Retail and consumer goods industry news

Major national UK cash & carry wholesaler Bestway has launched a significant new annual initiative entitled 'CORE Range' which aims to offer all its retail customers threefold forms of support to help drive their businesses.  The programme mixes information and education on ranging and merchandising to optimise the in-store offer, ongoing deals to provide customer value and drive sales, plus rewa...

Coles Express is to roll out a scheme whereby customers using its ATM machines receive discount vouchers for use in-store, according to local press reports. Follows trial earlier this year The scheme was trialled in January and offered discount vouchers on products from beer to mobile phone recharging.  The rollout will see customers who use Coles Express's 600-strong network of ATMs re...

Russian retailer Dixy Group is planning on spending up to RUB 50bn on expansion over the next three years. Room to grow CEO Ilya Yakubson has stated that Dixy has “room to grow” and is seeking to have a store network of 3,000 by the end of 2015, doubling what it currently operates. This expansion plan is in line with the Dixy Group’s aim to double its annual revenue over the next three ...

Europe’s largest cosmetics and perfumeries retailer, Marionnaud, has launched ‘Nature’, a new range of own brand products. Naturally sourced and environmentally friendly   The retailer, owned by A.S. Watson, has launched ‘Nature’, a new range of facial and body care products containing less chemical ingredients that could be potentially harmful to skin, health and the environment. Prod...

The latest data from the British Retail Consortium Retail Sales Monitor (BRC-RSM) show that UK retail sales growth accelerated to 4.4% in February 2013, with like-for-like growth on 2.7% the strongest seen since December 2009. Uplift driven by non-food While the February figures show growth across all retailing sectors, non-food retail was the strongest element, with clothing, health ...

The managing director of Lloydspharmacy, Mark James, has left the company after less than a year in the post. Third departure in two and a half years Mark James, who was appointed managing director of Celesio UK in April 2012, has been replaced by Cormach Tobin, the managing director of the group's Irish division. A new Celesio UK board structure was announced last April, which included...

Mercadona has announced its intention to enter the Basque Country, opening its first store in late 2014 or early 2015. Strategic plan involves commitment to 25 stores Mercadona has submitted a strategic plan which will see it invest more than €50m, over the next six years, to open 25 stores in the autonomous community and create 1,000 jobs.  Mercadona will also commit to purchase at leas...

Following a successful trial in Northern Ireland, Tesco is to roll out a voucher-at-till price matching initiative across the UK next Monday as part of a major push to strengthen its value credentials, according to press reports. Comparison with major rivals An extension of the retailer's existing online Price Promise scheme, the new scheme will instantly compare prices to those offered by A...

Supervalu has announced a number of senior leadership changes following its plans to divest five retail banners and almost 900 stores to AB Acquisition LLC. IGD’s view: moving quickly to fix the business With the divestment expected to be completed week commencing March 18th, Sam Duncan, Supervalu’s recently appointed president and chief executive officer, is moving quickly to establish hi...

Poundland is building a new distribution centre in Harlow to support its rapid expansion. Investing in supply chain The new 350,000 sq ft distribution centre, costing £40m, will operate as  Poundland's main distribution centre for the south east of the UK and has the capacity to serve up to 200 stores. The new centre is planned to be fully operational by 2014. Rapid expansion Poun...