Russia sparks Wal-Mart's interest
Bentonville, Arkansas: Wal-Mart is interested in entering the Russian market and could consider a partnership with a local player. "We've been watching impressive growth and it has piqued our interest," said Angela Hofmann, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart International. "We are interested in the Russian market." Earlier this month Russian supermarket chain X5 Retail Group denied reports it was in talks with Tesco, Wal-Mart or Carrefour over a possible takeover.
Job cuts announced at Coca-Cola
Atlanta, Georgia: Coca-Cola Enterprises has announced plans to axe 3,500 jobs as part of a restructuring programme. The cuts amount to 5% of CCE's global workforce and will mainly come from the company's North American operations. The restructuring is expected to "create a highly efficient supply chain and order fulfilment structure, and improve customer service by implementing new selling systems for many customers," CCE said.
Good weather boosts Hellenic sales
Maroussi: Coca-Cola bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company has reported a 13% increase in full-year underlying operating profit to €569m (£381m). Volume, excluding acquisitions made last year in Serbia, Cyprus and Italy, rose 11% to 1.75 billion unit cases for the year to 31 December, helped by good weather across European markets.
Nestlé caters for locals in Brazil
Feira de Santana: Nestlé has opened a factory dedicated to the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of products aimed at consumers in Brazil's north-eastern state of Bahia. The $47m (£24m) site in Feira de Santana is expected to create 2,000 jobs and will manufacture Nestlé products in more affordable pack sizes and adapt products to nutritional needs and tastes. "This makes good ethical and business sense, providing improved access to quality food for lower income families and a boost to the local economy," said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman and CEO of Nestlé.
Losses deepen at Castle Brands
New York: Spirits group Castle Brands has reported a 0.3% increase in net sales to $7.4m (£3.8m) for the third-quarter, with net losses up from $3.6m last year to $3.7m. The group blamed the low sales growth and losses on the timing of distributor purchases, product mix and marketing costs. "We are pursuing several initiatives to increase international sales growth in the future," said Mark Andrews, CEO of Castle Brands.
Shaw's gets 'fresh and healthy'
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts: Shaw's Supermarkets, part of US grocery chain Supervalu, has launched a 'fresh and healthy' in-store format. The format offers products that are healthy, natural, organic and easy to prepare, the company said. It is being tested at a 57,000 sq ft store in West Brockton, Massachusetts, with other Shaw's stores expected to adopt the format in the future.
Bentonville, Arkansas: Wal-Mart is interested in entering the Russian market and could consider a partnership with a local player. "We've been watching impressive growth and it has piqued our interest," said Angela Hofmann, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart International. "We are interested in the Russian market." Earlier this month Russian supermarket chain X5 Retail Group denied reports it was in talks with Tesco, Wal-Mart or Carrefour over a possible takeover.
Job cuts announced at Coca-Cola
Atlanta, Georgia: Coca-Cola Enterprises has announced plans to axe 3,500 jobs as part of a restructuring programme. The cuts amount to 5% of CCE's global workforce and will mainly come from the company's North American operations. The restructuring is expected to "create a highly efficient supply chain and order fulfilment structure, and improve customer service by implementing new selling systems for many customers," CCE said.
Good weather boosts Hellenic sales
Maroussi: Coca-Cola bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company has reported a 13% increase in full-year underlying operating profit to €569m (£381m). Volume, excluding acquisitions made last year in Serbia, Cyprus and Italy, rose 11% to 1.75 billion unit cases for the year to 31 December, helped by good weather across European markets.
Nestlé caters for locals in Brazil
Feira de Santana: Nestlé has opened a factory dedicated to the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of products aimed at consumers in Brazil's north-eastern state of Bahia. The $47m (£24m) site in Feira de Santana is expected to create 2,000 jobs and will manufacture Nestlé products in more affordable pack sizes and adapt products to nutritional needs and tastes. "This makes good ethical and business sense, providing improved access to quality food for lower income families and a boost to the local economy," said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman and CEO of Nestlé.
Losses deepen at Castle Brands
New York: Spirits group Castle Brands has reported a 0.3% increase in net sales to $7.4m (£3.8m) for the third-quarter, with net losses up from $3.6m last year to $3.7m. The group blamed the low sales growth and losses on the timing of distributor purchases, product mix and marketing costs. "We are pursuing several initiatives to increase international sales growth in the future," said Mark Andrews, CEO of Castle Brands.
Shaw's gets 'fresh and healthy'
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts: Shaw's Supermarkets, part of US grocery chain Supervalu, has launched a 'fresh and healthy' in-store format. The format offers products that are healthy, natural, organic and easy to prepare, the company said. It is being tested at a 57,000 sq ft store in West Brockton, Massachusetts, with other Shaw's stores expected to adopt the format in the future.
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