The Co-op news and analysis – Page 70
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Comment & Opinion
Retailers and suppliers will battle
So Waitrose is demanding a 5% cut from suppliers and The Co-operative Group is looking for ‘one-off’ payments of up to 2%.
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News
The Co-op claims lead on palm oil with new commitments
The Co-operative Group has claimed it is the largest UK supermarket to certify all of its palm oil as sustainable. The retailer is purchasing accredited GreenPalm certificates from a co-operative of smallholders who are producing sustainable palm oil, accredited by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
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News
Profits take a tumble at Scotmid Co-op
Profits have tumbled at Scotmid Co-operative for the first half of the year. The co-op blamed deteriorating economic conditions for a slump in trading profits from £4.2m last year to £2.6m for the latest period.
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Profiles
Co-op Group’s food CEO Hurrell to retire
The Co-operative Group CEO Peter Marks has paid tribute to the society’s food CEO Tim Hurrell, who announced his retirement this week. Hurrell will retire from the role at the end of the year, with food commercial director Sean Toal…
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News
Fairtrade wine carrier first for Co-op
The Co-operative is claiming a UK first with the launch of a 100% biodegradable Fairtrade wine carrier in November. The reusable carrier (rsp: £2.49) is largely made from Fairtrade cotton, but has been reinforced with PVA-coated jute to…
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News
Spar UK is ‘fantastic and entrepreneurial’ says incoming MD
Debbie Robinson officially took up the reins as MD of Spar UK this week.Speaking exclusively to The Grocer, the former Co-op food marketing director said it was an exciting time to be back in food retail. "The convenience...
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News
Fonterra and First Milk to put EU whey ahead
Fonterra has hailed its new partnership with First Milk as the "first step" towards changing its European business model from importing New Zealand dairy products to supplying European-produced dairy ingredients. The New Zealand co-op...
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News
Own-label washing up liquid off Co-op shelves for a month
The Co-operative Group will be without own-label washing up liquid for more than a month after its supplier pulled out of the UK market. Own-label washing up liquid would not be on shelves until 3 October, the society said, after it had…
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News
Co-op Group turns up the heat on Somerfield disposal scheme
The Co-operative Group is accelerating its Somerfield disposal programme as it bids to get all of its stores refurbished under The Co-operative fascia by the end of the year. In recent weeks the society has announced a spate of closures...
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Analysis & Features
The Co-op eyes a network fit for the future
Last week’s numbers don’t look clever. But a mammoth overhaul of its outdated logistics network is essential to The Co-op’s rejuvenation. Beth Phillips reports
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News
Co-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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News
Midcounties Co-op sells News Express
Midcounties Co-operative Society has sold its CTN business News Express to Dave's Discount Group, the owner of the trade names Thresher, Victoria Wine, The Local and Bottoms Up. Dave's, which has off-licences, Post Offices and...
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News
Co-op Group to stick by its big spend
The Co-operative Group has vowed to plough on with its £2bn three-year investment programme despite a 3.6% fall in half-year like-for-like food sales. CEO Peter Marks revealed food operating profits had plummeted 21% to £135.4m in the 26...
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News
Haldanes defies call to review its Co-op action
Arthur Harris, CEO of the collapsed supermarket chain Haldanes Stores Limited, has vowed to press ahead with a personal legal claim against The Co-operative Group. In a Statement of Administrators Proposals, made available at Companies...
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Comment & Opinion
Peter Marks' very long game
Peter Marks, boss of The Co-operative Group, declared this morning that trading conditions were “the worst” he had seen “in over 40 years of retailing”.
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News
Food sales slide at The Co-op as Marks laments ‘toughest market in 40 years’
The Co-operative Group has blamed intense competition, faltering consumer confidence and government spending cuts for a sharp fall in sales at its food business.
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News
Production starts at Co-op’s milk group
The Co-operative's long-awaited milk group has finally launched. The Co-op's new dairy group is being operated by Robert Wiseman Dairies and comprises 230 British dairy farms, which supply liquid milk into the Co-op's stores. Each...
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News
Norwich’s co-op wine shop
East of England Co-operative Society has opened its first wine merchants. Le Château, which opened last week in Norwich, is “a modern concept store coupled with the high-quality service of a traditional wine merchants”. As well as beers,…
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News
Co-op Group’s electrical offer gets a push
The Co-operative Group is placing small electrical goods alongside its food offer for the first time. Trials are being conducted at the retailer’s Leek, Holmfirth, Mablethorpe, Maryport and Irlams O’ Th’ Height stores. ‘Tech…
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News
Co-op Group’s new wind farm
The Co-operative Group has started work on an £18.5m wind farm in Cambridgeshire as part of a plan to generate 25% of its electricity from its renewable energy projects by 2017.
Seven new turbines are to be added at the society’s White…