IGD - food industry company news 
UK: Food sales volumes remain under pressure
9 May 2012
Food sales volumes in the UK have remained under pressure in the first months of 2012 following a year in which the number of items in shopping baskets fell.
just-food Confidence Survey - emerging markets and sustainability
30 April 2012
just-food's Confidence Survey also included questions on the emerging markets and sustainability. Of the BRIC markets, China gave respondents most cause for optimism. Outside those four countries, markets from Colombia to Vietnam filled others with confidence. And, on the issue of sustainability, alleviating their company's impact on the environment remained a priority for many despite the gloomy economic landscape.
Focus: Can discounters maintain UK momentum?
27 April 2012
Since the onset of the downturn, German discounters Aldi and Lidl have, for the most part, been able to grow sales ahead of the UK's four largest grocery retailers. Andrew Don investigates whether they can maintain momentum after the country's now double-dip recession.
Best bits: Looking outwards to the emerging markets
10 April 2012
Investing in emerging markets carries risk but FMCG companies need to act faster to gain a presence in what will be the economic powerhouses of tomorrow. And for all the uncertainty over Western markets - or perhaps because of it - food manufacturers continue to eye countries from China to Chile with interest.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
10 April 2012
A potential merger combining Symington's and Premier Foods plc's brands was a hot topic for analyst speculation this week. Elsewhere, Australian wholesaler Metcash CEO Andrew Reitzer remained optimistic despite announcing 470 job cuts.
GLOBAL: China becomes world's largest food market
4 April 2012
China has surpassed the US to become the world's largest food and grocery retail market, new research from IGD has revealed.
Talking shop: Does the hypermarket format have a future?
3 April 2012
"Soulless sheds", "beached whales" and "blips in the history of retail" are descriptions that have recently been assigned to hypermarkets, a format that seems to have taken on the persona of a dinosaur whose days are numbered. Glynn Davis takes a look at whether this once high-flying format can be rejuvenated.
Talking shop: Morrisons ups the stakes with its "Shop of the Future"
29 March 2012
Through its innovative focus on fresh food and deep involvement in the supply chain Morrisons has become the wunderkind everyone is watching. Andrew Don takes a look at how the UK's fourth-largest retailer is attempting to stand out from the pack.
UK: Tesco growth to outpace global rivals - IGD
14 March 2012
Tesco is forecast to grow faster than its three main global rivals, driven by a focus on emerging markets, according to research from IGD.
Talking shop: Tesco looks to retain strong foothold in online channel
2 March 2012
Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, has had some difficulties in recent months in its domestic market. However, the company accounts for almost half of all grocery sales online and, as Michelle Russell writes, it is looking to tighten its grip on the channel.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
27 February 2012
This week, just-food was kept busy with news from the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference, held in Florida.
Best bits: Food makers look ahead to another tough year
6 February 2012
2011 was a year of low consumer confidence, pressure from raw material costs and ever-increasing demands from retailers. This year is set to see more of the same.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 December 2011
This week, UK retailers Thorntons and Ocado issued profit warnings, while US food giant General Mills revealed a fall in quarterly profits. Meanwhile, in Europe, Italian retailer Conad acquired German retailer Rewe's 43 Billa stores in the country.
2011 in review - Industry tries to adapt to The Great Correction
22 December 2011
The collapse of Lehman Brothers in October 2008 was a pivotal point in the evolution of our economic landscape. The fact businesses can look back to that day and pinpoint a sea-change in the shopping behaviour of Western consumers makes it the most extraordinary of events.
UK: Promotions drive Christmas sales – IGD
22 December 2011
Shoppers are looking for greater value in the run up to Christmas with promotions, according to the IGD.
Logistics - how a stagnant economy has changed the supply chain
30 November 2011
This month's just-food management briefing looks at logistics in the food industry. Part one considers the impact of a climate of low economic growth and high operating costs on food groups' and retailers' supply chains. Are these difficult market conditions stimulating the emergence of new ways of organising food logistics ?
UK: IGD reveals younger shoppers waste less and pay more for food
28 November 2011
Shoppers under the age of 35 are wasting less food but are prepared to pay more for premium food, the IGD has revealed.
UK: Poundworld opens Poundworld Express store
25 November 2011
UK discount retailer Poundworld has opened is first Express convenience store in the country.
Talking shop: Costcutter faces supermarket might
16 November 2011
Bibby Line hailed the convenience retail sector as a "great opportunity" in the wake of its acquisition of major player Costcutter. However, can Costcutter stand up to the will and spending power of supermarkets, which have also recognised the opportunities c-stores offer? just-food explores the issue.
UK: Convenience sector to grow in five years
10 November 2011
The UK food and grocery convenience sector is set to grow to by more than a quarter in five years time, according to IGD's latest figures at its Convenience Retail Conference today (10 November).
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.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
24 October 2011
This week, two of the world's biggest retailers Wal-Mart and Carrefour were in the spotlight. Wal-Mart is facing questions over its business in China and Carrefour, after a series of profit warnings, is under pressure from one of its investors. Meanwhile, the world's dairy sector gathered in Italy to discuss the challenges facing the sector, including its impact on the environment.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
24 October 2011
The challenge of operating in emerging markets came into focus this week, with Wal-Mart facing fresh questions over its business in China and Danone insisting it can put its recent troubles in Russia behind it. Elsewhere, just-food was on the road this week, heading into London for the IGD's conference on online retailing and visiting the Italian city of Parma for this year's World Dairy Summit. Click on the headlines for more.
UK: Online shoppers more brand loyal, says Unilever
21 October 2011
Consumers are more brand loyal when shopping online, giving food manufacturers the chance to exploit the growth of the channel, according to Unilever.
UK: Mobile touted as "game-changer" for online retail
21 October 2011
The use of smart phones to buy groceries could transform the UK's fast-growing online retail sector, an industry conference heard.
Comment: Price remains centre stage as grocers gather to discuss future
17 October 2011
"Breakthroughs" was the title of this year's IGD Convention, the annual gathering of the UK grocery trade, a fitting recognition that in the face of wilting consumer confidence and increasingly paralysed governments, it was up to the trade to drag its own backside out of the current economic gloom.
UK: Price "losing its competitive advantage" in UK grocery - Sainsbury's
17 October 2011
Price is no longer a competitive advantage in the UK grocery sector, according to Sainsbury's commercial director Mike Coupe.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
17 October 2011
After losing the support of the Metro Group board, CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes this week announced his plan to leave the world's third-largest retailer by next year. Elsewhere in retail, Sainsbury's made its latest move in the battle for the UK's deal-hungry consumers and the country's retailers met at the annual IGD conference. On the other side of the Atlantic, meanwhile, PepsiCo brushed off the latest questions on whether the company was considering to split in two.
UK: Asda CEO heralds Netto and own-label milestones
12 October 2011
Sales at former UK Netto stores converted to Asda's supermarket format have jumped 45% since the takeover of the business, Asda CEO Andy Clarke has said.
UK: Co-op's Marks defends Somerfield acquisition
12 October 2011
Peter Marks, the chief executive of UK retailer The Co-operative Group, has called its purchase of Somerfield the best acquisition the group ever made.
Related research
Consumer Food Labelling - UK - January 2010
This report looks at awareness and importance of different food labels, as well as the understanding of them within the context of the changing nature of the overall food market in the UK.
