Global convenience retailer 7-Eleven is looking to continue their private label push with the creation of a new position -  senior product director for private label products. Tom Gerrity, who has led 7-Eleven’s foray into private-label packaged food while supervising the grocery category, will now focus his merchandising efforts solely on the company’s growing 7-Select line of products. “Establishing this key role in the organisation supports our commitment to develop a best-in-class... ...Read more »

Convenience store operator 7-Eleven has launched two food concept stores in Melbourne and Sydney as part of plans to roll out the new food focussed outlet across all 7-Eleven stores in the country, according to franchise.net.au.The new pilot stores will utilise their latest insights into market trends to provide a range of 45 freshly prepared food products, including a hot breakfast menu and toasted sandwiches cooked to order. They will also offer a café-esque range of hot lunch alternatives and... ...Read more »

A yearlong shopper experience study currently underway in America has revealed a rise in consumers seeking convenience over price. Data shows a shift in consumer mindset from shopping around to save money, to spending more money in order to save time, according to The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research. “There has been an eight per cent rise in consumers who are willing to spend more money at convenience stores if it makes their lives a little easier,” said Craig Elston, senior VP at... ...Read more »

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has contended that Seven-Eleven Japan, the convenience business of Seven & I, illegally pressured franchisees to avoid discounting the price of food products. In a statement, the competition watchdog claimed that 7-Eleven franchisees were advised not to reduce food prices with a reported implication that they would terminate the contracts of those who did. The FTC ordered the company to cease such practices but the company is reportedly considering appealing... ...Read more »

Unilever Australasia and Sara Lee Australia today announced a distribution agreement for the full service supply of the Sara Lee Premium Ice Cream range to the ‘out of home market’. Sara Lee, the first brand to enter the Super Premium ice cream market, has close to 30% of the Super Premium segment and is the market leader in frozen desserts in the grocery distribution channel. Sara Lee’s out of home distribution has, to date, focused on cafes and restaurants, with the new deal designed... ...Read more »

Dr Brendan Nelson, who is set to exit politics at the next election, is joining The Remedies Group as a Strategic Advisor to the Board. The Remedies Group is a privately held Australian company comprising two specialist divisions: Remedies Products – marketer and distributor of healthcare products specifically targeted to convenience shoppers – and Remedies Print. They market and distribute convenience formats of brands such as Nurofen, Herron and Strepsils to retailers including Coles,... ...Read more »

Streets is today launching an innovative marketing campaign, encouraging customers to buy a Cornetto product to potentially find an MP3 player inside. In what is suggested to be a world-first, winners will find a Samsung S2 Pebble MP3 vacuum sealed inside their Cornetto cone, which is exactly the same weight, size and texture as a genuine Streets Cornetto. Winners will also be able to claim a free Cornetto to compensate for the fact that their original purchase of what they thought to be an ice-cream... ...Read more »

7-Eleven, Inc., the world’s largest convenience store chain, has launched a new line of private-label products in the US this month under the brand, 7-Select. With the rollout of the 32 new items, 7-Eleven has greatly enhanced the presence of store-brand packaged foods, a business that it reports has increased dramatically over the last year and promises strong future growth, especially in light of consumer budget-tightening while the US economy deteriorates. The announcement comes soon after... ...Read more »

Despite a fragile economy, American consumers continue to see alcoholic beverages as an affordable indulgence. The Nielsen Company offers its outlook on alcoholic beverage trends as the critical holiday season approaches: Restaurants and Bars Hurting With consumers staying in and entertaining at home more often, the on-premise sector – restaurants, bars and nightclubs – is facing serious challenges. Consumers are going out to eat less often, as evidenced by a recent Nielsen survey, where... ...Read more »

More and more British shoppers are now walking to their local shop; according to research commissioned by My Shop is Your Shop and Unilever’s leading brands Flora and Persil Small & Mighty. The research has revealed a short walk to the local independently owned store is saving British shoppers over £2 million per day in fuel costs. Campaigners suggest the credit crunch has combined with increasing consumer awareness of climate change issues and higher fuel costs to offer a platform from... ...Read more »