Retail Round-up: 2nd November

Retail Week - Tesco and Tony…
It has been reported this week that Tesco held discussions with Tony Blair about moving into the Middle East market. The former Prime Minister is a special envoy to the Middle East, and is understood to have talked to the retailer about helping with their expansion in the region. Talks are said to have broken down after the two parties failed to reach an agreement. more

Retail Week - M&S Penny Bazaar is back
Marks & Spencer is to reopen its penny bazaar promotion later this month selling stocking fillers, clothes and kitchenware for a penny each. The first penny bazaar was set up as part of the store’s 125th birthday celebrations. The offer will run on Friday 13th November in 300 main stores, 40 Simply Food stores and eight outlets.more

Retail Week - Oxford Circus gets diagonal
Oxford Circus is to open a diagonal crossing in time for the busy festive period. The measure, designed to minimise the overcrowding which frequently frustrates shoppers in the area, opens today. The Crown Estate, which owns Regent Street, Transport for London and New West End Company will jointly foot the £5m bill.more

The Grocer - Cadbury bracing itself for new Kraft bid
With expected improved third quarter results to be announced tomorrow, Kraft is readying itself to make its final formal offer for Cadbury’s before the deadline of 9th November. While tomorrow’s figures look set to show improved performance for the food giant US analysts are not expecting much increase on Kraft’s original £10.2bn bid.more

The Grocer - Lidl enters online DVD market
In a bid to challenge LoveFilm, Lidl is entering the online DVD rental market to offer a competitor service at a considerably lower price of £3.32 per month. Simon Wilson of Lidl said that the new service was demonstration of the brand’s ongoing offering of quality at low prices.more

The Grocer - Kettle Chips splits off US business
In an effort to secure the best possible selling price for the company, Kettle Chips is looking to sell off its US business. It’s likely that trade buyers will be more interested than private equity groups owing to the £440m price that the brand is seeking. In addition to being able to afford the price, a trade buyer would also open Kettle Chips up to strategic partnerships in distribution and market access.more

Marketing Week - Coffee chains weather the storm
Six leading coffee chains including Costa, Starbucks and Café Nero have all increased their number of outlets by 47% in the last year, with the whole sector expected to grow by 3% to £2bn in consumer spend by 2012. The growth is thought to in part be due to the increased number of redundant business people making use of cheap web space while enjoying a coffee.more

Marketing Week - Three new banks to appear after sell-off
Alistair Darling has confirmed that parts of Lloyds and RBS are to be sold off to create three new banks over the next 3-4 years. The move aims to increase competition and choice in UK banking and could allow brands like Tesco and Virgin, as well as international firms, to bid for the assets. The new banks will all be retail banks.more

Marketing Week - Orange to launch iPhone
Orange is to launch the iPhone on 10 November, putting an end to O2’s market monopoly. Customers will be able to purchase the phone in Orange shops, online, Carphone Warehouse and elsewhere. Vodafone are expected to be next in line to the iPhone market. more

More retail blog posts:

British Retail Consortium Event

How retail workers have been affected by the recession…