Germany: Kaufland contemplating entry into Serbian market
According to undisclosed sources, German FMCG retailer Kaufland is planning to expand its business by entering the Serbian market. Quoting undisclosed sources of Lebensmittel Zeitung, ESM is reporting that Kaufland is searching for national representatives in Serbia in order to set up a regional subsidiary. In doing so it is following in the footsteps of […]
Netherlands: Heineken profits down after “challenging year”
Heineken, the world’s third largest brewer, has reported that its ongoing profits fell back 5% in 2013 after what it described as a “challenging year”. Sluggish growth in Western, Central and Eastern Europe is said to have impacted the group’s overall performance, with revenue increasing by just 0.1%. Price increases failed to offset declines in […]
Spain: L’Oreal opens new Madrid boutique
L’Oreal Paris has opened a new boutique in Madrid for fashion-conscious Spanish consumers. The first of its kind in the south of Europe, the boutique is designed as a “laboratory” where consumers can get advice on the latest trends and where they will be able to try out the latest technologies, formats and products. L’Oreal […]
Spain: Exports help TorreOria-Vintes grow 60% in 2013
TorreOria-Vintes, a Spanish producer of still and sparkling wines, has reported 2013 turnover of €5.6 million ($7.6 million), representing an increase of 60% over the previous year. The growth was due in large part to a growth in exports, accounting for 80% of its business, according to a statement from the group. The cava business […]
Switzerland: Nestle cuts stake in L’Oreal to set up new skincare business
In its attempt to shrink its product portfolio, Swiss-based food giant Nestle has agreed to sell an 8% stake (equal to 48.5 million shares) back to L’Oreal, meaning its ownership will fall back to 23.29% once the deal is closed In exchange Nestle will receive $4.64 billion in cash and a 50% stake in Galderma, […]
France: Unilever launches whitening toothpaste for men
Unilever has announced the launch of whitening toothpaste specially designed for men. An extension to the Signal White Now range – which uses a blue pigment and a special optical effect claimed to make teeth instantly whiter – the new Men version, said to be a world first, will be backed by the slogan “having […]
Ireland: Smurfit Kappa launches added protection BIB pack
Leading corrugated and paper based packaging company Smurfit Kappa is set to launch a new packaging for wine packs that promise an enhanced level of protection. The triple protection system is said to have been made possible thanks to new tools that have previously been used on production lines for wine bags in France and […]
Norway: Marine Harvest reports record sales
The Norwegian seafood group Marine Harvest has reported that sales and operating profit hit an “all time high” in 2013. Marine Harvest reports that net profit jumped to NOK2.45bn ($405m), up from NOK413bn ($66m) in 2012. Meanwhile EBIT rose to almost five times the operating profit from 2012, and there was an increase in revenue to […]
Belgium: Colruyt issues profit warning
Belgian retailer Colruyt has issued a profit warning after revenues failed to grow as expected in Q3, Just Food reports. Net profit for the year to March is expected to be down on the previous year when net profit totalled €EUR353.7, up 31% on 2012/13. “In the last months revenue has been increasing less rapidly […]
UK: United Biscuits announces McVitie’s relaunch
United Biscuits has announced that it is to relaunch its McVitie’s brand, backed by a £12m multimedia advertising campaign, with the hope of increasing growth within the sweet biscuits category. In what is stated to be one of the company’s biggest campaigns to date, the entire United Biscuits brand group, aside from Go Ahead, is […]