Catch up on the latest retail news here on Retail Times and find out what’s happening in the retail sector. Keep up to speed with the latest reports and financials covering the top brands in retail right through to the smaller independents. If retail technology and innovation is your bag then we’ve got it covered be it POS, payments or back-end systems we report on the latest developments. For those who are looking for retail data and analysis check out the data time section for more information. Hear comment from both the supplier and retailer in our opinion sector ‘Why it works’ and ‘In my opinion’. And finally, if you have any retail news you’d like us to consider publishing send it across to the team via the contact page.
E-commerce platform provider, ChannelAdvisor, is holding a Countdown to Christmas webinar on 1 September 2011 at 2:00pm BST, which it claims will equip European retailers to prepare for a busy fourth quarter. Hosted by ChannelAdvisor’s director of product management, Link
Spar wholesaler and retailer, AF Blakemore, claims to have boosted fresh flower sales by 13% in the last 12 months following a product relaunch across stores in the Blakemore and Capper wholesaler regions. The company said it saw an opportunity
Spar is teaming up with Red Bull to support world-reigning motor sport champions and their vehicles in the drinks brand’s Speed Jam event in Cardiff. The event takes place for three hours on 3 September 2011 and will see Spar’s
Japanese convenience store chain, Seicomart, has picked Aldata’s software solutions to optimise inventory management across its supply chain. Seicomart operates over 1,000 stores, served by seven distribution centres; predominantly in the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. Established in 1971, the
Easy Bean, the range of one-pot premium ready meals, which includes Fairtrade lines, will go on sale in 20 Booths stores next month (September 2011). In May the company launched the UK’s only ready prepared meals to carry the Fairtrade
The Co-operative Group has reported a fall in first half profits with its chief executive stating trading conditions are the worst he has seen in more than 40 years of retailing. Underlying operating profits fell 11% to £275.1m in the
Restaurant chain, Brewers Fayre, is installing digital signage to promote its Buffet Place concept, which offers all-you-can-eat themed nights throughout the week. The signage is being supplied by Spectrum Interactive, a leading UK provider of public Wi-Fi and related services.
Flight comparison site, Fly.com, has warned people looking for a late deal around the August Bank Holiday may be frustrated. The company, which reviews and compares live airline prices, has reported fewer available airline sales and deals this year. Aaron
TV chef and publican Antony Worrall Thompson has launched an e-petition calling on the government to review the smoking ban. The text of the petition is: “We petition the Government to review the impact of the smoking ban on pubs and
Social CRM software supplier, Lithium, has appointed software industry veteran, Rob Tarkoff, as chief executive officer. Tarkoff will succeed Lyle Fong, co-founder of Lithium, who will take on the role of chief strategist and continue serving on the board of
Preserves company Clippy’s Apples has appointed Jeff Car as non-executive chairman. Carr is described as a senior international director with experience across a number of global brands including Pizza Hut, Whitbread and Royal Doulton. Earlier this year, Clippy’s became one
Co-operatively-run retailer, The People’s Supermarket (TPS), is planning a second store and expanding its services in food service and delivery. The retailer has launched a public consultation exercise to investigate the viability for a new store in Homerton, Hackney, and
Online retail continues to position itself as a vital platform for modern shoppers, according to social shopping website Shopow. At the same time, high street chains are increasingly looking to the web as a new avenue for sales, it says.
The Co-operative Food is launching a raft of new products for Christmas 2011. New lines include Truly Irresistible Berry Bliss Ice Cream; Wensleydale with Cranberry, Raspberry & Biscuit; chilled and frozen party foods, including Lamb Samosas, a Chicken Satay Party
Spar International has extended its sponsorship of European Athletics until the end of 2015. The retailer has been the principal sponsor of European Athletics since 1996. The new contract commences in January 2012 and will incorporate the following European Athletics
Middle Eastern shoppers have flocked to the Westfield shopping centre in July 2011, according to the site’s operators. Retailers have reported an uplift in Middle Eastern customers mainly from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, including members
Poundworld reports it is investing almost £500,000 in employee benefits after the discount retailer appeared on Channel 4’s Undercover Boss series in order to get genuine feedback from employees about working for the company. Managing Director Chris Edwards and marketing
Food and drink NPD consultancy, The Food Business Development Company (FBDC), has revamped its website to provide customers and visitors with a raft of information on the grocery retail sector. The new site is designed to showcase the company’s range of
Primula Cheese has launched two products to its range of cheese spreads: Primula Cheddar Cheese and Black Pepper Spread and Primula Cheddar Cheese and Onion Spread. Aimed at Cheddar lovers of all ages, the new spreads are adapted from the
BT’s retail e-commerce division, BT Fresca, has signed a five-year deal with Aurora Fashions and Karen Millen. Under the contract, BT will support Aurora and Karen Millen’s e-commerce plans to grow their brands and increase sales outside the UK, initially
Leading foodservice, retail and food manufacturing supplier, Summit Foods, is celebrating 30 years in business and announced plans to expand its manufacturing facility and workforce. The Lancashire-based supplier of cooked meat based products was founded in August 1981 by two butchers and
Europe’s leading private label coffee roaster, United Coffee, is relaunching its Lyons coffee brand to bring it up to date and to increase its shelf appeal. To mark the relaunch, United Coffee is donating three pence from every pack sold
Spar is launching a new own label economy range in the UK, following success in other countries across Europe. The S Budget range, which is already on sale in Spar stores in seven other countries, hits UK shelves on 29
Aurora Fashions, the group behind UK women’s fashion brands – Coast, Oasis and Warehouse – is launching its first native language website in Germany in October 2011. Aurora operates a total of 106 stores across its three brands in Germany,
UK Point of Sale (UK POS) has appointed Steve Farrington as operations manager. Farrington has more than 12 years experience in the logistics industry and was previously distribution centre manager at Regatta, working with brands including Marks & Spencer, Pets at
