In-Store articles from January 2004

In-Store archives from January 2004

Warranties shake-up to hit retailers in UK.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Department of Trade and industry (DTI) has announced the Competition Commission's findings on the extended warranties sold by UK retailers, saying they are "unfair and uncompetitive". Secretary of State for the DTI, Patricia Hewitt,...

Young consumers angry yet apathetic.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Young adult consumers value independence, have lots of financial concerns and feel they have been given insufficient advice and guidance at school and university, according to new research published by Mintel. However, despite their...

German-based men's and women's fashion brand Esprit has chosen ValueLink to assist with the development and implementation of its first electronic gift card.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... German-based men's and women's fashion brand Esprit has chosen ValueLink to assist with the development and implementation of its first electronic gift card. The Esprit Gift Card service will be offered across all 130 of the chain's stores...

Harrods is employing new audio-visual technology featuring 'holographic' screens in its windows to promote the new Peter Pan movie.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Harrods is employing new audio-visual technology featuring 'holographic' screens in its windows to promote the new Peter Pan movie. The screens are made of a holographic film, which attaches directly to glass or acrylic to give the impression...

Show offers space for Village people.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The In-Store Design and Marketing Show is launching two new feature areas in 2004. The Digital Village will showcase the latest initiatives and developments in the rapidly growing in-store digital sector. This is widely predicted to be one of...

Suit Direct tailors shop to new image.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Speciality Retail Concept, (SRC), owner of Suits You, has launched a new retail concept called Suit Direct at Castle-point, Bournemouth. The brief for the store--designed by Foley Cooke--was to create a format reflecting the concept of...

Tesco bags degradable carriers.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Tesco is to begin rolling out environmentally-friendly degradable carrier bags following a successful trial in south-east England. The retailer says the bag is as strong as existing versions and can be used until it starts to break down. An...

Neal's Yard, manufacturer and retailer of natural toiletries and health products, is launching an updated store environment at its Elgin Crescent branch in London at the end of this month.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Neal's Yard, manufacturer and retailer of natural toiletries and health products, is launching an updated store environment at its Elgin Crescent branch in London at the end of this month. The work involves a refit, new graphics, P-O-P and...

Refit is the jewel in Mikey's crown.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Contemporary jeweller Mikey is rolling out a new store design it unveiled late last year. The format, designed by Raylian, was being installed in the Newcastle branch as In-Store went to press, and will be used in the Bluewater store refit in...

Nail bar is in the Pink.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A new nail bar concept, Pink & Toots, is planning to open in spring 2004, using a store format by Marking Design. Pinks & Toots aims to become a nationwide franchise, operating from shopping centres and transport hubs across the UK. Marking...

Morrisons ready for Safeway rebranding.(News)
January 1, 2004... Morrisons has announced the agreement of a 3bn [pounds sterling] deal for Safeway that will split the Bradford-based retailer into three categories. The agreement--which comprises one Morrisons share and 60p for each Safeway share--will...

Asda introduces fruit trials.(News)(to be replacing confectionery with fruit and non-food items on a number of its checkouts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Asda says it will be replacing confectionery with fruit and non-food items on a number of its checkouts, as part of a trial starting in the new year. The experiment will run in all of Asda's stores at an unspecified percentage of...

Brits eat all the chocolate ...(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The British are the biggest consumers of chocolate in Europe, according to new research from market analyst Datamonitor. The average Briton eats more than 10kg of chocolate a year. The lowest consumption is in Spain, at an average of 1.7kg.

... And then sweat it off at home.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The trend to exercise at home was behind a 238m [pounds sterling] spend on home exercise products in 2002, representing a 37 per cent rise since 1998, according to research from Mintel. The group says more than half of UK adults have some...

Formula 16 has new packaging covered.(News)(hair color restorer brand is being relaunched with new packaging)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... EC de Witt-owned hair colour restorer brand Formula 16 is being relaunched this month, with new packaging designed by State of the Art. The pack seeks to show 'sensitively' how hair colour gradually returns.

Princes tuna cans ring the changes.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Princes Foods has introduced what it claims is the first easy-to-open ring-pull packaging for mainstream tuna products, along with modified packaging designed to drive sales of the brand.

Co-op scheme funds playground.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Southern Co-operatives has opened a new West Moors Co-op store with an adults and children Christmas charity giveaway. For the first two months of trading, 4p from every customer transaction will be donated to the West Moors Skatepark...

House of Fraser gets technical.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Houser of Fraser is installing computer systems from Unipower Solutions Europe, to provide integrated order management and P-O-P.

Oriental launches Scooby snacks.(News)(Oriental Frozen Foods introducing line of frozen meals for children)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Oriental Frozen Foods is launching a Scooby Doo-branded range of frozen meals for children. On-shelf in January 2004, the selection will include fish finger, chicken nugget and pasta meals.

M&S Lifestore to open in Gateshead.(News)(Marks & Spencer homeware products to be showcased in its first standalone Lifestore)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... New Marks & Spencer homeware products will be showcased in its first standalone Lifestore in Gateshead in February. The branch is the first of three planned pilot stores. The other two Lifestores will open in Kingston, London and Lakeside...

Ethical dilemma: punishing consumer boycotts of companies considered to be ethically unsound are leading many brands to reassess how they source and market their products.(New Analysis)
January 1, 2004... UK consumers are exercising their ethical muscles by boycotting products and brands and retailers are losing sales as a result, according to recent research. Ethical purchasing encompasses buying locally, favouring Fairtrade products...

It's design that gives the P-O-P industry its edge.(Letters)(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Probably like most people in the industry, I quickly turned to your P-O-P league table on receiving my December issue of In-Store. It was heartening to learn that there appears to be a growing understanding of the merits of UK production. This...

Retailing recognition for the grey market is long overdue.(Letters)(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... At least retailers are beginning to recognise the scale of the 'grey' market (In-Store December 2003), even if their response to it often seems patronising. Perhaps this new level of interest from the commercial sector will be reflected in...

Canny Christmas shoppers had retailers on the ropes.(Leader)
January 1, 2004... Retailers and employers seem keen, with some reservations, to provide stores in the workplace. But pause for a minute to consider how you would feel working in a huge, serviced complex where everything is supplied on-site. Being lucky...

Bricks in the wall: Carphone Warehouse's Paul Lester relives his childhood in the Lego store in Brighton.(Display Of The Month)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... "I was crazy about Lego when I was a kid," says Paul Lester, visual merchandising manager at Carphone Warehouse. "So it was fun to stumble across the new Lego store when I was shopping in Brighton." The obsession of many a child can be...

Coming in from the cold: Gerry Corish, regional account director for advertising group BBDO, charts the breakneck speed of commercial development within the former USSR.(Global Talk)
January 1, 2004... "It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." I cannot imagine that Sir Winston Churchill had in-store marketing in mind when he coined the above phrase, but his words fairly reflect the complexity of Russian retailing. Russia is...

China to restrict foreign retailing.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The China Daily has reported that the Chinese government is preparing to introduce legislation which will curb the expansion of foreign retailers such as Wal-Mart, B&Q and Carrefour, which have outlets there. At the same time, it has been...

Power failures short-circuit Sobeys. (earnings decline).(International News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Sobeys, Canada's second largest food retailer, announced second quarter earnings of $43.2m (24.5m [pounds sterling])--a 7.3 per cent decline on the same period a year earlier. The group says this was due to uninsured losses resulting from power...

Gap chair hands over to his son. (Donald Fisher, Robert Fisher).(International News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Gap chairman Donald Fisher is stepping down in favour of his son Robert. Fisher, who founded the clothes retailer in 1969, says he will remain a board member and continue to receive monthly updates.

Wal-Mart is going Japanese.(International News)(opening its first supercenter in Japan under the name of its affiliate, Seiyu)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Wal-Mart is opening its first supercentre in Japan under the name of its affiliate, Seiyu. The 14,000 sq m store in Numazu, Shizuoka prefecture, is due to open in April and is reported to be the first part of a move to introduce the Wal-Mart...

French Connection has designs on Italy.(International News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Fashion chain French Connection is entering the Italian market via a wholesale arrangement with Rome department store Jam. There are thought to be plans for additional expansion in the country.

Daiei expects sales expansion.(International News)(to exceed expectations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Troubled Japanese supermarket chain Daiei's sales in the September to February period will exceed expectations, according to company president Kunio Takagi. The chain suffered a three per cent drop in sales in the first half of the financial...

Coca-Cola boss has top job in the can.(International News)(Coca-Cola Enterprises appointed John Aim president and chief executive officer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Coca-Cola Enterprises has appointed John Aim as president and chief executive officer. He was previously president and chief operating officer.

Harvey Nicks plans Hong Kong store. (Harvey Nichols).(International News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Harvey Nichols has announced that its parent company, Dickson Concept, will be opening a store in Hong Kong within the next two years. Executives from the London store will be assisting with the new outlet although they have no formal ties with...

Safeway culture shock: Lauren Mills, business correspondent at the Sunday Telegraph, speculates on how Sir Ken Morrison will manage the changes necessitated by the Safety acquisition.(City Talk)
January 1, 2004... After almost a year brawling in the aisles, Wm Morrison and Safeway have finally decided to end their differences. Morrison is to buy Safeway, a group twice its size, for 3bn [pounds sterling] in an agreed cash and shares deal. This is a...

Annus Horribilis for MyTravel ... (losses).(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... MyTravel has announced a 910m [pounds sterling] loss for the 12 months to 30 September 2003. At an operating level, losses were 358m [pounds sterling]. Chief executive Peter McHugh comments: "2003 has been an extremely poor year for MyTravel."

... And a good year for First Choice. (First Choice Holidays' profits).(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Tour operator First Choice Holidays has announced a 20 per cent rise in profits. The group put pre-tax profits for the year to 31 October at 87.1m [pounds sterling]. The company also owns the travel shops Bakers Dolphin and Travel Choice.

Gillette shaves jobs in factory closures.(News)(is closing two UK factories)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Razor manufacturer Gillette has announced the closure of two long-established UK factories. The company is moving production to Eastern Europe to cut costs. The restructuring move will cost 415 jobs over four years.

Carpetright tables annual figures.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Carpetright has announced underlying pre-tax profits of 32.3m [pounds sterling] for the 26 weeks to 1 November, up 33.5 per cent from the previous year. During the first six weeks of the second half year, sales in the UK and Ireland have grown...

Shareholders try to head off Londis sale.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Londis shareholders were trying to stall a 40m [pounds sterling] takeover of the convenience store chain by Irish group Musgrave, owner of Budgens, as In-Store went to press. Shareholders are said to have been angered by reports that Londis'...

Kingfisher defies summer forecast.(News)(announces 21.3% profit)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... B&Q holding group Kingfisher has announced a 21.3 per cent profit increase for the third quarter, to 1 November 2003, despite fears that this would be slowed down by last summer's heatwave. The group says it expects tougher trading in the final...

Consumers leave Christmas late. (shopping delayed).(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Wal-Mart warned that US shoppers were leaving their Christmas purchases later in 2003 than in previous years, as In-Store went to press. The news echoed reports of consumer behaviour in the UK. The latest Footfall figures, available as In-Store...

The master builder: as store development director for Dixons Group, Peter Riordan nurtures brands throughout Europe. He discusses retail evolution with James Quilter.(Profile: Peter Riordan, Dixons Group)(Interview)
January 1, 2004... Peter Riordan is in a good position to see plenty of Europe and to get a brand-induced headache. As Dixons Group store development director, he is responsible for myriad brand and store formats in 12 countries. The giddy world of international...

International rescue. (Weetabix acquisition by Hicks Muse Tale and Furst)(includes related article).(Brand Focus)
January 1, 2004... Iconic breakfast cereal Weetabix is in the process of being sold to US venture capitalist Hicks Muse Tale & Furst. When the sale is completed next year, the brand will join other recognisably British foods such as Typhoo tea mid Ambrosia...

Work, shop and play: work and leisure can often be difficult to tell apart in the modern, flexible labour market. James Quilter explores the growing trend of opening banded retail outlets in the workplace.(Retail Strategy)
January 1, 2004... What is the ideal location for a store? Try this for starters--a lack of competition, a ready-made consumer base with money to spend and needs which are easy to monitor, plus predictable hours, accommodating landlords and easy deliveries. ...

Better, faster, cheaper: as clients realise the potential of P-O-P, they are demanding better design for less money. James Quilter looks at the impact on printers. (point of purchase).(Special Report)
January 1, 2004... Contrary to some other areas of the marketing spectrum, the P-O-P industry is in rude health--it was worth 1.09bn [pounds sterling] in 2002 and that figure is set to rise to 1.24bn [pounds sterling] over the next five years. Clients are...

Between the sheets: the versatility of acrylic sheeting keeps it a popular choice for retail displays.(Special Report)
January 1, 2004... Available in hundreds of colours, and with the ability to fold, arch, wave, UV bond, be etched or remain as clear as glass, acrylic has certainly made its mark on the manufacturing and design industry. A material that can become lighter as its...

Shaping up for the year 2004.(POPAI: Point of Purchase Advertising Institute)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... In 2004, POPAI will be focusing on key issues as identified by its membership. Research will be at the fore with the Consumer Buying Habits Study now close to launch. This vital piece of work, to be undertaken in grocery and pharmacy, will...

Payment unit means chips with everything. (Dione Xtreme Integrated).(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Dione has launched Xtreme Integrated, a compact countertop version of its payment terminal. This version is a fully integrated unit that includes both modem and printer. The system can read magstripe and chip cards and is PIN-enabled. ...

Lights are a glass act. (Hydra from Baro Lighting).(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Baro Lighting has launched BFL-Mini lighting technology in a new series of fixtures called Hydra. The products, designed for small recessed fixtures and flexible fixture units, come with a choice of translucent glass shades. Reflector and...

Thermal's up for a transfer. (Weyfringe thermal transfer label printers).(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Weyfringe has launched a range of thermal transfer label printers, with models starting at 500 [pounds sterling]. The larger H series can be operated without a PC. A large multi-line LCD keeps its operator in formed of the printer's status...

In the stoplight. (Seal Graphics Inkjet Stoplight).(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Seal Graphics has launched a new inkjet-printable backing film, Inkjet Stoplight, developed for use with pop up and roll-up displays. A universal coating retains the light-blocking qualities of Seal's existing Stoplight range of film. ...

Leading Edge. (refrigerator magnets).(Product News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Leading Edge has introduced a range of on-pack dry-peel fridge magnets. The products has been launched in Sainsbury's stores, where it has been used to attach collective recipe ideas to produce.

Industry directory.(retail trade)(Directory)(Buyers Guide)
January 1, 2004... ACRYSTALIC LASER CUTTING PLASTIC FORMERS LTD King Street, Stackport Road, Denton, Manchester, M34 6PF. T: 0161 320 7200 F: 0161 336 0109 email: enquiries@plasticformers.co.uk www.plasticformers.co.uk Contact: Dennis Briggs We are...

Store equipment directory.(Buyers Guide)
January 1, 2004... Advance Lighting Advance Lighting is one of the leading manufacturers of display lighting in the UK, specialising in point of sale, gondola, signage, and refrigeration lighting. We offer quality products at competitive prices including...

Mathmos boutique.(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Almost everyone is familiar with the ubiquitous lava lamp. Designed by Edward Craven-Walker in 1963, it remains the core product of the Mathmos range. This Covent Garden store, in Shorts Gardens, opened in September 2003. Measuring just 20 sq...

SKK. (Shui Kay Kan).(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Shui Kay Kan came to prominence in the 1980s as an architectural lighting consultant and supplier of then new low-voltage lighting, suspended from 'live' tensioned wires. His Lexington Street shop became synonymous with all things new. But it...

The lighting store.(Eye On Design)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Not too dissimilar to Christopher Wray, this Baker Street store offers a range of lighting styles. Slightly more ostentatious than the other stares we visited, it sells a lot of chandeliers, some bespoke, to sheikhs and princes. For lesser...

Purves & Purves.(Eye On Design)(discusses store's design)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... After early success, Purves & Purves moved to larger premises on Tottenham Court Road in November 2000. Showcasing contemporary furniture and lighting, it presents a considered view of modern taste for design-conscious consumers. The lighting...

Christopher Wray lighting emporium.(Eye On Design)(discusses store design )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Christopher Wray has been established for 40 years in the UK and Japan. The Shaftesbury Avenue store looks tired but certainly lives up to its 'Emporium' title with more than 3,000 items, The number of fittings on floors, walls and ceilings...