english news

Speaking at an industry conference, the chief executive of Asda, Andy Bond, has offered independent retailers the use of the company’s recycling facilities. Asda is trialling a recycling scheme with independents in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, that if successful...

The chief executive of Asda, Andy Bond, has told Retail Week that he wants to launch the retailer’s general merchandise offer online within the next three years. "In two to three years, we will have our whole general merchandise offer online. A lot of...

Asda has entered the cut-price home telecoms market, offering its new service under the Asda Calltime brand through its Asda.com website. Customers can register online or through one free telephone call, for what is described as a 'value for money, simple...

In Spain hypermarket chain Alcampo (owned by Auchan) has reported that it has increased its Fairtrade sales by 76% during 2006, selling 127,100 units with a total value of EUR234,600 (USD296,601). Alcampo has been offering Fairtrade products since 2002,...

Wal-Mart Argentina has unveiled a new format. The Changomas concept recently opened its first store in the city of Rioja. According to Ezequiel Go'mez Berard, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Argentina, the new bodega-style concept could be opened in medium-sized...

The president of Wal-Mart Brazil, Vicente Trius, in a recent interview, has said that the retailer will consider acquisitions of small supermarket chains as long as the deals “make sense. "We won't discard the possibility of acquisitions of chains as...

Whole Foods expects to open more stores in the UK “once developers realize how it helps to have a Whole Foods Market,” according to vice president of purchasing and distribution David Doctorow. He noted that Whole Foods is already looking at other potential...

Schwarz Group-owned discounter Lidl is to open its first outlets in Slovenia on 29 March. There will be 15 stores opening for business in one go. Its rival Aldi entered the market in December 2005 and will open its 29th store next week. Furthermore, Hofer...

According to unconfirmed reports, several private equity teams have bid for the Ahold US Foodservice unit in a deal that could fetch more than USD6 billion. It is reported that a group made up of Bain Capital, Blackstone Group, and Wellspring Capital...

According to reports in the Ukraine press, the newly appointed managing director of Auchan Russia, Jean Pierre Germain, has unveiled the retailer’s expansion plans for the Ukraine. Auchan will open its first outlet in Kyiv by the end of 2007 and a further...