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Contrary to your Leader (5 January), the RSPCA never said Princess Anne's dog should be 'put down'. We could not comment on the case because we did not have the [...]

Spar's mission is to ensure it remains the world's largest retail food store chain and that it develops as a single strong international retail brand. Md of International Spar Gordon [...]

The UK Labour government may choose to create an interim food standards agency before the White Paper on food standards has been fully debated. A consultative document produced by Professor James suggested that the new food agency should be responsible for all health aspects of nutrition and food regulations. Groups such as the BRC are very anxious that the new body should include retailers, manufacturers and farmers in addition to consumers., An interim food standards agency could be up and running by the autumn -- even though legislation to fully implement Labour's new independent body could take up to three years. [...]

The UK convenience retailer Spar is spending 5 million pounds sterling on an advertising campaign which includes a sponsorship deal, instore posters and the distribution of leaflets. Spar has agreed to sponsor the British Athletics Federation as part of its promotional strategy, and it has become involved in an athletics program for children. Spar is a convenience retailer which has shops in a variety of outlets such as forecourts, supermarkets and local stores. Spar will experience the type of national exposure which is usually available to supermarket chains., Spar is sprinting ahead of its symbol group rivals with a 5 million [pounds sterling] marketing spend, hailed as the largest in its 40 year history. At the centre of [...]

A television advertisement created by DaCosta and Co will be one of the key events planned by Budgens to mark its 125th anniversary. It will double its national advertising investment to 1.5 million pounds sterling, and will also run press advertising. Promotional activity will include the '3 mile promise,' under which the company will refund double the difference if a consumer finds an equivalent product cheaper at another store within a three mile radius, and large price reductions., Budgens is doubling its national advertising spend to 1.5[pounds sterling] million to celebrate its 125th anniversary. At the centre of the party is its first ever TV campaign breaking on [...]

Flanagan's Supermarket Direct, the firm spearheading home shopping, is adamant the sector will contribute 10%-20% of retail sales in the next five to 10 years. In an exclusive interview with [...]

An experiment by UK supermarket chains Safeway and Tesco to introduce non-Christmas all-night shopping at some stores has been heralded as a success. The multiples introduced the system to four areas in Mar 1997 and had similar results, with trading brisk until midnight and picking up again in the early morning., Ann Grain and Clive Beddall dosed up on caffeine and ventured into the brave new world of the nocturnal supermarket. At least there were no checkout queues to complain about. [...]

Ann Robinson is the director general of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) having been appointed to the post in early 1997. Robinson, a civil servant for many years, has also for 21 years co-owned with her husband three retail outlets. Robinson believes the retail market is a growing sector, employing 10% of the UK workforce, and the government should be aware of its potential importance economically. Robinson feels the government will listen to retailers' concerns via the BRC., Freshly installed as director general of the British Retail Consortium, Ann Robinson has no doubts about what the retail industry requires to thrive and prosper in 1997 and beyond. And [...]

Supermarkes appear reluctant to embrace home shopping which could lead to their exclusion from the long term future of food retailing. Trials being undertaken during the next year will exclude multiples according to Hoskyns, a computer services company and Food Ferry, a home delivery grocery service. Both companies believe that future retailing will involve partneships between wholesalers, electronic brokers, village shops, forecourts and distribution firms.

The British Supermarket chain, Somerfield, plans to expand its retail operation after it receives 700 million pounds sterling from its stock market flotation. The company will open several new sites across the country over the next few years. It will shut down a number of stores which currently trade under the Gateway's name. The company hopes to expand its customer loyalty scheme which currently operates with another retail outlet, Argos. It also plans to offer more home delivery services.

Mace, convenience store chain, is analysing its UK stores to determine how best to operate. The chain has classified its stores into groups including country and small town stores, stores in comfortable retirement areas, council estates, mostly in Scotland, and poorer urban housing council estates, mostly in England, and middle England. All stores will have a marketing plan to encourage custom from as many people as possible by making available the products which customers seek. Mace has been assisted by CACI Information Services, target marketing expert.

Steve Haslett launched the Independent Manufacturers' Alliance (IMA) buying group in 1992. The group currently boasts 100 members, and it expects to have a total of 200 by the end of 1996, with a ultimate target of 250. In June 1995, the group reported a turnover of over 2 billion pounds sterling. IMA is currently investigating new areas for expansion such as frozen food, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, dairy and bakery., In 1992 it was touch and go whether Steve Haslett's buying group - Independent Manufacturers' Alliance - would survive. Although he may have a persuasive gift of the gab he [...]

The Spar group now has 19,000 outlets in 25 countries, with total retail space of 51 million sq ft, according to managing director Garry Craft, speaking at the recent Spar conference in San Diego, CA. A number of initiatives aimed at improving retailer profitability were announced at the conference. The group is soon to launch American Cola, its largest ever branded product, and the Saver range is to be redesigned., SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA A loyalty card, own label cola and plans to improve fresh food sales are among a raft of initiatives unveiled at the Spar conference this week. 'We [...]

Presents letters to the editor regarding various issues in current events. Reference to an article called 'Islamophobia' written by William Dalrymple in the January 19th edition on anti-Arab views in Great Britain; Consideration of a letter that criticizes the foreign policy of U.S. President George W. Bush; How CNN news is widely broadcast in the Communist country of Cuba; Others.