Retailing

Pub groups recognised at the Retailers’ Retailer Awards

09-Mar-2018 By James Wallin, MCA

Cutting edge pub groups were recognised at this year’s Retailers’ Retailer Awards, now in their 20th year and organised by MCA, the Morning Advertiser’s sister title, at London’s Guildhall on Wednesday night.

SIBA Business Awards to take place during BeerX

05-Jan-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

This year’s Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Business Awards will happen during the organisation’s BeerX event.

10 top tips from retail that pub operators need to adopt

24-Oct-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Pubs need to take note of how the retail sector uses technology to boost footfall and sales and use the same approach, according to experts.

On-trade serving 1 in 4 teens alcohol without asking for ID

30-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Operators sold one in four teenage mystery shoppers alcohol without asking for proof of age in 2016, according to new data.

Tim Martin: pubs 'destined for further decline' without tax relief

23-Feb-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has hit out at the Government’s upcoming business rates rises and tax inequality, which will see his pubco hit with a bill of millions.

Amazon deal highlights 'unfair' business rates system says ALMR

14-Feb-2017 By Liam Coleman

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has reiterated its calls for transitional business rate relief for pubs after online retailer Amazon was given a business rates cut.

Pub demolition

Co-op clashes with locals in battle to demolish pub

18-Nov-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Sheffield residents outraged at Co-op’s plans to replace a pub with a retail unit have applied to list the site as an asset of community value (ACV)

Research: Pubs benefit from spending increase during December

08-Jan-2016 By M&C Allegra

Consumers helped themselves to a generous measure of Christmas cheer during December, increasing spending across all major categories including pubs and restaurants, according to the latest data from Barclaycard.

Supermarket trading restricted: Good or bad for pubs?

20-Nov-2015 By Oli Gross

Plans to extend Sunday trading hours for supermarkets have been pulled after David Cameron expected opposition within his party, but would a relaxation of trading laws damage trade, or be beneficial?

City news

M&B integrates 173 pubs; director goes to Enterprise Inns

16-Oct-2015 By MC Allegra FS

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has announced it has completed the integration of the 173-strong Orchid estate it acquired for £266m last June and said that following this Steve de Polo, who was most recently Orchid programme director, has decided to...

Tim Bacon scoops top prize at Retailers' Retailer of the Year Awards

05-Mar-2015 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Tim Bacon, the driving force behind the continued growth, evolution and success of Living Ventures Group, has been singled out by his peers as the stand-out individual in the eating-out and drinking-out market.

Eating out spend rises as fuel costs drop

19-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

Spending on eating out has increased as the fall in petrol prices drove consumers to pump an additional £12.81 each into the UK economy last month, as they benefited from an extra £19.81 in their pockets.

MPs seek to end pub planning rights ‘scandal’

22-Jan-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

MPs from the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group have tabled an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill, seeking to “end the scandal” of pubs being demolished or turned into supermarkets without planning permission.

Statutory code: Groceries ombudsman still debating powers five years on

11-Jun-2014 By James Wallin

The Government proposes the pub ombudsman role is based on the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), which came into force at the end of last year.

'Giant' vending machine installed in pub car park to replace village shop

02-Apr-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

A Derbyshire pub has become "a tourist destination" after its tenants installed a large vending machine, stocking a host of household essentials, in its car park.

Retail guru warns that operators need to have 'future vision'

20-Nov-2013 By Mike Berry

Operators need to get technology on their agenda, otherwise they risk becoming obsolete and failing.

Greene King reports managed like-for-like sales rise

29-Apr-2013 By Mark Wingett

Greene King, the brewer and pub operator, has reported a 2.2% rise in like-for-like sales across its managed estate for the 51 weeks to 21 April 2013 and said it expected to meet market expectations for the full year.

MP Greg Mulholland writes to supermarkets demanding they stop 'predatory purchasing'

22-Nov-2012 By Michelle Perrett

All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group Chair, MP Greg Mulholland, has written to all the major supermarket chains calling on them to stop ‘predatory purchasing’ pubs up and down the country.

Kurnia Group exits retailing with sale of Cloud Bar in Lincoln

12-Nov-2012 By Adam Pescod

The Kurnia Group has sold its last remaining outlet, the Cloud Bar, marking the end of the Lincolnshire-based group’s retailing business, which is led by operator Michael Kheng.

Senior pub figures to talk at Pub Retail Summit

03-Oct-2012 By John Harrington

Leading figures from across the sector are to speak at the Pub Retail Summit 2012, a must-attend conference focusing on the managed pub industry, at London’s Landmark Hotel on Thursday, 8 November.

Wine bars becoming more common on high streets

03-Sep-2012 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Wine bars and tea shops are becoming increasingly common on high streets while businesses such as pubs, cafes and takeaways decline, says a new study that highlights the rise of “boutique” retail outlets on high streets.

Newsagents call to save pubs from closure

31-Jul-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Independent newsagents are issuing calls to save pubs from closure by closing “an unnacceptable loophole” that allows developers to convert pubs into small convenience stores without planning permission.

Beer tax fraud inquiry: small brewers could face £14m hit over duty suspense

27-Jun-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Small brewers transporting beer under duty-suspense in the UK will have to pay in excess of £14m per year if the Government does not go ahead with excluding those producing fewer than 200,000 hectolitres (HL).

Experience key to survival

02-Feb-2012 By Rob Willock

I’d rather be running a pub than a shoe shop right now. And that’s not just because the idea of handling people’s feet all day turns my stomach.

Discount vouchers remain popular for eating out

05-Jan-2012 By Michelle Perrett

Two-thirds of people have used a discount voucher when eating out, although just 18% say they go out more often as a result of the vouchers, according to new survey from Deloitte.

Time for change: an open letter to Bob Ivell

03-Nov-2011 By The PMA Team

Dear Bob, I trust you’re well. Welcome back to the pub trade. You will have noticed that right now our industry’s collective voice is as fragmented as ever. I know there have been a few distractions at Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), Bob, but things...

The below-cost sales minefield

01-Nov-2011 By Peter Coulson

It does not surprise me that the Government is having some difficulty in resolving the issues involved in supermarket low-cost sales (Cheap booze ban: work continues — the PMA, 20 October).

New appointments to Community Alcohol Partnerships board

12-Oct-2011 By Adam Pescod

Baroness Helen Newlove, chair of the Community Alcohol Partnerships scheme, has welcomed the appointment of eight senior independent and retail members to serve on the management board.

Brighton Council seeks VAT rise for off-licence sales

30-Sep-2011 By Ewan Turney

Brighton & Hove City Council is the first local authority to call for the Government to set differential rates of VAT for the on and off-trades to help combat the cheap booze fuelling binge drinking.

ALMR focuses on making most of social media revolution

07-Sep-2011 By Ewan Turney

How can pubs make the most of the social media revolution? That’s the key question to be explored at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers Autumn Event.

Riots: Losses could reach £392m

11-Aug-2011 By Michelle Perrett

The riots and looting across the UK have already cost retailers £80m in lost sales, according to research from Kelkoo. The figures, produced by the...

Under-18s can help solve drink issues

01-Jul-2011 By Ewan Turney

Under-18s and their parents can make the greatest contribution in combating underage drinking, a new consultation on test purchase operations has...

Trade: 'be tougher on supermarkets'

02-Jun-2011 By Adam Pescod

Trade leaders and licensees have urged the Government to take more robust action over the failure of supermarkets to curb promos.

Young's confirms plans to sell tenanted pubs

31-Mar-2011 By Hamish Champ

Young's has confirmed that it is looking to trim its estate after putting 30 of its 99 tenanted pubs on the market. The move follows the London...

'Mr Average spends 10585 hours of his life in the pub'

28-Feb-2011 By Matt Eley Matt

If your fella is either in the boozer, watching the box or shopping online, don't panic… it's normal behaviour.The typical bloke spends 10,585...

Mitchells & Butlers: Snow? What snow?

27-Jan-2011 By Hamish Champ

The recent poor weather appears not to have dented Mitchells & Butlers' (M&B) trading, with the All Bar One reporting like-for-like sales up...

Scottish Parliament to discuss 'supermarket tax'

26-Jan-2011 By Lesley Foottit

Members of the Scottish Parliament will today hear evidence on proposals for a large retailer levy. Scottish finance secretary John Swinney, who...

Test purchase self regulation an option

20-Dec-2010 By Sonya Hook, The Grocer

The Government is considering letting retailers and pubs conduct their own test-purchasing operations to stop underage sales of alcohol if they can...

Co-op branded 'irresponsible' over deep discounting

13-Dec-2010 By Lesley Foottit

A trade chief has branded a supermarket chain as "irresponsible" for discounting a four-pack of own brand lager to just 79p. A Co-op in Stockport...

'Bargain booze war hits UK supermarkets in time for Christmas'

16-Nov-2010 By James Wilmore

Rival supermarkets have launched a Christmas spirits price war with heavy discounts on whisky, gin and vodka - despite admitting the move might lose...

Greene King in confident mood, despite gloomy economy

07-Sep-2010 By Hamish Champ

Brewer and pub operator Greene King believes that despite growing pressure on household spending it expects to deliver "another successful year" for...

Managed pubs fuel Greene King confidence

07-Sep-2010 By Ewan Turney

Greene King has unveiled a 4.4% like-for-like sales increase at its managed pubs division for the 18 weeks to 5 September.

Caroline Nodder: Budget could have been worse

28-Jun-2010 By Caroline Nodder

Could have been worse. That was the generally held opinion within the pub trade after last week's long anticipated Emergency Budget was unveiled by...

ALMR backs Healey but urges action on supermarkets

19-Mar-2010 By John Harrington

The ALMR has welcomed the Government's new measures to help pubs — but bemoaned the lack of action on cheap supermarket alcohol.

Ever So Sensible plans restaurant expansion

09-Mar-2010 By Martyn Leek, M&C Report

Ever So Sensible, the Nottingham-based pub and restaurant group, has launched a new Tiki-bar concept in the city and also plans to open a new Le...

Supermarkets reduce alcohol promotions

24-Feb-2010 By Martyn Leek, M&C Report

Alcohol lost the top spot for the most promoted product in supermarkets for the first time in 10 months in February, according to the latest...

Thomas out, Douglas in at Luminar

23-Feb-2010 By Hamish Champ

Stephen Thomas, the founder and chief executive of nightclub operator Luminar, is to step down from the top job at the end of this month, to be...

Accelerate Your Way to Even More Rewards with Nectar Business

04-Nov-2009 By Nectar Business

There is now a new way to collect Nectar points even more quickly so you can reward your business faster with the launch of 'collect points online' at nectar-business.com.'

Telling the stories of success

20-Oct-2009 By The PMA Team

The Morning Advertiser has many roles, but the most important is disseminating the lessons that can be learned from great retailing experiences, says The PMA Team.

Sainsbury's guilty of underage sales

20-Oct-2009 By Matt Eley Matt

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has been slapped with a bill for nearly £45,000 after being found guilty of selling alcohol to under-18s. It was...