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Japan-based retailer Aeon warned that its full-year 2013 profit is expected to come in well below expectations. The company was hit by weak domestic consumer sentiment in the 12 months to end-February, with efforts to stimulate supermarket sales failing to offset group-wide pressure on revenues. But Aeon management also took the opportunity to outline its medium-term growth priorities. Katy Askew reports.

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Tesco clearly has a lot on its plate. On the one hand, the UK's largest retailer is focused on transforming its domestic business through a capital intensive programme of store refurbishments and a potentially margin-dilutive drive online. On the other, the need to reverse overseas volume declines in order to shore-up international margins is pressing. CEO Philip Clarke is attempting to perform a complex balancing act. Katy Askew reports.

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In ten days time, Hong Kong retail-to-energy conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa will reportedly consider any offers that have come in for ParknShop, its supermarket chain. However, any interested parties need to consider the challenges facing ParknShop, operating in the saturated Hong Kong market and so far not enjoying significant inroads on the mainland.

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Grocers undoubtedly felt the economic pressures in 2012 with discounters enjoying buoyant growth as a result of an increase in value-seeking consumers. Shoppers' focus on value led to rising online sales and further investment in the channel from the world's food retailers. However, the year was not just about expansion. Some of the world's largest grocers have scaled back overseas, with the trend towards internalisation slowing. Michelle Russell takes a look at the highs and lows for international retailers in 2012.

Japanese retail giant Aeon has slashed its earnings estimates for the financial year to end-February, citing competitive pressures in the tough Japanese supermarket sector.

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Hong-Kong based retail-to-energy conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa has dropped plans to auction its ParknShop supermarket business.

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Japanese retailer Daiei has seen its net losses widen in the first half of its financial year.

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Four bidders reportedly remain in the race to acquire Hong Kong retailer ParknShop - with regional retailers and private-equity firms said to be out of the running.

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Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group, the owner of Thai retailer CP All, has reportedly submitted a first-round bid for Hong Kong based supermarket ParknShop.

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Private-equity bidders KKR & Co. and TPG Capital Management have reportedly been dropped from the auction process to acquire Hong Kong supermarket chain ParknShop.

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China Resources Enterprise has reportedly today (21 August) confirmed it has bid for Hong Kong supermarket chain ParknShop.

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The first-round bids have reportedly been made for Hong Kong supermarket chain ParknShop - with regional retailers and private-equity firms said to have tabled offers.

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US retail giant Wal-Mart has remained tight-lipped over reports it is considering placing a bid for one of Hong Kong's leading supermarket chains ParknShop.

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China Resources Enterprise has remained tight-lipped over reports it is among retailers looking to place a bid for one of Hong Kong's leading supermarket chains ParknShop.

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Japanese retailer Aeon has launched its tender offer to more than double its stake in fellow retailer Daiei.

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Japanese retailer Aeon has recorded an increase in earnings for the first quarter of its financial year.

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Japanese retailer Aeon has forecast another year of record net income after a near-12% increase over the last 12 months.

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Japanese retailer Aeon has reaffirmed its full-year outlook, despite posting a drop in operating profit for the first nine months of the fiscal.

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French retail giant Carrefour has denied reports it is in talks with Hong Kong-based China Resources Enterprise about a potential partnership deal in the Chinese retail sector.

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Carrefour has sold its stake in its venture in Indonesia, the latest move to refocus its attention on a smaller number of markets worldwide.

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Hurricane Sandy, which swept across the eastern part of the US, dominated headlines worldwide this week - and its impact was felt on the food sector. Elsewhere, US bakery giant Hostess Brands warned it may have to close if workers strike, UK food group Premier Foods sold off another brand - Branston pickle - to Japan's Mizkan and the country's food industry made a wide-ranging pledge on palm oil. just-food's insight pages were busy, with an in-depth look (for subscribers only) at the debate on nutrient taxes and an interview with the executive that runs McCormick & Co's business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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French retail giant Carrefour has sold its Malaysian operations to Japanese giant Aeon.

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French retail giant Carrefour has remained silent on Brazilian reports that it is preparing an initial public offering for its Atacadão wholesale arm in the country.

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A busy but fruitful week for just-food was dominated by the SIAL trade expo in Paris, where thousands of international manufacturers gathered to showcase products and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing them. Elsewhere, the UK unveiled plans to introduce a hybrid nutrition labelling system, Premier Foods plc pledged to "unlock value" from its bread division and French retailers Carrefour and Casino found their international operations in the spotlight.

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French retail giant Carrefour has declined to comment on reports it is in talks to sell its Malaysian operations to Japanese giant Aeon.

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Taking part in the international Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) will help Chinese food group COFCO grow in overseas markets, the state-backed company has said.

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Japanese retailer Aeon has announced plans to launch its Ministop convenience store network in Indonesia.

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Japanese retailer Aeon has posted a 9% increase in first-quarter operating profit on the back of improved sales.