The retail scene dominated just-food’s headlines this week. In the UK, we saw the bosses of Tesco and Sainsbury’s have, shall we say, a difference of opinion on how their businesses were performing. Over the Channel, Carrefour hit back at claims it could be quitting China and Brazil, while the battle to buy Dutch retailer Super de Boer gathered pace. Here are the top stories on just-food this week.
INSIGHT: Premium own label, organics on the rise – Tesco
Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy today (6 October) revealed that the company’s sales of organic food and its upmarket own-label Finest range were outpacing the rest of the business in the UK.
UK: Sainsbury sales growth slows in Q2
UK retailer Sainsbury reported a slowdown in quarterly sales this morning (7 October) due to weakening food inflation.
UK: Aldi reports bumper sales, earnings for 2008
Privately-owned German discount giant Aldi has revealed its business in the UK and Ireland enjoyed strong sales and earnings growth in 2008.
In the spotlight – the race for Super de Boer
It is a story that is changing by the day but one thing seems certain – Dutch retailer Super de Boer is set to have a new owner.

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By GlobalDataUK: Northern shares head south
Northern Foods, the UK group behind Fox’s biscuits and Goodfella’s pizza, said today (6 October) that the company’s first-half performance was “in line” with expectations – but that was not enough to stop its shares sliding.
INSIGHT: PepsiCo targets Chinese growth
PepsiCo has once again highlighted the opportunity for revenue growth presented by emerging markets such as China.
CHINA/US: Hain Celestial, Chi-Med in organic JV
Hain Celestial, the US food group, has joined forces with Chinese healthcare group Hutchison China Meditech to make natural and organic infant nutrition products.
FRANCE: Carrefour quashes retrenchment talk
Carrefour, the world’s second-largest retailer, today (7 October) issued a firm rebuttal against speculation that it could quit markets like China and Brazil.
US: Target to open 26 new stores
Target is to open 26 new stores, the US retailer has said, including five “full-grocery” outlets.
UK: Ferrero strikes palm oil deal
Ferrero, the confectionery giant, has struck a deal to source “significant quantities” of sustainably produced palm oil.