The Federal Government’s decision to make Queensland the host state for a national heavy vehicle regulator will help steer transport regulation in the right direction, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said on Friday. Under long-awaited transport reforms, the Government has proposed national regulations to streamline safety and improve productivity in the heavy trucking industry, which is critical for allowing transport operators to get products on to supermarkets shelves. The... ...Read more »
Supermarket group Woolworths Ltd plans to ramp up its investment in price in order to drive sales volumes.In its earnings release on Friday (26 February), Woolworths posted a 6% increase in half-year revenues to A$27.2bn due to rising own-brand sales and lower prices. During the half, Woolworths spent A$120m on lowering prices on 3,500 grocery items, cuts that came on top of the retailer’s programme of weekly promotions, CEO Michael Luscombe revealed during a presentation to analysts. However,... ...Read more »
The UK and US are forecast to remain at the centre of the growing global market for online grocery retailing, new research has shown, as new technology continues to change the way consumers shop. A report published this week by just-food.com shows the UK will remain Europe’s largest market by some distance. By 2014, market value is forecast to reach GBP20.1bn (US$30.9bn), having more than tripled on the levels seen in 2009. During this time, the online sector’s share of the retail food... ...Read more »
Australia’s second largest supermarket group Coles has posted a strong increase in first half sales as its turnaround efforts continue to pay off. Coles supermarket business booked revenues of A$15.16bn in the six months to 31 December, up 3.7% compared to A$14.62bn for the half-year of last year. Speaking during a conference call with analysts, Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder said that the turnaround at Coles was “on track”. Detailing the supermarket operator’s... ...Read more »
Woolworths supermarkets yesterday posted the price of more than 5,000 packaged grocery products oline, with the launch of their Woolworths Price Check website. The company has commenced listing product prices online following calls from consumer advocate groups for the major supermarkets to deliver greater price transparency to customers. According to some commentators however, the website leaves a lot to be desired. Associate Professor Frank Zumbo, Competition and Consumer Law Expert at the... ...Read more »
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) yesterday announced further agreements with major supermarket retailers to phase out restrictive provisions in supermarket leases in a bid to limit the market power of the major retailers. Competition Minister Dr Craig Emerson last month said that the move will ensure the ACCC has the ability to reject acquisitions that would substantially lessen competition in any local, regional or national market. ALDI Foods Pty Ltd, Franklins Pty Ltd,... ...Read more »
All stakeholders have a “duty to work together” to deliver safe food, delegates at the Global Food Safety Conference were told overnight, with the industry needing to unite in order to shore up consumer confidence in the food supply chain. In welcoming a record-breaking 675 delegates from 39 countries to the conference, Managing Director of The Consumer Goods Forum*, Jean-Marc Saubade, said consumer confidence had been shaken the world over, following a series of high-profile food safety... ...Read more »
The latest ABS retail trade figures show that sales in December fell 0.7%, seasonally adjusted, although restaurant and takeaway outlets were big winners. Sales declined in every category except Cafés, Restaurants & Takeaway Food Services - where sales surged 2.5%, continuing on recent positive sales trends for the sector. Restaurants and cafés had a difficult end to 2008 and start to 2009 but an economic resurgence has helped many return to more prosperous times. High levels of consumer confidence... ...Read more »
Nearly a third (30%) of shoppers claim to have specifically purchased locally-produced food over the last month, double the number from 2006, according to new consumer research released by food and grocery analysts IGD. Support for ethically produced foods in general has withstood the pressures of an 18-month recession and is in fact growing. When asked about food they have specifically purchased over the last month, shoppers responded: * 30% said locally produced food (up from 15% in 2006) * 27%... ...Read more »
The latest Nielsen Top 100 Brands - released this week - has shown food products dominating the leading grocery products in 2009, with Cadbury claiming top place in consumers’ hearts. The UK-based confectioner - soon to be purchased by Kraft - saw their Cadbury brand surpass the ever popular Coca-Cola beverage and Bega cheese. Rounding out the top five were Smith’s and Kleenex Cottonelle. “Recognising that consumers own and determine the performance and strength of a brand, we... ...Read more »