Supermarket ‘heavies’ favoured
That grocery suppliers “discriminate” against the
independent sector on the prices the latter pay for grocery products
has been highlighted by this week’s report to the Senate by the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, (ACCC).
Alan McKenzie of the National Association of Retail Grocers of
Australia, (NARGA) says that the report provides for the first time
objective evidence that grocery suppliers are favouring the major
supermarket chains with lower prices than they give to the
independent sector, even though the latter is able to perform at the
same level as the chains.
More... |
Metcash moves in on Manila
The national grocery and liquor wholesale distributor and marketer
Metcash Trading Ltd, has reached agreement in principle today
(October 2) to enter into a joint venture in the Philippines with
that country’s leading food distributor and wholesaler, Suy
Sing Commercial Corporation.
The Philippines operation has four distribution centres across
Manila's metropolitan area, posting annual turnover of about $A400
million.
More... |
Focus urged on pocketbook, not piracy
Media companies should concentrate on finding more ways to make
money from digital music and movies rather than waste time protecting
their content from copyright pirates.
That’s the thrust of a new study by KPMG in the United
States, which found that the 40 top media executives surveyed focused
on encryption software and other technologies to thwart pirates
rather than focusing on beating the pirates to the consumer
pocketbook.
More... |
Coles Myer scores 134% comeback and hints at structural change
A hefty 134% profit rise on the year to $353.8 million has been
achieved by Coles Myer, Target a star performer with a retail EBIT
(Earnings Before Interest and Tax) of $51.7 million against the
previous retail EBIT loss of $14.6 million in the financial year
2001.
However, Kmart and Officeworks recorded a disappointing 20%
plunge in retail EBIT to $61.9 million this financial year against
$78 million for the same period last year.
More... |
OUTSOURCING – look before you leap
One of Australasia’s outsourcing pioneers has produced a
12-point checklist for companies planning to outsource agreements.
Payroll outsourcing specialist Bruce Sullivan says that –
even though the Harvard Business Review has identified outsourcing as
one of the most important management ideas and practices of the past
75 years - companies should look before they leap into a contract.
More... |
Westpac signs $100m card pact
Westpac Banking Corporation has signed an agreement with First
Data Australia to provide a managed service for its cards processing.
The $100 million multi-year agreement will see First Data
international card and merchant services division assume
responsibility for Westpac's Australasian cards processing in phases
from this month (October).
More... |
Wishing you an Unmerry Christmas
An employee of a Bankstown (Sydney) retailer has complained to
Channel Ten’s Beauty and the Beast program that she and
her colleagues have been instructed not to wish customers a Merry
Christmas this coming festive season for fear of offending the
religious sensibilities of those who are not Christian.
Which begs several questions:
More... |
Get on-line with Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour retailers are promoting their wares with a
recently launched on-line privilege program called Club Darling
Harbour, which offers members special deals and discounts at retail
stores, restaurants, bars, clubs and other attractions.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority CEO Greg Robinson says the new
loyalty program has been developed together with the stakeholders, to
give something back to the community through a range of tailored
discounts and exclusive offers.
More... |
Close
This bulletin is edited and compiled by retail commentator John Kingsley-Jones.
John has worked as an Editor, Chief Sub-Editor
and journalist in magazines and newspapers both
in Australia and overseas.
In the past 15 years, he has consulted to a
range of companies and brands such as Unilever,
Mars Confectionery, TipTop, Tooheys, McWilliam's
Wines, Goodyear and BMW.
That's it for this issue of the Retail One-Stop. If you
have any questions or comments please give us a call on 02 9419 8356 or email us
on info@eps.net.au.
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