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Retail and consumer goods industry news

22 January 2014
Auchan has gained regulatory approval to acquire Metro Group’s Real hypermarkets in Poland. Important step forward for Auchan in Poland The retailer has acquired 53 stores in Poland with the condition that it will sell eight stores in 18 months, as set out by the Polish regulatory authority. In November 2012 Auchan signed a deal with Germany’s Metro Group to acquire the Real network in Central ...
22 January 2014
WH Smith has today announced a 'good' profit performance for the 20 weeks to 8 January 2014 despite falling sales.  Sales up in travel The retailer is pleased with its profits performance during the 20 week period, with margins well managed and costs tightly controlled. For the period, total sales were down 4%, with like-for-like sales also down 4%. Sales at the retailer's High Street business...
22 January 2014
All three AS Watson subsidiaries trading in the UK and Ireland (Superdrug, Savers and The Perfume Shop) have reported sales growth over the busy Christmas period. Best ever trading days reported Superdrug, the largest of the three chains, reported like-for-like sales of +1.5% in the nine weeks leading up to 28th December 2013 versus the same period one year ago. Online sales were +58%. The...
22 January 2014
Walgreens has announced that its latest flagship store will open in Manhattan on Thursday January 23rd. Prominence to destination categories The latest flagship store will open in Union Square, Manhattan, where Walgreens has had a presence since 2001. The store has been renovated and will feature all the elements of the 'Well Experience' retail concept, which comprises of an upmarket food...
22 January 2014
Asda is set to increase its non food range by extending its George clothing brand into homewares under a distinct brand, George Home. Asda to launch George Home Asda's general merchandise department has previously featured some George items, however, the launch of George Home will see the retailer introduce 1,000 new lines bringing the retailer's homeware range to 4,000 products. The George ...
21 January 2014
With the debate rumbling on as to the future of the hypermarket, Tesco will be increasingly turning its attention to the format over the next 12 months, what can we expect? 1. Biggest refresh programme of its largest stores ever... Following the Christmas trading results, it is clear that Tesco still has more work to do in its largest stores to turn around UK performance. 2014 will see Tesco ...
21 January 2014
Future Retail's Big Bazaar banner will convert 50 trucks into supermarkets over the three day national holiday. Multichannel offer to better serve shoppers Mobile stores will help reach areas where stores are not currently located. They will stock around 100 SKUs at discounted prices, in keeping with promotions around this holiday period. The mobile stores will help relieve pressure on t...
21 January 2014
New market share data reveals SuperValu and the discounters were the only retailers to grow sales in a declining Irish market at Christmas. 12 weeks to 06 January 2013 (% share) 12 weeks to 05 January 2014 (% share) Sales growth (Y-o-Y %) Tesco 27.8 26.2 -6.2 Dunnes 24.1 23.9 -0.9 SuperValu 19.8 20.1 1.3 Superquinn 5.5 ...
21 January 2014
Days after the collapse of the McKesson deal to acquire Celesio, activist hedge fund Elliott Associates has increased its stake in the German pharmaceutical distributor. Deal could still go ahead The move by Elliott Associates now brings its stake in Celesio to 24.08% of the voting rights, according to a filing to the Frankfurt stock exchange. The original deal involved McKesson one, of Ameri...
21 January 2014
Mexico's Controladora Comercial Mexicana (Comerci) has confirmed that it will hold talks with any groups, Mexican or international, interested in acquiring or partnering with the retailer. Discussions are at an early stage Comerci issued a statement after reports in a Mexican newspaper said it was looking at a possible sale. It has confirmed that discussions are at a preliminary stage...