Food & Drink Innovation Network » MORRISONS QUICHES AND WAITROSE ESSENTIALS SHOTLISTED FOR HIGH STREET OSCAR AWARDS

MORRISONS QUICHES AND WAITROSE ESSENTIALS SHOTLISTED FOR HIGH STREET OSCAR AWARDS

November 26th, 2009

In tough economic conditions, retailers are continuing to see the importance of developing innovative products with the aim of gaining a competitive edge and attracting customers.

Six UK retailers have today been shortlisted to compete for “Product Innovation of the Year” at the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2010:
Boots No7 Protect and Prefect
The Co-operative Produce storage bags
Focus PAYLESS
Morrisons Morrisons Quiche
Waitrose essential Waitrose
Waterstone’s eReader and eBooks

Defending champion, The Co-operative became the first UK retailer to include storage instructions for fruit and vegetables on loose produce bags. With UK households throwing away 6.7 million tonnes of food waste each year, this concept aims to educate consumers on the best ways of storing fresh food for longer, thereby reducing the amount of food thrown away. Boots is also vying for the title with their No7 Protect and Perfect range which, sold 150,000 units on launch day. Clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, No7 Protect and Perfect could be viewed as every woman’s dream product.

Supermarket Waitrose responded to changing consumer behaviour during the downturn, by introducing the essential Waitrose range offering customers quality produce with an affordable price tag. Value for money appears a key theme as DIY retailer Focus launched the PAYLESS campaign. As a sector impacted by the downturn in the housing market, PAYLESS looks to provide low-cost, easy to use DIY and gardening products.

Following a review focusing on product that could be improved, Morrisons launched a new range of quiches. Enhancements were made to the recipe, range and packaging and increased shelf space was dedicated to the range during the summer months to optimise sales during the ‘picnic season’.

Waterstone’s, in partnership with Sony, launched the eReader and eBooks using eInk technology. The Sony eReader is a six-inch screen with the capacity to hold up to 350 books. Since the launch of the eReader the number of eBooks available has increased to some 19,000 titles all available from Waterstone’s website.

Speaking about the quality of the awards shortlist, Tim Danaher, Editor of Retail Week commented: “The launch of new and innovative products is incredibly important for the success of the retail sector as a whole. The retailers nominated for this category have all demonstrated great insight and understanding of their customer and added new ranges which complement existing stock. We’re delighted with the shortlist for the 2010 Oracle Retail Week Awards which is stronger than ever, confirming that retailing continues to be dynamic despite the downturn.”

“These Awards continue to be the benchmark of British retail success. As the largest business software company, Oracle is committed to supporting the development of excellence, innovation, creativity and agility within retail businesses and this year’s entries demonstrate that these values continue to lie at the heart of this industry. The finalists in each category are delivering consistent results, compelling value propositions and shopping experiences and we are delighted to recognise their achievements,” said Sarah Taylor, Industry Director, Oracle Retail.

Widely considered the biggest and most established event in the UK retail industry calendar, the awards will take place on March 4th, 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s West End. In addition to the 12 shortlisted categories, a further four awards will be selected by the main judging panel when they meet early next year to agree the winners for 2010, including the ultimate accolade, Oracle Retailer of the Year.

The judging panel comprises some of the most influential names in the UK retail sector, including;
Mike Shearwood, Chief Executive, Mosaic Fashions
Terry Duddy, Chief Executive, Home Retail Group
Beverley Aspinall, Chief Executive, Fortnum & Mason
Jacqueline Gold, Chief Executive, Ann Summers
Hugh Harvey, Managing Director, Comet
Rob Templeman, Chief Executive, Debenhams
Alan Giles, Chairman, Fat Face
Stephen Sunnucks, President Gap, Europe
Richard Pennycook, Finance Director, Morrisons
Ben Gordon, Chief Executive, Mothercare
Simon Fox, Chief Executive, HMV Group
Lisa Morgan, Chief Executive, Game Group
Ian Grabiner, Chief Executive Officer, Arcadia
Andy Clarke, Chief Operating Officer, ASDA Group
Mark Newton Jones, Chief Executive, Shop Direct Group

The Food & Drink Innovation Network

MORRISONS QUICHES AND WAITROSE ESSENTIALS SHOTLISTED FOR HIGH STREET OSCAR AWARDS

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