Colruyt beats the rest on price
Colruyt, the Belgian retail group, said its prices were the lowest in the entire retail sector in 2003, beating even the specialist discount chains.
Archives for January 29, 2004
WHEAT FOCUS: Positive future for grains?
Higher world populations and changes in dietary patterns - notably in emerging economies - are leading to a steady increase in food demand which will have a positive impact on world grain prices, says a grains analyst this week.
UK farmers stand up for CAP
The UK National Farmers Union this week slammed a report from Oxfam on farming and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform proposals, branding it as inaccurate and one-sided.
Loyalty cards: the next generation
Since 1998, the Observatory on Loyalty Cards at the University of Parma in Italy has been monitoring the progress of 40 loyalty card schemes operated by retailers across Europe. In a report for M+M Planet Retail, Cristina Ziliani from the Observatory...
Dairy progress relieves margins
Stronger sales in North America and developments in the dairy industry helped beat the impact of dollar-euro currency conversions in the first three months of the year. Weak growth in Europe, South America and Asia saw overall earnings slip for the...
Squeezed margins knock starch supplier
Higher raw material prices, a tighter competitive market place and uncertainty over HFCS contracts in the US sees UK carbohydrates ingredients company Tate & Lyle announcing a disappointing trading update for the third quarter.
Exchange rates curb Casino growth
Like its larger compatriot Carrefour, French supermarket group Casino ended 2003 with sales slightly ahead of the previous year but continued to suffer at the hands of adverse currency exchange rates.
Perekryostok supermarket readies for investment
The largest grocery retail chain in Russia, Perekryostok, is set to receive a syndicated loan of $75 million from a group of western banks, the retailer has confirmed.
Europe confident of GM regulation
The European Commission held an orientation debate on GM crops yesterday, hours after proposing to authorise a GM sweet corn BT11 for food use. From the Commission's point of view, a comprehensive EU regulatory framework on GMOs is now in place that...
WHEAT FOCUS: The heat on wheat
There was a time when a widespread wheat shortage spelt inflation, and a global shortage meant global inflation. This year, with stocks at a 30-year low and wheat prices soaring, it is possible consumers may never even notice. All the pain, it seems,...
WHEAT FOCUS: Russian wheat sector turns to international market
Wheat has always been an integral part of Russian agriculture and its food industry. However, a limited domestic market, reduction in Russian livestock and a slow down in the consumption of bakery products is forcing the industry to pursue the...
Restructuring hits Bon appétit results
Swiss food retailer and foodservice supplier Bon appétit finished the year with a strong December performance but this was not enough to help it overcome the effect of a number of restructuring measures during 2003.