Retail and consumer goods industry news

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...

South Africa-based Woolworths has announced plans to expand the range of products it carries at its supermarkets as part of a wider enhancement of the retailer’s stores. New initiatives to support on-going strategy The retailer said that it was looking to extend its ranges, add 2,000 new SKUs, offer more branded goods, invest in price and expand space in order to better meet the needs of its ...

Coop Italia is divesting a number of Dico discount stores to Gruppo Tuo, a member of Despar Italia, according to local press reports. Store swap with Gruppo Tuo The move will involve a store swap and will see Coop Italia take on stores from Gruppo Tuo in return for those divested.  It is not yet definitively known how Coop Italia will brand these new stores.  Press reports suggest the m...

Costco’s second quarter sales, for the 12 weeks to February 17, increased by 8.2% to $24.3bn, with comparable store sales (excluding the impact of fuel and currency), up 5%. Net income attributable to Costco increased by 38.8% to $547m. A resilient model despite economic headwinds Costco delivered a strong set of results for the quarter, despite the headwinds of higher payroll taxes and ...