Retail and consumer goods industry news

Speaking after the acquisition of a majority stake in Mercator, Agrokor’s chairman, Ivica Todoric, gave further details about expectations around the combined company. Todoric says he convinced about profitability Todoric said that he would not have acquired Mercator if he did not believe that the combined Agrokor/Mercator would create a good company that could generate profits. He was quot...

Amstor, the Ukrainian retailer, has announced plans to expand in western Ukraine Venturing west Amstor, which currently operates 29 stores in Ukraine , has announced plans to open four stores this year and another in 2015 in western Ukraine. The existing 29 stores are spread across 13 cities in the east, central and southern Ukraine with no presence in the west. The store in the west wil...

The Co-operative Food is launching an innovative Twitter campaign next week where customers will 'Tweet for a table' in an attempt to win a gastro-style meal in a purpose-built pop-up restaurant.  Innovative approach to marketing The 'Tweet for a Table' campaign marks a new and innovative approach to marketing and social media by Co-operative Food . The campaign, as well as interacting wi...

We have assessed the leading global grocery retailers, their key markets and strategies for growth, and looked in more detail at the priorities and strategy of the top five. This week, we examine Tesco and its increasing focus on Asia. Increasing focus on Asia for growth The UK remains by some distance Tesco's largest market. However Asia is increasingly becoming its engine for grow...

French retailer Carrefour has announced a three year plan to open stores in 30 new cities in China. Expansion into new cities China Daily reports Carrefour's plans to enter 30 new cities over a three year time span, which will add to its existing network of 220 hypermarkets across 60 cities. In March 2013 Carrefour announced the opening of first store in Hohhot in the Inner Mongolia...

Waitrose has announced that Rupert Ellwood has been promoted to be its new head of marketing. Focus on campaigns, publications and events Ellwood is currently head of retail operations for Waitrose stores in the Southeast, having joined the retailer in 2010 from Wineworld, where he was managing director of London wine experience destination, Vinopolis. Ellwood replaces Sarah Fuller who left t...

Italy's number two grocery retailer, Conad, has reported a 7.3% increase in turnover for 2012. Difficult year for consumers Consumption fell by 4.3% at the end of 2012, according to official Italian data. Conad's director general, Francesco Pugliese, praised the commitment of its co-operative members and entrepreneurs for making such strong growth possible. However he remains concerned a...

Prisma, part of the Finnish retailer S Group, is opening another supermarket in Vilnius. Store number four to open in 2014 The new supermarket will open in the first half of 2014 and at the cost of LTL 40m is the first non-leased property in Lithuania. The supermarket will be located in a 10,000sqm shopping centre. International expansion contributing to strong growth Having had a s...

Reitangruppen could be poised to take over ICA’s stores in northern Norway, according to press reports. Transaction involves 108 stores in the north Ealier in the year, ICA entered into an agreement with Norgesgruppen in order to improve its commercial advantage in the market. However, the deal is pending a decision from the Competition Authority. If the deal is not given permission f...

US pharmacy chain CVS has announced new additions to its recently revamped Gold Emblem private brand. Celebrate exception in everyday food The new additions to the brand include the launch of Private Emblem Select which includes a selection of products that use premium ingredients, distinctive flavours and artisanal techniques to ‘celebrate the exception in everyday food, beverage and snac...