News

Retail and consumer goods industry news

30 January 2013
Coles has reported half year sales up 4.7% to AU$18,333m in the 27 weeks to 30 December 2012. Strong growth was maintained across the half with an improving growth trend in Q2 for almost all of Wesfarmers' retail divisions. Food & Liquor continues to grow volume ahead of sales Coles' Food and Liquor sales grew to AU$14,301m in the half, with sales up 5.0% or 3.8% on a like-for-like (LFL)...
30 January 2013
Slovenia-based Mercator has released its full year 2012 results, saying that performance improved in the second half of its financial year as it looked to ‘ cut costs, improve working capital and reduce debt ’, amongst other items. Sales growth remained muted in 2012 During 2012 Mercator said that sales had remained flat with 2011, generating €2,873.2 million compared with €2,872.0 million ...
30 January 2013
In a recent interview with Reuters, the Ruentex Group's chairman discussed how its joint venture with Groupe Auchan has established its position as market-leading hypermarket operator in China. Looking ahead, he highlighted the possibility of overseas expansion. The Sun Art Group was formed as a joint venture between the Taiwanese Ruentex Group, and French Groupe Auchan . It operates a networ...
30 January 2013
The French retailer is planning on opening ten new stores in Russia in 2013. Successful year in 2012 The expansion of Auchan in Russia in 2012 was well executed, with the retailer opening eight hypermarkets and upgrading ten existing stores. Auchan invested RUB 7.5bn in organic growth during the year. Purchase of “Real” and expansion planned for 2013 Auchan announced the purchase...
30 January 2013
Amazon has announced net sales up 27% for 2012, with high demand for the Kindle Fire HD tablet helping drive growth; despite this operating income for the year was down 22%. Strong Christmas season In North America, full year sales were up 30% and were similarly high in Q4, showing a 23% increase, in US dollar terms.  Internationally, sales were up 20% in the fourth quarter and grew by 23...
29 January 2013
Metro Inc reported that first quarter sales, for the 12 weeks to December 22, 2012, increased by 2.7% to $2.7bn, with same-store sales up 1.5%. Net earnings increased by 17.1% to $121.4m. Focusing on fresh and loyalty to drive growth in 2013 This is a strong set of results from Metro as it has continued to grow basket size in a highly promotional and challenging market.  The focus in the ...
29 January 2013
The Belgian discounter has reported sustained sales growth for the nine months to 31st December, 2012. Fuel continues to outgrow food Total group sales grew by 6.1% to €6.26bn in the period 1st April to 31st December, while retail sales grew slightly behind this, up 5.1% to €4.75bn.  Colruyt attributes the growth to strong year-end sales and a series of additional discount campaigns which s...
29 January 2013
The latest retailer share data from Kantar Worldpanel, for the 12 weeks to 20 January 2013, shows the market trend marginally up on the previous period, with grocery retail showing growth of 3.3%.  Meantime inflation has continued to nudge upwards; Kantar indicates this reached 4.9% in this latest period against 4.5% in the December figures. 12 weeks to 22 January 2012 (% share) 1...
29 January 2013
Axfood's discount chain Willys is the first discounter to introduce a loyalty programme in Sweden. Launching in February Due to launch next month, the loyalty programme has been designed to strengthen the retailer's relationship with its customers and drive loyalty. The scheme has set a goal of recruiting a million customers within three years, and has stated its intention that 70% of Will...
29 January 2013
Speaking to the Grocer magazine, Martyn Ward, managing director commercial and sales, at Palmer & Harvey has set out the wholesaler's priorities for the coming year.  Key to boosting its business with independent retailers above all, will be a focus on developing its private label ranges and driving online ordering. M-brand boosted to 480 lines Branded to tie in with its Mace symbol group...