http://www.just-food.com/companies/marks-and-spencer_id118Latest Marks and Spencer industry news - from just-food.com© 2012 All content copyright just-food.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:26:56 GMTThu, 09 Feb 2012 05:26:56 GMTjust-food.com - RSS feedjust-food.comhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss20Muller 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.http://www.just-food.com/comment/muller-faces-challenges-in-uk-milk-sector_id117946.aspxMon, 16 Jan 2012 15:41:00 GMTTesco'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.http://www.just-food.com/comment/values-not-just-value-must-underpin-tesco-revival_id117930.aspxFri, 13 Jan 2012 17:37:00 GMTFood helped Marks and Spencer enjoy a sales jump in its third quarter but some market observers fear a post-Christmas hangover.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/ms-food-shines-but-uncertainty-remains_id117869.aspxWed, 11 Jan 2012 09:53:00 GMTMarks and Spencer's food business has driven an increase in quarterly sales at the UK retailer.http://www.just-food.com/news/food-boosts-sales-at-marks-and-spencer_id117862.aspxTue, 10 Jan 2012 10:17:00 GMTMorrisons, 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.http://www.just-food.com/comment/morrisons-sets-scene-for-tough-2012_id117853.aspxMon, 09 Jan 2012 15:03:00 GMTThe 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.http://www.just-food.com/comment/four-resolutions-for-an-uncertain-2012_id117852.aspxMon, 09 Jan 2012 14:54:00 GMTPremier Foods plc is to sell its under-performing Brookes Avana subsidiary to 2 Sisters Food Group for GBP30m (US$46.8m).http://www.just-food.com/news/premier-offloads-brookes-avana-to-2-sisters_id117635.aspxFri, 09 Dec 2011 08:58:00 GMTLogistics 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.http://www.just-food.com/management-briefing/logistics-the-role-of-the-logistics-service-provider_id117529.aspxWed, 30 Nov 2011 12:28:00 GMTHigh 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.http://www.just-food.com/management-briefing/logistics-the-food-sectors-sustainability-initiatives_id117527.aspxWed, 30 Nov 2011 12:17:00 GMTThe 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.http://www.just-food.com/news/new-delhi-agrees-to-ease-laws-on-foreign-retail-ownership_id117474.aspxThu, 24 Nov 2011 16:01:00 GMTMarks 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.http://www.just-food.com/news/ms-plans-first-simply-food-store-within-18-months_id117472.aspxThu, 24 Nov 2011 15:58:00 GMTHigh Liner Foods, the Canadian seafood processor, has secured the acquisition of Icelandic Group's operations in the US and Asia.http://www.just-food.com/news/high-liner-snaps-up-icelandics-us-asian-operations_id117436.aspxTue, 22 Nov 2011 12:05:00 GMTMarks 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.http://www.just-food.com/news/ms-sheds-light-on-expansion-plans_id117394.aspxThu, 17 Nov 2011 14:54:00 GMTBibby 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.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/costcutter-faces-supermarket-might_id117379.aspxWed, 16 Nov 2011 14:54:00 GMTTwo 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.http://www.just-food.com/comment/eu-approves-stevia-russia-set-to-join-wto_id117338.aspxMon, 14 Nov 2011 15:45:00 GMTAnother 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.http://www.just-food.com/news/the-highlights-on-just-food-last-week_id117327.aspxMon, 14 Nov 2011 09:22:00 GMTThis 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.http://www.just-food.com/news/just-foods-week-in-words_id117320.aspxMon, 14 Nov 2011 09:22:00 GMTA 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.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/food-provides-ms-silver-lining_id117284.aspxWed, 09 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMTMarks and Spencer enjoyed a positive food performance despite the UK retailer recording a drop in first-half profit.http://www.just-food.com/news/marks-and-spencer-h1-sees-food-sales-rise_id117271.aspxTue, 08 Nov 2011 09:50:00 GMTSelf-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.http://www.just-food.com/interview/self-service-checkouts-and-beyond_id117237.aspxThu, 03 Nov 2011 12:36:00 GMT