The top stories on just-food this week

There was an M&A flavour to this week's news, with speculation over the possible disposals of Unilever's last frozen food operation, as well as the European seafood business behind tuna brand John West. UK poultry giant The Boparan Group bought fish group Five Star Fish and promised to build its retail base, while we interviewed UK own-label giant Bakkavor's CEO and CFO.

ITALY: Unilever coy on "frozen food sale"
Unilever has refused to be drawn on fresh reports that it is looking to sell its Findus frozen food business in Italy.

BELGIUM: Carrefour partially reverses plans to axe stores
French retail giant Carrefour, which was planning to close 21 stores in Belgium, has proposed to axe fewer outlets after talks with unions.

US: MWBrands owner mulls sale of seafood firm
US investment group Trilantic Capital is mulling the sale of its European seafood unit MWBrands.

UK: Harry Ramsden’s owner buys troubled Five Star Fish
The Boparan Group, the UK meat giant, has acquired Five Star Fish, which entered administration last month due to concerns over the financial position of its parent company.

UK: M&S sees buoyant sales, food lags
UK retailer Marks and Spencer today (8 April) posted its sixth consecutive quarter of like-for-like sales growth, boosted by Christmas revenues.

CANADA: Couche-Tard bids for Casey's
Canadian c-store operator Couche-Tard has submitted a bid to buy US-based Casey’s General Stores for US$1.9bn.

UK: Nestle faces industrial action over pay row
Nestle workers across the UK are being balloted on industrial action in a national dispute over a pay freeze.

US: Family Dollar profit climbs, lifts outlook
US retailer Family Dollar has said that its second-quarter profits increased 33% on improved sales and margins.

The just-food interview - Bakkavor
Bakkavor, one of the UK's largest own-label food manufacturers, has had a tumultuous 12 months. The company even warned last year about the future of the business as a going concern after it missed a deadline to pay creditors. However, Bakkavor's management is keen to look forward and, speaking to Dean Best in this month's just-food interview, CEO Agust Gudmundsson and CFO Richard Howes maintain a quiet optimism about the company's future.

UK/NETHERLANDS: Unilever expands sustainable palm oil supply
Unilever announced today (7 April) that it has secured enough GreenPalm certificates to supply its European, Australian and New Zealand businesses with sustainable palm oil.