The last five days have seen the owners of UK retailer Somerfield look for a buyer, Kellogg invest in Russia – and a police hostage raid at a Unilever plant. Here’s this week’s most popular stories on just-food.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


US: Wal-Mart to go “head-to-head” with Tesco
Wal-Mart is set to launch a counter-attack to Tesco’s move into the US with its own plans to open smaller grocery stores. The US retail giant is planning to go to head-to-head with Tesco’s Fresh & Easy stores in Arizona.


FRANCE: Police hostage raid fails to sway Unilever
Unilever will press ahead with plans to restructure its ice cream business in France, despite workers holding a company director hostage at one of the company’s plants. French police were called to free Prakash Patel, plant director at Unilever’s Cogesal-Miko site in St. Dizier, who had been held captive in his office on Monday night.


UK: Union anger as Cadbury vows to close site
UK unions have slammed Cadbury Schweppes’ decision to press ahead with plans to close its Keynsham chocolate factory. A union official claimed that Cadbury’s move would help create an “industrial desert”.


US: Kellogg buys Russian biscuit business
Kellogg has snapped up Russian biscuit and ready-to-eat cereal business The United Bakers Group for an undisclosed sum. Kellogg called the acquisition an “exciting strategic development” for the company.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

UK: Somerfield owners look for buyers
The owners of Somerfield have put the UK grocer up for auction after receiving expressions of interest in the company, just-food understands. Several unnamed parties have indicated they would be interested in buying the convenience store chain, which runs over 900 stores in the UK.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact