Belgium: Colruyt opens ‘farm shop’ concept store
Colruyt, a Belgian supermarket chain primarily focused on discount retailing, is opening a new ‘deli’ concept store with the aim of showcasing quality artisanal produce. According to De Standaard, the store, named ‘Cru’, will not have a discount focus and will instead replicate the feel of a farm shop – from the rustic ‘farm’ styling […]
Germany: Nestle divests baby food brands Alete and Milasan
Nestle has announced that it is shedding the brands Alete and Milasan in a shake-up to its baby food portfolio in Germany. The company’s baby food offer will now be centred on its Beba brand, Nestle said in a statement, with the Alete and Milasan brands to be acquired by a consortium comprising German fund […]
UK: Aldi grows profits and market share
Supermarket chain Aldi has announced a big increase in its full year profits as it continues to enhance its market share. The group booked a rise of 65.2% to £260.9 million ($423.8 million) in pre-tax profits for the year ending December 2013, while group turnover rose 35.7% to £5.27 billion ($8.56 billion) over the period. […]
Italy: Leclerc and Conad to terminate alliance – reports
LSA is reporting that supermarket groups E. Leclerc and Conad are to terminate an agreement between the companies in Italy which has existed for more than 10 years. According to a source close to LSA, the move would mean that all existing partnerships between the two retail groups would cease by the end of the […]
Europe: Estee Lauder launches EE cream
Continuing the ‘alphabet’ cream trend, Estee Lauder is launching an Enlighten Even Effect (“EE”) Skintone Corrector SPF 30 Cream in Europe. Cosmetics Business reports that the product is based on the company’s new insight into the cycle of pigmentation and the formulas are designed to break the cycle of daily assaults and irritation which leads […]
Italy: Armani Code Ultimate Femme to be released by Giorgio Armani
The Italian fashion and fragrance brand Giorgio Armani is due to launch a new floral-oriental version of its 2006 Armani Code fragrance for women. Armani Code Ultimate Femme will join the Armani Code range following the launch of the male version, Armani Code Ultimate Homme, in 2013. Announced as being the perfect combination of sensuality […]
Spain: Sushita launches sushi targeted at children
Spanish company Sushita has released a new sushi product targeted at children, branded Sushita Kids. The product comes in a tray with a bold fish design, with the sushi items presented as though ‘inside’ the fish’s mouth. The tray contains a total of 14 sushis pieces including maki with smoked salmon, carrot and mango maki, […]
UK: Dairy Crest to shut two facilities
Milk, butter and cheese producer Dairy Crest has announced that it is to shut two of its UK facilities in a bid to cut costs. The company said that it had started consultation with employees and their representatives regarding the closure of its glass bottling dairy in Hanworth, West London and a specialist cream potting […]
Russia: Oasis Beverages acquires Pabst Brewing
The Russian beverage company Oasis Beverages has acquired the Pabst Brewing Company, maker of the Pabst Blue Ribbon beer brand, for an undisclosed sum. The partner of Oasis Beverages in the transition is TSC Consumer Partners, an American private equity consumer products company that will take a minority stake in the business. In addition to […]
Germany: Nestle opens new Nescafe Dolce Gusto production plant
A new production facility manufacturing coffee capsules for the Nescafe Dolce Gusto range has opened its doors in Germany. Based in Schwerin, the plant is described as being the result of a €200 million ($259 million) investment and has a production capacity of around 2 billion capsules per year. As such it is the largest […]