After a busy day in the grocery world, with mega deals, financial results and more movement on the dairy crisis there is a lot to get through in the papers.
The Times and The Guardian focus on the continuing protests from dairy farmers over milk prices. After fierce pressure from farmers Asda has now “buckled” and agreed to raise the amount it pays its supplier Arla by more than 4p a litre to 28p. It follows farmers calling off protests against Morrisons earlier in the week after the grocer announced it would launch Milk for Farmers. It comes as figures show that sales of fresh milk in Britain are set to hit their lowest level by value in eight years as volumes rise steadily.
The creation of a new frozen giant after Nomad, the investment vehicle which owns Birds Eye owner Iglo, paid £500m to buy the European arm of Findus gets picks up coverage in The Times, Telegraph and Financial Times. Nomad boss Stéfan Descheemaeker told the FT that the group would look for more deals to help it gain even more leverage in negotiations with retailers.
Following the massive three-way merger of Coke bottlers Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola Iberian Partners and Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke last week, Coca-Cola HBC’s half-year results attracted plenty of interest. The Times said: “Greece’s economy may have lost its fizz during the past few months of tortuous bailout negotiations, but the country’s consumers are still willing to spend a few euros quenching their thirst with a cold bottle of Coke.” The FT added the Hellenic bottler beat forecasts, with first-half net profits rising almost 32% to €125.2m, as sales in its home country increased marginally, despite the economic turmoil there. The Telegraph concentrates on the company’s soaring share price. Shares in the bottling company enjoyed their biggest one-day gain since the group moved its listing to London in April 2013.
Elsewhere in the world of Coke, James Quincey has been promoted to president and chief operating officer at The Coca-Cola Company making him frontrunner to succeed chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent (The Financial Times). Quincey was head of Coca-Cola’s European operations.
Finally, an Indian court overturned a government ban on Nestle’s Maggi noodles but ordered further tests be carried out to ensure they are safe to eat before going back on the shelves, The Telegraph reported.
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