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.
Spar has launched an Interspar iPhone app in the Czech Republic and is enabling Interspar customers in Hungary to pay for their shopping with their mobile phone. The free iPhone app was originally designed as a cooking application but has
Spar UK managing director Jerry Marwood has been appointed as a non-executive director at field marketing agency eXPD8, which lists Sainsbury’s, Filofax, Dyson and Sony as clients. Marwood takes up the role in April 2011. Marwood, who heads up the UK’s largest
Mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common web access device worldwide by 2013 (source: Gartner). It’s against this backdrop retailers are launching mobile-enabled web sites and apps to keep pace with their customers, wherever they may be; writes
Marks & Spencer may be found liable of trade mark infringement for using Interflora as a Google AdWord, if a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling follows the recommendation made by the Advocate General Niilo Jääskinen. The adviser to the
Starbucks is to open 120 new outlets at US airports in a 10-year agreement with Autogrill Group, owner of the UK’s leading travel retailer, World Duty Free. The agreement also provides opportunities for development in other countries – Autogrill currently
AF Blakemore has acquired fellow Spar retailer and wholesaler Capper & Co. The merger will create the largest Spar wholesaler in the UK, serving a total of 1,096 stores, and a group with a combined turnover of £1.1bn. South Wales-based
The Co-operative is launching a money-saving web site called Save More to help shoppers save money on their shopping at Co-operative Food stores nationwide. Customers will be able to access the Save More site through www.goodwithfood.co.uk and via featured offers
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the focus on retail growth and the reduction in fuel duty in today’s Budget but has expressed concern about the implications of planning liberalisation. On the topic of growth review, the ACS
The increase in tobacco duty rates by 2% above inflation announced in today’s Budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne shows a lack of joined up thinking, according to the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA). Christopher Ogden, chief executive of
Wensleydale Dairy Products, a leading cheese producer, and one of HSBC’s 2010 Business Thinking Yorkshire and the North East winners, is urging companies across the region to enter Business Thinking – an initiative from the bank, which provides funding and
Waitrose is to list contemporary drink company Five Valleys Cordials in an exclusive national deal. The Cotswolds-based company, which was set up in May 2009, has launched three flavours into Waitrose stores across the UK. The variants are: Apricot &
The Co-operative Group has been named the UK’s most responsible retailer for the fourth year running at the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2011. The judges were impressed by the depth of retailer’s commitment to being a responsible business and the
Wynsors World of Shoes has teamed up with One iota, a social and mobile commerce solutions provider, to launch a transactional and mobile Facebook ‘shop’. After reporting a steep rise in mobile visitors to Wynsors.com, the retailer selected One iota
Take-away food outlets and convenience stores may be able to claim VAT refunds going back four year following a decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which has ruled certain food and drinks which are freshly made (including hot
The Pallasades Shopping Centre in Birmingham has recruited Warren Greatrex as operations manager. Greatrex brings has over 15 years’ retail experience and 10 in operations and facilities management. He joins The Pallasades from the Crowngate Shopping Centre in Worcester where
The Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) has called for the Government to resist increasing tax on tobacco in the Budget on Wednesday (23 March 2011), claiming it could drive illicit sales. TMA chief executive Christopher Ogden said: “The refreshed Tackling Tobacco
Spar International has opened its eight store in Zambia – Spar Chipata – and is targeting 30 outlets by 2015 and 40% market share. The franchise store has been opened in partnership with a local family. According to Spar, it
Thatchers Cider, the independent cider producer and one of HSBC’s 2010 Business Thinking South West winners, is urging companies across the region to enter Business Thinking – an initiative from the bank, which provides funding and rewards top business thinkers.
BT is pooling super-fast broadband access, IT services and retail apps to improve the customer shopping experience on the UK high street. Billed as ‘Lighting up the High Street,’ and a world-first; the ‘end to end’ offer is designed to
Barclaycard reports cardholders with its loyalty scheme, Barclaycard Freedom, have spent on average 14% more in the launch partner stores than other credit card customers. Reporting a year since the card’s launch, Barclaycard said there are now more than
A new crime prevention scheme called Facewatch has been launched, which enables retailers to share information and CCTV images relating to low-level crime, such as bag theft or shoplifting, online. It has been piloted in a central London in 35
Premium dessert manufacturer rhokett, set up with the support of Michelin Star chef Gary Rhodes, has secured funding to expand production and won a contract from Marks & Spencer. The company has invested in new factory space in Hawkhurst, Kent;
Leading online nursery products retailer, Bambino Direct, is adding reviews and ratings to its online store from the social commerce provider Reevoo. Parent company Buy It Direct is aiming to increase conversion rates and boost visitor engagement by providing customers
Retail Times editor, Fiona Briggs, reveals her top 21 finds at IFE 2011 at Excel, London, 13-16 March 2011 1. Jamie Oliver goes global UK celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has an expanding international reputation and is growing exports
UK consumers are adapting to the pressures of economic change – from unemployment to higher taxes – in many ways, according to Tesco’s new UK CEO Richard Brasher. Speaking at the annual Retail Week Conference, Brasher unveiled new Tesco customer
