Cracking China – tapping into UK food companies’ experiences in the world’s largest import market
China remains a massive draw for food exporters. Andy Coyne sets the scene and rounds up the experiences of UK food businesses targeting the market.
Costco
Focus: Will synergies lift Ahold Delhaize in US?
The merger between European retailers Ahold and Delhaize is significant because it will allow the group's to scale up in the key US market, where the majority of revenue is generated. Announcing the deal, the companies said EUR500m (US$560m) in annual synergies are on the table. But these, as and of themselves, will do little to raise the combined group's lacklustre US growth trajectory. Katy Askew looks at the impact the merger will have in the US – and whether Ahold Delhaize will deliver on their promise to drive consumer-led innovation.
UK: Veetee Foods launches globally inspired rice range
Rice group Veetee Foods is launching a new range of savoury rice in the UK this month, with flavours inspired by "popular cuisine" from around the world.
Focus: Thai seafood scandal puts food supply chains back in the dock
Harrowing accounts of forced labour, torture and murder on board fishing boats providing feed for the massive Thai shrimp industry have shocked the public and given the global food industry tough questions to answer about its ability to ensure ethical standards in complex supply chains. Ben Cooper reports.
US: Online service Instacart enters Los Angeles
US food delivery service Instacart has started doing business in Los Angeles, its seventh city since its launch in San Francisco in 2012.
AUS: Aldi defends position on industry code of conduct
Aldi has indicated it does support the idea of a code of conduct overseeing dealings between retailers and manufacturers in Australia after facing criticism for not signing up to a…
US: Costco Q1 sales rise 5%
Costco booked a 5% increase in group sales for the first-quarter today (5 December), as the group was able to shrug off the impact of gasoline price deflation and foreign…
US: Costco recalls rotisserie chicken over salmonella risk
US wholesaler Costco has recalled nearly 40,000 pounds of rotisserie chicken products from a store in California due to a potential link with an outbreak of salmonella. To date, 317…
US: Wholesale giant Costco to enter Spain
US wholesaler Costco plans to enter Spain next spring, its eighth overseas market. Costco is aiming to open two stores in Spain "next spring and summer", CFO Richard Galanti said…
In the spotlight: Albertson’s LLC hungry for more after United Supermarkets buy
Albertson's LLC has had a transformative year. The private-equity owned company is investing in elevating its growth trajectory. A significant step in this direction was made when the group acquired…
US: Costco FY sales gain
Costco, the US club retailer, has posted a 6% increase in full-year sales. The company said growth was evenly weighted between its US and international businesses, both of which saw…
