The annual World Retail Congress dominated the headlines on just-food this week as we reported from the event in Berlin. Elsewhere, Swiss baker ARYZTA snapped up UK naan and tortilla maker Honeytop Speciality Foods, Mars made its first move into Fairtrade and Nestle named a Wal-Mart Stores executive as its new CFO.

World Retail Congress 2011
This week, the world’s leading retailers headed to Berlin to talk shop at the World Retail Congress. The stagnating economy in developed markets, the promise of emerging markets, developments in technology and commodity prices were some of the issues discussed and just-food was there to cover the latest news and views.

On the money: Aryzta plugs flat bread gap with Honeytop deal
Aryzta said today (26 September) that its move to buy UK wrap and naan bread maker Honeytop Speciality Foods will allow it to enter a growing category.

UK/IRELAND: Mars makes foray into Fairtrade with Maltesers
Mars Inc is to sell its first Fairtrade product after deciding to move its Maltesers brand to the ethical certification.

Sustainability Watch – Mercedes Tallo, Rainforest Alliance
The news that Maltesers is to become a Fairtrade brand underlines both the continued growth in the ethical market and how this increasing consumer appeal has not been lost on marketers. Speaking with Ben Cooper, Mercedes Tallo of the Rainforest Alliance discusses the importance of partnering with big brands and argues that the huge growth in ethical certification reflects tangible improvements in supply chains rather than a desire on the part of brands to look good.

SWITZ/US: Wal-Mart’s Martello to replace Singh as Nestle CFO
Wal-Mart Stores executive Wan Ling Martello is to replace Nestle CFO Jim Singh, who is retiring from the world’s largest food maker.

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just the answer – Kate Carnell, Australian Food and Grocery Council
There is no doubt that Australia is a tough place for a food manufacturer to do business. Competition between two powerful local food retailers is putting pressure on domestic and international suppliers. In this month’s just the answer, Ben Cooper discusses the challenging trading conditions with Kate Carnell, chief executive of industry association the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

UK: Young’s Seafood to close Cromer Crab unit
UK seafood processor Young’s Seafood plans to close subsidiary The Cromer Crab Company, putting 230 jobs at risk.

GERMANY: Edeka to launch EUR1bn expansion
German retailer Edeka has outlined its plans to spend EUR1bn (US$1.3bn) on expanding its business.

Talking tech: Conquering the ‘digital native’
Adapting to the next generation of consumers is a key subject of discussion among food retailers right now. Software giant Oracle has just released the results of a survey that sheds some light on the shoppers of tomorrow. Sam Webb reports.