Hershey, the US chocolate giant, felt the full force of the NGO spotlight this week amid criticism over its cocoa sourcing. Campaigners said Hershey had fallen behind its rivals on labour and social responsibility and urged the company to do more. Meanwhile, Cadbury, one chocolate maker that has emrbaced Fairtrade, is expected to give a US$1bn sales boost to new owner Kraft Foods. On the retail front, Carrefour revealed more detail of its new-look hypermarkets, US grocer Kroger continued to see sales accelerate, while in the UK, Asda saw its market share slip again.
US: NGOs slam Hershey over cocoa sourcing
NGOs and human rights groups have accused Hershey of sourcing cocoa from African farms that use forced and child labour in wide-ranging criticism of the US chocolate giant’s record on corporate and social responsibility.
UK: Robert Wiseman Dairies shares sour after profit warning
Shares in Robert Wiseman Dairies tumbled by almost a third this morning (16 September) after the UK milk processor said “intense” competition would hit its annual profits.
US: Kraft expects US$1bn sales boost from Cadbury
US food giant Kraft Foods expects the acquisition of UK confectioner Cadbury to raise its revenue by US$1bn by 2013.
Talking Shop: Carrefour reveals ambitous targets
Carrefour has unveiled ambitious sales targets on the back of its plans to invest EUR1.5bn (US$1.97bn) in rolling out its new Carrefour Planet hypermarket concept in France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Greece.
UK: “Premiumisation” hits Asda market share – Kantar
The UK grocery market is witnessing “premiumisation” despite the downturn, analysts at Kantar Worldpanel argued today (14 September) – a trend that is benefiting Sainsbury’s but hitting Asda.
FRANCE: Danone drops plans for Densia yoghurt launch
Danone has confirmed that it will not be rolling out its Densia yoghurt in France after the product failed to appeal to consumers in a pilot launch.
UK: Associated British Foods reports “strong” H2
Associated British Foods said today (13 September) that it had seen a “substantial increase” in adjusted operating profit in the second half of its fiscal year after a “strong” trading period.
On the money: Kroger puts the customer first
US grocery retailer Kroger attributed its accelerating same-store sales to momentum gained through its “Customer 1st” service strategy.
US: Sara Lee invests in bakery division
Sara Lee has revealed plans to invest in its North American bakery business, quashing rumours that it was looking to sell the struggling division.
US: General Mills calls for arbitration over Yoplait licence
General Mills has called for an arbitration panel to protect its licence to make and sell Yoplait yoghurt in the US.
