A new kind of supermarket is gaining notoriety in Europe. The products remain the same, the staff are still there, but there are some clear distinguishing features. The ‘pensioner-friendly’ supermarket, which directly targets senior citizens, will incorporate a host of changes to the average outlet - from wider aisles to brighter lighting, clearer signage and relaxation areas. German supermarket chain Kaiser’s was one of the first to introduce such stores and their popularity has... ...Read more »

Dairy farmers must be ready to take on the retailers if the latest round of supermarket milk price cuts threatens to damage farmgate prices, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) dairy board chairman has advised. The price ward between the major supermarkets has come at a time when discount supermarkets have been gaining popularity due to the credit crunch. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda have been at the forefront of the battle, with offers such as sausages for 8p each and the promotion of a... ...Read more »

The use of disposable plastic bags is in steep decline as shoppers in their thousands switch to permanent shopping bags in the United Kingdom, according to Tesco. Tesco, the leading UK retailer, has reported that customers have saved a staggering two billion carrier bags since Green Clubcard Points were launched in August 2006. The Green Clubcard Points system, which operates like a loyalty rewards system whereby consumers are awarded points for “putting the environment first”, has been... ...Read more »

The UK’s leading retailer, Tesco, has unveiled a “£5 a day” meal plan, which will highlight to consumers the potential to feed a family of four for such a low cost as consumers begin to struggle with the high cost of living expenses. A Tesco chef has created a special seven day meal plan including meat, pasta, ice cream and enough fruit and vegetables to merit each family member getting three healthy meals including their five vegetable portions a day. The chef’s menu comes... ...Read more »

Planet Retail has announced the world’s top 30 grocery retailers (by sales), with Wal-Mart at the top of the heap for the tenth straight year. Sales of US$395.31* billion (A$419.45 billion) last year enabled US retailer Wal-Mart to eclipse the French-based Carrefour in second place, which had approximately A$145 billion in sales. Tesco, the leading UK retailer, climbed from fourth to third thanks to sales of A$105 billion. Australia’s two market leaders, Woolworths and Coles Group, ... ...Read more »

The UK’s leading supermarket operator, Tesco, is planning to cut its carbon footprint by using straw to power its business.Tesco has been given the go ahead to build Britain’s first ever straw-powered Combined Heat and Power plant to meet the electricity and heating needs of its Goole Distribution Centre. The new plant will generate 5MW of electrical power - enough energy to run eight Tesco Superstores. “We’ve set ourselves stretching targets to reduce the carbon intensity... ...Read more »

Leading UK retailer Tesco has announced they will stop sourcing products from Zimbabwe until the political crisis in the country is resolved. The amount of produce Tesco sources from Zimbabwe - worth around £1 million per year - is insignificant in terms of global trade and influence, but they still feel that given the current climate they can no longer receive any food from the African country. “This is a difficult decision to take,” a statement from Tesco claimed. “We have to... ...Read more »

Tesco has launched a legal challenge to one of the remedies recommended by the Competition Commission in its latest inquiry into the grocery sector. Like the ACCC, the competition watchdog in the UK recently carried out an inquiry into the state of competition in the grocery industry. The UK inquiry was undertaken due to concerns that the four largest retailers (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons) may have too much influence in the marketplace. This concern was based on the fact... ...Read more »

In a move believed to be a world first, 37 of the UK’s leading food and consumer goods companies yesterday announced a major transport collaboration that will significantly reduce the environmental impact of transporting food and groceries in the UK. Initiatives such as sharing vehicles and more efficient warehousing will result in the industry saving 48 million miles of travel by the end of 2008 alone - equivalent to removing 800 lorries from Britain’s roads - and conserving 23 million... ...Read more »

Archie Norman, the former boss of UK retailer Asda, continues to lure high profile executives to assist Coles with their re-development. Mr Norman has been hired as a consultant by Wesfarmers to assist with the Coles turnaround and has already been instrumental in hiring of former Asda employee Ian McLeod to the position of CEO. The Asda influence is particularly strong with announcements that former Asda colleagues, Joe Blundell and Gavin Parker, will join Mr McLeod’s team in the positions... ...Read more »