Scottish convenience chain David Sands has opened its 15th store. The site, in Thornton, Fife, was acquired from an independent trader in June after a local press ad campaign for sites. Sainsbury has enlisted 230 village stores and sub post offices in its SAVE rural supply scheme, which allows the stores to sell Sainsbury's stock at a premium and gather loyalty points. It aims to recruit 600 retailers by the end of 2002. Wine distributor Bibendum has been given a cash boost by the International Wine Investment Fund which has invested £2.5m in the business. The money will be used for development. Diageo and Pernod Ricard have come to the end of the disposal programme of the Seagram assets they do not want following the completion of the acquisition of Sandeman port and sherry by Sogrape. Wal-Mart employees in 28 US states are suing the company, claiming it deleted hours on timecards and forced them to work unpaid extra time. The action does not affect Asda in the UK. Dr Brian Johnston, government advisor on genetic modification, has advised ministers to hold off on allowing GM crops in the UK, warning their cultivation would demand the use of powerful pesticides which could harm animals. The NFU backed the EC's demand on Wednesday that France end its ban on British beef within 15 days or face European Court fines. Carrefour is to sell its $130m stake in US company Petsmart. It expects to complete the sale during the third quarter of 2002. Nestlé and L'Oréal have signed a 50-50 joint venture, Laboratoires INNEOV, to develop the global market for nutritional supplements with cosmetic benefits. Marks and Spencer has announced plans for a £10m neighbourhood food store in Scotland. The 10,000 sq ft store is part of a £27m rejuvenation project covering 16 Scottish M&S stores. More than 40% of UK shopkeepers are being forced to work at least 70 hours a week to compete with 24-hour supermarkets and garages, according to research by Eagle Star. Chopped pork and ham brand Spam has introduced an Independent Retailer of the Year award for the promotion and sale of the product. Wal-Mart has commissioned supply chain solutions firm Swisslog to build three new distribution centres for cold/frozen groceries in the US. The European Court has said German dairies and creameries can continue to use the name Parmesan for products not from the Parma region. The NFU has called on Defra to press on with an electronic tagging system for UK livestock. Colin Graves, chairman and md of Costcutter Supermarkets Group, has been named master entrepreneur at the northern region Ernst & Young Entrepreneur awards. {{NEWS }}

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