Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - as Morrisons know. It's now trialling money-off coupons at some North East stores following Sainsbury's and Asda's move into the voucher market. Previously Morrisons has emphasised better value across its whole range of products. Why the change?
Coupon crazy?
"From a competitive point of view," Morrisons spokesperson Julian Bailey told AOL Money, "there was a lot of vouching going on [earlier in the year] and we preferred at the time to focus on lower prices. It doesn't mean we weren't doing it. But it would be wrong to say we don't use vouchers; we regularly distribute them to customers. It's part of the mix of promotions".However that statement goes against what Morrisons boss Dalton Philips recently said: "We would rather focus on value in store than customers having to be smart and find a voucher."
Cracking the code
Morrisons is coy on how a voucher roll-out might work. Sainsbury's voucher schemes is based on a brand-match with software comparing Sainsbury's prices on branded products to those of its rivals. It then produces a voucher that makes up for any price discrepancies.In other words, this allows Sainsbury's to say they're just as cheap on a range of well-known, branded goods. Own-label products aren't included and the system isn't used on-line.
Own-label limit
Given that many consumers are increasingly turning to own-label products - both Morrisons and Tesco revamped their Value ranges recently - some voucher schemes offer limited value to consumers. Shop with care.Tesco has also increasingly turned to vouchers, though its UK underlying sales, reported yesterday, were down 1.5% in the three months up to the end of May. Tesco shares have fallen 25% this year.
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Source: money.aol.co.uk
Back in the manor: Mark Wright returns to the UK and heads straight to his favourite Essex haunt for a night out - Daily Mail
By Kirsty Mccormack and J J Anisiobi
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After a few weeks away lapping up the sunshine and filming his new reality TV show in Hollywood, California, Mark Wright has returned to British shores.
The dapper gent wasted no time in finding his feet and getting back to his old ways by heading straight to his favourite Essex nightclub, last night.
Following his night out, the 25-year-old looked in good shape as he appeared on This Morning, earlier today, and spoke about how his new holiday romance.
A bit of all Wright: Former TOWIE star Mark has returned to the UK and appeared on This Morning after partying last night in Essex
Mark dropped in to popular hangout Faces, in Essex, but didn't stay out too long because of his appearance on TV in the morning.
He tweeted: 'I'm being good. On the way home 2 my bed 4 the 1st time in 6weeks. Faces was great as per usual but I'm on this morning 2mo so have 2 b good.'
When he appeared on This Morning today, Mark spoke publicly for the first time about his relationship with Chelsea describing her as 'great'.
All dressed up: Mark looked dapper today but was more casual last night when he headed to Faces nightclub
He said: 'It's a difficult one because she's got so many commitments out there, but we met, we had fun, but it was never meant to be like that.
'She's great, we got on so well. We started out as friends but then it developed into something else.'
The thing that Mark liked about his new girlfriend the most was that she had no idea who he was or why he was famous.
He said: 'She liked me for me because she didn't have a clue who I was.'
Time to say goodbye: Mark Wright and Chelsea Rashoff say a tearful farewell at LAX airport yesterday
Mark hooked up with the U.S volleyball player while filming Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights, and the casual friendship developed into something more serious rather quickly.
The reality TV star was seen saying goodbye to Chelsea at LAX airport yesterday and looked very sad to be leaving her.
The ITV2 show didn't exactly receive great reviews when it aired for the first time last Sunday but viewers may be eager to tune in this weekend as the second episode will include how Mark and Chelsea first met.
Hard to let go: The former TOWIE star gave the 22-year-old a big hug and also kissed her
Their romance is clearly more than just an onscreen film, as the pair of them appeared to be tearful as they said farewell outside the airport terminal.
Outside LAX, Mark - who was wearing blue skinny jeans and a white T-shirt - was seen hugging Chelsea and kissing her as she flung her arms around his neck.
She was also wearing dark jeans and a white T-shirt and gazed at the Essex-born star as he prepared to catch his flight back to the UK.
The pair have obviously become quite close over the past six weeks, and perhaps Mark is considering letting Chelsea visit his hometown some time soon.
Confirmed couple? Chelsea tweeted this photo of her and Mark looking rather cosy recently
Svelte: Chelsea in her volleyball 'uniform' - a red bikini top and patterned blue bottoms
Roundup! Brown & Drake 'love fight', Kim on Oprah and much more...
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Ripley 'does not need an £8m bypass or new Morrisons superstore' - This is Derbyshire
A MULTI-MILLION pound bypass planned to ease traffic in Ripley has been branded an "unnecessary waste of money" by people who live in the town.
Plans to build the road have been revealed by Amber Valley Borough Council to combat a potential increase in congestion if permission is granted for a Morrisons supermarket to be built in Nottingham Road.
But locals have said the £8 million road is not needed.
Lesley Fenton, of Derby Road, Ripley, said: "I think it is totally unnecessary. There is a lot of traffic there but this is a huge amount of land they are taking up and it is a waste of money.
"This is only being planned because of the effect the supermarket will create but we don't need the supermarket in the first place."
Amber Valley Borough Council has signed an agreement to sell Morrisons seven acres of land off Nottingham Road.
The planning application for the design of the superstore will be submitted by developer Clowes Westerman, which is working with the authority to develop a "gateway" to the town which will also include new housing.
The creation of the 40,000 sq ft store, which would include car parking and a petrol station, would bring 350 jobs.
The new bypass would run along the north side of Codnor Gate industrial estate before rejoining the A610 at an as yet undecided location in either Codnor or Woodlinkin.
The council has said the entire project – including the development of the supermarket – is subject to planning permission being granted but Steve Freeborn, leader of Ripley Town Council, said the announcement of the ring road plans made that permission look like a "foregone conclusion".
He said: "I am very disappointed with the news. As it stands with these plans the bypass would not alleviate any traffic, it would simply move it from Nottingham Road to Codnor.
"The council is setting the situation up so that the planning permission is given for the Morrisons store."
Borough council leader Stuart Bradford said Derbyshire County Council had already approved the scheme in principle. "This road has been on the cards for 30 years and no one's achieved it – now it's almost within our grasp," he said.
"I think it should demonstrate to the populous at large that we are keen on recycling any receipt generated from the Morrisons proposal.
"It is all subject to planning approval but the intention is to put the thick end of £8 million into the scheme."
Source: www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk
Save £5 at Morrisons - The Sun
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Source: www.thesun.co.uk
Aldi's lips are sealed regarding talk of new store in Greensboro - Greensboro News & Record
GREENSBORO — Aldi officials are keeping quiet concerning possibly opening a new store in Greensboro.
"While we cannot comment on a potential store in Greensboro, Aldi is always looking for new growth and market opportunities to serve the growing North Carolina business," Todd Bonnett, Aldi's Salisbury division real estate director, said in a statement. "We will be sure to keep you updated on any future plans for the area."
In February, company officials said an earlier report that it would open a new store in northwest Greensboro was premature.
Kendra Shaw, the company’s Salisbury division director of operations, said at the time that they were still in negotiations for the New Garden Square site.
If approved, the store would join a bustling shopping area that has seen continued expansion in recent years. The Fresh Market, Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods are nearby.
Founded in Germany, Aldi has more than 9,500 stores worldwide, mostly in Europe. The supermarket chain opened its first store in the U.S. in 1976, and now operates more than 1,000 stores in 31 states from Kansas to the east coast.
There are currently three Aldi locations in Guilford County — 4222 High Point Road and 2920-C Randleman Road in Greensboro and 3306 N. Main St. in High Point.
Source: www.news-record.com
Morrisons West Watford development plan unveiled (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Morrisons development plan for old Royal Mail depot, in Ascot Road, unveiled
6:33pm Friday 15th June 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter
Residents caught their first glimpse of what the West Watford Morrisons development, which promises to bring 300 new jobs to the area, could look like today.
The supermarket chain revealed its designs to turn the vacant Ascot Road Royal Mail Depot into a superstore with offices, houses, a hotel and a potential new school.
The proposals showed the supermarket on the southern end of the site, with the 450-space car park on the western side behind it.
North of the supermarket are two blocks of new houses and flats with a new school on the north western side of the site.
The Ascot Road side of the site is earmarked for a new hotel and new offices which are surrounded by trees.
The drawings were unveiled in a presentation inside the old depot this afternoon.
Richard Haynes, development executive for Morrisons, said: “This site has got massive potential for regeneration and is desperately in need of it, especially since the sorting office has closed.
“It will bring jobs back and make it a much more pleasant place for people to be.”
The move comes as Morrisons, which has most of its stores in the north of the country, is undertaking a push to expand its presence in the south.
The corporation secured a long lease on the Watford Borough Council-owned site a few months ago.
The regeneration scheme comes after it was announced a new Metropolitan Line tube station will be built nearby in Ascot Road as part of the Croxley Rail Link.
Since Morrisons acquired the Royal Mail depot it has fallen victim to vandals and break-ins, leaving the inside of the vast building strewn with rubbish and with windows smashed.
In recent weeks the company has hired security to protect the site.
The redevelopment plans are still at an early stage and could be altered, but Morrisons hope to have a formal planning application submitted by the summer.
If the plan is approved the company said the store could be open for Christmas 2013.
Early reaction to the scheme was largely positive, although residents voiced concerns that it could draw more traffic to West Watford’s already congested roads.
Jenny Thomas, from Cassiobury Park Avenue, welcomed the superstore but was concerned more homes could add more pressure to local services such as GP.
She said: “I think it is good, this site needs redevelopment and there is no supermarket on this side of West Watford.”
Another interested resident at today’s presentation was unemployed 50-year-old, David Tyarman, of Whippendell Road, who lost his job at Krispy Kreme doughnuts earlier this year.
He said had been interested to know when the store would be recruiting.
Mr Tyarman added: “It’s only around the corner. I will be able to do my shopping here as well.”
The presentation is open again tomorrow at the Royal Mail depot in Ascot Road between 10am to 4pm.
Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
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