Knutsford, the investment company headed by four entrepreneurs including former Asda boss Archie Norman, has made a £600m bid for private equity business Wassall. It is believed to be a staging post before Knutsford moves on to a retail takeover target. Cash and carry group Booker increased sales in the five weeks ending December 31 by 3.4% compared with the previous year. French group Carrefour has continued to deny persistent rumours that it is planning to merge with either Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Safeway or K-Mart. A spokesman said the company is still too involved in its merger with Promodès. Tesco has withdrawn three of its own-label lasagna brands after fears that they were contaminated with metal shavings. Booths Supermarkets has sold its Queen Street central warehouse in Preston to an unnamed supermarket chain. It is planning a new distribution centre on an out-of-town site. The Grampian Food Forum is inviting food and drinks companies throughout north east Scotland to compete in this year's Millennium Innovative Awards. Closing date for entries is February 28. PlayStation games will be appearing in Safeway stores from February following a deal with Cork International. Kellogg is to sponsor the forthcoming rugby Superleague World Club Championship, a one-off game between St Helens and Australian club Melbourne Storm. Citizencard, the national proof of age scheme, has urged the government to include the user's photo and date of birth on the new Youthcard, to be issued to all 16 year-olds. Kitchenware Products, the Irish company behind the Gourmet's Pride brand and own-label goods, has earmarked I£10m for an ambitious acquisition of houseware producers. Dewhurst butchers has reported profits of £1.18m on sales of £53.28m for the year ending August 28 1999. The figures are in contrast to the £341,000 of losses recorded in the previous year. Bestway has begun a promotion at all 20 of its cash and carry depots including leading brands from 20 major companies. It is offering the chance to win one of 400 weekends in London. Continental Wine & Food has secured the exclusive agency for Castello Beer in the UK. Creditors have made it clear wholesaler JW Swithenbank did not clear its debts before Wilton Investments stepped in to take it over. Belvoir Fruit Farms is to be the official drinks sponsor of the first British Memorial 10k road race, in aid of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and the British Red Cross Landmine Campaign. {{NEWS }}

Topics