Professional services firm Deloitte has outlined the likely responses of retailers this year as financial worries continue to restrict confidence. In their 2009 Global Powers of Retail report, in which Wal-Mart again came out on top with Australia’s Coles and Woolworths both finding a spot in the top 30 global retailers, Deloitte suggests successful retailers will find a way to enhance the customer experience, while also improving risk management systems. Cut costs On a global level, many retailers... ...Read more »

A new report has suggested discount supermarkets will continue to make inroads in the retail sector, while Australia’s Woolworths and Coles both made it comfortably onto the list of the world’s largest 250 retailers. As the global economy shifted in 2007 from relatively strong growth, to deceleration and on to modest recession in early 2008, consumers cut back on their spending and turned to discount retailers in ever increasing numbers, according to the report, 2009 Global Powers of... ...Read more »

UK upmarket specialist online grocer Ocado last week posted record sales figures in a sign that the online grocery sector is steadily making inroads in Britain. They saw sales rise 25 per cent above results of the year before in the four weeks to January 3 despite recessionary headwinds, including a staggering 97% rise in Christmas week sales. Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, also noted that their online grocery business had grown, delivering “very strong sales”. Ocado, which sells products... ...Read more »

The acquisition of Australia’s second largest chicken producer - Bartter - by Baiada may yet be blocked by the competitive regulator, with the ACCC releasing a Statement of Issues highlighting concerns with the proposal. Bartter Enterprises, the owner of the Steggles brand and employer of over 4,500, is the second largest producer and marketer of chicken and turkey products in Australia. Inghams - with over 7,000 employees - is the largest, with Baiada the third largest producer of chicken... ...Read more »

Chris Bowen, the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, has today announced the details of the Federal Government’s plans for the roll-out of a mandatory unit pricing regime. They include, as anticipated, an exemption for grocers that operate stores no greater than 1000m2, with the law set to be established by July 1, 2009. A transition period of six months will be granted to all retailers impacted by the legislation change. Unit pricing, the display of the price of goods per... ...Read more »

Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket operator, is under investigation for allegedly misleading consumers regarding a cut-price alcohol deal. It has been suggested that the retailer ran a sale while failing to ensure it had enough stock to meet demand - which has been against the law in the UK since May last year. The company will face two separate investigations over the matter - one by tradings standards officers and another from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Trading standards... ...Read more »

British supermarket chain Waitrose are inviting to combine penny saving and healthy New Year’s resolutions with a new green shopping initiative. The supermarket is encouraging its customers to cycle to stores as an alternative to using cars by loaning cycle trailers. During January and February, 21 branches across the England are introducing cycle trailers, which will allow customers to transport their shopping home using pedal power. Equipped with large canvas shopping bags, the trailers are... ...Read more »

Groceries are the top item on which American consumers are spending their savings from lower fuel prices, ahead of putting the money in savings, holiday gift buying and paying off credit cards, according to the results of nationwide research from retail analytics firm Precima. The study also discovered that fresh produce quality was the primary category which influenced switching between supermarkets. Of the 3,013 consumers who were asked to choose from a list of ways they use money saved on gas,... ...Read more »

The British Government is working with supermarkets, retailers and food manufacturers in an endeavour to “kick-start a lifestyle revolution” and halt rising obesity rates. A report for the government suggested that, without any intervention, 90 per cent of today’s children will be overweight or obese by 2050. This has ensured the creation of their “Change4Life” initiative. Under the Change4Life banner, the Government is galvanising support from everyone in the country... ...Read more »

Asda, one of the UK’s largest supermarket operators, is working with the British National Health Service (NHS) to provide in-store health checks to customers. The in-store clinics have been set-up as a test in one Asda store - in West Bromwich, near Birmingham - in a bid to reduce waiting times at hospitals. The scheme was launched by the Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS trust to help process 38,000 blood tests per month. To attend the clinic customers just need a referral from... ...Read more »