Retail and consumer goods industry news

.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 ...

With 2013 lacking the wealth of event opportunities offered last year by the Olympics, Euro 2012 and Diamond Jubilee, retailers are looking to make full use of the year's seasonal events, with Valentine's Day and Shrove Tuesday being developed to drive shopper enthusiasm for these celebrations. Home dining for Valentine's Day Valentine's Day presents a clear opportunity to promote luxury 'dine ...

Aldi Australia has confirmed that it plans to expand its store portfolio into both the states of Western Australia and South Australia. Increased competition for Coles and Woolworths In Australia, Aldi trades over 280 stores which are focused around the eastern seaboard. Outlets are currently located in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. However, ...

SPAR has launched a £1 value campaign this month, forming part of a wider move to focus more heavily on its in-store events throughout the year. Comprehensive campaign With price of particular importance to shoppers in the period immediately after Christmas, SPAR is launching a value campaign to highlight a range of products across its stores priced at £1. The launch will be supported by...

Dirk van den Broek has announced the sale of stores that will see it exit the province of Friesland. The sale will enable it to focus on regions of the Netherlands where it has a existing, strong presence. Focus to support retailers’ growth strategy The exit will support Dirk van den Broek’s parent, Detailresult, to concentrate on regions where it is best represented: North Holland, South H...

Coop Schweiz has added Swiss brands under the umbrella of its Naturaplan label, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the organic range's launch. Knorr, Zweifel, Emmi added to range Coop Schweiz has been working with the suppliers for a year to add organic versions of Zweifel crisps, Emmi Gala cheese and Stocki Knorr mashed potatoes to the Naturaplan family.  Additional products, in orga...

After announcing in September 2012 that it was exploring strategic options for its 60% stake in ICA, Ahold has announced that it will sell its stake in the business to Hakon Invest, which owns the remaining 40% in ICA. Sale to generate strong returns for Ahold Ahold said that the sale would generate SEK21.2 billion in cash, which includes ICA’s 2012 dividend of SEK1.2 billion. The company d...