Marks and Spencer - food industry company news 
Best bits: Muller faces challenges in UK milk sector
16 January 2012
Muller and Robert Wiseman Dairies are talking up the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's planned takeover of the UK milk supplier but profits in the sector have been under pressure in recent months.
Comment: Values not just value must underpin Tesco revival
13 January 2012
Tesco's continuing difficulties in the UK forced the retailer to stun the City with something of a profit warning. As Chris Brook-Carter writes, the company needs to look beyond price to regain the ground lost to the likes of Sainsbury's.
On the money: M&S food shines but uncertainty remains
11 January 2012
Food helped Marks and Spencer enjoy a sales jump in its third quarter but some market observers fear a post-Christmas hangover.
UK: Food boosts sales at Marks and Spencer
10 January 2012
Marks and Spencer's food business has driven an increase in quarterly sales at the UK retailer.
Best bits: Morrisons sets scene for tough 2012
9 January 2012
Morrisons, the UK's number four grocer, kicked off a week in which the country's largest food retailers will report on their Christmas performance with slowing sales growth. And the company's predictions for 2012 would have made difficult reading.
Street talk: Four resolutions for an uncertain 2012
9 January 2012
The consensus is that those hoping for an easier year in 2012 could be disappointed. Consumer confidence will remain in the doldrums, competition will remain fierce and economic uncertainty will continue. In his first column of the year, SymphonyIRI's Rod Street suggests some ways in which manufacturers and retailers could look to improve in 2012.
UK: Premier offloads Brookes Avana to 2 Sisters
9 December 2011
Premier Foods plc is to sell its under-performing Brookes Avana subsidiary to 2 Sisters Food Group for GBP30m (US$46.8m).
Logistics - the role of the logistics service provider
30 November 2011
Logistics companies, far from being simple hauliers, have adapted to meet the increasingly complicated and specialised needs of customers in the food manufacture and retail spheres, such as tracking and traceability and flexible volumes. In the second part of his feature on logistics, Stuart Todd gains insight from major logistics providers about this fascinating industry.
Logistics - the food sector's sustainability initiatives
30 November 2011
High petrol prices and the increasing importance of sustainability has prompted the food industry to try out new - and often innovative - methods of transporting their wares to customers, as well as search for ways to enhance their existing logistical operations. Stuart Todd takes a look at the schemes food manufacturers and retailers have adopted to reduce both their carbon footprint and transport costs.
INDIA: New Delhi "agrees to ease laws on foreign retail ownership"
24 November 2011
The Indian government has reportedly approved plans to further open up the country's retail industry, a decision that could see a wave of foreign investment into the sector.
FRANCE: M&S plans first Simply Food store "within 18 months"
24 November 2011
Marks and Spencer plans to open its first Simply Food convenience outlet in Paris within 18 months, the UK retailer's chief executive said today (24 November) as the company marked its return to the French capital.
US: High Liner snaps up Icelandic's US, Asian operations
22 November 2011
High Liner Foods, the Canadian seafood processor, has secured the acquisition of Icelandic Group's operations in the US and Asia.
FRANCE: M&S sheds light on expansion plans
17 November 2011
Marks and Spencer, which is returning to Paris with the opening of a store before Christmas, plans to open a further four outlets in the French capital.
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.
Best bits: EU approves stevia; Russia set to join WTO
14 November 2011
Two potentially significant policy developments emerged last week - the EU approved the use of the sweetener stevia in food and drink products, while Russia moved nearer to finally joining the WTO.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
14 November 2011
This week food firms continued to release financial results amid the increasingly uncertain economic environment, including UK retailer Sainsbury's and rival Morrisons. The European Commission formally approved stevia sweeteners for use within the European Union for the first time. Meanwhile, looking to expand, PepsiCo acquired Brazilian biscuit manufacturer Mabel after reports circled last week.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
14 November 2011
Another week dominated by results, notably Marks and Spencers, Associated British Foods and Barry Callebaut. A story that broke late this week and could have severe repercussions is the approval of sweetener stevia for use in the EU. Meanwhile, floods hit food producers in Thailand and the death toll sadly continues to rise in the US listeria outbreak. Click on the headlines for more.
On the money: Food provides M&S' silver lining
9 November 2011
A rise in food sales was the silver lining in Marks and Spencer's first-half results, which were characterised by falling profits driven by higher levels of promotional spend in general merchandise.
UK: Marks and Spencer H1 sees food sales rise
8 November 2011
Marks and Spencer enjoyed a positive food performance despite the UK retailer recording a drop in first-half profit.
Talking tech: Self-service checkouts and beyond
3 November 2011
Self-service checkouts have been a feature of food retail stores for a decade or more but their use remains a subject of debate. The UK is a market where the technology is well-established and now Waitrose has decided to use the tills across its estate. Dean Best talks to Ed Brindley, marketing director for Waitrose self-checkout supplier Wincor Nixdorf, about the deal, the technology and where self-service could be heading.
CANADA: High Liner in talks to buy Icelandic US, Asian units
28 October 2011
Canadian seafood company High Liner Foods is in talks to buy the US and Asian operations of rival Icelandic Group.
UK: Premier shares plunge on profit warning
7 October 2011
Shares in Premier Foods plc plummeted this morning after the UK's largest food maker issued another profit warning.
UK: M&S cool on full online food offer
7 October 2011
Marks and Spencer has added to the range of food it sells online but insisted the move does not signal plans to launch a full grocery service via the Internet.
ICELAND: Icelandic Group lands Asgeirsson as CEO
7 October 2011
Fish processor Icelandic Group has hired Lárus Ásgeirsson as the new CEO of the company.
The just-food interview - Brian Stein, Samworth Brothers
30 September 2011
Privately-owned Samworth Brothers is one of the UK's largest chilled food producers, owns the Ginsters brand and makes own-label convenience food for the likes of Tesco and Waitrose but it operates away from the public eye. Dean Best spoke to CEO Brian Stein about the company's development and its ambitions.
UK: Park Cakes workers to vote on industrial action
26 September 2011
Workers at UK cakes and desserts firm Park Cakes could take industrial action next month over changes to employment contracts.
Best bits: Retailers gather in Berlin to talk shop
26 September 2011
The uncertain economic outlook, fed by the fears over Greece's public finances and pessimism over the growth prospects of markets like the US and the UK, is a key theme of this week's World Retail Congress in Berlin.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
19 September 2011
Tension at the top of Metro Group, the world's fourth-largest retailer, made the headlines this week, with the future of CEO Dr Eckhard Cordes in doubt. Across the Atlantic, Sara Lee was rocked by the departure of senior executive CJ Fraleigh. In the US, ConAgra Foods told takeover target Ralcorp Holdings it had days to being talks on its US$5.2bn bid, while in the UK, Marks and Spencer showcased its new-look food halls as part of a GBP600m revamp of its stores. Click on the headlines for more.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
19 September 2011
Stories from Europe, the UK, the US and Latin America provided some of this week's headlines. A key shareholder in Metro Group has lost patience with the German retailer's CEO, upmarket UK grocer Marks and Spencer revealed its new-look food halls, US snack firm Diamond Foods discussed the outlook for its new financial year and PepsiCo outlined plans to launch healthier products in Mexico.
Retail and self service - the concepts
14 September 2011
This month's just-food management briefing looks at the use of self-service technology in food retail outlets around the world. In part one, Glynn Davis outlines the different concepts in place in stores.
Related research
Marks and Spencer Group plc
Datamonitor's Marks and Spencer Group plc - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Marks and Spencer Group plc - SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy.Marks and Spencer Group (M&S) is a leading retailer of clothing, foods and home ware in the UK. The company operates in about 41 countries worldwide with UK as its primary market. It is headquartered in London, UK and employs about 75,000 people. The company recorded revenues of £9,022 million (approximately $18,113 million) during the financial year (FY) ended March 2008, an increase of 5.1% over 2007. The operating profit of the company was £1,211.3 million (approximately $2,431.9 million) during FY2008, an increase of 15.8% over 2007. The net profit was £821.7 million (approximately $1,649.7 million) in FY2008, an increase of 24.5% over 2007.
Marks and Spencer Group plc - SWOT Analysis
Datamonitor's Marks and Spencer Group plc - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Marks and Spencer Group plc - SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy.Marks and Spencer Group (M&S or “the company”) is one of the leading retailers of clothing, foods and home ware in the UK. The company operates in about 41 countries worldwide with UK as its primary market. It is headquartered in London, UK and employs about 76,000 people. The company recorded revenues of £9,536.6 million ($15,272.9 million) during the financial year ended April 2010 (FY2010), an increase of 5.2% over 2009. The operating profit of the company was £852 million ($1,364.5 million) in FY2010, a decrease of 2.1% compared to 2009. The net profit was £526.3 million ($842.9 million) in FY2010, an increase of 3.6% over 2009.
Marks and Spencer Group plc - Strategy, SWOT, and Corporate Finance Report
Datamonitors' Marks and Spencer Group plc’s SWOT, Strategy and Corporate Finance Report, is a source of comprehensive company data and information. The report covers the company’s structure, operation, SWOT analysis, product and service offerings, detailed financials, and corporate actions, providing a 360° view of the company.
