Weekly news summary 16th January 2015

HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– EX ROWAN INTERNATIONAL MD TAKES THE HELM AT BLAKEMORE WHOLESALE
– JJ FOOD SERVICE UNVEILS POTATO PROMOTIONS 
– METRO GROUP BOOSTED BY CASH & CARRY SALES GROWTH
– SHARPE JOINS NISA RETAILER

BLAKEMORE WHOLESALE POST FOR JAMES RUSSELL

James Russell (pictured) has become Blakemore Wholesale distribution managing director, reporting to group wholesale md Sam Wilcox.

Russell’s responsibilities in this newly-created role include the company’s new export operation.

He was previously managing director of Basildon-based Rowan International, which is engaged in the discount channel.

In addition to his three years at that company, Russell worked for Britvic Soft Drinks, where he was in charge of the wholesale side, and Gallaher, where he undertook different roles across finance, supply chain and sales.

Commenting on the appointment, Wilcox said: “James has the experience and credentials to steer this important part of our operation to the next level and help us achieve our longer-term strategic objectives.”

Russell added: “We will be expanding our customer footprint, both in the UK and abroad.”

Tel: Blakemore Wholesale (01902) 366066

JJ LAUNCHES CHIP WEEK CAMPAIGN

JJ Food Service will be helping customers to capitalise on National Chip Week on 16-22 February with a number of chip and potato-themed promotions.

“We will be holding potato-themed promotions, a social media competition and the chance to win a case of our gluten-free Super Crisp Chips,” said JJ national account manager Sue Guilfoyle.

Potatoes are an important part of JJ’s business – it sells a wide selection, from raw chipping spuds to jacket potatoes, from roast potatoes to chips.

At the end of last year, JJ launched a gluten-free Super Crisp Chip range to help pubs, restaurants and caterers respond to the growing number of people on gluten-free diets. Last month, the company added a Chunky Cut variant, its biggest chip yet.

Tel: JJ Food Service (0843) 309 0991 

MORE DELIVERED TRADE FOR METRO

Metro Group, which in recent years has been reducing the number of countries where it has cash & carry interests, recorded 1.4% like-for-like C&C sales growth in the first quarter of its financial year.

However, total C&C income over the corresponding three-month periods was down from 8.5 billion euros to 8.2 billion euros.

While there were ‘distinct increases’ in Eastern Europe and Asia, with a double-digit like-for-like gain in Russia, figures were clouded by currency fluctuations.

Directors of the Dusseldorf-based group reported: “In Western Europe, like-for-like sales (of Metro Cash & Carry) decreased slightly due to business development in Belgium and the Netherlands. In Germany, like-for-like sales also declined slightly.”

One particularly pleasing factor was the growth of delivered trade through the cash & carries – up by more than 10%.

Over the three-month period, nine C&Cs were opened in various locations. Metro has more than 700 C&Cs worldwide. 

SHARPE JOINS NISA RETAILER

John Sharpe (pictured), who worked for Nisa as trading director for 24 years prior to setting up a consultancy last year, has moved to a new online retail business due to be launched later this year.

He is joining Houghton Trading, a company formed in 1985 by brothers Kishor and Pat Patel, and which until last year operated seven retail shops. It now has three Nisa Local stores – in Elstree, Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead.

Tel: Houghton Trading (01582) 583601