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The just-food interview – Arm Farghal, Fonterra - (3rd July 2009)
As Fonterra grapples with sharply declining global prices for dairy commodities, the group has tempered its ambitions in some emerging markets – such as China and India. However, it is still forging ahead into new territory and recently announced plans to enter Egypt. In this month’s just-food interview, Katy Humphries spoke to Arm Farghal, managing director of Fonterra’s Middle Eastern unit, to find out more about the company’s plans for this strategically important region.
FRANCE: Carrefour transformation targets savings, turnaround - (1st July 2009)
Carrefour has indicated that it expects to cut EUR4.5bn (US$6.4bn) in costs out of its business over the next three years, as part of a company-wide restructuring plan at the French retail giant.
US: E. coli found in Nestle cookie dough - (30th June 2009)
E. coli has been found in a sample of Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough, the US Food and Drug Administration has announced.
FRANCE: LDC in exclusive talks for Uniq unit - (26th June 2009)
French poultry group LDC has entered into exclusive talks to acquire Marie, the French chilled and frozen prepared food business of Uniq.
The just-food interview - Dominic Lowe, Green & Black's - (24th June 2009)
Ethical chocolate maker Green & Black’s has come a long way since its inception in 1991. Michelle Russell met with managing director Dominic Lowe to talk about the brand’s journey and its plans for the future.
Ambitious aims make companies hostages to fortune - (18th June 2009)
Marks and Spencer is once again putting its Plan A corporate responsibility platform centre stage, while Tesco has also raised its environmental profile recently. However, Ben Cooper writes, allegations by Greenpeace that both retailers, along with others, have been sourcing beef from deforested areas of Brazil underline how careful companies have to be when staking out the moral high ground.
UPDATE: US: Dean eyes US soy food drive after Alpro buy - (15th June 2009)
US dairy giant Dean Foods plans to boost the number of soy food products it sells in the US in the wake of its acquisition of Belgium's Alpro, the company said today (15 June).
Wal-Mart's India opening prompts mixed reaction - (15th June 2009)
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has officially planted its flag on Indian soil with the recent opening of its first wholesale store in the country. India is held up as one of the world's most attractive emerging retail markets, although significant obstacles remain before the country to live up to its potential. Raghavendra Verma reports from New Delhi on the Wal-Mart venture and local opinion on the US heavyweight's latest move.
UK: Tesco boss sees confidence returning - (11th June 2009)
Retailers and suppliers need to start planning for the recovery now with signs that consumer confidence in the UK is starting to return, Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy said today (11 June).
In the Spotlight – General Mills - (10th June 2009)
Despite the current tough operating environment, General Mills is delivering strong results and, earlier this week, the US cereal maker upped its full-year earnings guidance. Katy Humphries takes a look at where management has got it right and the challenges that may lie ahead.
