Online stores for leading fashion and lifestyle brands including Coast, Habitat, Karen Millen, Matches Fashion, The Perfume Shop, Snow+Rock, TJ Hughes and Warehouse, developed by BT Fresca, enjoyed a record Christmas in 2010. The results build on strong performances in
Hispanic shoppers in the US are still buying branded personal care products in spite of the economic downturn when consumers tend to opt for less-expensive products in order to save money, according to new research from Mintel. It found lower-income,
Robert Wiseman Dairies has named Spar Goring and Spar Ponthir as two of its National Champions 2011 for excellent community retailing. The Capper-owned stores beat thousands of stores from across the UK and were nominated by local customers. A total
Italian retail group Gruppo Tuo is providing a home delivery service to customers at its Despar stores in Rome using environmentally-friendly vehicles. Gruppo Tuo uses a fleet of electrical and bi-fuel vehicles as part of its total fleet. The bi-fuel
Shoppers are feeling a lot gloomier about their financial prospects for 2011 compared to last year and three fifths – 61% – of shoppers say they plan to cut down on eating or drinking out in the year ahead, according
The Co-operative is launching its range of Easter eggs and treats, including three premium Truly Irresistible chocolate eggs, made with 100% Fairtrade chocolate. The three premium eggs are Fairtrade Milk Chocolate & Butterscotch Half Egg with Mini Eggs and two
Fewer retail and wholesale businesses went into administration in the last quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal. But a leading financial adviser has warned this is the lull
Collect+, the 50:50 joint venture between PayPoint and Yodel, the rebranded business of HDN and Parcelpoint, has launched a service that allows consumers and small businesses to send parcels through their local corner shop. The service is available through 3,500
High fuel prices are driving an increasing number of businesses to use fuel cards as a means of payment at the pump, according to new research from Datamonitor. It reports the European Fuel Cards market was valued at €72bn in
A senior legal advisor to the EU has advised the court rules against the attempt of Anheuser-Busch (maker of US Budweiser beer) to invalidate its Czech rival Budějovický Budvar’s trade mark for the Budweiser name. Both companies were given permission
Jon Dunman, vice president of petrol and convenience at Torex, the technology solutions provider, is advising convenience stores maintain stock levels of milk, despite rising prices. “Independent and convenience retailers are already struggling to keep up with the large supermarkets
Customer service is more important than price for businesses competing on the web because it promotes loyalty and repeat custom. That was the conclusion of a debate between a group of leading online retailers, organised by a leading internet hosting
Spar retailer James Graven has opened an eco-friendly forecourt store in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, in partnership with Spar’s ‘Stores of the Future’ programme. The store incorporates a number of environmental initiatives and promotes its community involvement. It is designed to combine
Europe’s leading manufacturer of premium frozen cakes and desserts for the foodservice industry, erlenbacher, is showcasing its latest products at IFE at London Excel, 13-16 March 2011. Launched to the trade in the UK in October 2010, erlenbacher says it
Jon Dunman (JD), vice president of petrol and convenience at Torex, the global technology solutions provider, talks to Retail Times editor Fiona Briggs (FB) about the retail trends, which can drive sales FB: How important is technology to retail businesses?
Americans are looking at the future with more optimism than they did prior to the recession, according to Mintel’s recently published Wealth Management — January 2011 report. It found more than eight in 10 high net worth households (defined as
Retailers at both ends of the value spectrum are performing well, according to the latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, published today for the 12 weeks ending 23 January 2011. Sainsbury’s has had a strong start to 2011 and
The Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) has welcomed the opportunity to participate in a summit on the illicit tobacco market, which took place in London today, 31 January 2011. Mark Garnier MP, Treasury Select Committee member, said: “I welcome the thoughts
Baxters is launching a range of all-year-round price marked packs as part of its commitment to develop business with independent retailers. There are 29 products in the line up including beetroot and top-selling Favourites soup range. According to Baxters, the
Workplace equipment supplier Slingsby has launched a new edition of its catalogue, which it claims contains more products to appeal to industry. Since it was founded in 1893, Slingsby has established a strong customer base within the retail sector and
More than four-fifths (82%) of international food and grocery companies are confident about their future, according to latest research from IGD – the food and grocery experts. Over half (53%) think the global grocery retail industry will outperform the rest
LG Electronics (LG) is to showcase its latest business solutions – including digital signage, hotel TV solution, and video conference system – at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2011 show in Amsterdam from 1-3 February 2011. LG will be demonstrating
Spar International has unveiled its first hypermarket in New Delhi, the capital of India. Occupying 7,500sq m on one floor, the store is located at the Pacific, Tagore Garden in West Delhi. It is Spar’s sixth store in India. The
Consumers are still hawkishly watching their discretionary spending and 60% of restaurant-goers in the US report recession has changed the way their family spends money, according to new research from Mintel. Relief for food service operators is still a way
Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy has called on governments around the world to work with private companies to ensure innovation in low-carbon growth is not hindered by red tape. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sir Terry
