Asda - food industry company news 
What the analysts say - City downbeat on Tesco trading
5 June 2013
Tesco's first-quarter trading update contained a fall in UK underlying sales - and lower in LFLs in all but two of the 11 markets it now reports on. The City suggested the numbers showed Tesco has lost momentum and was facing challenges at home and abroad. Shares in the retailer were down more than 4%.
UK: Mackie's to double capacity with new facility
3 June 2013
Scottish crisp producer Mackie's at Taypack is to transfer production to a new site that it claims will double capacity.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
20 May 2013
After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2013
The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.
Comment: Pragmatic deal for Morrisons, Waitrose risk for Ocado
17 May 2013
A deal with Ocado represents Morrisons best route into the UK online channel as it plays catch-up with rivals. For the online specialist, it looks a good deal, although it could threaten its agreement with another partner, Waitrose.
On the money: Asda: We offer clear prices, not gimmicks
16 May 2013
Asda CEO Andy Clarke today (16 May) hit out at the "gimmicky" and "unsustainable" promotions of its rivals and said the UK grocer's "clarity" on prices was paying off.
UK: Asda claims "strong" Q1 after LFL sales rise
16 May 2013
Asda CEO Andy Clarke claimed the UK's second-largest grocer had put in a "strong performance in a tough market" after the retailer booked higher first-quarter like-for-like sales.
Interview: Amy's Kitchen sets out international mission
15 May 2013
Amy's Kitchen, the US frozen-food, organic and free-from business, is a quarter of a century old this year but there is a passion - almost a sense of mission - one would normally associate with a start-up. Dean Best spoke to co-owner Amy Berliner and European commercial director Damien Threadgold about the company's plans.
The week ahead - Wal-Mart Q1s, Post Holdings H1, ProTerra conference
13 May 2013
US breakfast cereal group Post Holdings kicks off a relatively quieter week of results with its half-year numbers on Monday. On Tuesday, meat giants Marfig and JBS will report on how it fared in the first three months of the year - as will Wal-Mart on Thursday. The week also includes an international conference in the Netherlands looking at the sustainable cultivation of soy.
Comment: Sainsbury's solid but challenges lay ahead in tough sector
9 May 2013
Sainsbury's, the UK's third-largest grocer, yesterday (8 May) reported what amount to another solid set of annual results. The year ahead should again be one of progress for Sainsbury's but competition could intensify still further.
UK: Sainsbury's: No plans for grocery click-and-collect
9 May 2013
Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King has said the UK grocer does not plan to follow rivals Tesco and Asda and offer a click-and-collect grocery service.
What the analysts say - City reflects on "sound" year for Sainsbury's
8 May 2013
The UK's third-largest grocer reported solid annual results today (8 May), a year in which profits grew and it gained market share. Analysts largely welcomed the results.
US: E-commerce "next growth engine" for Wal-Mart
2 May 2013
Online will be the latest driver of Wal-Mart's growth, the chief of the world's largest retailer's e-commerce operation has claimed.
Interview: UK firm Belton Cheese looks to drive international growth
1 May 2013
Belton Cheese has been on something of a roll, expanding its business into new international markets with fresh distribution deals in countries as far afield as the US and Japan. The group announced yesterday (30 April) that it is further growing its overseas presence through an agreement to expand into Russia's high growth dairy market. Katy Askew caught up with Belton sales manager Phil Jones to find out more.
Gluten free: The UK market
30 April 2013
The UK continues to witness a rapid increase in demand for gluten-free foods. The sector represents the largest within the UK market for free-from foods, targeted at people with food allergies or intolerances, and it is a category seeing dramatic growth.
Consuming issues - GM debate comes down to question of trust
25 April 2013
The GM debate has re-emerged in the UK in the last couple of weeks with the news four major supermarket operators will allow their suppliers to use GM feed for poultry and eggs.
UK: Multichannel focus for Asda investment
23 April 2013
Asda said today (23 April) the focus of its investment has "shifted" to accelerating the expansion of its multichannel operations as it outlined plans for its online food business.
UK: Sainsbury's delivers strongest sales growth - Kantar
23 April 2013
UK retailer Sainsbury's delivered the strongest sales growth amongst the big four, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel.
In the spotlight: Infant formula prices drive Chinese consumers overseas
15 April 2013
Retailers are rationing the amount of infant formula consumers can buy in markets including Hong Kong, Australia and now the UK. The move has been prompted by the huge demand for infant formula in China, with consumers buying products overseas and shipping them home. While you might think that rationing comes in response to supply shortages, in actual fact it is more likely an attempt to protect the power to price the same product differently in different markets. Katy Askew reports.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
15 April 2013
UK-based R&R Ice Cream last week snapped up local rival Fredericks Dairies, a deal its CEO told us will help it compete better with Unilever. We spoke to M&A analysts about the potential sale of Burton's Biscuit Co. and to the chairman of Canada's Dare Foods about his expansion plans. In Europe, the sector was rocked by fresh horsemeat revelations, including news an Asda product contained the veterinary drug phenylbutazone.
UPDATE: UK: Unite "disappointed" at Welsh Country Foods closure
12 April 2013
Unite, the union representing workers at the now closed Vion UK site Welsh Country Foods, has said it is "disappointed" with the way the firm has let the business "slip away".
UK: Vion's Welsh Country Foods lamb unit to close
12 April 2013
Vion-owned Welsh Country Foods is to close its lamb processing business in Anglesey, putting 310 jobs on the line.
HORSEMEAT: Dutch authorities recall 50,000 tonnes beef
10 April 2013
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has recalled around 50,000 tonnes of meat sold as beef across Europe that could potentially contain horsemeat.
Interview: R&R chief: We can be "real alternative" to Unilever
10 April 2013
James Lambert, CEO of UK-based R&R Ice Cream, has suggested the company's plan to buy local rival Fredericks Dairies will give retailers a "real alternative" to market leader Unilever.
HORSEMEAT: Bute found in Asda corned beef
10 April 2013
The veterinary drug phenylbutazone, or bute, has been found in Asda Smart Price corned beef.
UK: Bath Pig Co. to debut fresh sausage line
9 April 2013
UK food manufacturer The Bath Pig Co has secured a deal to supply its pork sausage line into Asda stores.
UK: Morrisons mulls ASA complaint over Tesco Price Promise
5 April 2013
UK retailer Morrisons has said it is considering complaining to the advertising watchdog about Tesco's Price Promise, which it says is "misleading".
UK: Waitrose, Aldi lead UK growth - Kantar
26 March 2013
Upmarket retailer Waitrose and discounter Aldi posted the strongest growth in the UK retail market during the 12 weeks to 17 March, the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel revealed today (26 March).
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
25 March 2013
Last week saw the just-food team hitting the streets to bring you coverage from two key events in the industry calender: the IFE trade show in London and the Consumer Analyst Group of Europe (CAGE) conference.
HORSEMEAT: Asda corned beef found to contain 50% horse DNA
21 March 2013
UK retailer Asda's own-label corned beef product has been found to contain more than 50% horsemeat following tests by a local authority.
