James Lowman news, comment and analysis – Page 28
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News
Inquiry snubs for c-stores
Small shop leaders have rounded on the Competition Commission after it dismissed as limited the so-called 'waterbed effect' in grocery - and declared that convenience store numbers were in fact on the rise. The Association of Convenience Stores...
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News
Sainsbury's says waterbed effect theory is 'contrived'
Sainsbury's has rubbished the Association of Convenience Stores claims of a 'waterbed effect' in its latest submission to the Competition Commission's grocery inquiry.The ACS argues that smaller buyers such as wholesalers and small...
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News
Marwood blasts press for doom-mongering
The national media is painting an inaccurate and unnecessarily negative picture of small retailers, according to Spar UK MD Jerry Marwood.Speaking at the ACS Summit 07 in Birmingham this week, Marwood said journalists too often portrayed...
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News
'Flawed' local definition needs to go, says Tesco
So just how local is local? This is the question Tesco posed once again this week when it stepped up pressure on the Competition Commission to ditch the market definition it has been using and accept that competition should be measured on a...
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News
Independents' fury at tobacco duty increase
Increasing duty on cigarettes will only encourage the illegal trade in tobacco, independents have warned. In his Budget this week, Chancellor Gordon Brown increased the price of a packet of 20 by 11p. "All this will do is increase...
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News
Retailers say... ban won't hit tobacco sales
?I don't think the ban on smoking in public places will affect sales of tobacco because many people are addicted and the top priority in their life is to have a cigarette. Any impact will be marginal. There is an overwhelming case to simplify...
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News
The search is on for the ACS's Shop Idol
The Association of Convenience Stores has launched a search for innovative retailers to compete in its own Pop Idol-style competition. In the second year of the ACS Community Heroes Awards, the organisation will be looking to honour a...
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News
True fighters in the toughest of times
A bumper Christmas trading period for most independents and the continued spectre of competition from the multiples were the subjects dominating The Grocer's annual Top 50 and Big 30 luncheon, held this month at London's Dorchester...
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News
How to deal with age restrictive products
Stephen Everett, retailer. As a retailer you have to be very concerned about this, although identification usually solves the problem. I've had test purchasing from Camelot and probably test purchasing for alcohol too but I'm not too...
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News
How to deal with age restrictive products
Stephen Everett Retailer. Says: As a retailer you have to be very concerned about this, although identification usually solves the problem. I've had test purchasing from Camelot and probably test purchasing for alcohol too, but I'm...
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Profiles
In Brief: Board news; OFT policy chief; The craft of logistics; Bradshaw rises; Heart beat
Board news Charlotte Morey, trading manager of MBL and Gavin Tennent, retail development manager of WRVS, which runs hospital shops and cafés, have joined the board of directors of the Association of News Retailing. James Lowman,...
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News
what became of our great new café culture?
A Continental café culture. Sipping sophisticated drinks at all hours in the manner of Montmartre. That, the government hoped, would be life under the new alcohol regime introduced last year. Twenty-four hour licences arrived. Councils...
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News
Health: now it'sc-stores
Independent convenience retailers are braced for being plunged into the centre of the health debate. Neighbourhood store operators are worried the spotlight is turning on them now that manufacturers and major multiples are implementing...
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News
Check up for small shops
What could be more logical? Families from disadvantaged communities need more help choosing a healthy diet, ergo small stores serving such communities are the salve for the country's obesity crisis. Get them to stock more salads and council...
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News
Retailers need help to beat the criminals
One of the most startling figures in the BRC's 13th crime survey is that the value of losses from undetected customer theft rose by 44% in 2005 - from £400m to £578m - 28% of the total cost of crime. But this is just the tip of the...
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News
Are you seeing red yet?
Businesses are reeling. On 1 October they were hit by one of the biggest rafts of legislation to come into force on a single day, with new laws relating to age discrimination, the national minimum wage, maternity rights, fire safety and...
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News
Independents lash out over Tesco's small store optimism
A claim by Tesco that the number of convenience retailers is on the up has angered the small store sector, where store numbers have slumped 1.1% year-on-year, according to IGD - including a 3.6% drop among non-affiliated...
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Profiles
Lowman succeeds Rae as c-stores' champion
The Association of Convenience Stores has appointed James Lowman as its new chief executive, replacing David Rae who is set to retire from the role. Lowman will leave his current position as director of public affairs at the ACS on 1...
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News
Northern Ireland next for Commission inquiry
The Competition Commission is taking its investigation into the UK grocery industry to Northern Ireland next month, as its schedule for personal hearings builds up a head of steam. This week, the inquiry team, led by Commission chairman...
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News
Wholesale guns blazing
The Competition Commission's investigation into the grocery market is building momentum - and a string of critics of the big supermarkets is leaving the inquiry team in no doubt about the problems facing smaller retailers. Earlier this...