IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia) has added Daily Intake Guide nutritional information to the front of their private label goods. The front-of-pack DIG labels appear on 200 lines of its current range, with a progressive roll-out underway. “IGA and Metcash are committed to providing shoppers with clear and useful information, and our Daily Intake Guide labelling is a major step in that process,” Metcash National Group Manager of Merchandise and Marketing, Gary Tempany, stated. Late... ...Read more »

Peak retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) today criticised the Rudd Government’s GROCERYchoice website as a “brand promotion” tool for Australian supermarkets after the October grocery survey data released today labelled a major supermarket brand as the ‘cheapest’. ARA’s Executive Director Richard Evans believes the ‘highlights’ section of the GROCERYchoice website shows dangerous signs of government brand promotion. “Since its... ...Read more »

Australian grocery and liquor wholesaler Metcash maintained earnings guidance of after tax profit of almost $197 million on the back of sales revenue expected to pass the $10 billion mark for the first time. The third largest player in the grocery industry, Metcash came under scrutiny from the ACCC during the recent Grocery Price Inquiry, but Chief Executive Andrew Reitzer was content with the outcome. Pleased with the “creeping acquisitions” proposals and “workably competitive”... ...Read more »

The second GROCERYchoice data has been posted on the GROCERYchoice website, www.grocerychoice.gov.au, with the gap between Coles, Woolworths and independents narrowing, according to the ACCC. The latest survey shows that, on a total grocery basket, Coles supermarkets are the cheapest in 40 of the 61 regions surveyed. This compares with 52 of 61 regions in the inaugural GROCERYchoice survey. On prices for a basic staples basket Coles also came out comfortably ahead of their primary rival this month,... ...Read more »

IGA took out the honour for innovation at last night’s ARA Retailer of the Year Awards, as Supercheap Auto beat a quality line-up to the top prize. The prestigious 2008 ARA Retail Awards were announced last night at the Argyle Venues at the Rocks, Sydney, with Supercheap taking out the Retailer of the Year Award and Camera House’s Ian Sackett recognised as Young Retailer of the Year. Other category winners were Bungendore Wood Works Gallery (NSW), named the 2008 Australian Independent... ...Read more »

The Australian Retailers Association has announced the state winners of Independent Retailer of the Year and Young Retailer of the Year, with the food industry well represented. Jaclyn Connelly won the Vic Young Retailer of the Year Award for her work at Muffin Break. The 24 year old became the Muffin Break’s Northland franchisee in 2006 at just 22 years of age. Gemini Catering Equipment and Uniforms took out the Victorian honour for Independent Retailer of the Year. Anvers Confectionery took... ...Read more »

The GROCERYchoice website continues to come under attack, with independent supermarkets, the Federal Opposition and leading retail industry bodies all indicating a lack of support for the scheme. The site, which highlights to consumers the cost of certain baskets of goods at different grocery chains in their area, has been criticised as a “stunt”, “unfair” and too “broad” by some sections, but the Federal Government continues to defend the website. As a host of... ...Read more »

Cadbury has been named as Australia’s most authentic food brand in the second landmark Authentic Brand Index (ABI) study released by Principals and Synovate, with Microsoft coming out on top overall. The ABI is the only study to measure the authenticity of global and local brands among Australian consumers. Technology brands, like Google and Microsoft, are emerging as more powerful brands than the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) giants that have dominated Australian marketing for decades. Microsoft... ...Read more »

The Romeo family has walked away from the IGA Retailer of the Year Awards with the top honour. The awards, held this week on the Gold Coast, recognised the leading grocers within the IGA network and were separated into three divisions for each category based on the type of IGA outlet. Supa IGA/Foodland IGA stores represent one division, the smaller neighbourhood stores represent the next division (IGA) and the final division is reserved for IGA X-Press outlets. In addition to their Supa IGA Retailer... ...Read more »

The ACCC Grocery Price Inquiry held it’s last planned public hearing in Melbourne yesterday, with Metcash the final company to be put under the spotlight. Metcash, Australia’s largest wholesaler, was questioned on a range of issues, which have already been highlighted throughout the preceding months. The ACCC was particularly interested in the strength of price competition provided by independent grocers to the major supermarkets. ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuel, questioned Metcash CEO,... ...Read more »