Boots said early results of its standalone operations at six Sainsbury supermarkets were encouraging as it delivered better-than-expected sales figures for autumn and Christmas. Independent cashpoint provider Moneybox is to put its cashpoints on trial at CTN and c-store chain GT News' 83-strong estate in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands. Milk producers Zenith Milk and The Milk Group have announced plans to merge into one co-operative from April 1. Sainsbury is negotiating to sign up celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to star in its advertising for another year. Oliver's two-year contract, currently worth £2m, is due for renewal this summer. The Co-operative Group has allocated £20m to spend on refits and local stores in Scotland over the next year. The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled leaflets distributed by Tesco at a Safeway store car park in Edinburgh comparing prices at the two chains were misleading and unfair. There will be a National Lottery superdraw on Saturday, February 9 with a guaranteed £20m jackpot. Camelot is predicting a 19% uplift in sales. North Wales based Longslow Food Group has acquired catering supplier Robsons of Bournemouth as it builds its presence in the foodservice market. Tesco has awarded business consultancy Xansa a £15m three year contract to support its supply chain systems as it expands its international and non-foods businesses. Own label cake company Inter Link Foods pre-tax profit for the six months to October 31 was £1.16m on sales of £22.6m. Speciality pizza manufacturer Express Products, a subsidiary of Napier Brown, has been sold to its management team and renamed Doughology. Costcutter has become a member of the Prince of Wales regeneration organisation Business in the Community. Glasgow catering supplier Grant James Food Specialists has joined Landmark Cash and Carry. Wal-Mart has won the right to sell below cost in its German stores after a protracted legal battle with the federal cartel office. Cadbury Schweppes has confirmed it is in discussions about a possible equity interest in the Turkish sugar confectionery manufacturer, Kent, together with its distribution arm, Birlik. Kwik Save has signed a £1m deal with US technology firm PSC to install a data management solution to improve its inventory management. The article on page 10 of The Grocer last week headed, T&L shelves organic launch, concerned British Sugar, not Tate & Lyle as stated. {{NEWS }}

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