Waitrose - food industry company news 
UK: Morrisons "sales improve" - Kantar
21 May 2013
UK retailer Morrisons is seeing its sales improve, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
20 May 2013
After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2013
The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.
UPDATE 3: UK: Morrisons chief Philips hails "low-risk" Ocado deal
17 May 2013
Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips today (17 May) claimed the UK grocer's venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado was a "great deal" for shareholders and consumers.
UPDATE 2: UK: Ocado "cast-iron clear" Waitrose deal is safe
17 May 2013
Ocado CEO Tim Steiner today (17 May) insisted the UK online retailer is "cast-iron clear" its new venture with Morrisons has no bearing on its existing partnership with Waitrose.
Comment: Pragmatic deal for Morrisons, Waitrose risk for Ocado
17 May 2013
A deal with Ocado represents Morrisons best route into the UK online channel as it plays catch-up with rivals. For the online specialist, it looks a good deal, although it could threaten its agreement with another partner, Waitrose.
UPDATE: UK: Waitrose coy about Morrisons-Ocado deal
17 May 2013
Waitrose this morning (17 May) refused to be drawn on news long-time online partner Ocado had struck an agreement to help rival grocer Morrisons launch its own home delivery service.
UK: Morrisons, Ocado announce online grocery venture
17 May 2013
UK grocer Morrisons this morning (17 May) confirmed that, after months of talks, it will launch an online food service through a venture with digital specialist Ocado.
Talking shop: Price fires shot across Ocado's bows
13 May 2013
Waitrose MD Mark Price is the self-styled "chubby grocer", one of the more affable figures of UK food retail. However, Price's comments over the weekend about Ocado's talks over a tie-up with Morrisons show a serious side the online specialist would do well to note.
UPDATE: UK: Ocado: Morrisons tie-up would not affect Waitrose deal
13 May 2013
UK online retailer Ocado has again insisted any deal it could strike with Morrisons would not affect its relationship with upmarket grocer Waitrose.
UK: Waitrose concern over Morrisons/Ocado talks
13 May 2013
Waitrose MD Mark Price has expressed concern over the ongoing talks between rival UK grocer Morrisons and online specialist Ocado about a potential tie-up.
UK: Ocado lacks global appeal to other retailers - analyst
10 May 2013
Ocado is an unlikely takeover target because its technology and warehouse capabilities do not have enough global appeal, one analyst has suggested following the dampening of reports over a potential acquisition by Morrisons.
Comment: Sainsbury's solid but challenges lay ahead in tough sector
9 May 2013
Sainsbury's, the UK's third-largest grocer, yesterday (8 May) reported what amount to another solid set of annual results. The year ahead should again be one of progress for Sainsbury's but competition could intensify still further.
UK: Price strategy, online boosts Waitrose Q1 sales
3 May 2013
Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose has booked an 11% increase in first-quarter sales, citing its pricing strategy and its online expansion.
Gluten free: The UK market
30 April 2013
The UK continues to witness a rapid increase in demand for gluten-free foods. The sector represents the largest within the UK market for free-from foods, targeted at people with food allergies or intolerances, and it is a category seeing dramatic growth.
UK: Yeo Valley launches Noughty fat-free yoghurts
29 April 2013
UK dairy firm Yeo Valley is looking to tap into the growth of the fat-free yoghurt market with the launch of a 0% fat range.
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.
UK: Sainsbury's delivers strongest sales growth - Kantar
23 April 2013
UK retailer Sainsbury's delivered the strongest sales growth amongst the big four, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel.
UK: Waitrose signs supply deal for Philippines, Bahamas and Turks
17 April 2013
UK upmarket retailer Waitrose has signed a deal that will see it sell its groceries in the Philippines, Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands for the first time.
UK: Tech move puts Morrisons jobs at risk
10 April 2013
Almost 700 staff at Morrisons have found their jobs at risk after the UK grocer opted to introduce new cash-handling technology into its stores.
UK: Fayrefield launches Food Heaven dairy-free ice cream
10 April 2013
UK dairy foods manufacturer Fayrefield Foods is set to launch a range of dairy-free frozen desserts under its Food Heaven brand.
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.
UK: Waitrose, Aldi lead UK growth - Kantar
26 March 2013
Upmarket retailer Waitrose and discounter Aldi posted the strongest growth in the UK retail market during the 12 weeks to 17 March, the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel revealed today (26 March).
UK: Waitrose nabs Ocado's Rivenell as "omnichannel" chief
25 March 2013
UK retailer Waitrose has appointed Tony Rivenell, an executive at rival and partner Ocado, to become its new head of omnichannel delivery.
IFE: Ugo Foods plans gluten-free chilled pasta
22 March 2013
Premium fresh pasta manufacturer Ugo Foods is preparing to expand into the free-from market with the launch of a range of gluten-free chilled pastas.
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.
On the money: Ocado looks to build consumer appeal
14 March 2013
UK online retailer Ocado is looking to boost its appeal by expanding its range, improving order placement and fulfilment and developing its market positioning.
UK: Morrisons in Ocado tie-up talks
14 March 2013
UK grocer Morrisons is in talks with specialist online food retailer Ocado on a deal that could help the supermarket chain with plans to set up an online service.
UK: Ocado shares jump on sales gains, Morrisons talks
14 March 2013
Shares Ocado jumped by almost one-fifth in morning trade today (14 March) after the online grocer reported a bumper set of sales and confirmed it is in talks with Morrisons over a potential tie-up.
Comment: Tesco looks to stand out from the crowd in UK retail
13 March 2013
Tesco has once again ignited the price war with the launch of its Price Promise, garnering a mixed reaction from analysts who suggest it could just be an extension of other retail schemes or the retail giant trying to regain the initiative on pricing.
