Asda to expand George abroad as UK sales slow February 22, 2013 ASDA is to expand its fast-growing clothing brand George into Europe, Britain’s second largest supermarket revealed yesterday, as it reported a slowdown in fourth quarter sales. The Walmart-owned group said it will launch the brand’s UK website in 24 countries by September after George enjoyed “a record year”. It also plans to open more stores [...]
Tesco voted worst supermarket in survey of 11,000 UK shoppers February 21, 2013 TESCO has been voted the worst of Britain’s nine major supermarkets in a poll carried out by one of the leading consumer groups. More than 11,000 Which? members rated the supermarkets with customer scores based on customer satisfaction and the likelihood they would recommend it to a friend. Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket group, came [...]
Suppliers back quarterly tests for horsemeat February 18, 2013 ENVIRONMENT minister Owen Paterson last night said food retailers will conduct tests for horse- meat in processed beef products every three months, in an attempt to restore consumer confidence in the industry. “There was absolute determination in the industry to restore confidence in their products, and I’m pleased to say we look forward to meeting [...]
Greencore rises on proof of no contamination February 18, 2013 IRISH food group Greencore’s shares bounced back by eight per cent yesterday after it said that tests had found no other traces of horsemeat in its products or at its convenience food sites. Shares in the company sunk more than 12 per cent at the end of last week when Asda withdrew its own- brand [...]
Mixed mining shares weigh on FTSE February 15, 2013 The blue chip index edged down in early deals after a mixed performance from headline mining shares. Anglo American was the biggest riser, adding more than three per cent in early deals, despite it posting a sharp drop in 2012 earnings as it was hit by last month’s $4bn write-down on Brazilian project Minas Rio. [...]
Fashion chain Republic enters administration February 13, 2013 BRITAIN’S already fragile high street was dealt a fresh blow yesterday after fashion chain Republic collapsed into administration. Ernst & Young, the business advisory firm, has been appointed as administrator and 150 staff at its Leeds headquarters were immediately made redundant. The retailer, which sells youth fashion brands including Jack Jones and SoulCal, runs 121 [...]
Retailer Republic poised to fall into administration February 12, 2013 REPUBLIC, the youth fashion retailer, is poised to become the latest high street name to collapse into administration, putting 1,000 jobs and 121 stores at risk. Ernst & Young has been lined up as administrators and the appointment is expected to be confirmed this morning. The group’s demise marks the latest in a string of [...]
The trusted brand with personality at its core February 3, 2013 YOU may have seen Clippy McKenna’s eponymous preserves on your supermarket shelves. Her two-man show (it is just Clippy and fiancé Paul Gorman working at the business; everything else, including the actual jam-making, is contracted out) now stocks its products in some of the biggests stores – including Tesco and Harvey Nichols. After graduating as [...]
Angela Spindler named as the new chief executive at N Brown January 31, 2013 CATALOGUE and online fashion retailer N Brown has hired Original Factory Shop chief executive Angela Spindler to succeed its outgoing boss Alan White. The company, which targets older and larger shoppers with brands such as Simply Be and Jacamo, said Spindler will join the firm before July to ensure a smooth succession. White will retire [...]
Cranswick signs £30m Asda deal January 31, 2013 Sausage-maker Cranswick said yesterday it has signed a deal to become Asda’s main fresh pork supplier thought to be worth around £30m. The news came as it posted a seven per cent rise in underlying third quarter revenue despite record pig prices in the UK. It said input costs rose during the quarter to 31 [...]