Consumers are seeking closer, socially-enabled interactions with retailers but what they receive is vastly different from what they expect. That’s the key finding of new research from RightNow, the customer experience specialist. Its study, conducted with 1,000 consumers by GfK
Philip Clarke has announced the make up of his executive committee to take effect on 1 March 2011 when he succeeds Sir Terry Leahy as group chief executive of Tesco. “I am delighted that I have been able to bring
Sales volumes on the high street rose in January compared to a year ago but the pace of growth is starting to slow, according to the CBI. Its latest Distributive Trades Survey, which covers the two week period from 4
Tesco has cut the prices on all laptops and all adults’ clothing lines by 20% – the equivalent of the new rate of VAT. The price cuts start today, Wednesday 26 January, and will be available in store and online
Linda McCartney Foods has announced the judging panel for its contest to find the UK’s Tastiest Meat Free Dish. It includes photographer Mary McCartney, celebrity chef Aldo Zilli, Green & Blacks co-founder Josephine Fairley, Atomic Kitten and Celebrity Masterchef winner,
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has taken its campaign for an amendment to the Localism Bill to key MPs who sit on the Committee that will scrutinise and amend the new law. In the brief sent to the Public
The Feel Good Drinks Company is teaming up with the new Yogi Bear movie, releasing in UK cinemas on 11 February 2011, as official soft drinks partner and is launching an on pack promotion on its children’s range with a
Rutter’s Farm Stores, the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain, has promoted Robert Perkins to vice president, marketing. Perkins, who joined Rutter’s in 2007, had been director of marketing. He has nearly 30 years’ experience in the convenience retail industry in the
The Co-operative has introduced a new own label range based on seasonal produce. Called Taste the Seasons, it will will be refreshed to reflect the British seasons throughout 2011. According to the retailer, the range addresses the growing demand for
Tesco is investing £20m in a new distribution centre in Enfield for its e-commerce business and Express convenience chain. It will be developed in partnership with Gazeley, a leading provider of sustainable logistics. The 152,000sq ft unit will be located
Bad weather hit sales of food in December 2010 with retail sales down by 3.4% – the biggest fall on record, according to the Office for National Statistics. Non-food stores increased by 3.1% with rises across all sectors except household
New research from Mintel has found 44% of grocery shoppers in the US believe private label products are of better quality today than they were five years ago. The private label market has enjoyed sales growth in recent years and
Xavier Hua has been appointed managing director of ECR Europe, which will be the new regional platform for collaboration within The Consumer Goods Forum. ECR Europe was previously managed by AIM – the European Brands Association. Hua brings broad experience
Leading brewer Carlsberg has agreed a five-year contract with management consultancy Accenture to provide application services for its European operations. Under the agreement, Accenture will support a range of application services in a co-sourcing agreement managed by Carlsberg. It will
Tesco is the UK’s favourite fuel retailer, according to a new survey of motorists conducted by independent market analyst, Datamonitor. Second place was also scooped by a supermarket – Morrisons. Fuel specialist, BP, which has the largest share of the
New research conducted by Mintel shows 45-54-year-olds (younger baby boomers and older generation X consumers) will take longer to recover from recession. Nearly half (47%) of this group (versus 33% overall) say they, “have only been spending money on necessities”
Food prices rose by 1.6% last month (December 2010), driven by vegetables, bread, cereals, milk, cheese and eggs, according to the Office for National Statistics. The rise – the largest ever between a November and December period – put upward
Spar Austria has announced plans for a new store in Salzburg in the house where Mozart was born. According to the retailer, it will offer specially selected delicacies to fit with the tourist theme of the house and surrounding area.
Butcher’s Pet Care (BPC), a leading UK family owned pet food business, has opened a new manufacturing and distribution facility in the Midlands, which incorporates sustainable design features. The site has been developed in partnership with Gazeley, a global provider
Spar Scotland retailer, CJ Lang, has launched a recruitment drive for independent retailers with a package worth up to £33,600 for stores converting to the Spar brand. The package comprises up to £25,000 per store to help with conversion, including
Sainsbury’s has picked the micro-blogging web site, Twitter, to launch its new format takeway food store, Fresh Kitchen. The retailer’s first concept store was opened in central London on 13 January 2011. According to a Sainsbury’s spokesperson, the retailer has
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) claims the Government’s impending ban on below cost selling of alcohol will barely affect the supermarket promotions that have attracted criticism. Under plans to be unveiled by the government later today (18 January 2011),
Diva Popcorn is urging consumers to celebrate National Popcorn Day on 19 January 2011 by tucking in to its brand. Diva is said to be the first air-popped flavoured popcorn in the UK, and provides a low level of fat
Richard Gillies, director of Plan A at Marks & Spencer, the retailer’s programme for developing a sustainable business, is one of the headline speakers at the Lean & Green Conference, being held in London on 3 March 2011. The event
Three quarters of female clothes shoppers in the US (75%) will be put off buying items that have to be dry cleaned, according to new research from Mintel. Women are also loathe to buy clothing that has to be hand
