Talking shop
The just-food team check out the latest goings-on among food retailers.
Talking shop: An uncertain future for Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie
10 January 2012
Just before Christmas, US retailers Bi-Lo announced a deal to buy local peer Winn-Dixie Stores, creating an organisation of almost 700 grocery stores in eight states throughout the south-east of the country. Sam Webb speaks to industry watchers about the move, and what it will mean for the new company.
Talking shop: Carrefour's Guyenne et Gascogne dilemma
13 December 2011
Carrefour, the world's second-biggest retailer, is set to buy its French retail franchise partner Guyenne et Gascogne in a deal worth nearly half a billion euros. The move raised eyebrows across the retail sector, considering the supermarket giant's domestic woes. Sam Webb reports.
Talking shop: Ahold's measured ambitions win plaudits
28 November 2011
With a new chief executive in place, industry watchers were waiting to see what Ahold, the Dutch retail giant, planned to do to further grow its business in the next five years. The new strategy, outlined last week, still leaves some unanswered questions but, as Dean Best reports, Ahold has won praise for its plans.
Talking shop: The top tips for online retail in the UK
25 October 2011
That the online channel is growing - and growing quickly - in the UK, is news to hardly anyone. However, online still accounts for under 4% of grocery sales in the country. For all its growth, the sector is still evolving and there is much manufacturers and retailers can learn to ensure they take a chunk of a channel that is set to see sales almost double by 2016. just-food presents ten things to consider when operating in the online sector.
Talking shop: Costco faces questions over fees
7 October 2011
On Wednesday (October 5) US warehouse retailer Costco announced a rise in sales and profits in its annual results for the year ended 28 August. However, they also released details of a 10% rise in membership fees which caused a bit of a stir among analysts. Sam Webb reports.
Talking shop: Uncertainty grows about whether Ocado can deliver
21 September 2011
Ocado's shares have dropped 30% this week after investors were spooked by a trading update and fears of a step-up in competition in the UK. There appears to be a rocky road ahead for the online retailer. Dean Best reports.
Talking shop: Tesco's Japan exit prompts more questions
2 September 2011
Tesco's decision to quit Japan is Philip Clarke's first significant strategic move as CEO but the move has led industry watchers to wonder if the UK retailer could leave othe international markets, Dean Best writes.
Talking shop: UK food retailers face fresh discount threat
18 August 2011
Discount retailers are again making headlines in the UK. With the economy faltering, the likes of Aldi are gaining share at the expense of the country's major retailers. As Sam Webb writes, the likes of Asda and Sainsbury's are fighting back and emphasising that consumers can find value with them.
Talking shop: Poundland puts expansion plans into action with Ireland move
3 August 2011
The recent headlines from Ireland's retail sector have focused on Superquinn's fall into receivership and Musgrave Group's plans to buy the business. However, with the economy in the doldrums, discount retailers have been gaining more ground. This week, UK retailer Poundland announced plans to open stores in Ireland and industry watchers believe the business has potential across the Irish Sea. Michelle Russell reports.
Talking shop: UK makes slow progress on grocery adjudicator
8 July 2011
Despite being recommended by an Office of Fair Trading inquiry in 2008, the UK is still awaiting the establishment of an ombudsman to police the relationship between supermarket chains and their suppliers. The Government has now introduced a draft bill that would see the creation of the Groceries Code Adjudicator but campaigners say it is dragging its feet and being influenced by retail industry lobbying. Ben Cooper reports.
Talking shop: Should Makro look to Booker for success?
14 June 2011
Metro Group replaced four of the five board members working in its Makro UK cash-and-carry division last week, including managing director Hannes Floto. As the German retail giant works to turnaround the business, industry watchers suggest that Makro's future in the UK may lie with local rival Booker, either looking to the resurgent chain for inspiration or through a sale. Petah Marian reports.
Talking shop: Wal-Mart's African debut
1 June 2011
South African competition regulators yesterday (31 May) approved Wal-Mart's acquisition of a majority stake in local retailer Massmart. Katy Humphries takes a look at Wal-Mart's African ambitions and discusses the impact that the deal is likely to have on the South African retail scene.
Talking shop: Who's in the running for Iceland? - what the analysts say
25 May 2011
With Landsbanki's stake in Iceland Foods now up for grabs, both UK grocery retailers and private-equity firms are being touted as potential bidders for the frozen-food operator.
Talking shop: Has Tesco been "foolhardy" in the US?
13 May 2011
Speculation is mounting over the future of Tesco's operations in the US. Investor Warren Buffett has described the venture as "foolhardy", while some industry watchers believe potential Californian restrictions on the sale of alcohol could be a hammer blow for business. Why has Fresh & Easy struggled so much in the US, and how likely is it that the loss-making venture will turn a profit? Petah Marian investigates.
Talking shop: Wal-Mart indicates potential of US online grocery
28 April 2011
The launch of a pilot online grocery retailing scheme by Wal-Mart Stores this week underlines the fact that so far this sector has been primarily the preserve of niche, specialist players. Ben Cooper examines whether Wal-Mart's entry has the potential to take online grocery shopping into the mainstream US market.
Talking shop: Demystifying the Norwegian grocery sector
15 April 2011
The Norwegian government has released a report outlining its concerns around the highly consolidated nature of the country's grocery retail sector. The report claims that retailers are able to exert excessive influence on suppliers and is seeking legislation to redress the balance. Petah Marian reports.
Talking shop: Ban on Spanish planning curbs cheers retailers across EU
8 April 2011
Big European food retailers have expressed their delight at a new ruling by the European Court of Justice that slapped down regulations imposed by the Spanish government to restrict the location and operations of hypermarkets in Catalonia.
Talking shop: Metro Group's "record" earnings fail to impress
24 March 2011
Metro Group, the world's fourth-largest retailer, hailed "record" earnings for 2010 when it delivered its full-year results earlier this week. However, the group's share price dipped following the announcement as the company's 2010 performace and plans for international expansion in 2011 failed to excite investors. Katy Humphries reports.
Talking shop: Are the Balkans to become the next retail battleground?
4 March 2011
After a long and drawn-out courtship, it was announced yesterday (3 March) that Belgium's Delhaize has acquired Delta Maxi, the retail arm of Serbia's largest company by turnover, Delta Holdings. The move represents the first significant foray by one of Europe's retail giants into the region and significantly expands Delhaize's reach in the area. Katy Humphries reports.
Talking shop: Are German supermarkets seeing a renaissance?
18 February 2011
The German grocery sector is characterised by low-prices and discounter dominance, resulting in razor-thin margins for operators in this highly-competitive sector.
