Here’s how the supermarkets were doing just before the Brexit vote June 28, 2016 In the immediate run-up to the EU referendum, supermarket sales were strong, according to data released today, but in the three month period before the vote, sales slipped. The figures from Nielsen show that in the four weeks ending 18 June, UK supermarkets had their first increase in year-on-year takings since July 2015. Sales were up 0.4 [...]
Tesco’s share price looks perky as company announces sale of Harris and Hoole coffee chain to Caffe Nero June 23, 2016 Supermarket chain Tesco is selling Harris and Hoole coffee chain to Caffe Nero, it said in its first quarter trading statement this morning. "Together, these sales allow us to place even greater focus on our core UK business," the company said. The retailer's share price was up by 2.82 per cent in early morning trading [...]
Italian PR firm SEC makes plans for international growth as it sets its sights on Aim June 20, 2016 An Italian PR outfit has announced its intention to float on the Alternative Investment Market (Aim) to drum up the funds needed for rapid growth. SEC S.P.A, which has over 300 clients including food retailer Coca Cola, lender Deutsche Bank, grocer Lidl and electronic games maker Nintendo, is applying to be listed on the London Stock Exchange's [...]
Ad agencies need better advertising: 101’s Laurence Green on why positioning should be more important than pitching June 20, 2016 Our industry conversation has swung too far from long-term to short, from strategy to tactics, and away from the alchemical power of great creative,” says Laurence Green, founder of creative agency 101. He has been critical in the past of the fact that pitching has become the default method for procuring agencies’ services. And he believes [...]
Asda swaps Clarke for Clarke as chief exec says he’ll step down next month June 13, 2016 Well, that was sudden: we knew Asda chief executive Andy Clarke was planning on going – but now the supermarket's owner has said Clarke will step down next month. In a statement this morning Asda confirmed reports Clarke, who has been at the company for more than 20 years – six of which have been [...]
Melons and pineapples? Who cares? It will take more than that for supermarkets to fight off AmazonFresh June 10, 2016 Tesco’s current ad features a couple debating whether or not to drive to their local branch to exchange a melon for a pineapple. “We need an excuse,” says the husband. “What? Like I’m long-sighted and I mistook it for a large grape?” replies the straight-thinking wife. The commercial highlights the supermarket’s “No Quibbles” policy. Bought [...]
As Amazon Fresh launches in London, does it pose a real threat to UK supermarkets? June 10, 2016 Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, says Yes. The last thing that the traditional British supermarkets want is another challenge to their model – they’re still busy fending off the shock of Aldi and Lidl’s sharp pricing model. Online grocery sales are growing well ahead of the overall market, so it’s [...]
Sainsbury’s share price rises despite first quarter sales fall June 8, 2016 UK supermarkets' problems are still lingering in the new financial year, after Sainsbury's reported a fall in like-for-like sales over the last three months and warned of challenging times ahead. With total sales looking steady and investors fearing worse, however, shares jumped 2.6 per cent to 253p in early trading. The figures Total retail sales excluding fuel were up 0.3 per cent in [...]
Whole Foods teams up with startup Quiqup to deliver groceries on demand across London June 3, 2016 US import Whole Foods Market has entered the online grocery game – and stepped it up a notch, promising to start delivering to Londoners within a two-hour timeframe. The upmarket grocer has partnered with startup delivery firm Quiqup to provide an online shopping service from its Kensington, Piccadilly, Fulham, Clapham Junction and Camden stores. The Stoke Newington and [...]
End of an era: thousands of jobs to go at BHS stores to close as administrators call time on sale June 2, 2016 BHS is being wound down today after administrators revealed no deal was found to rescue the store, likely putting 11,000 staff out of work. In a statement this afternoon, administrators Duff & Phelps said it had "not been possible to agree a sale of the business". BHS is now being “wound down” because no buyer would [...]