s, new survey finds

    2008-08-16T00:00:00Z

    M&S brands cheaper than at Sainsbury’s, new survey finds: The brands in Marks & Spencer’s branded goods trial are cheaper than at Sainsbury’s, a survey by analyst Blue Oar Securities has revealed. The survey, which Blue Oar admitted was “fairly crude”, looked at 40 brands and found that M&S had ...

  • News

    Whole Foods Market: why the numbers went bad

    2008-08-16T00:00:00Z

    A dismal start in the UK is the least of its woes for Whole Foods Market. And nor is the credit crunch entirely to blame, says Charlie Wright

  • News

    Independent view: We ask... how do you manage the BBQ season?

    2008-08-16T00:00:00Z

    Barbecue season can be a lucrative time for independent retailers – if the weather obliges. After last year’s washout, some store managers admit to approaching this summer with trepidation and, with the weather once again inconsistent, issues with...

  • News

    Acid test: Branston Dips

    2008-08-16T00:00:00Z

    Branston Dips COMPANY: Premier Foods RSP: £1.29

  • News

    Top-Up shop: 16 August 2008

    2008-08-16T00:00:00Z

    Every week The Grocer’s mystery shoppers also visit convenience stores to check out the price of 10 commonly bought fast-moving food items across all grocery categories

  • News

    Morrisons, Waitrose get regional nod

    2008-08-13T22:40:57.423Z

    Morrisons, Waitrose get regional nod: Morrisons, Waitrose and Booths have all been named regional winners at this year’s Retail Cheese Awards. Booths in Lytham, Morrisons in Stamford and Waitrose in Burgess Hill won in the multiple retailer section for the north, central and south...

  • News

    Coming to a store near you

    2008-08-13T22:40:57.410Z

    It took years for the baobab to crack the UK. A new law could speed things up for the next generation of novel foods, says Richard Ford

  • News

    spotlight

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Veg suppliers need to supply ‘greener’ vegetables produced in an environmentally sensitive way, says Parripak Foods MD Gavin McNally In June Parripak Foods embarked on the first phase of its expansion, with the acquisition of Solway Veg in Gretna,...

  • News

    Top-Up shop

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Every week The Grocer’s mystery shoppers also visit convenience stores to check out the price of 10 commonly bought fast-moving food items across  all grocery categories

  • Profiles and QandAs

    Suszczenia receives open-arm welcome

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Parfetts cash and carry wholesaler has welcomed one of its former employees, Greg Suszczenia, back to the fold, appointing him trading manager for grocery food and non-food.   Over 15 years with Parfetts, Suszczenia worked his way up to general...

  • News

    The school of ice-cool ideas

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Last month, Unilever opened its new Ice Foods Centre of Excellence, heralding a new era in ice cream. Stefan Chomka had a look around

  • News

    Tesco spices up herb range

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Tesco is launching a new own-label range of herb and spice blends to tap into growing consumer enthusiasm for cooking at home. The six-strong range, which includes flavours such as Aromatic Coriander and Delicate Basil, is supplied by Kent-based...

  • News

    Q&A with Jeff Gardner Store manager of the week

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Has the credit crunch affected your promotional activity in any way and if so how? We’re certainly concentrating more on half-price offers throughout the store and less on bogofs and three-for-twos. Customers are looking to make savings at the...

  • News

    Wokka is a vodka, not sake – Extreme

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Extreme Spirits has moved to rebrand its Wokka Saki drink as a vodka to avoid confusion among consumers and trade customers. Even though Wokka Fusion Vodka has always contained a blend of Japanese sake, fruit and vodka and would continue to do so,...

  • News

    Long Clawson buys Dairy Crest Stilton

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Long Clawson Dairy is to buy Dairy Crest’s Stilton and speciality cheese business, including its Hartington Creamery, in a £3.5m deal that makes it the largest Stilton manufacturer in the country. The deal, which marks Dairy Crest’s exit from the...

  • News

    plight of the bumblebee

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    As vital pollinators of flowers and crops, the rapid decline  in bee populations has serious implications for food supply  and the price of goods. James Durston reports

  • News

    Budgens says IT glitch was a ‘one-off’

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Musgrave Retail Partners GB has denied there are problems with Budgens’ IT following complaints by customers of overcharging at a store in East Sussex. Shoppers had claimed they were being regularly overcharged by as much as £10 for their goods at...

  • News

    Long-life sales grow as credit crunch bites

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Long-life milk has long been a poor relation of fresh, but suddenly its popularity is growing. Richard Ford reports

  • News

    Tri-Bites to be revamped as Dairylea Bites

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    Dairylea Tri-bites is to be relaunched as Dairylea Bites this month. Brand owner Kraft is also increasing the Cheddar content of the triangle-shaped lunchbox cheeses in the revamp. Each £1.99 pack will contain 8 x 18g wrapped cheeses.  The move is...

  • News

    Penguin picks up benefits of calcium

    2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

    United Biscuits is hoping more mums will ‘pick up a Penguin’ for their kids following the addition of calcium to the range and the launch of two new lines. Calcium-enriched standard Penguin bars will hit shelves later this year, but two new products...