Woolworths Ltd - food industry company news 
AUS: Price war, poor weather hits Woolworths Q3 sales
20 April 2012
Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd said price cuts and poor weather had an effect on sales in the third quarter of its financial year.
Talking shop: Wal-Mart focuses on better international returns
16 April 2012
Wal-Mart is focused on improving returns from the international markets in which it is present over entering new countries. That was the message from Doug McMillon, CEO of the retailer's operations outside the US, as he met analysts in Canada last week.
CHINA: Wal-Mart China executive Zhou steps down
16 April 2012
Wal-Mart Stores has seen another senior executive leave its operations in China.
S AFRICA: Woolworths, Ahold linked to Pick n Pay stake
27 March 2012
South African retailer Pick n Pay has reportedly held talks with international retailers over the possible sale of a stake in the company.
In the spotlight: Food makers still face commodity pressure
27 March 2012
We are just days away from the end of the first quarter of 2012, a year in which manufacturers were hoping the pressure of last year's commodity inflation would ease significantly. However, those hopes may not materialise as quickly as many manufacturing giants expect.
AUS: Unibic Australia sale imminent
7 March 2012
A deal for the purchase of ailing biscuit maker Unibic Australia could be signed this week, the administrators have told just-food.
AUS: Woolworths cites grocery gains as H1 profits fall
1 March 2012
Woolworths Ltd has claimed its domestic supermarket business has improved sales, profits and market share, even as Australia's largest retailer reported lower half-year group earnings.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
20 February 2012
Kellogg snapping up Pringles grabbed your attention this week but it was five days in which the EU and the US signed a trade deal over organic food, the likes of Nestle, Danone and Dean Foods reported annual financial results and General Mills issued a surprise profit warning. Click on the headlines for more.
AUS: Coles profits jump after outpacing Woolworths
16 February 2012
Coles Group, Australia's second-largest grocer, has reported a 14% jump in half-year earnings on the back of higher sales, including a "record-breaking" Christmas.
On the move: Wal-Mart's Foran faces challenges in China
14 February 2012
Greg Foran, who moved from Woolworths Ltd to Wal-Mart last autumn, has been named as the US retail giant's new chief in China. As Dean Best writes, Foran is taking charge of one of Wal-Mart's most challenging businesses.
CHINA: Former Woolworths exec Foran to lead Wal-Mart's Chinese unit
7 February 2012
Long-time Woolworths Ltd executive Greg Foran has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores' operations in China.
AUS: Woolworths sees first-half sales climb
31 January 2012
Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd has recorded an increased in first-half sales, despite "ongoing headwinds" facing the retail sector.
The most-read comment articles on just-food in 2011
23 December 2011
Our comment pages in 2011 looked at Tesco's challenges in the US, the uncertainty that surrounded the country's largest dairy processor, Dean Foods, the disposals made by the UK's largest food manufacturer, Premier Foods plc, and the price war that developed between Australia's two largest retailers, Woolworths Ltd and Coles.
AUS: Supermarkets "mislead" customers over brands
28 November 2011
Supermarkets are using "copycat" packaging of food brands to mislead consumers into buying private-label products, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) warned yesterday (27 November).
US: Yoghurt brand Chobani secures first overseas listings
23 November 2011
US yoghurt brand Chobani has secured its first listings outside the country.
AUS: Woolworths Ltd to grow own-brand, stores and online
2 November 2011
Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd has announced far-reaching plans to double own-brand sales, open stores, revamp its online offering and overhaul its marketing.
AUS: Woolworths sales growth lags Coles
27 October 2011
Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd has reported slower sales growth than rival Coles in the first quarter of its financial year.
AUS: Coles posts Q1 sales increase
20 October 2011
Australian grocery retailer Coles has posted an increase in its first-quarter sales, despite a "tough" retail environment.
AUS: Aldi outlines expansion plans for 2012
5 October 2011
Discount retailer Aldi is to open up to 30 stores in Australia next year.
just the answer – Kate Carnell, Australian Food and Grocery Council
27 September 2011
There is no doubt that Australia is a tough place for a food manufacturer to do business. Competition between two powerful local food retailers is putting pressure on domestic and international suppliers. In this month's just the answer, Ben Cooper discusses the challenging trading conditions with Kate Carnell, chief executive of industry association the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
Focus: The uncomfortable truth for Australian food suppliers
19 September 2011
In describing Australia as an "inhospitable" market, Heinz expressed what many suppliers feel but fear to say. But it's an awkward truth, Ben Cooper writes. The last thing the Australian food industry wants is international investors viewing it as a hostile market.
AUS: Woolworths hires Winn as multi-channel director
9 September 2011
Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd has announced the appointment of Penny Winn to the newly-created role of multi-channel director.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
26 August 2011
There was perhaps only one candidate for quote of the week after the chief executive of UK retailer The Co-operative Group said conditions in the UK were the worst he had seen in his career.
AUS: Woolworths FY results fail to cheer market
25 August 2011
Shares in Australian retailer Woolworths Ltd fell today (25 August) despite the company posting a 5% increase in annual profits.
On the money: Heinz battles to adapt to "difficult" Australian market
24 August 2011
HJ Heinz is taking action to revitalise its operations Australia, where its business put in a "poor performance" in the first quarter of its financial year, CFO Art Winkleblack has said.
MALAYSIA/UK: Tesco appoints CEO of Malaysian unit
24 August 2011
Tesco has confirmed that Sung-hwan Do has been named chief executive of its Malaysian unit.
AUS: Tesco's Jegen to take senior Woolworths role
17 August 2011
Woolworths Ltd has tapped the CEO of Tesco's Malaysian unit to lead its Australian supermarkets and petrol stations division.
AUS: Woolworths CEO-designate shakes up management
29 July 2011
Grant O'Brien, the CEO-designate of Australian grocery retailer Woolworths Ltd, has announced a series of senior management changes.
AUS: Coles sales grow faster than Woolworths
28 July 2011
Australian grocery retailer Coles has enjoyed faster sales growth than rival Woolworths Ltd for the 2011 financial year.
UK: Wyke Farms eyes US growth
27 July 2011
UK independent dairy firm Wyke Farms has said that it is hoping to secure a more permanent listing with Wal-Mart Stores in the US this year.
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