Retail and consumer goods industry news

Walmart has outlined two key commitments related to the procurement of renewable energy and reducing the energy intensity of it buildings by 2020, as part of its goal of being supplied 100% by renewable energy. Key milestones for its global sustainability initiative Unveiled at Walmart’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting, the retailer has committed to achieving the following by the en...

99p stores has announced plans to open its first store in Scotland, in Ayr Central Shopping Centre. It will be 99p Stores' 230th store. Targeting new catchments 99p stores is already enjoying success in England and Wales, and it is now looking to establish a presence north of the border. The first Scottish store is set to open next month, with a further four stores planned in the followin...

X5 has announced Q1 sales of RUR 126,296m representing an 8.1% year-on-year increase. Net sales up 8.1% X5 posted an 8.1% increase in Q1 net sales to RUR 126,296m. The 12.4% increase in selling space and 23.2% increase in the number of stores is being credited for this robust sales figure. However, like-for-like sales performance for the quarter is just 0.5%. Average basket spend increa...

Kenya-based Uchumi has announced plans to enter the new markets of Rwanda and South Sudan during 2013. Retailer investigates opportunities for new stores and markets Uchumi’s chief executive, Jonathan Ciano, said that the retailer was planning to add six new stores, to its total of 27 as of April 2013 – in the next six months, while also looking for a chance to expand into Rwanda and South Su...

Spinneys’ chief executive, Michael Wright, has told Arabian Business that the retailer is searching for opportunities to expand in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Retailer to add 10 stores in Saudi Arabia Wright said that the company was aiming to open 10 stores in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on Jeddah and Riyadh. He was quoted as saying: “ In Saudi Arabia, we’ve worked with the developer on projects...

Rewe plans to open a standalone restaurant in Cologne this June, according to German press reports.  Will be called "Made by Rewe" According to Lebensmittel Zeitung, the 200 sq m outlet will serve foods such as pasta, pizza and salads, plus wine and soft drinks, to eat in and take away.  Rewe has reportedly been working with Mark Korzilius, founder of restaurant chain Vapiano, to develop...

Coop Schweiz has announced a reorganisation of its sales regions and various management changes, the first of which will take effect in January 2014.  New sales regions and management changes As of 1 January 2014, Coop will be subdivided into the following sales regions: Suisse Romande; Bern; Nordwestschweiz/ Zentralschweiz-Zürich; and Ostschweiz-Ticino.  This will be accompanied by mana...

Woolworths has reported third quarter sales for the 13 weeks to 31 March 2013, with sales fromcontinuing operations up 5.7% to AU$14,432m. Its Supermarket Division saw sales continue to grow well, up 5.0% to AU$12,817m. Australian Food and Liquor sales up 5.6% to AU$9,945m Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth in Australian food and liquor continued to recover, increasing 3.8%, compared to 2.4%...

South Africa-based Pick n Pay, through its 49% stake in Zimbabwe-based TM Supermarkets, has announced plans to expand in the market. Retailer to invest $25 million in operations Pick n Pay will invest $25 million in TM Supermarkets to help it builds it presence in Zimbabwe and continue to improve the retailer’s back end operations. Commenting on the investment, John Moxon, executive chairpe...

M&S has reported group growth of 3.1% for the 13 weeks to 30 March 2013. Total UK sales grew 2.6% (LFL +0.6%) a marked improvement on last quarter's growth of 0.3% (LFL -1.8%). Food continued to outperform the total business, showing a 6.3% total uplift and a LFL rise of 4.0%. Headline figures from Q4 Group sales: +3.1% Total UK sales: +2.6% (+0.6% LFL) Food sales: +6.3% (+4...