News

Retail and consumer goods industry news

26 February 2013
Leading Irish retail distributor Musgrave has set out its 2013 plans for the expansion of its convenience symbol network Centra.  At its annual National Retailer Conference, Centra managing director, Martin Kelleher revealed that 20 new stores will be opened by retailers this year, including a number on greenfield sites. 18 stores added in 2012 Despite the tough economic climate Centra has co...
26 February 2013
Eroski has met with more than 400 fresh and grocery private label suppliers in Bilbao today, to outline plans to strengthen the parties' already close co-operation as part of the strategic plan for 2013-16. Economic crisis requires joint efforts Group CEO Javier Amézaga said suppliers play a key role in developing the  Eroski model.  The retailer prides itself on its closeness to suppliers...
26 February 2013
Tesco has launched Pro Formula as its new private label brand within the beauty category. Scientific approach to design Following customer research, Tesco recognised the need to pull together the diverse range of products across both the female and male beauty category. The Pro Formula logo was created by design agency Parker Williams. The intention was to create a strong and credib...
26 February 2013
Asda has promoted brand director Hemant Patel as its new strategy director. Shaping Asda's future According to press reports Patel, who has worked at Asda for seven years, has already taken up his new role. The move follows the news last week that Asda will be working with strategy consultancy McKinsey to devise a new five year plan under the leadership of CEO Andy Clarke.  Strategy has previ...
26 February 2013
Italian retailer Esselunga has ended 2012 with a turnover of €6.8bn, up 3% on 2011. Prices held at 2011 levels Esselunga achieved the sales growth without increasing prices, according to the press reports.  The retailer invested some €380m in 2012, in real estate development projects.  One of these is a large store in central Milan, one of the largest in the area, which we saw under con...
25 February 2013
Spanish co-operative Consum's franchise network, Charter, has reported sales growth of 22% for 2012. New stores driving sales growth Charter franchise stores reported turnover of €114.2m in 2012, driven by expansion.  A number of new members joined the franchise network during the year.  Charter opened 18 new stores in 2012, mainly in the 'home market' of Comunidad Valenciana where it op...
25 February 2013
Netherlands-based Jumbo has announced that it will be introducing a new store concept, which will bring in elements of foodservice, when it opens the Jumbo Food Market in Breda in March. Jumbo aiming to offer ‘unique experience’ On announcing the new store concept, Jumbo said that it will combine elements of a supermarket and a consumer foodservice operation. At more than 6,000 sq m the sto...
25 February 2013
Morrisons has strengthened its marketing team with the appointment of a new customer director and launched a new microsite to mark its sponsorship of ITV's "Ant and Dec's Saturday night takeaway." Crawford Davidson appointed Crawford Davidson joined Morrisons last week from mobile specialist Telefonica and has extensive experience in senior marketing roles, including acting managing director ...
25 February 2013
The health and beauty retailer has acquired a 49% stake in its hearing provider David Ormerod Hearing Centres in the UK. Boots UK committed to developing hearing care Boots HearingCare currently operates over 340 practices within Boots stores in the UK . The investment demonstrates Boots UK’s commitment to developing hearing care services across the UK enabling customers to have access to ...
25 February 2013
Walmart de Mexico is to invest around $1.4bn in 2013 in expanding its operations in Mexico and Central America. Store growth across existing and new cities Although Walmart de Mexico did not reveal how many stores would open as a result of this investment, total space growth will be between 7.8% and 8.7%. In Mexico , space growth is forecast to be between 8% and 9%, and around 6% in Centr...