The Co-op news and analysis – Page 85
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News
Somerfield finance plan
Kwik Save's former owner Somerfield is considering refinancing its portfolio of 230 freehold stores, said to be worth £1.3bn.Somerfield's owners, Apax Partners-led consortium Violet Acquisitions, has asked banks to "put forward...
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Price Survey - 16th June 2007
Bizarre weather patterns in the vineyards of Chile and Egypt has led to a shortage of red seedless grapes, prompting dramatic price rises from every retailer except Somerfield. Asda has kicked off the new Grocer 33 year in the manner it ended it -...
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neighbourhood retailers
last year: 91Peter Marks Chief executive United Co-opThe plain speaking veteran of the Co-operative Movement has shot up the power rankings this year to take the number one spot after masterminding the...
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Scotmid co-op stores are to get fascia lift
Scotmid Co-operative Society is rolling out a new fascia as part of an overhaul of its food stores.Store fascias will be changed from light blue and green to a darker shade of blue and the word 'co-operative' will be added to the...
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Jobs lost as Galtee Meats plant closes
One of the Irish Republic's best-known food plants, Galtee Meats in Mitchelstown, County Cork, is to close with the loss of 70 jobs.The plant, owned by the Dairygold Co-op, has supplied pork products including ham, sausages and bacon...
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Will refinance plan put end to break-up speculation?
Ask anyone in the City what they think is going on at Somerfield and you get one answer: "It's up for sale." As a venture-backed business this is no surprise, but sources close to Somerfield have suggested a break up has become a strong...
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Merged co-op names food retail succession
Two leading figures in the co-operative movement are to bow out after the proposed merger between the Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives was rubberstamped by members of the two societies this week.Guy McCracken, chief executive...
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Somerfield heads for history with break-up now expected
The Somerfield brand could disappear from the high street "within 18 months" it was claimed this week.That the retailer is up for sale is grocery's worst-kept secret - in March, chairman John Lovering told a reporter that he was waiting...
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In Brief: First Milk win; Handley honoured; Another egg hatches
First Milk win First Milk has won Somerfield's Scottish cheese business contract. It will supply English and territorial cheeses and a new Highlands and Islands cheese. The deal lasts a year. Handley honoured Farmers For Action boss David Handley,...
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Co-op trays go green
The Co-operative Group is trying to green its fresh produce display by turning to reusable plastic containers for all its fresh produce.It has struck a deal with Chep for an unspecified amount to provide and manage six million container...
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First Milk wins Asda regional cheese deal
Asda has signed First Milk on an 18-month contract to supply regional cheese, despite speculation that it was looking to switch manufacturers.The deal covers more than 20,000 tonnes of cheese from the dairy co-op's three creameries at...
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Somerfield triumphs over yobs - Q&A and Availability
Vandalism and the nearby opening of a Lidl store are just two of the challenges this Somerfield outlet in Plymstock, Devon, has faced on the road to winning this week's Top Store award. Our mystery shopper commended the 14,000 sq ft store for its...
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In Brief: Barn- vice chair; Association duties; Baugur recruits; Manager search; Hynes' start on hold
Barn- vice chair The Association of News Retailing has appointed John Barn as vice chairman. Barn had worked at The Co-operative Group for three years and currently heads up the team that manages news and magazines on behalf of all co-operative...
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New Zealand plans lamb super co-op
New Zealand lamb producers are considering forming a 'super co-op' to drive up prices in the $2.2bn per year export market.Agriculture minister Jim Anderton said the government would help the industry get round anti-monopoly legislation....
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Here's the brand new Kwik Save
Kwik Save is to shed its soft discounter image and adopt a new high street convenience-focused format - a move that could take it into direct competition with former owner Somerfield.Speaking exclusively to The Grocer, Kwik Save chief...
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Sharper Co-op Group tactics deliver 'tremendous' uplift
The Co-operative Group this week hailed a "tremendous" turnaround of its food operations, as it reported strong annual sales and its fifth successive quarter of like-for-like growth.Guy McCracken, CEO of Food Retail for the Co-operative...
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Somerfield takes action to boost flagging stock levels
Somerfield is overhauling its supply chain and in-store procedures in a bid to revive its flagging availability levels. Last month the retailer, which is the subject of takeover speculation, had an availability rating of just 93.8% having...
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United: merger would spark acquisition drive
Peter Marks, chief executive of United Co-operatives, has promised a ramped-up acquisition programme if United merges with the Co-operative Group. ?Marks, ?who will become chief executive of the enlarged society if the deal goes...
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Percol hires Mount for an adventure in coffee
Wine guru Angela Mount has linked up with coffee producer Percol to encourage consumers to explore different flavours of coffee. Ex-Somerfield wine buyer Mount, whose tastebuds were once famously insured for £10m, will be working with...