News

Retail and consumer goods industry news

30 January 2014
Sales at organic veg box retailer Abel & Cole were up 24% in the eight months to 27 April 2013. The company also attracted new shoppers and grew loyalty among its existing customer base. Growing customers and order size Sales for the eight month period reached £38m. Operating profit for the retailer before exceptional items was £1.4m for the shorter period, compared with £3.7m in the 52 weeks t...
30 January 2014
The Co-operative food has launched a new in-store communications campaign to emphasise its value and convenience strengths. 'A good deal for you' New POS and communications materials have been rolled out to all 2,800 Co-operative Group stores to increase the visibility of The Co-operative Food's promotions and deals. A bright green colour scheme and softer lettering has been adopted to mo...
30 January 2014
French La Poste subsidiary GeoPost and logistics provider Neopost have signed an agreement to install a network of secure, automated lockers for the delivery and return of parcels in France. High traffic locations The plan is to roll out around 1,500 lockers by 2016 and 3,000 in the longer term. Lockers will be installed at locations with high footfall, such as shopping centres and railway stat...
30 January 2014
Russian retailer O’Key has announced a top-level management reshuffle. After seven years, Patrick Longuet has left his position as CEO, although he will remain involved with the company as an advisor to the Board. His replacement is Tony Maher, who has been Chairman of the Board at O’Key since October 2013. Brings international grocery experience Irish-born Mr Maher has around 30 years'  e...
30 January 2014
Leading UK retail buying consortium, and distributor to the independent grocery retail sector, Nisa has announced that delivery volumes through its central distribution service were up 8.1% in 2013, hitting an all-time high in excess of 113 million cases.  Chilled product is the fastest growing area of the service, with this now accounting for 32% of the total. Boosted by loyalty, recruitment...
30 January 2014
Kroger has completed the acquisition of Harris Teeter, following its announcement last July of its intention to acquire the supermarket chain. Extends Kroger’s presence into high-growth markets The transaction represents a good fit for Kroger given Harris Teeter’s strong presence in North and South Carolina, states where Kroger is relatively under-represented, and also in high growth marke...
30 January 2014
Trade press publication LSA has announced that DIA is trialling a click and collect service in Paris, offering prices lower than those in-store. Offer available through Diadiscount.com The service is available through Diadiscount.com and enables shoppers who spend over €30 to pick up orders 30 minutes after they purchase goods online. Shoppers obtain their goods after being sent a text mess...
30 January 2014
Auchan has signed affiliation agreements for eight stores on Réunion Island, effective as of January 2014, and has revealed an agreement with BP to supply its stores in Spain. Auchan to supply the supermarkets and hypermarkets on Réunion Two hypermarkets took on the Auchan fascia on 28 January, with six supermarkets joining on 29 January. Auchan will supply some of the products stocked...
30 January 2014
Steve Smith, co-founder of Poundland, is set to launch the UK's first online pound shop - www.poundshop.com - in partnership with rival Poundworld. Poundshop partners with Poundworld The website is expected to launch next week with both Poundworld and Poundshop featuring similar branding to each other. Both parties will create and operate the venture together with Poundworld supplying tho...
30 January 2014
.style1 { text-align: center; }.style2 { text-align: right; font-weight: normal; } Spring Festival, the biggest festival of the year in China, is not only a time for reunions, but also the busiest period in the Chinese retail calendar. During the last Spring Festival holiday in 2013, sales at stores and restaurants around the country surpassed RMB539 bn (USD89 bn). With all the gatherings a...