Top stories on just-food this week

A succession of announcements emerged from Wal-Mart this week as the world's largest retailer looked to make its sourcing more effective, drive growth in the US and launch an online strategy around a new site - Global.com. Meanwhile, retailers on both sides of the pond - Morrisons in the UK and A&P in the US - named new CEOs and the big two grocers in Australia slashed prices. These were the ten most popular stories on just-food this week.

US: Wal-Mart to consolidate global sourcing structure
Wal-Mart is to consolidate its global sourcing structure in a bid to reduce costs and accelerate its speed to market.

US: A&P appoints Borders chief as CEO
US retailer A&P has appointed Ron Marshall, the former CEO of bookseller Borders Group, as its president and chief executive.

UK/CANADA: Loblaw exec to join Morrisons as CEO
Morrisons has this afternoon (27 January) named Loblaw COO Dalton Philips as the UK retailer's new chief executive.

For more comment and analysis on Morrisons' appointment of a new CEO, please click here.

UK: Kellogg cuts salt content across Europe
Kellogg has announced a 30% reduction in the amount of salt in its Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes cereals and snacks across Europe.

UPDATE: Green & Black's boss has "confidence" in Kraft takeover
The boss of Cadbury-owned Green & Black's today (28 January) revealed that Kraft Foods has issued a commitment to respect all the UK confectioner's Fairtrade arrangements.

AUS: Woolworths hits back with price cuts
Woolworths Ltd, Australia's largest grocer, has launched a slew of price cuts, just days after arch-rival Coles said it would bring down prices across the country.

FRANCE: Dairy co-operatives plan merger
Four dairy co-operatives operating in the east of France are planning to merge, forming the fourth-largest player in the French dairy market.

UK: WWF slams seafood eco-label schemes
Green campaigners at the WWF have hit out at seafood labelling schemes for confusing consumers, who are increasingly looking to buy sustainable fish.

This week also saw just-food take an in-depth look at the certification schemes for sustainable seafood - and their effectiveness or otherwise.

RUSSIA: Wimm-Bill-Dann shares sour after profit warning
Shares in Russian dairy group Wimm-Bill-Dann fell today (25 January) after the company said milk shortages in the last quarter of 2009 would hit its full-year earnings.

INSIGHT: Tate & Lyle must “rethink” corporate strategy – analyst
UK sugar and ingredients group Tate & Lyle should rethink its corporate strategy in order to improve its performance and see off any potential takeover bid, analysts at Icap have suggested.