Bestway has secured planning permission in Birmingham for its 28th cash and carry depot. The 27th site opened in Plymouth this month. Kerry's takeover bid for Golden Vale has received approval from the regulatory authorities in the UK and Irish Republic, Ahold has embarked on a major international discount campaign co-ordinating promotions across its stores in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Unilever Bestfoods UK has launched a rebranded b2b website for distributors of its products worldwide. Budgens chief executive Martin Hyson said total sales grew 10.9% in the 19 weeks to September 9. Like for like sales were up 6.6%. Sainsbury has been given the thumbs up from Southwark council to redevelop its former HQ on the South Bank. United Co-op is looking for a buyer to take on three superstores in the north-west as going concerns as it focuses on its convenience formats. Co-operative internet service provider Poptel has axed six jobs owing to delays over the launch of the .coop internet domain name. Irn-Bru maker AG Barr has reported a 26% drop in pre tax profit to £5.7m on sales up 2% to £59.4m for the six months to July 28. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called on the government to postpone the planned rise in the minimum wage on October 1 to April because of fears of an economic downturn. Speciality foods manufacturer and importer G Costa has boosted its portfolio with four new brands: Elsenham preserves, Patum Peperium gentleman's relish, Becas tinned soups and La Favorite mustard and wine vinegars. Fresh foods firm Gs Marketing has bought the onion business of Priory Foods, which is in receivership. The carrot and parsnip side of the business has been picked up by root vegetable grower and packer Knights of Norfolk. British American Tobacco is to invest $150m in a manufacturing plant in Nigeria. David Wilson has replaced John Kinch as company secretary at Safeway. French retailer Galeries Lafayette has emerged as favourite to buy Marks and Spencer's 18 stores in France. The Safeway Christmas ordering service is being launched in early November enabling customers to pre-order turkey, beef and other festive dishes for collection on December 22, 23 and 24. Canadian food giant McCain is building a new £70m factory for producing processed potato products in Rugeley, creating 150 jobs. Pan Asian retailer Dairy Farm International has opened a fresh food distribution facility in Hong Kong to boost the fresh food offer at its Wellcome supermarkets' {{NEWS }}

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