Italy: Campari to buy Grand Marnier distribution business – reports
Italian spirits firm Campari is to acquire the worldwide distribution of the French orange-flavour cognac liqueur Grand Marnier, according to a Bloomberg article quoting “a person familiar with the process”. Currently, global distribution of Grand Marnier is shared by a number of different firms, namely champagne distiller Moet Hennessy and British spirits firm Diageo, along […]
Germany: Valensina launches ‘late harvest’ juices
Valensina, the German juice manufacturer, is set to launch a new line of products under the Valensina Spate Ernte (Late Harvest) line that is designed to be milder and less acidic than other varieties in the Valensina range. Available from April 2016, Valensina Spate Ernte comprises the varieties Orange with Pulp, Orange without Pulp, Orange […]
Portugal: DanCake to launch CR7 Idol Collection
Portuguese bakery firm DanCake has announced that it is partnering with celebrity footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to launch a limited edition biscuit range under the CR7 brand. According to company information, the limited edition tins will be available in a choice of two designs, one with a predominantly dark blue theme and one in dark red, […]
Italy: Nestle to invest in Baci Perugina brand
Nestle is looking to revive its Italian chocolate praline Baci Perugina with a view to turning it into a global brand, the company has announced. With a total investment of over over €60 million ($66 million), the new initiative is designed to further reinforce the presence of the historical brand in Italy as well as […]
UK: Natural Beverages acquires Ubuntu Cola
Drinks manufacturer Natural Beverages has acquired ethical cola brand Ubuntu Cola for an undisclosed sum, according to an article in FoodBev. Natural Beverages has been distributing Ubuntu cola for the past five years through wholesale and foodservice channels, as well as some Waitrose stores across the UK and Europe. According to FoodBev, in 2007 Ubuntu […]
France: Danone unveils wrap-free Evian water multipack
Danone, the French dairy and non-alcoholic drinks multinational, is set to launch a new version of its Evian water multipacks that are collated using glue rather than a shrink wrap, according to a report in LSA. Developed in collaboration with packaging firm KHS, the new pack is said to have required 24 months of development […]
Belgium: AB InBev reports value growth but volume fall in 2015
World-leading brewer AB InBev has posted its financial statements for 2015, revealing a rise in sales but a drop in volume for the full year. Revenue grew by 6.3% and 7.7% on a constant geographic basis to $43.604 billion, the company reported. Total volumes meanwhile declined by 0.6%, with own beer volumes essentially flat and […]
Switzerland: Lindt & Sprungli sees sales up 7% in 2015
Leading chocolate firm Lindt & Sprungli posted organic sales growth of 7% in 2015, with the firm boasting of “another record result” as it released its financial statements for the latest year. The Swiss confectioner reported that it had achieved consolidated sales of 3.65 billion CHF ($3.66 billion), equating to an increase of 13.5 % in […]
Germany: Coca-Cola to close up to seven facilities
Global drinks giant Coca-Cola has announced plans to close up to seven facilities in Germany, including long-standing plants in Bremen and Oldenburg, according to a report in NWZ Online. Aside from Bremen and Oldenburg, smaller facilities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen-Anhalt and Baden-Wurttemberg are also reportedly set for closure, leading to a potential loss of more than […]
UK: Amazon enters fresh & frozen food space with Morrisons deal
Leading e-retailer Amazon has signed a deal with supermarket chain Morrisons that will enable it to begin selling fresh and frozen food in the UK for the first time, according to reports from the Guardian and the BBC. The new deal will see ambient, fresh and frozen products available to order on both Amazon Prime […]