AACS Member Profile: James Dickson & Co. Pty. Ltd

Dickson’s has been in business since 1854, that’s 158 years, and has built a strong foundation of evolving, innovation, surviving the tough times and thriving through challenging periods. I recently had the pleasure of attending the Dickson’s Trade Expo where the theme of the day was supporting retailers to Survive and Thrive Dickson’s focus is on supporting all their customers on how to survive and thrive in a challenging retail environment – not just with product deals but also retail education. I certainly applaud the initiatives that Richard, Andrew, Tony and the whole team have created to support their valued customers and it shows that no matter how old or young, a business is, customer focus and constant innovation are keys to success.

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Charities urged to donate an organisational challenge to Deakin University

Deakin University is searching for charities, foundations and volunteer-based organisations with a burning issue to participate in the 2012 WOFIE (Workshop for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) program, which has as its theme Developing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Not- For-Profit (NFP) sector. The program which originated in Denmark’s’ Aalborg University, takes place over five consecutive days (5th-9th November) and involves interdisciplinary teams of postgraduate students finding solutions to real organisational challenges. WOFIE Project Manager at Deakin University’s Graduate School of Business, Steve Ogden Barnes, said not-for-profit organisations were a key part of society providing a range of support services across all facets of life. “The SES, Salvation Army, CFA, RSPCA and Red Cross are very familiar to us all, and there are many, many others out there, all relying on limited funds and volunteers to get their particular job done,” he said. “While they all have a different mission, they may…

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Link between sport and junk food sends wrong message

Clare Kermond June 14, 2012 The Age Children are being bombarded by messages for unhealthy food as brands use sports sponsorship to slip through regulatory loopholes, according to new research. A study into the effect of food and drink companies sponsoring sports has sounded alarms about the links between this lucrative arm of marketing and children’s unhealthy eating habits. According to the Australian study, most children (65 per cent) can correctly name at least one sponsor of their favourite sports team or athlete; many (39 per cent) felt good about sponsors because of this link; and many (41 per cent), especially boys, were more likely to buy a sponsor’s products. The Australian study, a collaboration between the University of Sydney and the Cancer Council of New South Wales, noted that the two main industry codes for marketing food to children, by the Australian Food and Grocery Council and the Australian…

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Remodels, 24-Hour Locations and Pizza Delivery Drive Casey’s Results

Jun 13, 2012 CSNews ANKENY, Iowa — Casey’s General Stores, the 1,699-unit convenience store chain based here, is poised for strong growth after reporting record earnings for its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter which ended April 30, 2012. For the quarter, basic earnings per share were 61 cents, compared with 60 cents per share for the same period a year ago. For the year, the Iowa-based convenience store chain reported basic earnings per share were $3.07 vs. 2.24 the previous year. After adjusting for the $17.6 million post-tax impact of the costs associated with the failed Alimentation Couche-Tard takeover attempt, basic earnings per share last year would have been $2.65. In a conference call this morning, Casey’s CFO William Walljasper attributed much of the retailer’s strong growth to the successful rollout of the chain’s remodeling program and two new initiatives — converting select stores to 24-hour operations and adding pizza delivery.…

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Supermarket consolidation at critical point, says ACCC boss

Scott Murdoch The Australian June 14, 2012 THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims has declared the regulator is reaching a “critical decision point” in its concerns over the rush of consolidation in the supermarket sector. Mr Sims has told a Sydney business function today that major barriers still exist for potential rivals to Woolworths and Coles. In the speech, Mr Sims said the major players currently dominated the groceries market and were building up similar stakes in liquor, homewares and petrol. “The ACCC is already concerned about the market structures in the supermarket sector and the continued expansion of Coles and Woolworths relative to the other retailers,” he said. “While it recognises that growth by the major supermarket chains has brought benefits to consumers as a result of their scale there’s a risk that with only two major national chains competition between them to offer lower prices…

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Fresh Perspectives Progressive Grocer

Meg Major Jun 14, 2012 The experience of grocery shopping is still a bit of a mystery for many folks, which most assuredly makes the life’s work of our core supermarket buyer/seller audience all the more significant when pausing to ponder the cutthroat climate that distinctly defines food retailing today. To be sure, the days of “everything to everybody” retailing are gone, concurs Blaine Becker, senior director, marketing & business relations for Bellevue, Wash.-based The Hartman Group. “No food retailer wants to be caught in the middle,” he continues, “because there’s a very real possibility of being nobody at all.” No argument here. With this the case, Becker called to our attention some right-on-time Hartman Group insights that breakdown five realities and five fantasies of retailing that can potentially further inspire new thinking for food merchants in the 21st century. 5 Realities 1. Relevancy Gap. Today’s retail landscape is the…

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