IGD - food industry company news 
Interview: Nectar central to Sainsbury's multichannel ambitions
10 April 2013
The Sainsbury's loyalty programme Nectar, set up over a decade ago, is central to the UK grocer's push to further develop as a multi-channel business.
Interview: Costcutter CEO talks up Palmer & Harvey deal
14 March 2013
Costcutter CEO Darcy Willson-Rymer has told just-food the UK c-store group's new venture with wholesaler Palmer & Harvey will benefit independent retailers and suppliers.
Comment: Trust still vital in tech rush
13 March 2013
Technology offers consumer-facing businesses huge opportunity. FMCG companies need to embrace channels like online and mobile. Asda CEO Andy Clarke is a firm believer in their potential. However, Clarke argues winning - and retaining - consumer trust is more important. He is right and perhaps, Dean Best writes, it is even more so in this new multichannel age.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
11 March 2013
Earnings results continued to pour in last week with retailers Carrefour, Delhaize and Waitrose amongst those issuing sales and profit figures. Delhaize told analysts there was work still to be done in the US, while Carrefour insisted it has to invest in order to build on signs of improvement. Elsewhere, Vion was bought by Boparan Holdings, and a BBC investigation uncovered evidence of horse smuggling from Ireland to the UK.
Talking shop: Online opportunity in China, Thailand
5 March 2013
Online grocery retailing in China and Thailand promises great opportunities for international supermarket groups to crack these two diverse, challenging and potentially lucrative Asian markets. Andrew Don reports.
UK: Heinz appoints Rolston head of Explore R&D team
19 October 2012
Food giant Heinz has appointed Lee Rolston to the role of director for its Explore UK & Ireland division.
UK: Online grocery sales to double by 2017
17 October 2012
UK online grocery sales are set to double over the next five years, according to figures from industry analysts IGD.
UK: Heinz adds flavour to Beanz range
16 October 2012
US food group Heinz has added some flavour to its Beanz range in the UK with four new products.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
15 October 2012
The IGD's annual convention attracts the leading executives from the UK FMCG sector and last week they heard the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Unilever and Heinz discuss the economy, multichannel strategies, labelling and innovation. Elsewhere, Wal-Mart outlined its expansion plans for next year, Mars called on the chocolate sector to co-operate more on sustainable cocoa (which it said would cost billions) and Kellogg revealed the possible financial impact of its latest recall.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
15 October 2012
This week, the chief executives of Tesco, Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, convened in London for the IGD's annual convention where the likes of Philip Clarke, Justin King and Marc Bolland discussed the key issues facing the industry. Elsewhere, William Jackson Food Group expressed its delight at securing ownership of Abel & Cole, German food company Zertus bought confectioner Zetar, while Paramount Foods went into the hands of administrators.
IGD CONVENTION: Innovate to ride out downturn, argues Heinz
10 October 2012
Heinz has called on the grocery sector to invest in innovation to drive growth amid the tough trading conditions facing the industry.
IGD CONVENTION: Asda rolls out click-and-collect, in-store wifi
10 October 2012
Asda is to open more click-and-collect locations across the UK and provide free in-store wifi at all its stores as part of its bid to tap into changing consumer habits.
IGD CONVENTION: Tesco pledges new co-operation with suppliers
9 October 2012
Tesco wants to work more closely with its suppliers as it reacts to changing consumer behaviour, the retail giant's chief executive Philip Clarke said today (9 October).
IGD CONVENTION: Renew focus on centre of store, urges Unilever
9 October 2012
The food industry must renew its focus on the centre of the store amid the "digital revolution" changing the way people shop, consumer goods giant Unilever has said today (9 October).
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 ?
