In-Store articles from June 2004

In-Store archives from June 2004

M&S reshuffles as Green lies in wait.(News)(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Marks and Spencer board has ousted chief executive Roger Holmes and replaced him with former Arcadia Group chief executive Stuart Rose, as the troubled store group prepares to defend itself against an expected takeover bid by retail...

Charles Worthington.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Hair product manufacturer Charles Worthington has appointed LoewyBe to create an interactive roadshow to support its Q&A Frizz range. The four-week promotion will be targeted at flagship Boots stores around the country. As part of the campaign,...

Convenience group applauds booze duty recommendation.(News)(Association of Convenience Stores)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed a report from the European Commission, aimed at launching a broad debate on the EU-wide system of excise duty on alcohol. The report calls for the cooperation of EU member states and...

Tesco screens send cardboard packing.(News)(Tesco TV)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Tesco says its in-store media network, Tesco TV, will replace all other P-O-P, with the exception of shelf shouters and gondola ends, in its stores' central 'power aisles'. A spokesman for the retailer says the success of screens in trial...

In-Store Show latest.(News)(In-Store Design and Marketing Show)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Nearly 80 per cent of pre-registered conference delegates at the in-Store Design and Marketing Show are from retailer or product brand companies, and more than 90 per cent are at manager or director level within their companies, according to...

Tesco gives green light to food label system.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Tesco is to trial a controversial food labelling system that gives advice about dietary content. The parliamentary Health Committee has recommended a "comprehensive raft of measures" to deal with high levels of obesity in the UK. These...

MTV condom launch aims to break merchandising mould.(News)(Condomi)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A new condom brand, MTV Condomi, is being launched in conjunction with MTV's Staying Alive global HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. The three-product range, developed jointly by MTV, Viacom and Condomi Health, will be supported by a...

Waitrose has become the first retailer to stock newly launched ready-meal brand Sam's Diner, developed by World Food Heroes.(News)(Waitrose Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Waitrose has become the first retailer to stock newly launched ready-meal brand Sam's Diner, developed by World Food Heroes. Packaging is designed by Astound. The range is aimed at 15-45 year old men, plus women shopping for the male market. A...

Produce is leader in on-shelf availability.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Produce is still the top category when it comes to on-shelf availability, with homewares bottom of the league, says an Institute of Grocery Distribution (IDG) report. The ECR On-Shelf Availability survey for the second quarter of 2004 says...

Sales grow as jobs fall.(News)(Confederation of British Industry)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Retail sales growth during May was at its highest for two years, says the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), but the sector also saw the biggest number of retail job cuts for more than a decade. Figures in the CBI's quarterly...

Unwins shows Heart in new brand launch.(News)(Unwins Wine Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Phillips Newman, a new retail brand from wine specialist Unwins, has launched with a store format that will display and sell wine by taste profile rather than country of origin. The project has been developed as part of an insight and...

Londis holds ownership vote.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Londis shareholders will be able to vote on who assumes control of the company when the symbol group holds an Extraordinary General Meeting on 22 June. The board has so far endorsed only one bid, of 60m [pounds sterling], from Budgens...

Nestle has launched a 3m [pounds sterling] integrated campaign to build sales for Nescafe Gold Blend.(News)(Nestle S.A.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Nestle has launched a 3m [pounds sterling] integrated campaign to build sales for Nescafe Gold Blend. On-pack promotions, supported by P-O-P, will accompany TV and radio adverts encouraging consumers to detail, in up to 30 words, how they would...

Consumers in the UK are up for fun.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The UK has more fun-seekers among its native consumers than other countries, according to research group NOP World. The company classifies 38 per cent of British consumers as focused on immediate gratification or pleasure, compared with 27 per...

Kerr wins ISP chairmanship nomination.(News)(Institute of Sales Promotion)(Multi Recourse Marketing)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP) has nominated Peter Kerr, managing director of Multi Recourse Marketing, to become its next chairman. Kerr's appointment will be recommended to the ISP board on 30 June.

Excess job titles cause confusion.(News)(Marketing Professionals UK)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The marketing industry has more job titles than any other, according to a survey by recruitment agency Marketing Professionals UK which uncovered more than 150 titles in current job ads. "It makes it even harder for human resources people and...

Hamleys hits on Williams F1 formula.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Hamleys has opened a WilliamsF1 shop-in-shop within its flagship Regent Street store, to coincide with its sponsorship of the team. The area will include screens and displays of memorabilia including drivers' overalls and engines. The store...

Be nice to visitors says Visit London.(News)(Visit London )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Tourist agency Visit London has proposed a 'hearts and minds' campaign in a recent report, in an attempt to persuade taxi drivers and shop assistants to be more friendly to business visitors. The campaign is part of a drive by Visit London and...

JJB ditches EPoS for Chip & PIN.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Sports retailer JJB has replaced its EPoS system across its 447-store estate, with a Hewlett-Packard base unit and a Microsoft Windows-based Chip & PIN-enabled EPoS solution from Alphameric.

Nelson takes new Sainsbury's position.(News)(J Sainsbury PLC)(Stephen Nelson appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Sainsbury's has promoted trading director Stephen Nelson to the post of marketing director, replacing him with Big Food Group board director and Iceland managing director Mike Coupe. Nelson rejoined Sainsbury's from Diageo in July 2003.

Asda shoots for Owen goal with Euro P-O-P.(News)(ASDA Group PLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Asda has launched an integrated campaign around Euro 2004. In-store communication, national and local press advertisements and leaflets have been designed by Gratterpalm, featuring footballer Michael Owen as a figurehead. Manufacture and...

Honey Monster is back at work.(News)(Quaker)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Quaker has launched a new Honey Monster cereal, HMs. The product is the first brand extension of the Sugar Puffs range in 50 years. "Our research shows us that 90 per cent of consumers have unprompted awareness of the Honey Monster," says...

Co-op outlaws risky chemicals.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Co-op has become the first retailer to ban completely a range of chemicals permitted for use in household products. The own-brand range has either removed or replaced the allegedly toxic ingredients--nitro and polycyclic musks and...

Belvoir offer creates a cordial entente.(News)(Belvoir Fruit Farms)(MKM Marketing and Promotions)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Belvoir Fruit Farms is promoting its presses and premium cordials in conjunction with MKM Marketing and Promotions. Incentives include two-for-the price-of-one offers at a number of heritage gardens, and Lawn Tennis Association membership...

Sainsbury's opts for a designer lifestyle.(News)(J Sainsbury PLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Sainsbury's has signed an exclusive agreement with leading designers Terence Conran, Orla Kiely and Orlando Hamilton to develop and launch affordable designer lifestyle products. The ranges will feature in more than 200 stores from October.

Oxfam smells the Fair Trade coffee.(News)(Oxfam FairTrade Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Oxfam has announced plans to open three Fair Trade coffee shops under the name Progresso, serving Fair Trade products, by the end of the year. It has a target of 20 outlets nationwide within three years and is seeking locations within existing...

Budgens ups its steak in Euro 2004.(News)(Budgens Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Budgens is running a Euro 2004-1inked meat promotion starting on 10 June, supported in-store by a P-O-P campaign. Customers purchasing fresh meat can enter a competition to win tickets, transport and accommodation for the game of their choice.

Ann Summers keeps plans under wraps.(News)(Ann Summers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Ann Summers is planning a new store concept, due to roll out from the end of the summer. The retailer declines to comment on details of the format, or which company is designing it.

Gladiator Becks captains Pepsi games.(News)(Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Britvic has launched an in-store campaign to support a Euro 2004 inspired on-pack promotion on Pepsi cans and bottles. The campaign runs alongside a TV ad featuring David Beckham in gladiatorial costume. A 'Can you kick it?' text competition...

Waitrose discount gets its goat.(News)(Waitrose Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Waitrose is running a 25 per cent price reduction throughout June on Soignon goats' cheese to celebrate its launch. The Le Chevre de Caractere goat's milk camembert-type cheese won the Supreme Champion accolade at the World Cheese Awards.

By George she's got it: the appointment of Kate Bostock as Mark & Spencer's womenswear director is being heralded as a breath of fresh air.(News Analysis)(Marks and Spencer PLC)
June 1, 2004... Marks & Spencer's much-publicised appointment of Next and Asda veteran Kate Bostock as director of womenswear is a new step in its desire to rescue flagging sales, and to regain its position on the high street and the erstwhile love of middle...

Attracting women isn't as simple as it sounds.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I was speaking at the fifth international BHB DIY conference in Berlin in April, but it could have been anywhere because we repeatedly heard the same call that is being made in the UK, Iceland, Russia and elsewhere--make stores more appealing...

Industry underestimates the value of the design process.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I agree with many of the comments in your Special Report on the burgeoning 'design and build' (D&B) one-stop shopfitting offers (Grand designs, In-Store April 2004). However, the traditional D&B model downplays the importance of the design...

The greatest show on in-store earth.(Leader)(In-Store Design and Marketing Show)
June 1, 2004... This year's In-Store Design and Marketing Show has the hallmarks of being a record-breaker before the doors of Olympia have even opened. Support from industry bodies has grown since last year, with the SDEA and the NAS joining stalwarts such as...

How shall I compare thee? Should screens be compared with P-O-P or above-the-line campaigns to measure success? Catherine Lister, marketing manager of WH Smith Travel, offers her thought.(Screen Talk)
June 1, 2004... Now that in-store screens are in widespread use, debates rage about the best ways to use them--should the screens be used for advertising activity or should they be used more tactically for sales promotion? Probably the biggest question...

Coke plays its carbs right.(International News)(Coca-Cola Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Coca-Cola is launching a low-carbohydrate version of its flagship brand, Coca-Cola C2, throughout the US this month. An integrated marketing campaign supporting the rollout carries the tagline: "Half the carbs. Half the cals. All the great...

George goes to Wal-Mart.(International News)(ASDA Group PLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Asda has announced plans to turn its George clothing range into a global brand. The group has set up a division to help expand the brand throughout parent company Wal-Mart's branches worldwide.

Home Depot has record first quarter.(International News)(Home Depot Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... US home improvement retailer Home Depot has posted record first-quarter net earnings of $1.1bn (600m [pounds sterling]). Sales for the period increased by 16 per cent to $17.6bn (9.6bn [pounds sterling]) with comparable same-store sales rising...

Reno-Depot furnishes Rona profits.(International News)(RONA Retail Canada Inc.)(Reno-Depot)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Canadian home improvement franchise group Rona reported record first-quarter profits with net earnings of $11.2bn (4.5bn [pounds sterling])--up 94 per cent on the previous year. Most of the sales derive from its acquisition of Reno-Depot.

Kmart and WB go back to school.(International News)(Kmart Corp.)(WB Television Network)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Kmart and the WB Television Network are to co-market a children's clothing range and publicise a season of TV programmes. The show's stars will appear in commercials for Kmart's Back to School collection wearing the clothes. Kmart claims this...

Pharmacy goes live in Norway.(International News)(Vitusapotek AS )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Norwegian pharmacy chain Vitusapotek AS has launched a live radio station, Vitusapotek idag, across its 105 stores, with content provided by UK company Immedia.

Brussels conference targets fakes.(International News)(World Customs Organisation)(Interpol)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Interpol and the World Customs Organisation have hosted the first Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting. The event aims to develop a collective understanding of the problem and possible solutions.

Bubble bursts for Champagne sales.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Growth in French sales of Champagne has slowed down. In 2003, 125 million litres were sold in France--the same as 1998. Market value has fallen, but France remains the largest European Champagne market.

Tasting notes: focus DIY's Richard Poole has a nose around award-winning off-licence Rodney Densem.(Display of the Month)(Rodney Densem Wines)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The British were labelled as shopkeepers a long time ago, and anyone who examines the way they operate will realise they are still the best, says Focus DIY brand controller Richard Poole. On a recent trip to The Netherlands, Poole was wowed...

King for more than a day: Lauren Mills, small business editor at the Sunday Express, watches Sainsbury's young chief executive Jason King make some adult moves in the hiring, firing and price-cutting departments.(City Talk)
June 1, 2004... The youthful Justin King, Sainsbury's newly appointed chief executive, may be a baby among FTSE bosses but he has already taken at least: one very grown-up decision: he has decided to get tough on price in an attempt to win back lost customers....

Sainsbury's picks up Safeway stores.(News)(J Sainsbury PLC)(Morrisons)
June 1, 2004... Morrisons has agreed to sell 14 stores to Sainsbury's. They form part of the selection of 52 stores earmarked for sale as a condition of the Bradford-based retailer's bid for Safeway. Regulators have also cleared the way for Waitrose's...

Body Shop nurtures growth plans.(News)(Body Shop Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Body Shop has announced it plans to spend 100m [pounds sterling] to expand the business over the next three years. The retailer currently has 2,000 shops in 50 countries and has plans for another 300.

Blacks reports a hike in profits.(News)(Blacks Leisure Group PLC)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Blacks Leisure has posted a 6.4 per cent like-for-like sales growth for the year ending 29 February 2004. "Outdoors sales are growing on the back of changes in lifestyle trends," says the group's chief executive Roy Crosland.

Mothercare goes from loss to profit.(News)(Mothercare Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Mothercare reported pre-tax profits of 24m [pounds sterling] for the year to March 2004. Sales rose 3.5 per cent to 447m [pounds sterling]. The business has climbed back into the black after making a 25m [pounds sterling] loss the previous...

Halfords wheels out on Stock Exchange.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Car parts, bicycles and accessories retailer Halfords floats on the Stock Exchange this month with a price tag of nearly 1bn [pounds sterling]. The group has 397 stores and employs nearly 10,000 staff.

GUS reports full-year profits.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... GUS, owner of Argos and Homebase, has reported a jump in full-year group profits to 692m [pounds sterling] for the year to the end of March 2004. Full-year sales for the period increased from 7.1bn [pounds sterling] to 7.5bn [pounds sterling].

Sales flatten out at MFI.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Furniture group MFI has announced total UK orders down by six per cent, with like-for-like sales dropping by seven per cent for the period between Boxing Day and 15 May 2004. The group says higher marketing spend by its competitors over the...

Woolworths reports growth in sales.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Woolworths has announced group sales increases of 6.5 per cent to 576m [pounds sterling] for the first quarter, ending 1 May 2004. Retail sales in Woolworths, Woolworths Big W and MVC grew by 1.6 per cent. Performance at third-party sales...

Jean pool: John van Dorst is the flagship store specialist on a mission to bring the Levi's brand to life in the company's stores. Matthew Valentine tries the redesigned Regent Street store for size.(Profile: John van Dorst, Levi's)
June 1, 2004... The archetypal wearer of denim may be a dusty cowboy in the collective imagination, but industry giant Levi's has found that the saviour for flagging sales can come in a different shape--a female shape, to be precise. Following the success...

Burning issue: the success of the Tesco TV trial is casting doubt over the future usage of traditional P-O-P. Is cardboard really about to go up in smoke?(Market Report)
June 1, 2004... To hear the words "no more cardboard--that is official" from a figure such as Tesco TV media manager Bill Pennell can't be a pleasant experience for many P-O-P managers. But Pennell spoke those very words last month when he announced that...

Low interest rate: US consumers are showing signs of cynicism in the face of constant marketing. UK shoppers could well be following suit.(Market Report)
June 1, 2004... Consumers have until now had a fairly benign relationship with marketing. However, as it becomes more intrusive, their indifference could easily turn to hostility. The constant flow of innovative new ways to reach customers can make them...

Sense and sensitivity: brands are responding with vigour to the growing number of people reporting food sensitivities by launching products free from ingredients such as milk and wheat. Maeve Hosea examines retail's allergic reaction.(Category Focus)
June 1, 2004... One food category that looks certain to keep growing is products for people on restricted diets. The bright-coloured packages loudly proclaiming themselves to be gluten, wheat or dairy-free are commanding an increasing share of shelf space in...

Field study: the results of the first In-Store Retail Field Marketing Survey are in. We asked clients and suppliers some key questions. Here is how they answered.(Special Report)
June 1, 2004... The retail field marketing industry is even more fragmented than the P-O-P manufacturing sector, according to the results of the first In-Store Retail Field Marketing Survey. The research confirms that FM companies offer a wide variety of...

Special branch: product authority is fast becoming the chief point of differentiation between specialist retailers and the big guns in their sectors. And limited space on the high street could mean moving, finds.(Retail Strategy)
June 1, 2004... The days when one company could quietly dominate a category are gone. For many of today's specialist retailers, improved product authority is their stand against the ever-encroaching threat of supermarkets and ever-rising customer expectation....

Showing off: the In-Store Design and Marketing Show invades Earls Court 1 again this month with a diverse display of products and exhibitors, as well as an expanded conference programme. Maeve Hosea offers some insight into the treats awaiting this year's visitors.(Show Preview)
June 1, 2004... Now in its seventh year, the In-Store Design and Marketing Show returns to Earls Court this month, demonstrating the wealth of talent and innovation within the industry. The three-day event, running from 15 to 17 June, is packed with...

Knowledge is power: the amount of detail offered by today's consumer analysis software is providing an unprecedented level of customer insight. James Quilter finds out how retailers and researchers are harnessing their new power.(Consumer Behaviour)
June 1, 2004... "We can literally examine every basket bought in every store by every one of Tesco's 10 million Clubcard holders. We can look at the products people buy and when they buy them," says Steve Gray, managing director of research company Dunnhumby....

Increasing the client focus.(Product News)(POPAI appoints Philip Hudson)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... POPAI welcomes business development manager Philip Hudson with effect from 1 June, Philip's background is firmly rooted in traditional P-O-P, with experience in selling unitry and materials. His appointment signals POPAI's commitment to...

Bags are looking out for intruders.(Product News)(Brayford Plastics introduces Slidergrip, a range of resealable packaging)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Brayford Plastics has introduced Slidergrip, a range of resealable packaging with a tamper-evident feature. The bags have a sliding 'zip' along an extruded track and an additional gusset in the film beneath the slider to provide evidence of...

Listen without distortion.(Product News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... DMX Music has launched DFX software, which allows music from compressed files to be played in large areas such as retail outlets without distortion. Incorporated into existing hardware used by DMX, the software eliminates the muffled sound...

RB UK has launched a new line of modular shelving, including Konig Varius steel counters and workstations, with integrated accessories; Konig Power Panel, a steel back-panel system for displaying power tools; and Konig Arkus, a steel and glass panel-based system for wall and mid-floor use.(Product News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... RB UK has launched a new line of modular shelving, including Konig Varius steel counters and workstations, with integrated accessories; Konig Power Panel, a steel back-panel system for displaying power tools; and Konig Arkus, a steel and glass...

Glass monitors get a bit touchy.(Product News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Tyco Electronics has added surface-capacitive touch-screens and touch-monitors to its portfolio. Made from a glass panel with a surface coating of capacitive, charge-storing material, the products are suitable for use in retail...

When the PIN Chip comes in.(Product News)(personal identification number)(Commidea launches Ocius system)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Credit and debit card payment systems developer Commidea has launched the Ocius system, which allows retailers to enable Chip & PIN transactions. The system is already approved by UK banks, eliminating the need for retailers to source...

Industry directory.(Directory)
June 1, 2004... TO PLACE AN AD WRITE TO THE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER AT 50 POLAND STREET, LONDON, W1F 7AX OR CALL 020 7970 6526 FOR INCLUSION AT 730 [pounds sterling] FOR 1 YEAR INCLUDING LOGO. ACRYLIC DISPLAY PPE LTD Horsecroft Road, The...

Store equipment directory.(Directory)
June 1, 2004... IN-STORE'S GUIDE TO STORE DESIGN, SHOPFITTING, FLOORING, LIGHTING, SHELVING, SIGNAGE, VISUAL MERCHANDISING AND INSTALLATION, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL 020 7970 6526. Advance Lighting Advance Lighting is one of the leading...

Adrian Hall Garden Centre.(Eye on Design)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Walking into Adrian Hall in East Sheen, I felt I was entering the Secret Garden. You are bombarded with the sheer volume of product--piles of rolled-up turf stacked oil a palette and rows of tiles on a sloped shelf. You get the feeling you...

Fulham Palace Garden Centre.(Eye on Design)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... This centre is very well signposted. A galvanised signholder system runs around the perimeter of the shop, creating an accessible and enjoyable experience. Plants are arranged by category and their alphabetical order, which works equally well...

The Patio Garden.(Eye on Design)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Patio Garden in Tooting is like someone's garden jumble sale and the shop is a bit like a messy back shed. I suspect there is a tendency for customers to walk in and straight back out again and the product is very limited, giving the...

Neal's Nursery.(Eye on Design)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... This Wandsworth garden centre is definitely the place to come if you are looking for garden maintenance products, with everything from plant food to fish food clearly organised and easy to find. The shop stocks an impressive selection of...