Poland: Conditions set for Auchan’s takeover of Real
It reported that the Polish competition body UOKiK has given the green light for French retailer Auchan to proceed with the takeover of the stores of rival Real in Poland, provided certain conditions are met. Under the terms of the agreement, the acquisition can be completed provided that 8 of the the 84 Auchan Real […]
UK: PG Tips expands into fruit and herbal teas
Unilever is set to launch new ranges of fruit and green tea under the PG Tips brand. The PG Tips brand is to see the launch of a new range of herbal and fruit teas in an attempt to tap into a growing market. Available from January, the new range will include green teas including […]
Spain: Danone introduces Danio yogurt
Danone has launched Danio, a new creamy yogurt snack for the Spanish market targeted at 25 to 39 year old consumers. The new snack is described as a layer of fruit mixed topped with natural yogurt and is available in the varieties Low Fat with Blueberries, 0% with Strawberries and 0% Passionfruit varieties. The price […]
Germany: Valensina denies takeover rumours
Valensina has denied recent reports in the media linking the company with a takeover bid, Lebensmittel Praxis reports. Valensina, which manufactures and distributes fresh and ambient fruit juices, has sought to quell rumours linking the company with a sale, insisting that the business was instead looking to find a strategic partner to facilitate expansion and […]
UK: Speculation over future of Slim Fast brand range
Unilever is reported to be contemplating the sale of its Slim Fast weight loss range. Quoting Sky News, The Courier is reporting speculation that Unilever may be contemplating selling off the weight loss range for around £1bn (US$1.7bn) as it seeks to refocus on its core brands. However such a figure would represent a loss […]
Spain: Overall food and beverage sales down but exports up in 2013, industry says
Sales in the food and beverage industry in Spain have declined in 2013 versus 2012, a leading industry body is reporting. The Spanish Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB), the trade body representing the food and beverage industry in Spain, estimates that sales across the sector totalled around €89,204 million ($121,005 million) in 2013, […]
Italy: speculation that Starbucks could enter the market in 2014
Starbucks may be planning to set up store openings in major Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, Venice, Rimini, Turin, Cagliari, Trento, Palermo and Aosta by the end of 2014, reports from the country indicate. Rumours have circulated ever since a press conference at which Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer Howard Schultz commented that […]
France: Dia introduces 30 minute “click and collect” service
Dia has unveiled Diadiscount.com, its latest concept in “click and collect” retail in France, allowing consumers to order and collect goods within the space of 30 minutes. Using their mobile device or a computer, consumers choose from a number of available products and then place their order. Half an hour later the consumer receives a […]
Greece: Karelia reveals record sales volumes, issues employee bonuses
Greek-owned tobacco company Karelia increased its sales by 8% in 2013, the Athens News Agency has reported. The vast majority of its annual cigarette production was exported, bringing €170 million to the country in foreign currency, according to sources. Speaking at an annual employee event, CEO Andreas Karelia is said to have commented: “For the […]
Germany: Beiersdorf reports steady growth across its brands and markets in 2013
Beiersdorf AG has reported overall growth in sales of 1.7% in 2013, according to its latest trading statement. Total sales for the year totalled €6.14 billion ($8.32 billion), the Hamburg-based manufacturer of personal care products revealed. Sales in the Consumer division, in particular, saw an improvement on previous years. For the first time since 2008, […]