News

Retail and consumer goods industry news

06 November 2013
Boots has announced the introduction of contactless payment to all of its UK stores allowing customers to pay for goods now using their contactless cards. Growth of contactless payment Boots has been working with Visa Europe and Worldpay to roll out the service across its entire store network. Nigel Shortt, Head of Delivery - retail at Boots UK said “At Boots UK, we are continually looki...
06 November 2013
Coop Danmark, Denmark’s largest grocery retailer is collaborating with Galleria, a Chicago-based category planning solutions provider. The partnership aims to improve the customer experience, as well as undertake work to automate and optimize Coop Danmark’s merchandising strategy in over 1200 Danish stores. Galleria CEO ‘confident’ of partnership Ian Duncan-Lewis, CEO of Galleria commented “Co...
06 November 2013
Leading north-west regional supermarket operator, Booths is rolling out a range merchandising innovations in its flagship Knutsford store, in Cheshire, with the aim of increasing shopper engagement through customer experience, as it seeks to develop a world-class format for the future. Brings focus to destination categories These innovations, including the first ever wine tasting machine in a...
06 November 2013
Whole Foods Market’s total sales in the fourth quarter increased by 2.2% to $3.0bn (12 week period this year versus 13 week period in 2012), with comparable store sales up 5.9%. For the full year, the retailer’s total sales increased by 10.4% to $12.9bn, with comparable store sales up 6.9%. Slowest comp sales growth since Q1 2010 The story of the quarter is the marked slowdown in Whole Fo...
06 November 2013
Alliance Boots have appointed Richard Ashworth, currently working as Walgreens Corporate Operations Vice President, Western United States to the new post of Director of Healthcare, Health & Beauty UK and Ireland. This newly created role will report to Simon Roberts, Managing Director, Health & Beauty, UK and Ireland. Further development of the joint vision Following the move by Alex Gourlay to ...
05 November 2013
Walmart is testing a new entry-level private label brand in a small number of markets in the US. The ‘Price First’ range is focused on core staples including peanut butter, vegetable oil and biscuit wafers. Simple design for shelf-edge impact The basic design, featuring clear product descriptions, a strong colour block, and the use of product line drawings, will help ensure a strong presence...
05 November 2013
Latest figures from the British Retail Consortium Retail Sales Monitor show that UK retail sales grew by 2.6% in October, underpinned by a like-for-like uplift of 0.8%.  However, while some sectors performed well, especially in selected areas of non-food, a significant number of others, including food, saw like-for-like declines. Food like-for-likes negative on a three month basis Follo...
05 November 2013
Performance figures reported by Marks & Spencer for the first half of 2013/14 (26 weeks to 28 September), show total group sales up 3.6% to £4.9bn.  While its international division continued to outperform on +8%, the core UK business nevertheless grew at 3.1%, underpinned by a like-for-like uplift of 0.7%. Still contrasting fortunes for UK food and GM Sales in M&S' traditional flagship GM ca...
05 November 2013
UK fixed price discounter, 99p Stores is reported to have launched a trial to use direct to store delivery for chilled and fresh products by Nisa, in order to scale up the temperature controlled range in its stores.  The trial will focus on core grocery products such as milk, bread, cakes, fruit and vegetables. Builds on existing Nisa relationship 99p Stores has been a member of the retail co...
05 November 2013
Dollar General has announced the promotion of Todd Vasos to the role of Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for store operations, merchandising and supply chain. His former role as Chief Merchandising Officer has been filled by David D’Arezzo, who most recently held the role of Chief Operating Officer at Grocers Supply. Enhancing the management structure These appointments come at a ...