All articles by Rob Brown – Page 30
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Analysis & Features
Especially for you
The days of one-size-fits-all retail are dead. Today, shoppers want a bespoke experience. Rob Brown takes a bizarre ride to the far side of retail to find out what it means for retailers
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Analysis & FeaturesThe Green Issue 2011: Does waste stack up?
The supermarkets say they’re leading a recycling revolution, saving everything from batteries to carrier bags from landfill. Is this true – and what more can be done? Rob Brown investigates
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Analysis & FeaturesThe Green Issue 2011: How green is grocery?
Most big players in grocery don’t shy away from blowing their own trumpets on green issues.
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NewsMars targets ‘absolute’ reduction of emissions
Mars is drawing up a raft of new green initiatives, with targets experts claim will be among the most ambitious ever set by a food and drink supplier. The manufacturing giant will set absolute caps on the toll its activities take on the...
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ProfilesIGD’s Leading Light finalists announced
The efforts of three rising stars of fmcg to build stronger partnerships with retailers were recognised on Wednesday as they were named as finalists in the IGD's Leading Light Award 2011. The trio showed "drive, creativity and...
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Analysis & FeaturesDiageo's virtual drinks aisle
Diageo has big plans. They won’t be realised without retailers’ help. So it’s opened a hi-tech virtual reality suite to get them on board. Rob Brown is the first to visit
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NewsCo-op trialling shelf sales of spirits after Diageo indie success
The Co-operative Group has taken a lead from independents, teaming up with Diageo to boost spirits sales in its c-stores. The society is working with the drinks giant as part of its ongoing Free Your Spirits campaign, through which...
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Profiles
The Italian job
Food co-op Produced in Italy is gunning for a four-fold increase in sales this year, despite the difficult market. Rob Brown talks to MD Mike Slegg about how he’s making the business work
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Analysis & FeaturesHigh-tech retail: back to the future
We’re on the cusp of a retail revolution. From Seoul’s subways to the supermarkets of Britain, technology is transforming how we shop. Rob Brown looks at today’s breakthroughs… and finds their roots in 1930s Memphis
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InterviewsP&G's Olympian ambitions
P&G has netted one of the biggest Olympic sponsorships ever, paying an estimated £100m to partner the Games until 2020.
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Analysis & FeaturesOlympic Special: Who’ll get the biggest slice?
It’s been billed as the biggest peacetime catering operation. And for the first time an Olympic committee has set strict rules on the quality and provenance of the food it serves during the Games – good news potentially for British food and drink producers. Rob Brown reports
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NewsP&G plans to expand into oral care market
Procter & Gamble is planning to give away 20 million tubes of toothpaste in support of its push further into the oral care market.
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ProfilesBattling to bring home the bacon
Former Formula 1 champ Jody Scheckter is finding organic farming hard going. His Laverstoke Park brand has yet to turn a profit, but he’s determined to tough it out, he tells Rob Brown
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Analysis & FeaturesEngland’s grape expectations
English wine makers have grand ambitions – to increase output and steal 10% of the booming Champagne market in the next five years. Can they do it? Rob Brown
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Analysis & Features
The high street that thinks it's a supermarket
The race is on to save indie retailers – and one Derbyshire village is even looking to revive its high street by taking a leaf out of the supermarkets’ book. Rob Brown reports
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Profiles
Hot stuff: The Grocer visits the chilli farm on top of the world
Last year the world’s most northerly chilli farm was in hot water. Now it’s winning growing listings, packing its own products and poised to go national. Rob Brown reports
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Analysis & FeaturesMPs tell Kraft to ‘Come on Irene!’ But what’s the point?
A new BIS committee report is obsessed over the no-show of Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld at its inquiry. Isn’t this missing the point?
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Profiles
Spice world
Global spice giant McCormick has opened a new innovation centre in the Buckinghamshire countryside to develop a new generation of products. Rob Brown takes a look around
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Category Report
Technology & Supply Chain 2011
Don’t be fooled by appearances. Today, hackers pose perhaps the greatest threat to business, stealing customer data on behalf of their highly organised criminal paymasters. So what can businesses do to protect themselves? Rob Brown reports They used to wear masks and tote shotguns. Today they sit in darkened ...
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NewsOwn-Label Awards 2011: The Oscars of own-label
At a glittering and sellout ceremony, this year’s Own-Label Food & Drink Awards were the biggest and most fiercely fought ever. Rob Brown reports