News

Retail and consumer goods industry news

08 May 2013
The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium Retail Sales Monitor indicate that UK sales fell by 0.6% in April.  However, this performance was significantly distorted by the timing of Easter, which this year fell a week earlier in March.  Like-for-like sales were down by 2.2%. Three month trend smoothes Easter-effects The 12-week performance data offers a better picture of the underl...
08 May 2013
Sainsbury's has released a buoyant set of annual results for the year to 16 March 2013 with total sales (inc VAT) up 4.6% to £25.6bn. Total sales (inc.VAT, ex fuel) were up 4.3% and by 1.8% on a LFL basis. Excluding property disposals, underlying profits before tax rose 6.2% to £756m. Focus on food Key to the solid results has been the retailer's food first ethos and continuing investmen...
08 May 2013
As Sainsbury's releases its annual results, which show continuing strong performance with like-for-like sales ahead by 1.8%, we reveal our key takeaways about the business and its strategy ahead. 1. Live Well For Less has underpinned recent success Sainsbury's Live Well For Less initiative defines its positioning and has chimed well with the sentiment of shoppers in what remain austere t...
07 May 2013
Belgium-based Colruyt has announced plans to launch a new umbrella private label brand called ‘Boni Selection’. New brand to unify a number of private labels The retailer has said that ‘Boni Selection’ will replace more than 50 existing private label brands and will come with new, distinctive packaging and will stand for ‘ affordable, homely quality products ’. Colruyt went on to say that the...
07 May 2013
Rewe has made two announcements regarding its operations in Austria. Billa expands presence of Regional Regal offer Rewe has said that has expanded the presence of its Billa Regional Regal regional shelves to all its stores in Austria. The range includes products from some 200 local producers from 25 regions, with the size of offer depending on the specific federal state in which a store is l...
07 May 2013
Kenya-based Nakumatt has announced plans to target the country’s outdoor events through the use of a store that is able to be transported throughout the country on the back of a truck. ‘Nakumatt on Wheels’ brand to be launched in June The retailer said that the 200 square feet, containerised store will be developed and housed in a 20 foot shipping container and will be first seen at an off ro...
07 May 2013
Botswana-based Choppies has, according to the country’s Competition Authority, applied to wholly acquire local rival SupaSave. Acquisition to bolster Choppies’ operations Choppies’ proposal is for it to acquire SupaSave and its sourcing and supply subsidiary MegaSave. If accepted, the acquisition will add six stores to Choppies’ existing operations in Botswana. Competition Authority seeks ...
07 May 2013
As part of its ongoing strategy to put Clubcard back at the heart of its UK business, Tesco has relaunched its loyalty card website. Clubcard benefits simply explained The new website brings renewed personality to the long standing loyalty scheme. It clearly looks to show off the benefits card holders can receive from using the scheme but also aims to bring a more personal and emotional look ...
07 May 2013
Russia's Pharmacy Chain 36.6 has reported a 3% fall in 2012 net sales for its retail pharmacy segment.  Over 200 stores closed in 2012 Consolidated sales were also down for the year, falling 2%.  Consolidated net profit was RUB1,039m, compared to a net loss of RUB288m in 2011.  The retailer closed 212 stores during the year, opening 49.  Pricing changes at Leko pharmacies had a negative eff...
07 May 2013
During May, Carrefour Market customers in Belgium can choose their own promotions on fresh produce, with reductions ranging from 15% to 35%.  How it works Upon entering the store, customers take a sheet of promotional stickers.  Every sticker indicates a specific percentage reduction: 15%, 20%, 30% and 35%.  In each department the customer chooses four products on which they want a disco...