Retail and consumer goods industry news

Latest figures released by Nielsen, covering the 12 week period up to the 2nd March show shoppers are still relying on the discounters to help cut back on their food expenses. Events driving discretionary spend Aggregate sales value growth for the UK's leading supermarkets during the four weeks ending 2nd March 2013 was up 3.2% year on year. This is an increase of 1% on the previous four ...

Rewe Group has reported revenue growth of 2.7% in 2012, to €49.7bn, and revealed plans to invest €1.5bn in 2013. Modernisation will provide additional impetus this year Alain Caparros, group CEO, said Rewe again plans to invest more than €1.5bn to modernise up to 400 stores in Germany and abroad in 2013. This will include speeding up the conversion of Penny discount stores.  The 2013 ...

Tesco’s UK managing director, Chris Bush, joins the line up at the IGD Tesco Trade Briefing, taking place in London on April 25. An important time for Tesco Chris Bush, who was promoted to UK managing director in January, is overseeing much development in the UK business, not least the recent launch of Tesco’s coupon-at-till Price Promise initiative. Chris has stated that the intenti...

Jerónimo Martins has announced that it has opened its first stores in Colombia, in Pereira, as part of its expansion into a new market. First store opened in Paisa region The company’s first five Ara stores and its first distribution centre will be opened in the chosen region due to the logistic advantages that it provides. The company said that the stores will measure between 300 sq m and 60...

Botswana-based Choppies has opened a new store in Brits, in the North West province of South Africa. New store to target low income shoppers The 4,300 sq m store is said to be the company’s first hypermarket in the region and will enable it to expand its non-grocery ranges. The company will target shoppers in the LSM3 to 7 brackets with as wide a range as possible at competitive prices. St...

Tesco has announced the acquisition of Giraffe, an award winning restaurant group for £48.6m. It is the latest in a series of acquisitions by the retailer in the UK designed to develop revenue streams beyond its core business. Using space better at large format stores Commenting on the rationale for the acquisition, Kevin Grace, group commercial director at Tesco said, “We invest in business...

In Chinese astrology, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. People born this year are thought to be highly attentive to detail and focused on their goals. That focus and discipline would also be useful for those doing business in China this year - James Walton, IGD's chief economist, explains how the challenges China faces are being redefined... China matters, whether you do business there or no...

Musgrave's SuperValu  supermarket network, comprising independently owned stores across Ireland, has recorded total retail sales of €2.1bn for 2012, ahead of the overall rate of market growth. Focus on 'local' SuperValu's key point of difference continues to be the strength of the local affiliations stores are able to develop with their specific communities, supported by Musgrave .  In 201...

Superdrug has announced plans to introduce Wi-Fi free of charge in its stores as part of its strategy to improve customer engagement. Interactive in-store The health and beauty retailer plans to roll out free internet access in all of its stores by the end of the year. Superdrug recognises customers are keen to keep up with trends and so providing free Wi-Fi offers an opportunity to pi...

Following on from the company’s annual results statement, Ahold has set out elements of its strategy for its operations in the US. Initiatives to build on current foundations In the results call with analysts, Ahold chief executive, Dick Boer, said that in the US the company would focus on: Adding further pick up points Embed shoppers’ use of the retailer’s apps Have 40% private...