Malcolm Walker news, comment and analysis – Page 16
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n The healthy margins of small frozen food discounters have
Competition in the frozen food business is hotting up, which is surprising in a market that can only be best described as flat. However this lack of total growth is forcing stores to be more innovative and fight harder for greater market share. All...
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When Iceland founder Malcolm Walker left the company he had
And he did, for about three months, before jumping straight back into the fray with a brand new frozen food venture, Cooltrader. "After leaving Iceland I had intended to retire but I felt the urge to get back into business," Walker says. "That...
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Stepping back into a cold war
Former Iceland founder and frozen food supremo Malcolm Walker thinks there's still plenty of life in the frozen food discounting business. So much so he's even come out of retirement to launch his brand new chain Cooltrader. However, things have...
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IGD to restate market shares
Julian Hunt The industry's most authoritative measures of retail market shares are being restated to take account of the fact some food chains have been double counting bogof promotions. The practice was highlighted by the recent controversy ...
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The European Commission has given conditional clearance for
Iceland founder Malcolm Walker said his new venture in frozen food got off to a roaring start last week. The first week of trading at the Cooltrader store in Wrexham "went off like a rocket and exceeded all expectations", he said. Unilever has...
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George Greener appointed Iceland's non-executive chairman
George Greener has taken over as Iceland Group's non-executive chairman this week. He replaces temporary figurehead David Price, who was appointed chairman on a temporary basis following the corporate upheavals and departure of Malcolm Walker in...
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Frozen food: Walker: I don't want to build another empire'
Iceland founder Malcolm Walker has confirmed he is to set up a frozen food business but dismissed speculation that he wants to start a cold war with his former firm. The first 2,500 square foot shop is due to open mid-August in Wrexham, north...
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Frozen food multiples: Walker rumoured to be preparing a new
Speculation is rife that Iceland founder Malcolm Walker is set to go head to head with his former company by opening up a new chain of frozen food retail outlets. Reports suggest the new operation's name will be Frozen Out although others dismiss...
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Iceland: Walker organic dream has cost Iceland £20m
Malcolm Walker's failed attempt to convert Iceland to organic produce has left his successor facing a £20m bill. Chief executive Bill Grimsey said: "We now fully understand the cost of unravelling the contracts entered into in an attempt to buy...
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Profile: Malcolm Walker, Iceland
The ice man goeth Opinion is divided over Malcolm Walker's controversial shares sale, but he really shouldn't grumble at the furore says Julian Hunt Malcolm Walker has never made any secret of his dislike for those who work in the City. When we...
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Iceland: Grimsey pins hopes on home delivery
Home delivery will feature heavily in Iceland chief executive Bill Grimsey's future plans as he tries to turn around the company after a disastrous two weeks. This week the share price plunged again after a trading statement showing synergies...
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Science not soundbites, please
It's been a bad week for organics. First came the Iceland bombshell, in which the freezer-chain-turned-innovative-supermarket-group admitted it had dropped a marketing clanger by going overboard with the concept during the last six months of 2000. ...
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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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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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Monsanto: the case for GM
Meet the modifier It's the most vilified development of all time in food science, and has sparked hostility verging on the hysterical among self-appointed defenders of the nation's health. But is there just a chance genetic modification does not...
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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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News analysis: Iceland
A chill in the City Bill Grimsey arrived at Iceland and was angry at what he discovered. But he's getting on with the job. Organics and dotcom fascias have a shorter shelf life while ready meals will run and run, as he tells Helen Gregory Iceland...
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News analysis: Iceland
Carry on Malcolm. It's still early days for the Iceland/Booker merger, so does Stuart Rose's departure put the odd couple on a shakier footing? John Wood and Elaine Watson report on the challenges ahead for Malcolm Walker Malcolm Walker was taking...
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In the city: Analysts are hungry for more light to be shed
As Iceland prepares to release its last set of separate interim results on Tuesday, observers will be more interested in the accompanying progress report about its merger with Booker. "Investors just want to hear some reassuring noises about the...
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Iceland and Booker: Rose applauded but Iceland investors a
Belinda Gannaway The City applauded Booker chief executive Stuart Rose for his £1bn "merger" with Iceland, this week. But it is not so bullish about what the deal does for the retailer. Iceland chairman and chief executive Malcolm Walker said...