The Co-op news and analysis – Page 101
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Co-ops hungry for growth
United Co-operatives’ surprise entry into the bidding war for Somerfield could be a front for a joint co-operative bid.Although chief executive Peter Marks initially signalled he had no intention of joining any other bidding groups, United ...
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The Co-op’s fair ground
The Co-op has continued to lead the grocery market for fair trade since it launched its own-label Fair Trade chocolate bar in 2000The first own-label fair trade product hit the UK market when The Co-op launched its Fair Trade...
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Second retailer goes
A second Somerfield at Mace retailer has left in as many weeks, again claiming to be fed up with the wait for the new dual-branded fascia to arrive.Innes MacDonald, who owns single Mace stores at Conon Bridge, Ross-shire and Inverness, is...
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Sales dip at Somerfield
Somerfield revealed today that its group like-for-like sales slipped by 0.4% in the 53 weeks to end April 30 after a difficult second-half.Group sales were up 0.6% in the first half on a like-for-like basis, but fell by 1.5% in the second...
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retailers are being taken for a ride...
from Romesh Perera, Costcutter/Somerfield Essentials retailer, LondonSir; I read your story about the row between PayPoint and independent retailers over payment margins with great interest (‘PayPoint told to reconsider’, April 30,...
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Asda bid for Somerfield ‘would be referred’
The OFT would immediately refer an Asda bid for Somerfield to the Competition Commission, according to an industry analyst, following speculation that the number two supermarket retailer is eyeing up its smaller rival. Head of equities at...
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Drinking to Co-op wines
The Co-operative Group revealed an increased summer focus on Pinot Noir, Rosé, Fairtrade and own-label offerings at its spring tasting.“The new Pinot Noir wines cover a range of price points and regions,” said Paul Bastard, wine development...
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Russian retailer set to float
Pyaterochka, Russia’s biggest grocery retailer is to launch a £312m flotation on the London stock exchange today.David Noble, Pyaterochka’s chairman and a former Somerfield director said that the flotation would raise monies for continued...
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Co-op deal for Dungannon
Dungannon Meats Group has won a contract to supply additional fresh beef to the Co-operative Group.The deal will create 30 new jobs involved in added-value work in Dungannon’s Northern Ireland factories.Dungannon has now won £55m of new...
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Poor food sales as Co-op profits fall
Grocery sales at The Co-operative Group have performed poorly as profit fell by 39% to £74.5m for the year to January 8.Group chief executive Martin Beaumont blamed internal issues as much as increased competition, as like-for-like sales...
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Baugur joins combined bid to buy out Somerfield chain
Competition officials have revealed the 23 former Safeway stores that Somerfield may be forced to divest.The move came as some City analysts predicted that Somerfield could be broken up if a consortium comprising Icelandic retail group Baugur...
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Co-op woos discerning with tighter tomato specs
The Co-operative Group said it plans to offer fewer tomato varieties and tighten the specifications given to suppliers. “Customers are becoming more and more discerning,” said salad buyer Carla Fletcher. “Benchmarking tomatoes from all...
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The Acid Test
>>consumers and buyers give their views on the latest launchesPremium White RumFrom: The Co-operative GroupLaunched under the Co-op’s own Fair Trade label, Premium White Rum is the first spirit in...
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Working Week
>>Helen Corbishley, category product manager, co-operative groupHelen Corbishley says she needs more days to get through her busy working week as category product manager for chilled ready meals at the Co-operative...
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Dairy UK forms board to identify priorities for Scottish industry
Dairy UK has formed a new board to look after the interests of members north of the border.Dairy UK Scotland was set up to identify priorities and promote policy developments. It comprises representatives of producer co-ops, processors and...
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Property assets of £1bn for Somerfield bidders
A successful bid for Somerfield could net the bidder control of more than £1bn of property assets, announced the Financial Times today.Somerfield’s properties were valued at £772m in April 2004, according to its annual report, but property...