Candidates are lining up to replace Sir Stuart Rose at the Marks & Spencer helm. As reported by the Guardian, they include finance chief Ian Dyson and food boss John Dixon. The Daily Telegraph also reports on the ‘talent show’ competition to identify a successor, as does the Independent.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the M&S investor day, the high street giant is looking to launch an online food business.

First Alan Shearer, now this – Newcastle is losing its latest icon, with production of its world famous Brown Ale shifting to Yorkshire. That’s also in the Mail and the Daily Mirror.

Also in the Mirror, comments from Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy – as reported elsewhere on this site – to the effect that UK schools are rubbish. “Woeful” was the word he used, actually.

The Financial Times has news of a heavyweight pact in the US between PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch (now part of AB InBev, of course) via which the two companies will co-operate on purchasing certain goods and services. Could be big in the long-term.

The Times must have missed the new the other week about the residents of Holmfirth – home of Last of the Summer Wine – beating off plans by Tesco for a new store in the village. Because it reports on that exact story today.

And finally, news of the latest advertising controversy to hit the food trade. This time, Actimel has been slapped down for claiming it’s good for you. Isn’t that sort of the point?