UAE: Spinneys expands store network

Spinneys, the Middle East grocery retailer, has announced plans to significantly expand its store presence in the UAE, with a new outlet just opened and eight more in the pipeline for 2019. In a statement, Spinneys said it planned to open eight new supermarkets in Jumeirah Golf Estate, Dubai, Damac Hills, Dubai, Dubai Creek Residences, […]
Flavoured water goes flavour-free

The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 6th June 2019: The burgeoning demand for ‘clean’ and ‘unadulterated’ products finds a new expression in this month’s Innovation Insight. Under the microscope is a bottled water that takes a potentially revolutionary approach to product ‘flavour’ with a unique aroma-based concept – Szent Water. New to the market […]
Spain: Dia may close more than 200 stores

Dia, the Spanish supermarket chain, plans to close 219 outlets this month after a buyer for them failed to materialise, according to a report in El Pais. The retailer had previously announced up to 300 of its stores might have to shut after it closed its 2018 financial year with €352 million ($396 million) in […]
Russia: Bonduelle acquires frozen vegetable plant

Bonduelle, a company specializing in processed vegetables, has announced it has acquired the industrial assets of Shock LLC, a frozen vegetable company located in the Belgorod region in Russia. The French firm said the new site’s location in a temperate climate region with particularly fertile soils would accelerate the development of the Bonduelle frozen business […]
Australia: Coca-Cola Amatil sells SPC processing business

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), one of the largest bottlers of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific region, has announced it has reached a deal to sell the SPC fruit and vegetable processing business to Shepparton Partners, a joint venture between Perma Funds Management and The Eights, for A$40 million ($28 million). CCA originally announced it was […]
China: Aldi to open two bricks and mortar stores

German discount retailer Aldi is planning to open two physical stores in China, according to reports in Retail Detail and the South China Morning Post. The stores are to be located be in the Shanghai region (in the Jing’an and Minhang districts), supplied by a new distribution centre also to be built in the locality. […]
Germany: Danone to launch Volvic coffee drink

The German division of Danone, the dairy and bottled water giant, has launched a new water under the Volvic name that is said to be infused with coffee and to feature added fruit flavours, according to a FoodBev report. Claimed to be a “sensational alternative to iced tea”, the new coffee-infused water is available in Mocha […]
Brazil: BRF and Marfrig in merger talks

Brazilian food companies BRF and Marfrig have entered into talks to merge their companies and potentially create one of the world’s largest meat producers, the firms have announced. The companies said the potential merger would help to scale and increase geographical and product diversification, including expanding operations in South America, the US and Middle East, […]
Italy: Lactalis buys Nuova Castelli

French dairy giant Lactalis has announced the acquisition of Italian cheese maker Nuova Castelli, which was majority owned by private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners. With the acquisition of Nuova Castelli, Lactalis said it would strengthen its position in Italy where it currently operates 29 production sites and has a workforce of over 5,500 people. Nuova […]
USA: JBS to invest $95 million to expand beef facility

JBS USA, a subsidiary of the Brazilian meat-packer and food processor JBS, has announced a $95 million expansion project at its beef production facility in Grand Island, NE. According to a company statement, the expansion of the 107,000 sq ft facility, which is expected to be completed in early 2021, will include new improved animal […]