The news that Microsoft has hired a senior Wal-Mart executive to spearhead a move into retail will not come as much of a shock. These days retailers run the world, and companies like Microsoft, which have typically supplied big retail, are now increasingly drawn to the idea of opening up for themsel...

I've always cherished the memory of seeing a Rage Against The Machine fan helping his Mum do the weekly shop in Asda, wearing his "I won't do what you tell me" tshirt while his mam sent him up and down collecting Dairylea Dunkers and Bisto granules. So it's with some delight to discover that Asda an...

Filed under: Health & safety, In the news, Weird but true, Environment, Mealtime, Birthdays, Shopping & recalls Like any good mom, Gail Jordan wanted to do something special for her son's 21st birthday. Her idea was to put a picture of her son, David, on a birthday cake. The kicker? David, w...

One can make a very persuasive argument for private labels being the strongest brands in Britain these days. Stores' own brands have come a long way from their budget origins and today occupy an important part of many consumers' lives. In fact, there have been seven ages of private label, the latest...

Despite my recent beefs about Asda I found myself there again yesterday, not for the weekly shop but to browse the CD Isle, they have quite a good selection and how wrong can you get with things like pre-packed, made somewhere else type goods? In the car-park I overheard two battle worn vets of powe...