Top stories on just-food this week

Over the past week, Marks and Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose shared some of his intentional expansion plans with just-food amid news that the retailer was adding branded products to its offering. Kraft Foods, meanwhile, delivered what many have billed as a pivotal trading update in its bid to takeover Cadbury. Elsewhere, Ahold said that it was on the lookout for expansion opportunities, including acquisitions; and Sara Lee management enlightened us as to why top-line growth at the meat-to-bakery group is lagging its peers.

These were the ten most popular stories on just-food over the last week.

UPDATE: Ahold insists reorganisation is 'simplification'
Retail giant Ahold has insisted that the reorganisation of its US and European operations are being made to simplify and streamline its business.

INSIGHT: Sara Lee to drive volumes through price cuts
US-based food group Sara Lee has indicated that it hopes to boost top-line growth in the remainder of the year by increasing its investment in pricing.

COMMENT: Kraft weakness casts shadow of doubt over Cadbury deal
Kraft's disappointing third quarter has cast doubt over the future of any possible takeover move on UK confectioner Cadbury. The US food group delivered disappointing revenues and reduced its full-year organic growth targets, contrasting sharply with the strong third quarter Cadbury delivered last week. While Kraft's results have not left its expansion plans dead in the water, the US food group may have an uphill struggle to convince Cadbury shareholders and the market as a whole that its bid is viable, Katy Humphries contends.

INSIGHT: Delhaize sees private-label growth slowing
Belgian retailer Delhaize said today (5 November) that increased promotional activity from national brands has slowed the growth of its private-label sales in the US.

US: Kellogg to ditch immunity statements over H1N1
Kellogg Company will stop putting immunity claims on its Rice Krispies cereals in the US.

UK: M&S in China for the long-term - CEO
UK retailer Marks and Spencer plans to open more stores in China despite the teething problems it faced after launching its first outlet in Shanghai last year.

US: Hormel, Herdez Del Fuerte venture starts operations
Hormel Foods and Herdez Del Fuerte today (4 November) announced the closing of a 50/50 joint venture agreement to create MegaMex Foods.

INSIGHT: Kraft top line hit by pricing, volumes
Kraft Foods has indicated that its sluggish top-line growth was the consequence of lower pricing in the US and lower volumes in Europe, where the company offloaded under performing businesses.

INDONESIA: Carrefour forced to sell Alfa stake - report
French retailer Carrefour has been forced to sell its stake in an Indonesian supermarket chain after regulators said the chain dominated more than 50% of the market, according to reports.

UK: M&S rolls-out branded goods across UK
Marks & Spencer is to sell a selected range of around 400 branded grocery and household products in all of its UK stores.