France: E Leclerc launches online wine store
French retailer E. Leclerc has unveiled a new online pilot store specialized in the sale of wines. Named Ma Cave Par E Leclerc (“My Wine Cellar from E Leclerc”), the store focuses on French wines and, according to Rayon Boissons, will initially offer a limited selection of wines focusing on the entry level end of […]
UK / Ireland: Nestle’s Wonka chocolate bars to be discontinued
Nestle is set to drop its Wonka brand of chocolate bars in the UK and Ireland less than a year after launch, European Supermarket Magazine (ESM) reports. The line, unveiled last September, is said to have exceeded £16 million ($27 million) in sales by the end of May 2014, but monthly sales have reportedly tailed […]
France: Auchan to develop presence in Vietnam
Auchan has announced that ISMS, Groupe Auchan’s supermarket division, has recently signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a supermarket business in Vietnam. CT Group is based in Ho-Chi-Minh City and specialises in commercial real estate. The agreement will see the creation of a food retailing business with AuchanSuper as the majority shareholder. In addition, […]
UK: FIFA World Cup boosts Waitrose party food & drink sales
With the FIFA World Cup now underway, UK retailer Waitrose has reported that it has already begun to see a big boost in its sales of party foods and drinks. Figures released by the supermarket show that beer sales have increased 40% year on year and were also up 20% compared to the previous week. […]
Innovation Insight: Coca-Cola Life
This week, Gama takes a closer look at the debut of Coca-Cola Life, a new lower-sugar version of the soft drink slated for launch in the UK this autumn. Life is Coca-Cola’s first major UK brand launch since Coca-Cola Zero in 2006. Positioned as a “lower calorie” cola with 37% less sugar than regular Coca-Cola, […]
France: Danone announces three plant closures
As part of a programme to rationalize its production network, Danone has announced plans to close three manufacturing locations across Europe. The three plants affected are at Casale Cremasco in Italy, Hagenow in Germany, and Budapest in Hungary, with more than 300 posts at risk. Commenting on the move, Danone said it would work closely […]
Italy: Cameo boasts improved sales and profit in 2013
Italian food producer Cameo has released its financial results for the financial year 2013, revealing an increase in revenue, gross operating profit and net income. Its total revenues of €272.1 million ($368.6 million) represented a 3.7% upturn on 2012, the company announced in a statement. Meanwhile gross operating profit was up 9.8% to €41.4 ($56.1 million) […]
UK: Metcalfe’s adds White Cheese flavour to popcorn range
Metcalfe’s Food Company has expanded its Topcorn Skinny Popcorn range in the UK with the launch of a new flavour variant – White Cheese. Described as as “freshly popped butterfly popcorn with a delicious cheese flavour”, the new product is said to have been inspired by a similar flavour that is popular in the USA. […]
Germany: Intersnack expands Scandinavian presence with Estrella Maarud acquisition
Scandinavian snack products manufacturer Estrella Maarud has been sold to the German Intersnack Group, according to media reports. Estrella Maarud is a major Scandinavian manufacturer of salted snacks and owns leading brands include Maarud in Norway, Estrella in Sweden, Finland and the Baltics, and Taffel in Denmark. Headquartered in Oslo, the company has manufacturing facilities […]
France: Henkel acquires Spotless Group for €940 million
German health & beauty and household care company Henkel has acquired all the shares of the French company Spotless Group in a deal, including debt, worth €940 million ($1.28 billion). The deal will allow Henkel to add key detergent, household and insecticide brands such as Eau Ecarlate, Dylon, Grey and Catch to its portfolio. “This […]