Netherlands: Albert Heijn tests Chinese e-commerce store
Albert Heijn, the Netherlands’ leading supermarket chain, is considering establishing an e-commerce presence in China, according to reports in the Dutch media. It is reported that, earlier in September, the retailer briefly set up an experimental store on the Chinese e-commerce platform Tmall, which is part of the Alibaba empire. The company was said to be […]
Belgium: AB InBev plans offer for SABMiller
AB InBev has confirmed in a statement that it has approached rival beermaker SABMiller regarding a possible combination of the two companies. The mooted deal, valued at approximately $250 billion, would bring together a host of globally important brands, such as Stella Artois, Budweiser, Corona (owned by AB InBev) and Grolsch, Peroni and Fosters (owned […]
Poland: Supermarket chain Stokrotka looks to accelerate growth
Stokrotka, the Polish retail chain owned by Emperia Holding, has announced plans for further expansion as the company seeks to take its store count into three figures. The company opened 16 new stores in H1 of 2015 and plans to expand still further in the last six months of the year. The new stores include […]
Germany: Frosta to display country of origin information for ingredients
German frozen food firm Frosta has revealed that it intends to modify its product packaging to display the country of origin for each of the ingredients used in its formulations, according to reports in Kreis Zeitung and Focus. Despite pressure from lobby groups, many food companies have previously resisted attempts to compel producers to list […]
Poland: Mondelez International opens new manufacturing line
In the latest of a series of announcements on factory investments, Mondelez International has unveiled a new $30 million manufacturing ‘line of the future’ at its facility in Skarbimierz, Poland. The new “state-of-the-art” chocolate production line is designed to capitalize on growing demand in Mondelez’s European confectionery business, the company said, forming part of its ongoing journey […]
Spain: Nestle unveils Nescafe with added magnesium
Consumer goods giant Nestle has unveiled a new addition to its Nescafe range in Spain that is claimed to make consumers feel more “alive”. Nescafe Vitalissimo is aimed at the 40+ age bracket and “helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue with just one cup per day, without compromising on great taste”, according to promotional material. […]
UK: Soupologie launches “raw” soup
UK dairy and gluten free soup specialist Soupologie has announced the launch of the “UK’s first” raw soup, which is destined to hit shelves from September. Claimed to “revolutionise the way we eat soup”, the Soupologie Raw line is promoted as “ready to eat, living-food soups [that] are nutritional powerhouses of enzymes, vitamins and minerals […]
Germany: Dr. Oetker launches pizza with meat substitute toppings
Dr. Oetker has expanded its frozen pizza range in Germany with the launch of new vegetarian varieties featuring meat substitutes. The new Dr. Oetker Veggie range comprises three varieties with a crispy base, along with mozzarella and edam cheese. Die Zarte (Tender) is described as featuring vegetarian chicken strips with spinach, tomato and basil cream […]
Netherlands: Spar launches ‘brands for private label’ swap campaign
Dutch retailer Spar has unveiled a new marketing campaign designed to promote its own brand range, by offering consumers the chance to ‘swap’ branded products they have already bought for Spar private label products. The week-long initiative, which will take place in early September under the name “Inruilweek” (“Exchange Week”), will allow Spar customers to […]
France: Pernod Ricard reports 2% annual sales growth
Pernod Ricard, the co-leader in the global wine and spirits business, has released its latest annual financial statements showing organic sales for the full year up 2% to €8,588 million ($9,705 million). “Considering what is still a very challenging environment, the group posted a good business performance”, the company said. Reported sales were up 8%, mainly as […]