THE NETHERLANDS: Albert Heijn is to expand its non-food range in the first quarter of 2010, with dedicated departments appearing in its larger stores for the first time. Chief executive Dick Boer said the retailer, which has 800 stores in The Netherlands, had employed new designers to develop the brand's style.
"Albert Heijn XL shops will have special non-food departments from the first quarter," said Boer. "In smaller stores, the existing space for non-food items will be used more efficiently." It is understood that the non-food department in the larger stores will include cooking and homeware, home entertainment, party, clothing and leisure lines.
US: Wal-Mart has implemented a round of price cuts to coincide with the long Thanksgiving weekend. Stores opened at 5am on Friday to allow shoppers to start their Christmas shopping early with discounts on key electronics, toys and clothing.
The Friday before Thanksgiving is often referred to as Black Friday in the States, when retailers slash prices to encourage shoppers to start buying Christmas presents. The retailer has also launched a new marketing offensive, matching the price of any advertised product sold by a competitor.
FRANCE: Leclerc has raised pressure on the government in a new television commercial in which it demands the right to sell non-prescription medicines such as basic painkillers. The retailer wants the government to relax the rules and allow it to sell around 4,000 products, such as Nurofen and Nicorette, that don't require a prescription.
"It is astonishing that despite all the anti-smoking campaigns our pharmacies are not allowed to sell Nicorette," said director Michel-Edouard Leclerc.
CHINA: Two people have been executed for their roles in the poisoned milk scandal that led to the deaths of at least six babies and made up to 300,000 others ill. The official Xinhua news agency said Zhang Yujun was executed for endangering public safety and Geng Jinping was put to death for producing and selling toxic food.
Zhang produced nearly 800 tons of a melamine-laced protein powder, of which he sold more than 600 tons, between July 2007 and August 2008. Geng sold more than 900 tons of tainted milk to the now bankrupt Sanlu Group.
US: Whole Foods Market is to encourage staff to lose weight by offering discounts depending on improvements in health. The new scheme will allow workers to save up to 30% on groceries if health tests show improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight and smoking.
"We're making an investment and we expect a return," said chief executive John Mackey. "The discounts are on a sliding scale based on results." According to reports, mobile health testing labs will travel to stores to test employees, hoping to foster competition between stores and regions.
"Albert Heijn XL shops will have special non-food departments from the first quarter," said Boer. "In smaller stores, the existing space for non-food items will be used more efficiently." It is understood that the non-food department in the larger stores will include cooking and homeware, home entertainment, party, clothing and leisure lines.
US: Wal-Mart has implemented a round of price cuts to coincide with the long Thanksgiving weekend. Stores opened at 5am on Friday to allow shoppers to start their Christmas shopping early with discounts on key electronics, toys and clothing.
The Friday before Thanksgiving is often referred to as Black Friday in the States, when retailers slash prices to encourage shoppers to start buying Christmas presents. The retailer has also launched a new marketing offensive, matching the price of any advertised product sold by a competitor.
FRANCE: Leclerc has raised pressure on the government in a new television commercial in which it demands the right to sell non-prescription medicines such as basic painkillers. The retailer wants the government to relax the rules and allow it to sell around 4,000 products, such as Nurofen and Nicorette, that don't require a prescription.
"It is astonishing that despite all the anti-smoking campaigns our pharmacies are not allowed to sell Nicorette," said director Michel-Edouard Leclerc.
CHINA: Two people have been executed for their roles in the poisoned milk scandal that led to the deaths of at least six babies and made up to 300,000 others ill. The official Xinhua news agency said Zhang Yujun was executed for endangering public safety and Geng Jinping was put to death for producing and selling toxic food.
Zhang produced nearly 800 tons of a melamine-laced protein powder, of which he sold more than 600 tons, between July 2007 and August 2008. Geng sold more than 900 tons of tainted milk to the now bankrupt Sanlu Group.
US: Whole Foods Market is to encourage staff to lose weight by offering discounts depending on improvements in health. The new scheme will allow workers to save up to 30% on groceries if health tests show improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight and smoking.
"We're making an investment and we expect a return," said chief executive John Mackey. "The discounts are on a sliding scale based on results." According to reports, mobile health testing labs will travel to stores to test employees, hoping to foster competition between stores and regions.
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