The Co-op news and analysis – Page 104
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News
Another player in the battle for Londis
Newspaper reports over the weekend stated that the Co-operative Group is ready to bid £66m for Londis.It is expected that the Co-op’s chief executive Martin Beaumont will act before 22 June when the shareholders will vote on Irish wholesaler...
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One site cuts costs
Somerfield is consolidating the bulk of its imports at a single warehouse in Banbury in a bid to take more control over its inbound supply chain. Exel, which manages Somerfield’s alcohol imports at the Banbury depot, will now handle canned...
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Refurb programme commences for United Co-op
United Co-operatives has launched a refurbishment programme for its largest stores as many of its fellow societies are attempting to dispose of their superstores in order to concentrate on c-stores.It has spent £800,000 refurbishing its...
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Plenty of scope for the co-ops
Sainsbury is showing a slip in share to 15.9% after the modest rebound it achieved three months ago. At this time of year the seasonal non-food ranges of Asda and Tesco give added growth to stores sales which can be gauged by their average spend per...
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Somerfield in beef Partnership
Farmers are being offered a guaranteed price for their beef as part of a new partnership deal with Somerfield.By working closely with the retailer, farmers would gain an assured market and agreed financial return, said Andy Johnson, head of...
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CRTG steps up search for new buying partners
CRTG, the buying group for the co-operative movement, is actively seeking new partnerships in the independent sector.Martin Beaumont, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, which runs CRTG, confirmed the development at the Association of...
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Somerfield move on Scots
Somerfield is targeting Scottish convenience operators as it expands its Essentials convenience estate, building on the Aberness business it bought in March.Head of convenience business David Cheyne said it was talking to Scottish chains as...
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Conveco is ‘not the last’
The Co-operative Group’s appetite for acquiring c-store chains is undiminished, despite taking over another 64-store company this week.Chief operating officer for retail Malcolm Hepworth said the society was still on the lookout for further...
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PayPoint rebel blazes a trail for Somerfield
PayPoint maverick Romesh Perera is set to open the London flagship store for Somerfield’s new franchise scheme for independent retailers.Perera, who also has a Costcutter store and formerly ran a Budgens Local franchise store, has scheduled...
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Co-operative Group buys Conveco
The Co-operative Group has purchased the Conveco c-store chain for an undisclosed sum.The 64-store chain, 38 of which trade under the Spar fascia, is based in the West Country and is ranked 23 in The Grocer Top 50.Commenting on the...
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The fifth force in food retailing
With the realignment of the top end of the grocery trade now probably complete with the takeover of Safeway by Morrisons, the focus is on changes in convenience and high street retailing. This week Somerfield said group like-for-like sales...
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Kwik Save dies in Scotland
Somerfield is ditching the Kwik Save brand in Scotland with the closure of 22 unprofitable stores and the £20-30m conversion of the remaining 29 to the Somerfield fascia.Somerfield executive chairman John von Spreckelsen said the 22 stores...
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Small business delivery launched by Somerfield
Somerfield has launched a delivered wholesale operation targeting village stores, B&Bs, schools and nursing homes. The Business Delivery service, which is being trialled from 38 Somerfield stores, targets businesses that don’t have time to...
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Broadhurst joins Uniq as commercial director
Uniq Prepared Foods, the UK division of Uniq, has recruited Somerfield commercial director Nigel Broadhurst in the same role. His move coincides with the appointment of Jed Kenrick, previously group organisation and change director at Uniq, as MD of...
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Kwik Save’s growth boosted by own label success
Kwik Save moved into positive like-for-like sales in the second half, with 1% underlying growth boosted by store refits, the success of its new own label range and improved store standards.Somerfield posted 1.8% like-for-like sales growth in...
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Scotland Waves Goodbye To Kwik Save
Somerfield has announced plans to ditch the Kwik Save brand in Scotland.The multiple said it aimed to close 22 Scottish Kwik Save stores altogether because they were in poor locations and were not sufficiently profitable.The...
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Getting tough on RTDs
Asda and Somerfield are following in Sainsbury’s footsteps by revamping their RTD ranges. Less than a month after Sainsbury cut back on the number of lines it stocks (The Grocer, April 3, p68), rivals are also preparing to unveil plans to simplify...
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They’re icing on the cake
Asda and the Co-operative Group were most on the lips of suppliers when it came to naming the six best buyers in the bread and pastry category. Gill Woodfield and Adele Balmforth from the Co-op Group were both mentioned. Balmforth was praised by one...
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Welcome set for the next step
The Co-operative Group is finalising plans for a new generation of Welcome stores as the current crop has spearheaded growth in both turnover and profitability of its food business.Unveiling profits up 63% to £113.4m on sales up 17.4% to £3bn...