The Co-op news and analysis – Page 125
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News
Retail spotlight: We do it better
A Somerfield transformed into a Waitrose has seen a sharp upturn in its fortunes. Gillian Law went to see it Waitrose opened the first of its refurbished Somerfield stores in Sudbury in May. Manager Jim Woolf claims more shoppers now visit the...
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Two more Somerfield chiefs go
The plummeting fortunes of Somerfield's Kwik Save arm have claimed two more board room victims. Simon Hughes, who only took over as md of Kwik Save in April, and the group's high profile buying and supply chain director Ed Connolly both left the...
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Somerfield: Plan for own label in rethink of KS range
Exclusive Julian Hunt An own label range is under development at Kwik Save as part of Somerfield's attempts to revitalise the struggling discount chain. Research is under way to see whether the range should have a No Frills' badging or carry...
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Olive oil: Prices up with new group
The formation of a new olive oil producers' trading group, the Compagñia Española Comercializadoras de Aceite SA (CECASA) last week in Spain, put an extra £150/tonne on mill prices within 48 hours. It comprises over 250 oil producing co-ops in the...
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Co-ops: 16 CWS superstores for sale
CWS has put 16 of its superstores up for sale and is confident they will be quickly snapped up by rival retailers. John Bowes, chief general manager marketing, insisted the Co-op was not trying to flog off its "dogs". He said the auction formed...
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Co-op goes all glitzy with PPS
The rapid growth of the premium packaged spirit market led by Bacardi Breezer and Smirnoff Ice has spawned a number of me toos and own brands. The latest to try and cash in on the sector is the Co-op. Glitz Ice is a range of four vodka based ...
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UNITED NORWEST PLAYS SAFE
United Norwest Co-op is keeping the deli counter closed at its store in Hazel Grove, Stockport, as environmental health officers continue to investigate possible sources of last week's E.coli 0157 outbreak in the area. There are nine confirmed...
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United Norwest: Co-op grabs 14 c-stores
A 14 strong chain of c-stores has been bought by United Norwest Co-op for an undisclosed sum. United Norwest has bought the AM/PM stores from Wrexham based wholesaler CG Paletta. The stores are in Wrexham in North Wales, the Wirral on Merseyside,...
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e-commerce: 24-7
The hours and days ahead What lessons will grocery e-tailers learn from Somerfield's axing of its 24-7 operation? Belinda Gannaway reports Somerfield's abandonment of online shopping speaks more of the state of its business than the future of...
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Waitrose: a supplement to The Grocer
They've been fully converted Need someone to convert a batch of Somerfields into slick, fully fledged Waitrose operations - fast? Bill Bishop's your man. The head of selling servies spoke to Tim Palmer If you want to know how to go about opening...
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News analysis: British farm standard mark
Retailers rush to adopt the logo Using its "unique position as a major farmer and retailer", the Co-op has produced the first frozen peas to be registered under the new British Farm Standard logo. Produced on CWS farming estates in South...
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Multiples: Picking centres up for grabs as Somerfield ditche
The main players involved in internet grocery shopping are expected to pounce on the three picking centres being sold by Somerfield following its surprise decision to pull the plug on its 24-7 home shopping venture. The picking centres two in...
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NON FOOD HOME SHOPPING TRIAL
CWS is trialling a non food home shopping service in 50 Co-op stores this summer as part of a drive to emphasise its community retailing strengths. Run in partnership with mail order group Findel, the catalogue will sell houseware, electrical,...
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Co-op congress: Co-op urged to seize the moral high ground i
Co-op societies must make better use of their social heritage and goals as marketing tools if they are to continue to compete against their rivals. CWS general manager for retail brands Wendy Wrigley said Co-ops had an obligation to exploit their...
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West Midlands Co-op takes over Morris Foods chain
Shropshire supermarket chain Morris Foods has been taken over by West Midlands Co-op for an undisclosed sum. The supermarket chain which is part of Morris and Company has seven stores and employs 430 staff, all of which will be retained. Four...
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The Morrisons are identical twins with the same pricing down
After last week's out of stock débâcle, thankfully only two stores failed to provide full baskets this week. Tesco, Roborough, had no Home Fries or milk, while chicken and Jacob's Creek wine was missing from Somerfield, Alton. Our shopper at Asda,...
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Misguided sensationalism
It looks suspiciously like a publicity stunt to liven up this weekend's Co-op Congress, but it didn't require a sensationalist report from the Co-op to remind us that consumers have been "bewitched, bothered and bewildered" by modern food...