UK: UK signs pork deal with China

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:55:00 GMT

The UK government has today (18 May) announced a GBP50m (US$79m) deal to sell British pork to China, as part of wider plans to boost trade for British food and farming businesses.

Talking shop: Price-driven Asda prospers - for now

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Asda, the UK's second-largest retailer, has reported "market-leading growth" in early weeks of 2012. Analysts say Asda's focus on price has helped the retailer gain shoppers from the likes of Tesco and Morrisons, although, if and when the economy recovers, it may need to demonstrate it can offer consumers more. Dean Best reports.

UK: Bain Capital, CD&R "fall away in Iglo race"

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:56:00 GMT

Two of the private-equity firms that reportedly tabled bids for frozen food giant Iglo Group are said to have not progressed to the second round of the auction.

UK: Milk Link reports higher FY profits

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:00:00 GMT

UK dairy co-op Milk Link has reported an increase in annual underlying pre-tax profits on the back of cost cuts and higher commodity prices, which boosted sales.

UK: Morrisons looks to close Wigan Rathbones bakery

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:21:00 GMT

UK retailer Morrisons today (18 May) confirmed it is planning to close its Rathbones bakery in Wigan next year.

UK: Rachel's jobs threat amid Lactalis revamp

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:35:00 GMT

Jobs at Rachel's Dairy may be under threat as parent company Lactalis plans to integrate its two businesses in the UK and Ireland.

GERMANY: Metro, Auchan coy over "Real talks"

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:03:00 GMT

Metro Group and Auchan have refused to be drawn on reports the two retailers are in talks over the German retail giant's Real hypermarkets in central and eastern Europe.

Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:47:00 GMT

Dairy giant Arla Foods grabbed the headlines this week with the admission 250 jobs could go at the company, with the possibility of more to come, as it looks to drive efficiency. Elsewhere, Kellogg announced a brand "refresh", although industry watchers argued the company might have to do more to drive sales. The takeover battle for frozen food giant Iglo Group gathered pace, with Thai food company CP Foods linked to the Birds Eye owner. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart Stores reported its first-quarter results and won praise from analysts.

US: Bimbo to open $75m factory in Texas

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo is set to build a US$75m factory in Texas.

Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:14:00 GMT

Arla Foods revealed 250 jobs could be cut as it drives efficiency and tries to keep pace with its international competitors - and admitted more could be made. The race to buy frozen food giant Iglo Group also continued to make the headlines and this week Thai food manufacturer CP Foods was linked to the business. Meanwhile, in the US, Kellogg "refreshed" its 106-year-old namesake brand, although industry watchers suggested the cereal maker might have to do more to drive sales.

JAPAN/CHINA: Tingyi, Prima to set up meat JV in China

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:40:00 GMT

Hong Kong-listed snack food group Tingyi and Japanese ham and sausage firm Prima Meat Packers is to set up a venture in China to manufacture meat products.

SLOVENIA: Mercator appoints Balazic as CEO

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Slovenian retailer Mercator has appointed Toni Balazic as CEO, replacing Ziga Debeljak, who resigned in March amid disagreement with the owners of the company.

UK: Asda commercial chief Williams becomes director of food

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:03:00 GMT

Asda, the UK's second-largest retailer, has appointed commercial director Barry Williams to the new role of trading director of food.

Brazilian bakery and cereals, packaging innovation - just-food's research round-up

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:03:00 GMT

This week's research round-up includes a clutch of reports looking at the bakery and cereals market in Brazil, innovation trends in chocolate and packaging innovation.

On the money: Wal-Mart focuses US price investment on grocery

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:34:00 GMT

Wal-Mart Stores has focused its investment in pricing on the grocery aisle as it looks to grow customer traffic and loyalty in the US.

EU: Brussels publishes legal health claims

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:52:00 GMT

The European Commission, after six years of work, has published a list of 222 health claims that can be made on food labels and advertising when products are sold in the EU.

In the spotlight - Kellogg could need more than brand "refresh"

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:35:00 GMT

Kellogg's namesake brand is one of the world's oldest but, this week, the cereal giant announced a relaunch of the 106-year-old label. The US group is operating in a tough domestic cereal market and it is facing challenges in Europe. Analysts have argued Kellogg is trying to breathe fresh life into a brand facing stiff competition, including increasingly from own label. Michelle Russell reports.

Talking tech: Technology driving development of convenience format

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Convenience retailing is well placed to capitalise on the public's appetite for easy shopping with technology, including mobile, cloud-based operations systems and location-linked promos, driving the sector's development. Andrew Don reports.

US: Wal-Mart Q1 profits grow on strong US sales

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:09:00 GMT

Wal-Mart Stores has booked an increase in first-quarter profits as it reported better-than-expected sales at its US outlets.

Focus: FDA restates intentions on nutritional food labelling

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:27:00 GMT

The FDA's recently announced 2012-2016 strategic plan includes specific reference to both front-of-pack nutritional labelling and reform of the nutrition facts panel. Details of how the FDA plans to proceed remain sketchy, Ben Cooper writes, but the fact that these two items are firmly on the policy agenda ensures a lively debate will continue and possibly intensify during the coming few years.