Archives for November 10, 2004

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Speed most important for British shoppers

In what could prove a useful insight for companies such as Sainsbury, whose stores seem to be in a permanent state of refitting, market research group Mintel has today revealed that British shoppers are most interested in getting their grocery...

Year end shows strong growth for Barry Callebaut

Barry Callebaut, the world's top supplier of industrial chocolate to the confectionery industry, has delivered strong profit for the year, boosted by the integration of recently acquired US confectionery firm Brach's and Belgian-Dutch chocolate group...

Orkla launches bid for snacks firm

Norwegian firm Orkla has closed in on a takeover deal for Finnish snack firm Chips with a view to dominating established snack industries in Scandinavia and rising markets in Russia, writes Chris Mercer.

Legislative changes drive new food standard

A new version of the globally recognised British Retail Consortium (BRC) Food Standard is about to be published next month, with a view to coming into force on 1 June 2005.

Schwartz finally set for Bulgarian market entry

The Schwartz Group has acquired another plot of land in Bulgaria where it plans to construct a new Kaufland hypermarket. After years of delays, the first Kaufland outlets are due to open next year, helped by new investment incentives from the...

Russia facing meat supply crisis

Russia's meat processing sector could be on the verge of collapse, with declining cattle numbers reducing domestic production and government moves to reduce low cost imports combing to create a serious shortfall in supplies. But there is a solution to...

Uniq dips on contract losses, restructuring

Exceptional charges relating to a major overhaul of its UK business took their toll on first half sales at Uniq, the chilled foods group - and the firm is now looking increasingly vulnerable to a takeover from stalking horse, Duke Street Capital.

Denmark unveils biotech food strategy for foods of the future

A new Danish farm to fork food strategy urged the Danish Parliament to free up funding to investigate the key role biotechnology could play in designing better tasting, safer, foods, and ultimately the opportunity for higher quality, cheaper foods,...

The battle against cholesterol increases in UK

Danone is entering the UK market this month with its first product containing plant sterols. Joining another industry heavyweight Unilever, the move underlines the potential of the cholesterol-lowering category and also signals increasing consumer...

Stella rises up UK rankings

Stella Artois, the flagship brand in Interbrew UK, continues to steal market share from its rivals, overtaking Holsten to become the number three premium packaged lager brand in the British on-trade, according to data from AC Nielsen.

ABF full year beats forecasts

UK food and ingredients firm Associated British Foods has beaten full year profit expectations after posting double-digit growth against a backdrop of firmer commodity pricing and adverse currency movements. The performance underlines that ABF is well...

Risk of corn contamination low in Mexico, says report

Polar views and mixed messages on genetically modified foodstuffs continue across the globe. Furthering the debate this week, a new report contends that GM corn will not threaten indigenous species in Mexico, opening the way for an end to the...