Ocado - food industry company news 
UK: Waitrose plays down "Price Ocado rebuff"
23 May 2013
Waitrose has sought to play down claims MD Mark Price has refused to meet Ocado counterpart Tim Steiner after the online specialist's deal with Morrisons.
UK: Morrisons shares slide on shareholder "sell-off"
23 May 2013
Shares in supermarket group Morrisons have fallen on reports that investor Walter Scott has sold around 100m shares in the UK grocer.
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.
UPDATE 3: UK: Morrisons chief Philips hails "low-risk" Ocado deal
17 May 2013
Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips today (17 May) claimed the UK grocer's venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado was a "great deal" for shareholders and consumers.
UPDATE 2: UK: Ocado "cast-iron clear" Waitrose deal is safe
17 May 2013
Ocado CEO Tim Steiner today (17 May) insisted the UK online retailer is "cast-iron clear" its new venture with Morrisons has no bearing on its existing partnership with Waitrose.
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.
UPDATE: UK: Waitrose coy about Morrisons-Ocado deal
17 May 2013
Waitrose this morning (17 May) refused to be drawn on news long-time online partner Ocado had struck an agreement to help rival grocer Morrisons launch its own home delivery service.
UK: Morrisons, Ocado announce online grocery venture
17 May 2013
UK grocer Morrisons this morning (17 May) confirmed that, after months of talks, it will launch an online food service through a venture with digital specialist Ocado.
Talking shop: Price fires shot across Ocado's bows
13 May 2013
Waitrose MD Mark Price is the self-styled "chubby grocer", one of the more affable figures of UK food retail. However, Price's comments over the weekend about Ocado's talks over a tie-up with Morrisons show a serious side the online specialist would do well to note.
UPDATE: UK: Ocado: Morrisons tie-up would not affect Waitrose deal
13 May 2013
UK online retailer Ocado has again insisted any deal it could strike with Morrisons would not affect its relationship with upmarket grocer Waitrose.
UK: Waitrose concern over Morrisons/Ocado talks
13 May 2013
Waitrose MD Mark Price has expressed concern over the ongoing talks between rival UK grocer Morrisons and online specialist Ocado about a potential tie-up.
UK: Ocado lacks global appeal to other retailers - analyst
10 May 2013
Ocado is an unlikely takeover target because its technology and warehouse capabilities do not have enough global appeal, one analyst has suggested following the dampening of reports over a potential acquisition by Morrisons.
What the analysts say: Morrisons Q1
9 May 2013
Morrisons has seen sales continue to decline at a faster rate than its rivals in the first quarter of the year. However, the company has a number of initiatives in the pipeline - significantly its plans to launch online and expand in convenience - that are frequently cited as offering a longer term upside. Here is how the City responded to Morrisons revenue performance.
The week ahead - Sainsbury's FY results, Tyson H1, Mondelez Q1
3 May 2013
First-quarter results continue to come in next week, with Cadbury owner Mondelez International among the companies reporting numbers to the end of March. Elsewhere, US meat giant Tyson Foods will file half-year figures and UK grocer Sainsbury's will report annual numbers.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
29 April 2013
just-food spoke with ABF CEO George Weston this week following the release of the firm's first-half figures. The chief executive spoke about the performance of and prospects for the firm's food operations. Elsewhere, Ocado dismissed reports of a potential takeover by Morrisons, while Nestle defended a trademark lawsuit it has filed against Petra Foods over the Singapore firm's Delfi Take-It chocolate bar.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
29 April 2013
Associated British Foods grabbed the headlines this week - for good and tragic reasons. Twenty-four hours before a factory in Bangladesh that supplied ABF's discount clothing chain Primark, just-food discussed the Kingsmill bread owner's half-year results. Another UK-listed major, Unilever, this week reported its Q1 sales, which missed analyst estimates on weaker spreads and ice cream sales. Elsewhere, we analysed the return of GM to national UK headlines and China's attempts to improve food safety.
UK: Ocado dismisses Morrisons takeover rumours
26 April 2013
UK online specialist Ocado has dismissed reports it is in discussions with Morrisons over a potential sale to the country's fourth-largest supermarket chain.
UK: Morrisons quiet on Ocado takeover talk
24 April 2013
Morrisons has remained silent on reports it is preparing a GBP1bn (US$1.53bn) takeover bid for online retailer Ocado.
UK: Sweet Mandarin eyes growth in UK, overseas
16 April 2013
UK firm Sweet Mandarin is planning to expand sales of its free-from Chinese sauces in the UK and overseas.
UK: Waitrose nabs Ocado's Rivenell as "omnichannel" chief
25 March 2013
UK retailer Waitrose has appointed Tony Rivenell, an executive at rival and partner Ocado, to become its new head of omnichannel delivery.
IFE: Ugo Foods plans gluten-free chilled pasta
22 March 2013
Premium fresh pasta manufacturer Ugo Foods is preparing to expand into the free-from market with the launch of a range of gluten-free chilled pastas.
IFE: All Good looks to develop premium tortilla category
19 March 2013
UK snack maker All Good hopes to develop a premium market for tortilla chips in the country through the expansion of its high-end brand Manomasa.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
18 March 2013
Morrisons last week announced firmer plans for an online food service - and the UK retailer could join forces with specialist Ocado. Larger rival Tesco, meanwhile, launched its own price-comparison scheme to lure in customers. Tesco, however, attracted more headlines on horsemeat with another recall. On a separate note, an Irish meat firm was said to know its beef was contaminated a year ago. Dole Food Co., Chiquita and Diamond Foods were among companies announcing results and, on the M&A front, UK firm Burton's Biscuit Co. could soon be up for grabs.
Talking shop: Morrisons core issues persist
15 March 2013
Morrisons' announcement that it is planning to launch an online grocery offering this year dominated the headlines in the wake of the group's full-year results. While the news is certainly of strategic significance for the UK's fourth-largest retailer, it should not overshadow ongoing problems that the firm is having in its core business.
On the money: Morrisons firm on online grocery plans
14 March 2013
UK grocer Morrisons has dismissed suggestions it has no definitive plan on how it will launch an online grocery offering, insisting that the "green light is on" for it to be up and running by February 2014.
On the money: Ocado looks to build consumer appeal
14 March 2013
UK online retailer Ocado is looking to boost its appeal by expanding its range, improving order placement and fulfilment and developing its market positioning.
UK: Morrisons in Ocado tie-up talks
14 March 2013
UK grocer Morrisons is in talks with specialist online food retailer Ocado on a deal that could help the supermarket chain with plans to set up an online service.
UK: Ocado shares jump on sales gains, Morrisons talks
14 March 2013
Shares Ocado jumped by almost one-fifth in morning trade today (14 March) after the online grocer reported a bumper set of sales and confirmed it is in talks with Morrisons over a potential tie-up.
UK: Morrisons FY falls short of expectations
14 March 2013
UK grocer Morrisons has booked a drop in full-year profits, admitting its results fell short of expectations.
