By Ian Walker
LONDON--J Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN), Asda and discount retailers Aldi and Lidl were the clear winners in the market share war during the 12 weeks ended June 10, which includes the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, as Britons spent an extra 213 million pounds ($334.0 million) at the tills in the week building up to the long celebratory weekend.
However, market shares fell for the former retail sector darling, Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), and Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN). In the 12 weeks ended June 10, Tesco's market share fell to 31%, from 31.4% in the 12 weeks ended June 12, 2011, while Morrison's share fell to 11.8%, from 12.2%.
J Sainsbury PLC's (SBRY.LN) market share rose to 16.6% in the 12 weeks, from 16.4%. Asda, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), saw its U.K. market share rise to 17.2%, from 16.6% in the comparable period a year earlier. Including Netto, which it bought in April last year, Asda's total market share was unchanged at 17.2%.
Upmarket retailer Waitrose also saw its market share rise to 4.6% in the 12 weeks ended June 10, from 4.4%, while discount retailers Aldi and Lidl's joint market share rose to 5.6%, from 4.9%. Separately, Aldi's share rose to 2.8% from 2.3% and Lidl's share rose to 2.8%, from 2.6%.
Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel, said the remarkable growth rate recorded over the Jubilee is a sign of what's to come during the Olympics when he expects grocery sales to soar.
"Competition is likely to be fierce with fortunes now considerably different among the big four," Mr. Garner added.
Sainsbury's and Asda's share rise was due to their successful price promotions--Asda with its Price Guarantee and Sainsbury's with its Brand Match, Mr. Garner said.
Earlier this year, Tesco issued its first profit warning in 20 years, citing the most difficult conditions for retailers in living memory. Since that time, however, the retailer has instigated a new round of price cuts and announced a GBP1 billion revamp of its stores.
Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 06-19-120659ET Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Source: www.nasdaq.com
Asda store to feature in Swinton shopping centre - menmedia.co.uk
An Asda foodstore and a new public square are promised at Swinton shopping centre in Greater Manchester in a scheme which will generate around 250 jobs.
Salford city council has approved plans to revamp the 180,000 sq ft centre three years after the complex became embroiled in the UK’s property crash.
In 2009, lenders at the West Bromwich Building Society forced the centre into the hands of Law of Property Act receivers. The centre was owned by clients of Mutual Finance.
The proposals include a 35,000 sq ft Asda store which is expected to be a catalyst for a wider regeneration of the shopping centre, with a new piazza, public areas and upgraded shops.
Layne Mercer, a director at GVA who is providing asset management advice for the scheme, said: “After years of neglect by the previous owners, we are delighted with the news and are committed to improving the centre for the benefit of the local community as a whole.
“Importantly, the scheme will generate around 250 new job opportunities for local people, adding further to the regeneration impact.
“We are now at the implementation stage and hope to start on site very shortly. We are delighted by the council’s decision as this echoes the support we have had from local people in getting to this stage. This will make a real difference to the town centre retail offer.”
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Source: menmedia.co.uk
Essex firefighter ‘confronted chief’ over equipment - essexcountystandard.co.uk
Essex firefighter ‘confronted chief’ over equipment
11:50am Tuesday 19th June 2012 in News
AN Essex firefighter has been suspended after he allegedly tried to stop a senior official taking away specialist equipment from a fire engine.
It is understood the firefighter confronted the fire service’s assistant divisional officer, Mark Turnbull, when he visited Southend fire station on Friday.
Sources claim top brass at the fire service want to remove specialist cutting equipment from fire engines in preparation for possible strikes by members of the Fire Brigades Union, expected later this year.
Last week, more than 500 members of the Essex FBU decided to take action over plans to cut an extra 100 full-time firefighters and 60 retained staff from across the county by 2016.
A source said senior officers were visiting fire stations to remove the specialist equipment, which is used to free passengers from vehicles after road crashes.
The equipment is based at Southend, Grays, Harlow, Chelmsford and Colchester.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “We can confirm a firefighter was suspended on Friday. This matter, which relates to inappropriate behaviour, is now subject to an internal disciplinary process and we cannot comment further.”
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Source: www.essexcountystandard.co.uk
Andy Hornby hired as Pharmacy2U chairman - Daily Telegraph
“We are delighted to welcome Andy Hornby as the new Chairman of Pharmacy2U’s board of directors and look forward to benefiting from his experience of the pharmacy industry and online retail businesses,” said Daniel Lee, managing director and Founder of Pharmacy2U.
“The imminent transition to electronic prescriptions across the NHS represents an exciting opportunity for Pharmacy2U, and Andy’s insights and leadership will be of significant value in helping us meet the challenges ahead while continuing to provide excellent patient care.”
“Pharmacy2U is an exciting organisation, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to play a part in helping the management team achieve its vision for growth," added Mr Hornby.
It is thought that Mr Hornby will have some equity share in Pharmacy2U.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Sam: I want family affair on TOWIE - Westmidlands.com
The Only Way Is Essex star Sam Faiers has revealed she wants her mother and grandmother to be on the show.
The model already stars with her sister Billie and boyfriend Joey Essex in the ITV reality show, but now she hopes to get more of the Faiers family on screen – if she can persuade them.
Sam said: “I really wanted my nan to be in the Marbella special because she lives in Marbella, but funnily enough my nan was in England while I was out there, so we crossed over, which was really upsetting.
“My mum would be great on the show – she’s really good looking, she’s young, she loves going out with the girls, but she’s just so camera shy, so I don’t know. Maybe…”
This year the group of friends from Essex were followed by the film crew on their annual trip to Marbella, to make their holiday into a summer special.
Sam admitted it had affected the holiday having the cameras there.
She said: “Marbella was really good, but it wasn’t like our usual holiday because we were trying to do partying and filming and there were a lot of fans out there and we were trying to mix it all into one holiday. So it was quite stressful.”
She added: “But in the end it made a really good show so it was good fun.”
Source: www.expressandstar.com
James Franklin relishing ‘electric atmosphere’ at Chelmsford - East Anglian Daily Times
Essex Eagles' new overseas signing James Franklin
By Nick Garnham
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
9:00 AM
OVERSEAS signing James Franklin is relishing the “electric atmosphere” generated at the Ford County Ground when he makes his home debut for Essex Eagles tomorrow night.
The New Zealand all-rounder made his Friends Life t20 bow for the county in last Wednesday’s 17-run defeat in the Eagles’ opening group game against Surrey at the Kia Oval.
Franklin, who arrived in England three weeks ago and has spent the last fortnight with his new team mates, said he jumped at the chance to play for Essex in this season’s competition.
“The opportunity was too good to turn down – I didn’t bother to explore too many other options. Essex are a quality t20 side – I have played against them in the past, so I know what a formidable side they are,” he said.
“Graham Napier and Owais Shah have also both played with me for Wellington and Ryan ten Doeschate has also played in New Zealand before.”
Both Shah and ten Doeschate missed the start of the domestic season as they were involved in the fourth season of the Indian Premier League, which saw Franklin opening the batting for Mumbai Indians alongside Sachin Tendulkar.
Mumbai finished third in the IPL, and Franklin sees no reason why Essex can’t go all the way in the English equivalent of cricket’s shortest format and bring the coveted trophy back to Chelmsford for the first time.
“Absolutely, but it is another thing going out there and walking the walk – we have got to win games of cricket,” said Franklin.
The 31-year-old, who has had spells in county cricket with Gloucestershire and Glamorgan, has previously played in both the championship and CB40 competitions at Chelmsford.
He said: “I know a bit about the atmosphere, but I have not played in a t20 game at Chelmsford before. The lads have said it is an electric atmosphere under the floodlights, so I am looking forward to that.”
Franklin, who shoulders the burden of being Essex’s sole overseas import in this season’s competition after Australian Peter Siddle pulled out, said of his role: “First and foremost I hope to put some runs on the board and contribute well with the ball.
“We have got six or seven bowling options, so we can spread the load and look to pick up some wickets.”
Source: www.eadt.co.uk
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