UK: Coca-Cola European Partners acquires Icelandic bottler
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP), the division of the US soft drinks giant formed by the merger last year of three leading European bottlers, has announced that it is expanding its footprint with the acquisition of the Icelandic Coca-Cola bottler Vifilfell. Founded in 1942, Vifilfell is a leader in both the sparkling soft drinks and beer […]
USA: Dollar General buys 41 former Wal-Mart stores
Dollar General, the US-based discount retail chain, has announced that it has acquired and plans to reopen dozens of stores previously owned by multinational retail giant Wal-Mart. The low-cost supermarket group said it had acquired 41 of 102 Wal-Mart Express stores closed by its larger rival in January, and plans to relocate 40 of its […]
France: Bel in talks to acquire MOM Group
Bel, the French dairy multinational, has announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the MOM Group, a manufacturer of dairy and fruit snack products, from LBO France. Created at the end of 2006 with the merger of the Materne and Mont Blanc brands, MOM Group describes itself as the “undisputed market leader” in fruit compotes […]
USA: L’Oreal acquires IT Cosmetics
L’Oreal, the French cosmetics giant, has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire US firm IT Cosmetics for $1.2 billion in what is the firm’s largest acquisition in eight years. According to L’Oreal, IT Cosmetics is one of the fastest growing prestige beauty brands in the United States, offering more than 300 high-performance […]
UK: Diageo reports organic volume and net sales growth
Diageo, the leading spirits firm, has announced its preliminary results for the financial year ending 30th June 2016, showing net sales and volume up on an organic basis compared to the previous year. Overall, net sales declined in absolute terms from £10.813 billion ($14.25 billion) to £10.485 billion ($13.82 billion), reflecting Diageo’s disposal of the Gleneagles and […]
USA: P&G to relinquish multiple personal care brands
P&G, the leading FMCG multinational, has confirmed the 43 health and beauty brands it is selling to cosmetics firm Coty, according to a report in Cosmetics Business. The sale will affect brands in professional hair care, retail hair care, fragrances and cosmetics. Some of the larger brands being divested are Nice N’ Easy hair colour, […]
Netherlands: Plus launches same-day delivery
Plus, the Dutch supermarket chain, has launched a same-day delivery service under the name Plus Express. According to Plus, the service is simple to use, with consumers placing their order online as normal via plus.nl. Providing the order is placed before 4pm, they can then select a delivery slot for the same day. There is […]
UK: Greencore acquires Cranswick’s The Sandwich Factory
International convenience food producer Greencore has announced the acquisition of UK-based firm The Sandwich Factory for £15 million ($19.6 million) from meat and lunch foods producer Cranswick. The Sandwich Factory has a single facility based in Atherstone, Warwickshire and produces multiple varieties of food-to-go products for convenience stores and foodservice channels. The firm generated net […]
China: Mondelez to introduce Milka brand
US chocolate and snacks group Mondelez International is set to launch its $2 billion Milka brand in China, according to a report in the Financial Times. The newspaper said that the confectionery giant planned to price the chocolates “slightly above average” compared to the rest of the market, and would launch a standard line of […]
Portugal: Les Mousquetaires to expand retail network
Les Mousquetaires, the French retail group that operates stores under banners such as Intermarche, Bricomarche and Netto, is set to expand its network in Portugal, according to an article in European Supermarket Magazine. The supermarket chain, which already has 241 supermarkets and a further 65 other stores in the country, is reported to have ambitions […]