Latest retail news and analysis articles 
From Wal-Mart to Wumart and Carrefour to Coles, the latest in food retail
CHINA: Former Woolworths exec Foran to lead Wal-Mart's Chinese unit
7 February 2012
Long-time Woolworths Ltd executive Greg Foran has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores' operations in China.
Promo Tracker: Waitrose offers deepest promotions
7 February 2012
Waitrose's promotions offered consumers the highest saving on average, according to the latest data from the just-food Promo Tracker.
CANADA: Wal-Mart claims "record" year of expansion
7 February 2012
Wal-Mart Stores has outlined its expansion plans in Canada for the next 12 months.
US: Supervalu to cut 800 jobs
7 February 2012
US retail chain Supervalu Inc is to reduce its workforce by around 800 staff in a bid to accelerate a turnaround of the business.
US: The Pantry Q1 net losses improve
7 February 2012
US c-store operator The Pantry has lowered its first-quarter losses as a result of higher fuel prices and a reduction in costs.
UK: London to see more Little Waitrose stores in 2012
6 February 2012
UK upmarket retailer Waitrose is to expand its Little Waitrose chain with the opening of six stores in central London this year.
2012 - Supermarket battles to drive supplier M&A
6 February 2012
Some of the world's largest retailers struggled in 2011, which promises to mean even more intense competition in 2012. What could this mean for suppliers? Ultimately, it could mean the industry witnesses more consolidation this year.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
6 February 2012
The appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour caused a flurry of comment throughout the industry, with pundits outlining what the new chief's priorities ought to be. Unilever and Kellogg were among manufacturers that announced annual results, while Hain Celestial, reporting its half-year numbers, said it saw a number of acquisition targets in the US. Elsewhere, suppliers expressed anger at a decision in Europe to block the use of new nutrition claims.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
6 February 2012
Hershey and Unilever were among the major food manufacturers that this week were the first to report their 2011 financial results. Unilever's profits inched up 1% and CEO Paul Polman pointed to the performance of its home and personal care operations - casting some questions over the prospects of its food operations. In the retail sector, this week saw the long-speculated appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour and analysts expressed concern about the outlook for Ocado despite narrowing full-year losses.
UK: BC Partners, Bain Capital in "aggressive bids" for Iceland Foods
3 February 2012
Iceland Foods, the UK frozen food retailer, has reportedly attracted bids from private-equity houses BC Partners and Bain Capital.
2012 - Savvy shoppers, online key areas of retail focus
3 February 2012
In part two of our management briefing, Sam Webb talks to experts about the possible changes to the landscape of the food retail sector in 2012, amid power shifts, market volatility, evolving shopping trends and changing consumer habits.
AUS: Coles posts H1 sales growth
3 February 2012
Australian grocery retailer Coles has recorded higher half-year revenues after its fourteenth straight quarter of comparable-store sales growth.
BELGIUM: Colruyt nine-month sales climb
3 February 2012
Belgium-based retailer Colruyt has booked an increase in sales for the first nine months of its financial year.
FINLAND: Grocery profits up at retailer Kesko
3 February 2012
Finnish retailer Kesko has booked an increase in full-year profits from its food business, boosted by strong sales.
UK: Two more executives leave Asda
3 February 2012
Senior Asda executives Steve Masters and Bob Simpson have become the latest directors to leave the UK's second-largest retailer.
UK: Tesco moves UK COO Robbins to new role
2 February 2012
Tesco has moved Bob Robbins, COO of its UK operations, to a new role just weeks after the executive attracted headlines for selling shares in the retailer days before a profit warning.
UK: Morrisons acquires meat facility from Vion
1 February 2012
UK retailer Morrisons today (1 February) announced an agreement to acquire a meat processing facility from the UK division of Dutch food group Vion.
CANADA: Adonis aids Metro Q1 profits jump
1 February 2012
Canadian grocer Metro Inc's shares rose after a first-quarter spike in profits, revenue and like-for-like sales.
UK: Ocado's FY losses narrow
31 January 2012
UK online grocery retailer Ocado today (31 January) announced its full-year losses dropped 80% to GBP2.4m (US$3.79m).
UK: Iceland glitters, Tesco feels the chill - Kantar
31 January 2012
UK grocery retailer Tesco dropped market share, while Iceland put in its strongest performance in a decade, according to the latest data from Kantar Wordpanel.
On the move: Plassat faces Carrefour trial
31 January 2012
After a tumultuous three years at the helm of the world's second-largest grocery retailer, Carrefour chairman and CEO Lars Olofsson is set to be replaced by Georges Plassat.
UK: Analysts - questions remain for Ocado
31 January 2012
Analysts retain concerns about the prospects of UK online retailer Ocado even after it posted a reduction in full-year losses earlier today (31 January).
AUS: Woolworths sees first-half sales climb
31 January 2012
Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd has recorded an increased in first-half sales, despite "ongoing headwinds" facing the retail sector.
RUSSIA: Dixy FY sales climb on Victoria purchase
31 January 2012
Russian grocery chain Dixy has recorded an increase in full-year sales, boosted by its acquisition of smaller rival Victoria last year.
RUSSIA: Magnit "confident" on FY profits growth
31 January 2012
Russian retailer Magnit said it is "gaining confidence in the market" after booking an increase in full-year profits.
US: Safeway names Raya to lead Vons division
31 January 2012
US retailer Safeway has promoted its senior VP of main meals, Lori Raya, to the role of president of its Vons division.
FRANCE: Plassat replaces Olofsson in Carrefour top spot
30 January 2012
Retail giant Carrefour today (30 January) announced Georges Plassat will replace Lars Olofsson as chairman and CEO.
EUROPE: Wal-Mart "eyes Europe"
30 January 2012
Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer, is reportedly looking to gain a foothold in mainland Europe.
UK: Tesco considers ditching Carbon Trust labelling
30 January 2012
UK retail giant Tesco has said it is reviewing its use of the Carbon Trust's carbon reduction label on its products.
INDIA: Spar in talks to expand in India
27 January 2012
Spar International is in talks with retailers in the India as part of a bid to grow its store network in the country.
