Denmark: Arla announces investment plans for 2014
Arla has announced plans to invest DKK2.2bn ($397m) into 10 of its dairy sites of the course of 2014, with the aim of boosting production, targeting emerging markets and becoming more environmentally -friendly. The dairy manufacturer hopes to double exports of its products to growth markets outside the EU by 2017, including Russia, China, the […]
UK: Unilever reports Q4 results
Unilever has announced its results for Q4 2013, revealing overall sales growth of 4.1%, with 2.7% volume and 1.4% price. Results for the quarter were particularly strong in emerging markets, which saw an increase in sales growth of 8.4% and volume at 5.3%. CEO Paul Polman said: “We have delivered another year of consistent underlying […]
UK: Cadbury set to launch new cross-category flavours
Cadbury is set to introduce two new cross- category flavours with the launch of Cadbury Dairy Milk Lu and Cadbury Dairy Milk Ritz. The new combinations will bring the savoury biscuit brands Lu and Ritz into the Cadbury brand range. According to FDIN, the new additions will be supported by a 7.5 million marketing investment […]
Tradeshow Insight: ISM 2014
This week saw the latest installment of the ISM (Internationale Süßwarenmesse) tradeshow in Cologne, where buyers and exhibitors from across the world gathered for the annual confectionery industry showcase. ISM reported a 5% upturn in exhibitor numbers versus 2013, perhaps indicating a gradual return to confidence among confectionery companies after a number years of uncertainty. […]
Poland: Wedel considers expansion into new channels and categories
According to Puls Biznesu, Polish confectionery manufacturer Wedel is reorganising its business in the country, with plans to enter into the vending channel and the instant chocolate category. The company has reportedly finished the testing of its new vending machines selling Wedel drinking chocolate. The vending machines have been established in 40 locations across Poland […]
Belgium: Delhaize Group sees rise in Q4 sales
Belgian retailer Delhaize has seen a rise in Q4 sales with performance both domestically and in the US outperforming expectations, Just Food reports. Fourth quarter revenue increased by 0.1% or by 0.3% at identical exchange rates, while comparable store sales in the US rose by 2.8% and in Belgium by 2.4%. However same-store sales in […]
UK: Waitrose to create up to 2,000 jobs through store expansions
UK supermarket chain Waitrose has announced it intends to create up to 2,000 new jobs through new store openings in 2014. The retailer unveiled plans to open 26 new UK stores in total, of which 15 will be supermarkets and 11 will be ‘Little Waitrose’ convenience outlets. “During 2012 many of our new branches received […]
France: Carrefour acquires convenience stores from Coop Alsace
Following negotiations started in October 2013, it is reported that Coop Alsace’s Board of Directors has decided to accept Carrefour’s offer to acquire 129 of its convenience stores. A price for the deal has not yet been revealed, according to sources. The operation is part of a recovery plan aimed at strengthening Coop Alsace’s position, […]
UK: New 100% fruit children’s snack primed for launch
Crushed Ltd is set to launch Crushed, a new 100% fruit snack for children. Crushed Ltd has announced that it will be launching its 100% fruit snack Crushed for UK consumers in February, available in two flavours. According to Crushed, the snacks will provide a healthy portion of fruit and provide children with one of […]
Italy: Perugina launches new e-commerce initiative
Perugina, producer of the popular Baci chocolate and hazelnut pralines, has launched a new e-commerce website called I Miei Baci per Te (“My Kisses for you”), allowing consumers to customize products as gifts. Baci chocolates – composed of a dark chocolate and hazelnut cream, a whole hazelnut and hazelnut pieces, coated in dark chocolate – […]