December 2009 Entries

First Page: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We wish you all a great holiday season. The FoodBizDaily.com team will take some time off to analyze our first year in business and plan for 2010. We hope we see you again in January 2010!

First Page: Mercator to acquire Croatian competitor

December 21 2009 - Mercator, Slovenia's largest food retailer has officially confirmed it acquire a well-known Croatian retailer Getro in order to raise its market share in the neighboring country to about 9%. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Carlsberg’s Baltika recognized as best-selling brand in Russia in 2009

December 21 2009 - Baltika, Russia’s one of the largest beer brands owned by Carlsberg Group recognized as best-selling premium brand in the country since the beginning of the current year. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Polish processed fruit and vegetable producer Pamapol signs supply agreement with Tesco

December 21 2009 - Pamapol, one of the largest Polish producers of processed fruit and vegetable ready meals has signed an agreement with a British retail chain Tesco Stores Limited for the production and supply of canned meat, ready meals and vegetable salads. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Eduardo Solorzano named CEO of Walmart Latin America

December 18 2009 - Wal-Mart Stores announced today that Eduardo Solorzano, president and CEO of Walmart de Mexico, has been named executive vice president, president and CEO of Walmart Latin America. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Ahold to buy 25 of Ukrop’s stores in US

December 18 2009 - The Dutch grocer, Ahold has announced that its US division Giant-Carlisle will expand its presence in Virginia by acquiring 25 stores from Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Controversial retail bill approved in Russia

December 18 2009 - The Russian parliament approved a new retail law that could limit retailers' expansion. The new law was supported by the Russian Prime-Minister Putin and considered as controversial within the country. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Business secretary “powerless” in battle to keep Cadbury British

December 17 2009 - Business secretary Lord Mandelson has made it clear that he has “no statutory power” to step in and keep Cadbury independent as it faces a hostile takeover from US good giant Kraft. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Asda under fire for importing turkeys from Brazil

December 17 2009 - Asda has been criticised by British farmers for importing frozen turkeys from Brazil this Christmas. It is said to be the first time a major supermarket chain has sourced Christmas turkeys from Brazil and critics argue it is a betrayal of British agriculture. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: General Mills reports $4.08 billion in sales in Q2. Increases advertising and media expenses by 37%

December 17 2009 - General Mills reported today the results for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. According to the company statement Net sales grew to $4.08 billion, a 2% increase, led by 4% growth in U.S. Retail net sales. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Marks & Spencer to expand operations in India

December 16 2009  - Planning a major expansion in India, British Marks & Spencer and Reliance Retail aim to grow from 14 stores across the country to at least 50 over the next few years. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Grupo Pão de Açúcar paving the way for CEO's sucession (Brazil)

December 16 2009 - Grupo Pão de Açúcar begins to pave the way for the succession of its current CEO, Claudio Galeazzi, which will be in the company until December 2010. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Makro invests in new ‘Eco Plus’ format (Thailand)

December 16 2009 - Siam Makro Plc, the operator of Markro supercenter in Thailand, will invest $18 million to open a new model store entitled ‘Eco Plus’. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First PAge: Penny Market to open 25 discounter stores in Romania next year

December 16 2009 - Penny Market, the largest discounter store network operating in the Romanian market, plans to open further 25 new stores next year in the country, according to the local media reports. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Kraft retaliates in battle to win over Cadbury shareholders

December 15 2009 - Kraft Foods said that a takeover would deliver substantially more value than Cadbury could achieve on its own as it tries to win over shareholders. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Retail developer abandons plans of own label to focus on Spar franchise in Ukraine

December 15 2009 - "KStrading”, a well-known Ukrainian retail developer, is planning to focus on the development of one of the world's largest food retailers, SPAR,  in Ukraine. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Axfood AB to reduce its carbon footprint by 75% in 10 years (Sweden)

December 15 2009 - Swedish Axfood AB  announced today plans to reduce its climate impact by 75%,as part of a sustainability program adopted by the company's executive management, to be implemented  the next 10 years. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Japan’s Sapporo enters Vietnam beer market

December 15 2009 - In a move intended to tap into the fast-growing Vietnamese beer market, Japan’s Sapporo Holdings says it is acquiring a 50% stake from Carlsberg and another 15% stake from Vietnam National Tobacco Corp. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Dairy sector to assert environmental commitment at Copenhagen

December 14 2009 - The International Dairy Federation (IDF) is to reaffirm the sector’s commitment to tackling greenhouse gas emissions at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Cadbury issues defense against Kraft bid

December 14 2009 - Kraft is trying to buy the Cadbury “on the cheap”, according to the chairman of the British confectioner, Roger Carr, as its board again recommended that shareholders reject the US food giant’s offer. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Auchan starts implementation of "Raduga" banner in Russia

December 14 2009 - French retail chain Auchan has officially launched its earlier announced retail concept in Russia under the “Raduga» brand name. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Bharti Retail plans to expand up to 200 stores by the end of 2010

December 14, 2009 – Bharti Retail Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s telecom major Bharti Enterprises, said that the company has decided to enter into Indian retail sector in a big way.  Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Diageo seals agreement to end workers’ dispute (UK)

December 11 2009 - Diageo has reached an agreement with its workforce, represented by the union Unite, which fought to save Scottish sites from closure and protect jobs. Read more [FoodBizDaily.com]

First Page: METRO Group joins the United Nations to help small-scale producers in developing and emerging economies

December 11 2009 - The United Nations and  METRO Group has signed an agreement to establish initiatives that advance food standards and the livelihoods of small-scale producers in developing and emerging economies. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Cadbury workers unite to block Kraft takeover

December 11 2009 - Cadbury workers are to launch a bid to keep the UK confectioner independent and fend off a hostile bid by Kraft. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Delhaize launches new retail concept in Romania

December 11 2009 - Delhaize, operator of the Mega Image supermarket chain, is tapping into the Romanian discount retail,  through Red Market, a concept to be developed both in small towns and in big cities. Read more [FoodBizDaily] 

First Page: Sara Lee to sell air care business to Procter & Gamble and focus on food and beverage

December 11 2009 - Sara Lee Corp. announced today it has received a binding offer from The Procter & Gamble Company to acquire Sara Lee’s air care business for €320 million. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Royal FrieslandCampina reorganizes production, closing plants in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands

December 10 2009 - Dairy company, Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., plans to reorganize its production sites over the next couple of years. As a result, a total of six sites will be closed. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Clover sells its share in Danone joint-venture in South Africa

December 10 2009 - Clover SA has agreed to sell its 45% shareholding in the joint-venture Danone Clover to Danone for € 100 million. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Smithfield Foods reports net loss of $26 million in Q2 2010

December 10 2009 - The Virginian based Smithfield Foods, Inc. reported  a net loss of $26.4 for the quarter,  on sales of $2.7 billion versus $3.1 billion in the same period last year. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Glisten chairman steps down (UK)

December 10 2009 - The chairman of  Glisten Jeremy Hamer, who had been in the role at the UK manufacturer of cereal, fruit snack bars and health bars since June 2002, is stepping down to dedicate more time other interests. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Shoppers Stop plans to expand business in Indian metros and tier I & II cities (India)

December 10, 2009 – Shopper’s Stop Limited, the owner of India’s leading food retailer Hypercity, is now in the process of expanding its stores across India focusing mainly in the metro cities. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Food Lion opens its first environmentally friendly grocery store in South Carolina

December 09 2009 - Food Lion LLC  announces the opening of the  company's first and South Carolina's first environmentally friendly grocery store. The store, located in the Summit Commons Shopping Center, will seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification.  Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Auchan to open its largest supermarket in Russia in July 2010

December 09 2009 - France's Auchan is planning to start a massive expansion of the Russian regional markets through the opening of its branded supermarkets. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: General Mills announces program to reduce sugar content in children's cereals

December 09 2009 - General Mills announced today a public commitment to reduce sugar in cereals advertised to children to single-digit grams of sugar per serving. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: EU pushes back review of Kraft’s bid for Cadbury

December 09 2009 - European Union regulators have extended the deadline for their review of Kraft Foods' proposed takeover of Cadbury, according to reports. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: The Kroger Co reports net loss of $874.9 million in Q3 09

December 08 2009 - Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer reported results for the third quarter of 2009. According to the company  total sales, including fuel,  were $17.7 billion compared with $17.6 billion for the same period last year. It reports a net loss of $874.9 million.  Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Sanderson Farms, Inc reports net sales of $469.0 million in Q4 2009

December 08 2009 - Mississippi's Sanderson Farms, Inc. reported today net sales of $469.0 million in Q4 2009 compared with $460.2 million for the same period a year ago. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Kraft Foods Ukraine announces change of ownership

December 08 2009 - Kraft Foods International, Inc. has officially announced today that it’s transferred a 99.47% stake in Kraft Foods Ukraine, one of Ukraine’s largest confectionery groups, to Kraft Foods Nederland Services B. V. (Netherlands). Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: United Breweries to distribute Heineken in India

December 7, 2009 – United Breweries Holdings Limited (UBL), largest breweries in India and a company under UB Group, has signed an agreement with Heineken to distribute the Heineken brand in India. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Nestle’s Kit Kat brand to become Fairtrade in UK and Ireland

December 07 2009 - Nestle has confirmed that its best-selling British chocolate bar, Kit Kat, will be certified Fairtrade in the UK & Ireland. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Heineken’s CEO predicts consolidation of global beer market

December 07 2009 - Nearly a quarter of the beer market is expected to consolidate in the near future, according to CEO of Dutch brewing company Heineken Jean-Francois van Boxmeer. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Cadbury sets date for formal response to Kraft offer

December 07 2009 - Cadbury has announced that it will post to shareholders its formal response to Kraft’s takeover offer on Monday 14 December this year. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Grupo Pão de Açúcar joins Casa Bahia to create a U$18 billion retail giant (Brazil)

December 04 2009 - Grupo Pão de Açúcar, through the subsidiary Globex, and the national retailer Casas Bahia closed an "association agreement" creating a new company, retail giant, with estimated U.S. $ 18.5 billion in gross annual sales and 68 thousand employees. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: European Parliament debates impact of meat production on climate change

December 04 2009 - Former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, has thrown his weight behind calls for people to eat less meat to help fight climate change at a European Parliament public hearing. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Bharti-Walmart plans to invest over US$ 105 million in India

December 4, 2009 – Bharti-Walmart Private Limited, joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and US-based Walmart Stores Inc, has decided to invest over $105 million excluding land and construction for cash-and-carry operations in India. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Countdown to Kraft’s Cadbury offer documents

December 04 2009 - Kraft is today expected to release the offer documents for its hostile bid for Cadbury, ahead of Monday’s deadline. The documents will reiterate the cash and stock terms it proposed last month. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Delhaize Group unveils new strategic plan

December 03 2009 - Belgian international food retailer, Delhaize Group, said it will increase price competitiveness and accelerate the number of store openings as part of its new “game plan”. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: X5’s CEO Lev Khasis sold one-third stake in the company (Russia)

December 03 2009 -  Lev Khasis, CEO of Russia’s largest retailer in term of sales X5 Retail Group has decided to sell  one-third of his stake in the company after the publication of the financial results of X5 Retail Group. Read more [FoodBizDaily] 

First Page: Pantaloon Retail India plans to invest around US$ 79 million

December 3, 2009 – Pantaloon Retail India Limited (PRIL), a leading retail company of Future Group, has decided to invest around US$ 79 million this year to add up to 2.4 million square foot retail space at the existing operations. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: New UK supermarket chain Haldanes Stores acquires 13 more outlets

December 02 2009 - The new supermarket chain Haldanes Stores, which launched just last month, has acquired a further 13 UK outlets and said it is on the hunt for more. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: DeltaMilk’s takeover of a FrieslandCampina cheese plant approved

December 02 2009 - The purchase of Koninklijke FrieslandCampina cheese production plant at Bleskensgraaf in the Netherlands by the milk suppliers’ cooperative, DeltaMilk, has been approved by the European Commission. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Village Super Market, Inc. reports operational results (US)

December 02 2009 - Village Super Market, Inc. reported today its operational results  for the first quarter ended October 24, 2009. The company reported net income was $4,542,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, a decrease of 29% from the first quarter of the prior year. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Aditya Birla Retail plans private labels business in India

December 2, 2009 – Aditya Birla Retail Limited, a leading chain of super markets and hypermarkets trading under the banner of More, is planning its private labels business as an independent strategic business unit (SBU) and profit centre which may be spun off as a separate entity. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: US and France are main markets for certified Brazilian guaraná

December 01 2009 - Members of the Urucará Cooperative (Agrofrut), in the Amazon, renewed the certificates of quality and origin that qualify the Brazilian guaraná for domestic and export sales. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Bakery company Aryzta poised for acquisitions (Switzerland)

December 01 2009 - The chief executive officer of the Swiss bakery company Aryzta said that the business is positioned to benefit from improved trading conditions and acquisition opportunities as the company released its first quarter trading update. Read more [FoodBizDaily]

First Page: Dixy retail chain plans to open 100 new stores in 2010 (Russia)

December 01 2009 - "Dixy," one of Russia's leading retailers of foodstuffs and everyday household supplies is planning to open nearly 100 new stores in 2010 which is 1,5 times more than in 2009, according to the vice-president of "Dixy" Fedor Rybasov. Read more [FoodBizDaily] 

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