Retail sales growth at the UK’s top grocers has fallen to its lowest level since August 2007, according to figures for the 12 weeks ending 21 March 2010 from Kantar Worldpanel (formerly TNS Worldpanel). Although there are some share winners,
According to Mintel’s latest report on green living, the environment remains a concern for the majority of Americans. More than one-third (35%) of survey respondents say they would pay more for environmentally friendly products. “Given this increased interest in the
The Chancellor’s decision to raise tobacco taxation in the UK for the second time this year will benefit illicit trade, according to the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA). Christopher Ogden, chief executive of the TMA, said: “On the 1 January 2010 the
Brands need a combined search and social media strategy, according to a new report from the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB), the trade association for digital marketing, and Microsoft Advertising. The report, Search and Social Media: making your brand stand out, provides
The Co-operative is introducing limited edition, fresh chilled soups into its own-brand range for spring and summer 2010. Launching today (24 March), the range includes Truly Irresistible Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup and Minestrone. At the same time, the Co-operative is offering
The Co-operative has introduced frozen pies to its own-brand range, as sales of pies in Britain are reported to have reached a 30-year high. The range, introduced earlier this month, includes some family-sized traditional favourites that are ready in just
According to recent research from Mintel, the gum, mints and breath fresheners market has seen sales growing through the recession in the US, increasing over 10% since 2007, and is expected to continue growing through 2014. “Although this market is not
Several new national partners have been confirmed in the line-up of retailers participating in the Barclaycard Freedom reward scheme when it goes live today, 17 March. Claimed to be the broadest retail rewards scheme in the UK, brands including Shell,
Almost a quarter of customers do not believe they receive good service from businesses, according to a survey released today (19 March) by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which is urging consumers to look out for its ‘approved code’
Spar has launched the Change4Life healthy living campaign at its Filton Avenue, Bristol, store. It is the first convenience store in the south west of England promoting the initiative, which is designed to help families achieve and maintain a healthier
Barclaycard Freedom, claimed to one of the broadest rewards schemes in the UK, launches today with over eight million Barclaycard cardholders able to earn reward money for using their Barclaycard to buy goods and services in participating outlets. Barclaycard has
Spar has opened an 8,000sq m flagship hypermarket in Bangalore and is targeting 25 hypermarkets in India by the end of 2012. The hypermarket is situated in the new Mantri Mall and is claimed to be the biggest hypermarket in
Coffee company Lavazza has closed a deal to acquire Ercom, a leading Italian manufacturer of hot chocolate beverages and mixes for sorbets and cold creams, marketed under the Eraclea, Dulcimea and Whittington brands. The acquisition is in line with Lavazza’s
Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, has become the hottest area of competition for the foodservice industry in the US, according to Mintel. It reports restaurants added more than 460 new breakfast items to their menus in 2009, more
Marketers should adopt a stealth approach when promoting healthier formulations, according to Datamonitor. Responding to calls from manufacturers and health experts for food firms to take greater responsibility for creating healthier offerings at a recent Australian FoodLegal Symposium, Katrina Diamonon,
Young adults, men, and high-income earners are most likely to use social media for insurance research and communication, according to a new survey from Mintel Comperemedia, which provides direct marketing competitive intelligence. Researchers asked survey respondents where they last researched
Samsung has launched a range of mobile phones targeted at women and is supporting the move with an integrated marketing campaign. The collection of fashion handsets – Samsung Diva – takes its inspiration from the world of fashion and features
The Co-operative is launching a range of chilled and frozen own brand pizzas on 3 March 2010 and an Italian-themed promotion. Launching as a limited edition product is a chilled premium Truly Irresistible Pastrami Pizza. Made with a hand-stretched stonebaked
The Consumer Goods Forum IT Conference will reveal how today’s IT leaders are managing their business in a tough economic environment. Hosted in Vienna, Austria, 21-23 April 2010, the event will show how IT professionals are developing new technologies and
Tesco is one of 30 companies working on an initiative to establish global standards for ethical sourcing. The Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP) has been set up by the Consumer Goods Forum to define a clear and consistent message on
Mintel expects to see more people taking off in the new decade with a 6% increase in travel spending expected for 2010 after a 9% decline in the US in 2009. “In the coming years, the travel industry needs to
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the commitment in the Conservative Planning Green Paper to reinstate the ‘need test’ and tighten up restrictions on harmful out-of-town retail development. The abolition of the ‘need test’ by the Government in
Fewer adults see the appeal of casinos, according to new research from Mintel. Only 30% of US adults visited a casino in the past year, down from 35% in 2001. Billy Hulkower, Mintel senior analyst, said: “This shift has been
International food and grocery expert IGD has announced today that 124m HGV miles have been taken off UK roads as part of its Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) UK sustainable distribution initiative. The initiative has exceeded its four-year target of removing
Asda is expanding into the convenience market with plans for a range of smaller format stores. The Wal-Mart-owned supermarket, is also developing its non-food, Asda Living store portfolio and its online business to reach more customers. Announcing Asda’s 2009 results,
