Yolanda Redrup 29 January 2014 Smartcompany Mobile payments company Square, founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is rumoured to be coming to Australia, potentially providing small businesses with an easy in-store payment solution. Speculation started circulating earlier this month after a photo was posted on Twitter of Dorsey and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, accompanied by the message “disruptive innovation soon to come to Aus”. Since then sources have confirmed to The Australian Financial Review preparations have begun to launch the business down under. The technology has been a success in the United States and should it enter the Australian market is expected to disrupt the banks and provide businesses with a cheaper and simpler solution to electronic payments. Square allows businesses to accept electronic payments on their iPhones, iPads or Android devices through the attachment of a card reader. It’s also created the Square Wallet, an app which allows people…

Graham Ruddick 12 Jan 2014 Telegraph uk Sainsbury’s to operate more convenience stores than supermarkets as consumer habits change The number of Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores will this week overtake the number of supermarkets run by the company, providing further evidence of the dramatic shift taking place in the grocery industry. A week after Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons were all forced to downgrade their annual forecasts on the back of an underwhelming Christmas, Sainsbury’s will open its 594th convenience store. Mike Coupe, Sainsbury’s group commercial director, said the milestone was a reflection of how consumers are increasingly looking to shop little and often, rather than focusing on one weekly shop. Sainsbury’s sales growth slowed to 0.2pc on a like-for-like basis in the run-up to Christmas, its slowest pace in nine years. However, sales in its convenience stores rose by almost 18pc and online sales by more than 10pc. Mr Coupe…

JANE HARPER JANUARY 30, 2014 HERALD SUN COCA-Cola Amatil has flagged further writedowns in its ailing fruit processing arm SPC Ardmona after the Federal Government refused to throw the business a $25 million lifeline. The soft drink giant says the government’s decision is “disappointing” and will trigger a “material review” into the value of the Victorian business, which has been buffetted by a glut of cheap imports. SPC’s parent company had been seeking an injection of $25 million from each of the Federal and State governments. It had plegdged to invest $90 million upgrading technology and products at the Shepparton cannery in return for the grants. But Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said Coca-Cola, which chalked up a $215 million profit for the six months to June, did not need a bailout. “We believe Coca-Cola with a very, very healthy balance sheet is able to provide that money from within its…

SOPHIE ELSWORTH January 18, 2014 News Limited Network AUSTRALIANS’ loyalty to their corner shops remains stronger than ever. The second annual Westpac Australia Day report found 90 per of Australians are true to their local businesses and about one in two (49 per cent) will buy from a small business to help strengthen the nation’s economy. The results found they are most loyal to their grocery stores (39 per cent), pharmacies (37 per cent), restaurants (21 per cent), bakeries and butchers (both 20 per cent). Westpac’s general manager of retail banking, Gai McGrath said Australians were well aware of the important role small businesses play within their local communities. “Australians can see the connection between supporting your local businesses and the health of the local economy and community,” she said. “They see it also as an emotional connection because these businesses are visible to them each and every day in…

Jan 21, 2014 CSNews CHICAGO — Convenience stores continue to shed past perceptions, and 7-Eleven Inc. is no different. The Dallas-based retailer has made a big push into the fresh food business and the effort seems to be working. As one local resident told the Chicago Tribune, stopping by a downtown 7-Eleven for a bite to eat before heading to work fits into his schedule. “I like it because it’s quick. I don’t have a lot of time,” Andre Holden said as he bought his usual pizza slice and fried mozzarella sticks. He said he pops into the c-store about three times a week. 7-Eleven hoped to win this type of shopping trip when it decided to pump up its fresh food offerings, including more healthy snacks. With more consumers willing to go to a convenience store for a quick meal, 7-Eleven seeks to build a name for itself in…