All articles by James Ball – Page 6
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Suppliers unimpressed by Bank's helping hand
Suppliers have warned a new Bank of England supply chain finance initiative could slash their margins and encourage companies to increase payment times.
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Cadbury develops world's first 'bean to bar' operation
Cadbury is planting millions of cocoa trees in India to see off the threat of dwindling world supplies and soaring prices. James Ball reports
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NewsThe Grocer 33 2009: Asda still cheapest, but Morrisons wins on service and stock
Asda has declared itself “Britain’s biggest poundshop” after notching up a 12th successive year as the cheapest supermarket in the Grocer 33 survey.
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NewsThe Grocer 33 Review 2009: Trolley wars
Over 52 weeks, the major supermarket chains have battled to offer the cheapest prices, the best availability and the most outstanding service. In our annual review of the Grocer 33, Nick Hughes, Jo Grew and James Ball ask those at the sharp end to reveal the secrets of their winning ...
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Retail Prices: When the going gets tough, the tough promote harder
Supermarkets are back on the booze - promotions, that is. And they're promoting ever harder, with 10.3% more offers than last month. James Ball reports
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NewsNestlé and Cadbury act to secure future cocoa supply
Leading confectionery manufacturers are working to secure their supply of cocoa amid widespread disruption and price volatility. Both Nestlé and Cadbury are taking action to tackle the supply issues that have caused the price of cocoa to...
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£10m investment pot hit by fundraising problems
A £10m investment fund designed to support up-and-coming fmcg businesses has been hit by delays in securing investment.The Spayne Lindsay Consumer Brand fund was launched in January with the intention of offering smaller businesses...
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Gloomy food retail FDs fear tills will stop ringing
More than half the UK's food retail financial directors expect sales and profits to fall in the next year, a new survey has revealed.Despite the big four reporting healthy sales and profits growth, FDs painted a grim picture of the year...
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Further debt woe for struggling Bakkavör
Bakkavör has had a shaky start to the financial year having failed to meet a £140m debt repayment.In the week it unveiled its first quarter results, the ready meals giant admitted it had asked lenders to extend the maturity dates on its...
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Thomas hitches wagon to food-to-go star Adelie
Chris Thomas has left Bakkavör to take the helm at Adelie Foods as it sets out its stall to become the country's biggest food-to-go supplier.Thomas, who had been Bakkavör's MD for six years, replaces Bill Hazeldean, Adelie's acting CEO since...
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NewsRetail Prices: Promotions near plateau as branded activity stalls
A sharp increase in own-label deals has led to another uplift in total promotional activity, but growth has slowed dramatically. James Ball reports
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Rice commodity cost falls 40%, but retail price lags far behind
Commodity costs have fallen sharply, but retail prices are following only sluggishly - and nowhere more so than on the humble staple rice.
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Why Unilever's 100 price rises are not just monkey business
Unilever's decision to up the cost price of more than 100 SKUs has prompted raised eyebrows about the timing of the move. James Ball reports
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Brits among the most brand loyal in Europe
UK shoppers are among the most brand-loyal in Europe - but are more likely to buy branded food for their pets than themselves, an exclusive European-wide survey has revealed.Some 56% of UK shoppers bought branded food for their pets, more...
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Promotional offers hit record with 32% of consumer spend
Promotions accounted for a bigger share of supermarket sales in April than ever before, according to exclusive data from Nielsen.Almost a third (32%) of sales at the big four came from promotional offers in the four weeks to 18 April,...
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NewsSainsbury's rejects bogof for half-price promotions
Sainsbury's has turned its back on the bogof promotions once championed by chief executive Justin King and is packing its shelves with half-price deals. Bogofs made up 52% of Sainsbury's featured-space promotions in 2008, with half-price...
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NewsFurther big deals expected as fmcgs meet shifting demand
The economic climate may be right for food and drink businesses to move into new high-growth markets or countries, reports James Ball
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NewsPromotions battle hots up as deals and savings grow
The number of deals at the big four retailers are up more than 20% year-on year, and brands are leading the way, reports James Ball
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NewsIs Stefan Barden ushering in the return of VMI to grocery?
He’s known for being single-minded, but can the Northern Foods CEO persuade Sainsbury's to hand over control of its in-store stock, asks James Ball
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McCain answers credit slur with profits surge
Frozen foods maker McCain weathered the first half of 2008 well, according to accounts filed at Companies House this week.The accounts had been the subject of a bitter row with Euler Hermes, the world's largest credit insurer, which withdrew...