X5 Retail Group N.V., Russia’s largest retailer in terms of sales, and the System Analysis Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (”ISA RAN”), an acknowledged leader in traditional and interdisciplinary research, have signed an innovative agreement on scientific research and cooperation. The agreement is a first step on the way to setting up a research institute which will focus on modern retailing - the Retail Research Centre of ISA RAN. The Centre will concentrate... ...Read more »
The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, has discovered American consumers are gradually becoming more willing to change their purchase behaviour and shift from their regular shopping stores as the credit crunch takes its toll. In July, 34 per cent of consumers stated they would not change their purchase behaviour; down from April when 42 per cent suggested they would do nothing different. “This 8 point drop represents billions of dollars in sales that are not being injected... ...Read more »
The notion of calorie counts on restaurant menus has polarised opinion in the US, as California appears likely to follow in the footsteps of New York and introduce controversial calorie count legislation. New York introduced a law earlier this year which requires calorie information to be shown next to items on the menus of restaurant chains with over 15 stores. The restaurant industry is against the plans as they feel the implementation of such legislation unfairly singles them out as the prime... ...Read more »
IBM has signed an agreement with Matiq, the information technology subsidiary of Nortura, Norway’s largest food supplier, to use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track and trace poultry and meat products from the farm, through the supply chain, to supermarket shelves. IBM and Matiq are developing the first food tracking solution of its kind in the Nordics, which will help ensure that meat and poultry products are kept in optimal condition throughout the supply chain. The... ...Read more »
The retail industry has been bruised by sagging consumer sentiment and increased costs and, while this has heralded a 6-year low in quarterly retail turnover, the implications on food have so far been mixed - according to new research by Freshlogic. Martin Kneebone, a director of consultancy firm Freshlogic, says that slimming household budgets are prompting a noticeable move toward cheaper meal options. The eating-out food market may lose as much as $3b in annual consumer spending, part of which... ...Read more »
Australia’s fastest growing sandwich franchise, Healthy Habits, has been welcomed on board as Virgin Blue’s official café and sandwich bar at their new Brisbane headquarters. The franchise, which has 29 stores across Australia and is known for its smiley face logo, was given the nod after a lengthy tender process ruled out several major fast food and catering companies. Healthy Habits founder and managing director Katherine Sampson said the new site at the Virgin Blue headquarters offered... ...Read more »
The June quarter Commonwealth Bank - ACCI Business Expectations Survey shows a significant fall in business confidence and reported business conditions. Business confidence fell to its lowest level since the survey began in 1994 and general business conditions were at the lowest level for five years. The news comes on a day when the Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to leave the cash rate steady at 7.25%. The RBA decision was expected but, unlike previous months, their primary concern now appears... ...Read more »
Sydney has spoken, sending thousands of emails and text messages to decide the finalists for this year’s City of Sydney Business Awards.”In just one month, we received nearly 10,000 votes from members of the public who want to support local small businesses, which shows a fabulous amount of community spirit,” reported Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP. “This year’s Business Awards are by far the most professional, competitive and sustainable City of Sydney has ever produced.... ...Read more »
Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of American consumers say they notice nutritional information on food packaging more often now compared to two years ago, according to a new global online survey by The Nielsen Company. Nielsen also discovered that, while two-thirds (67 per cent) of US consumers claim to “mostly” understand the nutritional information on food packaging, less than half (44 per cent) of global consumers suggest they do. “As obesity rates continue to rise globally... ...Read more »
The Transport Workers Union, the leading union for truck drivers, has reported that they plan to hold demonstrations every fortnight until the major retailers respond to their requests for better pay. Hundreds of truck drivers participated in a strike at the Woolworths outlet in Rosehill last Friday morning and this followed a protest at the Woolworths store in St. Clair two weeks previously. On Friday they walked from the racecourse to the supermarket for a speech by union reps before stopping nearby... ...Read more »