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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Tesco and Sainsbury Deny Price Scam Allegations
Tesco PLC countered accusations that its pricing strategy was a scam and that it had formed a pricing cartel with Sainsbury as “rubbish.” How should retailers deal with negative…
Chicago Mayor Woos Harrods
Mayor Richard Daley, impressed by Harrods in London, invitated owner Mohamed Al Fayed to set up shop in Chicago. Will Harrods be able to duplicate its retailing success if it…
Labor Loses Founding President of the UFCW
Bill H. Wynn, retired president of the 1.4 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and a primary architect of the modern labor movement, passed away after…
Tesco Starts Supermarket Price War
Shoppers are set to cash in as the four leading supermarket chains prepare for their fiercest price war yet. How should Tesco (and retailers in general) deal with negative…
Wal-Mart Deal Rumors Give Loblaw a Boost
Shares in Loblaw Cos. Ltd. have soared 10 per cent in the past three days on speculation that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. might choose it as a partner to enter the…
Retailers Take Aim at Employee Pilferage
Studies show worker theft accounts for 46 percent of losses, posing a greater threat to store owners than shoplifters. How can retailers effectively reduce shrink due to employee theft?
Charming Aims for Plus-Size Growth
Analysts say Charming Shoppes will be an interesting stock to watch in 2002 as the company uses Lane Bryant, already the biggest brand name in plus-size clothes, to become the…
Cereals Find Buddies, Mustard Gets a New Look, Mayo Goes Healthier
A global alliance between Kellogg Company and The Walt Disney Company leads to three new cereals, Hellmann’s mayonaise is offered in a healthier version and French’s mustard gets a new…
Cereals Find Buddies, Mustard Gets a Makeover, Mayo Goes Healthier
A global alliance between Kellogg Company and The Walt Disney Company leads to three new cereals, Hellmann’s mayonaise is offered in a healthier version and French’s mustard gets a new…
End of the Smaller Conventional Supermarket Format Projected
Food manufacturers and retailers face substantial consolidation and internationalization over the next five years as they innovate with brands and retail formats to satisfy changing consumer habits and demands. Is…
P&G Starts Using Transora Data Catalog
For the first time, Proctor & Gamble has published product data to an industry-wide data catalog being created by e-marketplace Transora. What do you expect the exchange landscape to…
R.J. Reynolds Fights ‘Tax Profiling’ of Smokers
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 44 states are facing a budget shortfall, and 19 of those are considering raising cigarette taxes – ranging from 10 to 61…
Commercials Don’t Add to Liquor Use, Says Study
Critics may be surprised to learn that ads for distilled liquors such as scotch, gin, rum and vodka, on U.S. TV won’t affect people’s alcohol consumption, according to Electronic Media…
Jury Still out on Genetically Enhanced Foods
Despite years of debate, Americans can’t decide if genetically altered foods help or hurt. How should grocers respond to consumers
who voice concerns or raise questions about genetically modified foods?…
Food Store Sales Perk Up in January
Both total food and beverage store sales and
grocery store sales in January were up five percent from January 2001. At-home food price inflation in 2001 was the highest in…
Seven Steps Cement Gap Between Brick and Click
The Yankee Group’s Paul Ritter recommends that companies keep close tabs on marketing to make sure offline advertising and branding are consistent with their online messages. What retailers are doing…
Store Brands Pump Up Retailers’ Margins
To boost margins, supermarkets, drug stores, and mass merchandisers are filling as much as 40 percent of available shelf space with private-label or store brands, according to KPMG’s Kathleen Kiley…
Monsanto’s Biotech Traits Get Nod for Increased Acreage
Monsanto Company’s agricultural biotechnology traits experience regulatory approvals, renewals, and increased acreage in 2001. Is there a growing acceptance of biotechnology-enhanced foods by consumers?
Kmart Seeks Court Order to Sell Alcohol
Kmart Corp. is seeking an emergency order from a bankruptcy judge so it can pay select companies that supply its stores with alcohol. What are the most contentious issues in…
P&G Test Patch to Restore Female Libido
P&G Pharmaceuticals will invest several hundred million dollars developing a testosterone patch, called Intrinsa, that could restore the sex drive in post-menopausal women. From where is competition for Intrinsa most…
SuperAmerica Slapped for Cigarette Sales to Minors
SuperAmerica convenience store must pay a $10,000 fine for selling cigarettes to minors
five times in two years, and will not be allowed to sell any tobacco products for one…