Loblaw cuts up to 1,000 office jobs
Toronto: Loblaw is set to cut between 800 and 1,000 of the 5,000 jobs at its HQ and regional offices as part of a restructuring programme. The shake-up is expected to cost an estimated CA$150m-$200m (£76m-£102m). "This is about making sure we support our store team more effectively," said Galen Weston, the executive chairman of Loblaw.
High-efficiency store concept
Bentonville, Arkansas: Wal-Mart has opened its first high-efficiency store in the US. The store, situated in Kansas City, Missouri, uses 20% less energy than a typical Wal-Mart Supercentre and is the first to use environmentally friendly initiatives first tested last year at two experimental stores in McKinney, Texas, and Aurora, Colorado. The green initiatives include new heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and energy-saving refrigeration lighting. Wal-Mart is planning to open another high-efficiency store in Rocton, Illinois, this spring.
Japanese supermarket slump
Tokyo: Supermarket sales in Japan have fallen for the tenth consecutive year, according to the Japan Chain Stores Association. Using figures from the combined sales of 85 supermarket chains, which together run 8,865 outlets, sales fell 2.7% to ¥14.02trn (£60.6bn) in 2006. Sales in December fell 3.8% to ¥1.41trn. Bad weather was blamed for the slump.
Delhaize Group buoyant
Brussels: Delhaize Group has reported a 4.8% rise in full-year sales to €19.2bn (£12.58bn). Like-for-like sales rose by 2.6% in Belgium and by 2.7% in the US. "We have been pleased with the strong performances of Food Lion and Hannaford in the US, Delhaize Belgium and Alfa-Beta, our Greek company," said Pierre-Olivier Beckers, president and CEO of Delhaize Group.
More Tops from Central Food Retail
Bangkok: Central Food Retail is planning to open new Tops outlets and update stores this year as part of a THB1bn (£14m) investment plan. The majority of the budget will be spent on new store openings, rebranding and renovations, said Central Food Retail president Ian Pye. The company plans to reposition Tops Supermarkets in its Tops Market format, aimed at middle-income customers. The outlet will feature more international and exclusive product items, as well as eat-in food outlets.
Kraft sells Cream businesses
Northfield, Illinois: Kraft Foods has sold its US hot cereals business, which includes its Cream of Wheat brand, to B&G Foods for $200m (£100m). The sale, subject to regulatory approval, includes the Cream of Wheat and the Cream of Rice brands, as well as manufacturing equipment. Cream of Wheat had net sales of $60m in 2006. "The divestiture allows us to focus our resources on businesses that offer potential long-term competitive advantages for us," said Rick Searer, president of Kraft North America Commercial.
Toronto: Loblaw is set to cut between 800 and 1,000 of the 5,000 jobs at its HQ and regional offices as part of a restructuring programme. The shake-up is expected to cost an estimated CA$150m-$200m (£76m-£102m). "This is about making sure we support our store team more effectively," said Galen Weston, the executive chairman of Loblaw.
High-efficiency store concept
Bentonville, Arkansas: Wal-Mart has opened its first high-efficiency store in the US. The store, situated in Kansas City, Missouri, uses 20% less energy than a typical Wal-Mart Supercentre and is the first to use environmentally friendly initiatives first tested last year at two experimental stores in McKinney, Texas, and Aurora, Colorado. The green initiatives include new heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and energy-saving refrigeration lighting. Wal-Mart is planning to open another high-efficiency store in Rocton, Illinois, this spring.
Japanese supermarket slump
Tokyo: Supermarket sales in Japan have fallen for the tenth consecutive year, according to the Japan Chain Stores Association. Using figures from the combined sales of 85 supermarket chains, which together run 8,865 outlets, sales fell 2.7% to ¥14.02trn (£60.6bn) in 2006. Sales in December fell 3.8% to ¥1.41trn. Bad weather was blamed for the slump.
Delhaize Group buoyant
Brussels: Delhaize Group has reported a 4.8% rise in full-year sales to €19.2bn (£12.58bn). Like-for-like sales rose by 2.6% in Belgium and by 2.7% in the US. "We have been pleased with the strong performances of Food Lion and Hannaford in the US, Delhaize Belgium and Alfa-Beta, our Greek company," said Pierre-Olivier Beckers, president and CEO of Delhaize Group.
More Tops from Central Food Retail
Bangkok: Central Food Retail is planning to open new Tops outlets and update stores this year as part of a THB1bn (£14m) investment plan. The majority of the budget will be spent on new store openings, rebranding and renovations, said Central Food Retail president Ian Pye. The company plans to reposition Tops Supermarkets in its Tops Market format, aimed at middle-income customers. The outlet will feature more international and exclusive product items, as well as eat-in food outlets.
Kraft sells Cream businesses
Northfield, Illinois: Kraft Foods has sold its US hot cereals business, which includes its Cream of Wheat brand, to B&G Foods for $200m (£100m). The sale, subject to regulatory approval, includes the Cream of Wheat and the Cream of Rice brands, as well as manufacturing equipment. Cream of Wheat had net sales of $60m in 2006. "The divestiture allows us to focus our resources on businesses that offer potential long-term competitive advantages for us," said Rick Searer, president of Kraft North America Commercial.
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