The Co-operative Group - food industry company news 
Interview: UK firm Belton Cheese looks to drive international growth
1 May 2013
Belton Cheese has been on something of a roll, expanding its business into new international markets with fresh distribution deals in countries as far afield as the US and Japan. The group announced yesterday (30 April) that it is further growing its overseas presence through an agreement to expand into Russia's high growth dairy market. Katy Askew caught up with Belton sales manager Phil Jones to find out more.
Consuming issues - GM debate comes down to question of trust
25 April 2013
The GM debate has re-emerged in the UK in the last couple of weeks with the news four major supermarket operators will allow their suppliers to use GM feed for poultry and eggs.
The just-food interview - Associated British Foods CEO George Weston
24 April 2013
Discount clothing chain Primark again grabbed the headlines for Associated British Foods as it booked higher half-year profits and sales - and saw its shares hit a record high. But what about ABF's grocery business? Dean Best spoke with CEO George Weston about the performance of and prospects for the UK group's food operations.
UK: Union questions Premier bakery closure consultation
23 April 2013
A union representing Premier Foods workers has questioned whether the company entered into "meaningful" discussions ahead of its move to close its Birmingham Hovis bakery tomorrow (23 April).
UK: The Co-operative opens GBP22m distribution centre
23 April 2013
UK retailer The Co-operative Group has opened a GBP22m (US$33.6m) distribution centre in north Derbyshire that is expected to create around 300 new jobs.
UK: Co-op to begin re-stocking Divine Chocolate bars
19 April 2013
UK Fairtrade specialist Divine Chocolate is to be re-listed at The Co-operative Group's stores.
UK: Produce World launches Burgess Harvest Veg line
2 April 2013
UK fresh vegetable supplier Produce World has launched a consumer brand under the name Burgess Harvest Veg.
UK: Co-op relaunches own-label healthy line
2 April 2013
UK retailer The Co-operative Group is relaunching and rebranding its own-label healthy range with the addition of new products.
Interview: Divine Chocolate battles pressure on Fairtrade specialists
27 March 2013
UK-based Divine Chocolate was one of the first Fairtrade-only FMCG brands when it launched in 1998. However, the entry of larger, mainstream companies into the category, while increasing awareness of Fairtrade and boosting sales, has had an impact on the specialists. Divine commercial director David Francis spoke to Dean Best about competition, retail support for Fairtrade and the promotional battle in the UK.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
25 March 2013
Last week saw the just-food team hitting the streets to bring you coverage from two key events in the industry calender: the IFE trade show in London and the Consumer Analyst Group of Europe (CAGE) conference.
On the money: Co-op confident on convenience "leadership"
21 March 2013
The Co-operative Group has insisted it is well placed to maintain what it sees as a "leading" position in the UK convenience sector, even as competition steps up and the country's supermarket groups look to expand their convenience network.
UK: Co-op food profits down on price investment
21 March 2013
The Co-operative Group has booked a drop in full-year earnings for 2012, with food profitability hampered by its investments in pricing and the weak consumer outlook.
In the spotlight: Boparan continues M&A march with Vion buy
5 March 2013
Boparan Holdings, the parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group, has continued its drive to rapidly expand its footprint with the announcement that it has acquired the remaining Vion meat businesses in the UK. Katy Askew takes a look at how ambitious 2 Sisters hopes to succeed in a market where Vion struggled.
HORSEMEAT: FSA second test results largely negative
25 February 2013
The UK's Food Standards Agency has released a second set of test results from the industry revealing 99% of products sampled proved negative for traces of horse DNA.
HORSEMEAT: UK FSA publishes first test results
15 February 2013
Results from the first set of UK tests on beef products for horsemeat have in the main cleared the country's retailers.
UPDATE: UK: ABP: Pork tests on Waitrose SKUs negative
13 February 2013
ABP Food Group has said the beef meatballs it supplied to Waitrose which were this week recalled by the UK retailer amid fears they contained pork tested negative for traces of the ingredient.
UK: Waitrose recalls beef meatballs over pork fears
13 February 2013
UK upmarket retailer Waitrose has recalled its British beef meatballs after the product were found to potentially contain traces of pork.
UK: Government to consult on supply chain security - Defra
11 February 2013
The UK government is to meet industry officials to determine whether the supply chain needs to be placed under greater scrutiny to ensure food security in the country.
UK: Tesco own-label spag bol contained horse meat
11 February 2013
Tesco has admitted an own-label spaghetti bolognese in the UK contained horse DNA.
Comment: Horse meat scandal likely to widen
8 February 2013
As our understanding of the horse meat contamination scandal develops the number of food products drawn in is likely to expand, raising some fundamental questions about the security of our food supply.
UK: Horse meat confirmed in Findus "beef" lasagne
7 February 2013
Horse meat has been found in beef lasagne produced by French manufacturer Comigel on behalf of Findus UK, sparking fresh recalls from Tesco and Aldi.
UK: FSA to publish results of horse meat tests
5 February 2013
The UK's Food Standards Agency has said it will publish the results of tests for horse meat DNA to be carried out on beef burgers sold at UK retailers.
IRELAND: Future of ABP's Silvercrest uncertain as site remains closed
4 February 2013
The future of APB Food Group's Silvercrest facility in Ireland seems uncertain after the group was forced to close the site when it was identified as one of the sources of frozen beef burgers that contained horse DNA.
IRELAND/UK: Aldi drops Silvercrest, Dalepak on positive horse meat tests
31 January 2013
Aldi has become the latest retailer to drop Irish meat supplier Silvercrest Foods after tests found traces of horse DNA in its burgers.
UK: Co-op delists Silvercrest after positive horse DNA tests
30 January 2013
UK retailer The Co-operative Group has become the second retailer to drop Irish meat supplier Silvercrest Foods after tests found traces of horse DNA in its burgers.
INTERVIEW: Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon
24 January 2013
The UK's first Groceries Code Adjudicator, Christine Tacon, is determined not to clip the wings of the free market and expects to use her investigative powers sparingly. Chris Mercer spoke to the woman with the power to fine retailers, following her appointment this week.
UPDATE: UK: Groceries Code Adjudicator Tacon must be "objective" - BRC
21 January 2013
The British Retail Consortium has given a cautious welcome to the UK's first Groceries Code Adjudicator, Christine Tacon, while food producers and farmers appeared happier with the appointment.
UK: Christine Tacon to be UK Groceries Code Adjudicator
21 January 2013
The UK Government has announced that Christine Tacon, ex-head of the Co-operative Group's farming business, will be its first Groceries Code Adjudicator.
COMMENT: Co-Operative management shake-up sets stage for resurgence
16 January 2013
The Co-Operative Group's food business has had a tough time of late. But a management shake-up, announced today (16 January), would suggest it is looking to improve its offer on two fronts - increased customer focus and more effective back end management.
UK: Co-operative sees Christmas sales gains
15 January 2013
The Co-operative Group has booked a 2.4% increase in sales at its food retail business over Christmas, driven by like-for-like gains and higher growth at its convenience outlets.
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