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Walkers Shortbread

UK baker Walkers Shortbread generates over 40% of its sales outside its domestic market. The family-owned biscuit firm's largest export market is the US. Dean Best spoke to Steve Dawson, CEO of Walkers Shortbread's US arm, about the company's business across the Atlantic and plans for growth.

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Walkers Shortbread recently launched a line of Weight Watchers breakfast biscuits, which are being produced under license in the UK. The company is hoping that the move will help it build on the growing demand for healthier options as well as the massive growth of the breakfast biscuit category. Katy Askew spoke to David Guest, commercial manager at Walkers Shortbread, about the group's hopes for the category.

UK baker Walkers Shortbread is launching a gluten-free line in the US market.

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Walkers Shortbread wants to cash in on growing demand for gluten-free products in the UK and is launching a line of gluten-free shortbread.

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Walkers Shortbread has responded to the demand for "convenient and portable sweet treats" with the launch of its Mini Scottie Dog sharing bag in the UK.

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Walkers Shortbread has booked higher annual profits thanks to improved sales and efforts to boost its branded sales.

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For a second week, China's probe into infant formula prices - which it emerged is part of a wider investigation into the dairy sector in the country - grabbed your attention. And the US food retail scene saw the biggest M&A story of the week when Kroger struck a deal to buy regional chain Harris Teeter for US$2.4bn.

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China's investigation into the alleged fixing of infant formula prices rumbled on this week as Beijing claimed companies at the centre of the investigation were knowingly breaking the law. More firms moved to lower prices, including Mead Johnson, Meiji and FrieslandCampina. Elsewhere, Kroger struck a deal to buy regional supermarket chain Harris Teeter, while just-food spoke with the CEO of Walkers Shortbread's US arm and the newly-appointed managing director of Futura Foods following the sale of a stake in the company to Danish dairy firm Nordex.

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The quarterly results continued to roll in this week and we listened to a number of CEOs talk about the challenges and opportunities they face in 2013. Elsewhere, just-food covered Hofex, the largest food and hospitality tradeshow in Asia-Pacific, where we spoke with UK SMEs about their international ambitions. Retailer Delhaize Group has also begun the search for a new CEO following the resignation of Pierre-Olivier Beckers.

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UK biscuit manufacturer Walkers Shortbread has maintained the company is in good shape, despite commodity costs hitting earnings and margins last year.

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UK biscuit and cake maker Walkers Shortbread reported a dip in margins and flat profits for 2011 and warned margins may weaken further.

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UK biscuit and cake maker Walkers Shortbread is planning to build a new plant to boost production capacity.

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Walkers Shortbread, the much-loved Scottish biscuit maker, has seen sales break the GBP100m mark as well-known brands continue to buck the economic downturn.