Retail and consumer goods industry news

We’ve been in-store at Asda this week to look at how it is implementing its strategy for growth. Impactful value communication underpins the strategy Asda's focus on EDLP is at the heart of its ambitions, and is given voice through the Asda Price Guarantee (APG), both inside and outside the store. Alongside extensive large signage to communicate rounded price points in the power aisle, this...

Wesfarmers has released its half year results for the period ending 31 December 2012, with EBIT for its retail division increasing 9.4% to AU$1,705m.  Coles' earnings grew an impressive 15.1% to AU$755m, with both Bunnings and Kmart also recording solid profit growth. However, costs incurred implementing Target's transformational plan meant the retailers earnings reduced 20.4%. Coles strateg...

ICA reports mixed results across markets, but delivered healthy growth and a strong profit performance in 2012. "A successful year" Full year sales totalled SEK 96.9m, up 1.8% on 2011, +4.2% at constant exchange rates and adjusted for the divestment of ICA Maxi stores in Norway . It also delivered strong operating profit performance of SEK 192m, growth of 11.9%. Commenting on the results,...

Whole Foods Market’s first quarter sales, for the 16 weeks to January 20, increased by 13.7%, with comparable store sales up 7.2%. Net income over the period increased by 24.3%. Strong performance although growth rates ease slightly Whole Foods Market has delivered another quarter of strong sales and earnings growth, extending its industry leading performance of the last two years.  The re...

Latest figures released by Nielsen indicate that the aggregate sales for UK supermarkets grew by 2.2% in the four weeks to 2nd February. This  marked a slowdown from the Christmas period when sales rose by 3.7%. Volumes flat Nielsen reports that unit sales in the latest four week period were unchanged (versus +0.5% in the previous period), reflecting the continuing cautious mood of UK ...

Meier is investing $160m in its store estate this year, with plans to open six new supercentres and complete five major store remodels. New flagship to test future concepts Meijer’s plans this year will also include the construction of a new flagship store. The retailer will be remodeling its Knapp’s Corner store in Grand Rapids to test some new elements that could form the basis of futur...

.style1 { border-width: 0px; } Waitrose has announced it intends to double its estate of inner London convenience stores over the next year. 10 openings targeted The move will involve the opening of 10 stores during 2013 and represents the largest numbers of stores the business has ever opened in inner London in a year. Waitrose also intends to open 10 supermarkets this year. Locati...

Tesco is aiming to become the first UK retailer to use virtual reality technology to plan its categories, which should lead to better  in-store efficiencies and more effective and flexible ranging in its formats. .style1 { text-align: center; } New software will introduce faster and more reactive category planning Tesco has been working with technology company Red Dot Square for the las...

Aeon continues its rapid Asian expansion, announcing plans to open malls and stores in the thriving Indonesian market. "Indonesia has great prospects" Japanese retailer Aeon will take a two-pronged approach in the Indonesian  market, openings shopping malls alongside its smaller scale retail stores, including the convenience chain Ministop. Aeon Indonesia president Toyofumi Kashi h...

Rewe and BP are to roll out their forecourt partnership in Austria, opening three to four 'Merkur-inside' stores every month until the end of 2014. Rollout follows trial in Vienna The parties trialled the concept in Vienna, opening five Merkur-inside stores on BP forecourts.  The rollout will see this trial expanded to 80 locations across Austria.  Expansion in contrast to slowdown at ...