Elsevier Food International

Volume 4, No. 3 September 2001

Market Vision
Kunio Takagi, president and CEO of the troubled Japanese retailer Daiei, is a man with a difficult mission. It's his task to instigate the three-year 'Phoenix Plan,' which aims to see the company rise triumphant from the ashes. But with Daiei's huge debts, not to mention its heavily criticised past, how does Takagi plan to ensure that this rebirth becomes a reality?

Daiei's Total Renewal

Instore
Retailers are increasingly aware of the need to run environmentally-friendly stores - not just to keep customers happy, but to reduce costs. Significant savings can be achieved via reductions in energy and water use, as well as via the raw materials used for building. Sainsbury's and Wal-Mart have already opened state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly stores; others look set to follow suit.

Green for the Greater Good

Food Watch
With the world's retail regions in different stages of development, big players from the saturated markets are seizing the opportunity to get involved in emerging markets. While most retailers remain regional, some will grow to be truly global. But which ones are they? And how do we judge them - by size, or by geographical spread?

The Retail World Cup

Food Buying
Belgian retailer Delhaize and Italian retailer Esselunga will bring €4 bn and €3.6 bn respectively to European Marketing Distribution's purchasing potential of nearly €119 bn. EMD currently represents 14.4 per cent of the total European market, and aims to reach a level of 20 per cent as soon as possible. So what other plans does EMD's managing director Peter Hampl have for the future?

EMD: A state of independence

Retail Profile
Are customers prepared to pay a membership fee of US$45 or even US$ 100 a year to shop in a warehouse where they can purchase large quantities of a limited assortment? Costco thinks so. The company is confident that its concept of large quantity, high quality goods and low prices is working - not just in North America but in Central America, Europe and Asia.

The Costco Concept

Fresh Foods
A recent report from independent market analyst Datamonitor has found that UK consumers are set to become Europe's biggest spenders on organic food. The organic market has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past ten years and its popularity seems sure to continue into 2005.

Ready-made organic meals