Find out which retailers are innovating in the on and offline retail space and what they are doing to keep ahead of the curve in this dynamic and highly competitive sector. Read the financials and analysis of the large multiples, the smaller chains to independent retailers, wholesalers and suppliers
Tesco and Asda have teamed up with the provider of a new app, which allows consumers with food intolerances to check products on their mobile phones. The supermarkets are supplying product information for the FoodWiz app, which is available on
Paperchase is stocking a new back to school stationery range from the eco supplier, Remarkable, in 70 UK stores; including its flagship on Tottenham Court Road, London. The back to school range is exclusive to Paperchase and comprises four lines:
Web users are discovering a more engaging way to shop, according to Shopow, a shopping search engine which allows people to share shopping tips with friends. Social shopping involves the use of social networking to share recommendations, share discounts, post
Rentokil has released its monthly pest alert, which focuses on rodents, and provides advice on infestations in the workplace. It includes facts about rodents including: Rats have strong teeth that allow them to chew through glass, cinderblock, wire, aluminium and
JD Williams, a leading UK direct home shopping catalogue company, is reported to have experienced notable revenue growth since signing on with ChannelAdvisor’s Comparison Shopping solution. JD Williams turned to ChannelAdvisor in 2009 hoping to acquire new customers and increase
Technology retailer Best Buy UK has added Reevoo Reputation reviews to its e-commerce website so customers can rate the company’s service performance as well as the products they purchase. Best Buy claims displaying the results gives customers, who have decided
John Lewis has launched an appointment booking system across its department stores, which it says will enable it to better schedule its mobile staff to meet customer needs in areas such as home design advice. The new system from TOA
Qype, a leading European consumer reviews site, has launched a feature designed to boost business and help companies keep in touch with their loyal followers. The new ‘Follow Us’ button means consumers can now keep in touch with their favourite
Spar UK is launching a Cider Festival campaign in stores, following the success of its Wine Festival promotion. The Spar Cider Festival promotion will take place from 11-31 August 2011 in stores across England, Scotland and Wales, to make the
Pets Corner is installing LED lighting in all new and existing stores in the UK. The company currently operates 63 stores based in garden centres and supermarkets plus company-owned sites and is targeting 200 stores with up to 15 store
Online wine retailer, Naked Wines, has been shortlisted for the Orange Innovation Award in the 10th annual National Business Awards. The Norwich-based business is reported to have been shortlisted for its innovative approach to the wine industry. Its ‘virtuous circle’
Wal-Mart has opened its first Wal-Mart Express convenience store in an urban location and is reported to be targeting 15 outlets by the end of 2011. The Chicago site opened on 27 July 2011 and follows the launch of the
Money-saving expert, Martin Lewis, has highlighted the Co-operative’s two for one Family Fun voucher promotion as one of the best deals around for the summer. Speaking on this morning’s Daybreak programme on ITV, Lewis said: “I think the best one I
John Lewis Partnership has announced former Olympic champion and world recorder holder, Sally Gunnell, will be the ambassador of its Partners in Sport programme, in the countdown to London 2012. Designed to enable its employee engage in
ChannelAdvisor, the e-commerce platform provider, has introduced two service packages for clothing retailers wishing to launch on eBay’s Fashion Outlet in time for the Christmas selling season. According to the company, these services will launch retailers onto eBay Fashion Outlet
The House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills committee (BIS) is calling for changes to the Bill creating an adjudicator for disputes between suppliers and retailers under the Groceries Code. The Committee calls for the powers to fine to be
The Co-operative is calling on all budding sandwich designers to create a product, which could go on sale in its stores nationwide. From 1 August 2011, shoppers and budding product designers of any age can visit The Co-operative’s Good with
Shop Direct chief executive, Mark Newton-Jones, has helped raise more than £15,000 for the UK’s military heroes. Newton-Jones led an 11-strong team of senior management and other staff which successfully completed the grueling Three Peaks challenge in 24 hours. Former
Spar is celebrating the success of its second consecutive Wine Festival promotion, which saw sales grow by 11% compared to 2010. Sales of promotional wines increased by 38% during the same period, driving sales of all Spar branded wines up
Sainsbury’s has launched a mobile website for non-food, which allows customers to search from 15,000 products across home and garden, appliances, technology, toys, games, sport and leisure. The mobile site follows the launch of Sainsbury’s iPhone app, subsequently introduced for Android and
Eighty school children from six Black Country schools put their best striking skills into action at the ninth annual AF Blakemore Junior Football Competition. Pupils from Bantock, Busil Jones, Castle, Fibbersley Park, Harden and Hillary Primary Schools fought it out
The Co-operative is launching a range of products for autumn and Halloween. In store from 7 September 2011 are autumnal desserts including The Co-operative Limited Edition Ginger Sponges; The Co-operative Limited Edition Spiced Apple Crumble and The Co-operative Truly Irresistible
UK retailers are failing to use the micro-blogging website, Twitter, for business purposes, according to new research by Virgin Media Business. Its survey, which coincides with Twitter’s fifth birthday on 15July 2011, explores retailer use of the social networking channel.
Superdrug, the UK’s second largest beauty and health retailer, has teamed up with parenting club Bounty, to sample its packs aimed at expectant mothers in-store. The 18-month partnership includes access to Bounty’s membership database, which comprises 2m active members, plus
Transport for London (TfL) and London 2012 have launched two programmes designed to help retailers run their businesses smoothly during the 2012 Olympic Games and minimise any transport challenges. From August, multi-site companies employing more than 200 people, such as
