Retail and consumer goods industry news

Speaking to local newspapers, the president of Carrefour Poland, Jean Anthoine, has discussed the company’s strategy for the market, potentially dispelling speculation that the retailer was set to exit. Retailer to participate in market consolidation Anthoine was quoted as saying that Carrefour wanted to be actively involved in the consolidation of the market and would be targeting the acquis...

Ocado's second Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC2) has started delivering orders to customers, marking a potentially pivotal moment in the retailer's trading history. Second warehouse could double capacity in time The go-live, on schedule, of the group's second major automated warehouse sees the retailer significantly increase its capacity to deliver orders in the medium term. Management ha...

Global retailer Tesco has announced it is to launch online grocery shopping in China and Thailand. Bangkok and Shanghai targeted Tesco is planning to launch its online food operations next month in Thailand , one of the retailer's most significant markets. As with previous markets, Tesco will launch the service first in the capital city Bangkok, before what is believed will be a wider ro...

Coop Schweiz achieved operating profit growth of 3.4% in 2012. Objectives largely met Chief executive Joos Sutter said the group had largely achieved its objectives as he reported an operating profit margin increase of 0.1 percentage points, to 2.8%, and gross profit up 0.7%.  Coop reported group sales figures in January - click here for the news story. Pressure on prices is the new ...

The latest retailer share data from Kantar Worldpanel, for the 12 weeks to 17 February 2013, shows the UK grocery retail market accelerating on the previous period, with growth up to 3.7%.  However, inflation remains persistently higher.  The Kantar measure indicates this stood at 4.7% for the period, suggesting that volumes remain negative. 12 weeks to 19 February 2012 (% sha...

Albertsons LLC has announced a new structure and management team to lead the stores that it will acquire from Supervalu when the transaction closes in mid-March. Opportunity to reunite the Albertsons businesses In January, Supervalu announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell 877 Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Market stores and related Osco and Sav-on in-store ph...

Leading Irish retail distributor Musgrave has set out its 2013 plans for the expansion of its convenience symbol network Centra.  At its annual National Retailer Conference, Centra managing director, Martin Kelleher revealed that 20 new stores will be opened by retailers this year, including a number on greenfield sites. 18 stores added in 2012 Despite the tough economic climate Centra has co...

Eroski has met with more than 400 fresh and grocery private label suppliers in Bilbao today, to outline plans to strengthen the parties' already close co-operation as part of the strategic plan for 2013-16. Economic crisis requires joint efforts Group CEO Javier Amézaga said suppliers play a key role in developing the  Eroski model.  The retailer prides itself on its closeness to suppliers...

Tesco has launched Pro Formula as its new private label brand within the beauty category. Scientific approach to design Following customer research, Tesco recognised the need to pull together the diverse range of products across both the female and male beauty category. The Pro Formula logo was created by design agency Parker Williams. The intention was to create a strong and credib...

Asda has promoted brand director Hemant Patel as its new strategy director. Shaping Asda's future According to press reports Patel, who has worked at Asda for seven years, has already taken up his new role. The move follows the news last week that Asda will be working with strategy consultancy McKinsey to devise a new five year plan under the leadership of CEO Andy Clarke.  Strategy has previ...