Permission-based email makes shoppers more likely to do business with a retailer, in addition to generating a more favourable opinion of the retailer and even a stronger sense of loyalty to the retailer’s brand in around 50 per cent of cases, according to the latest research from American-based Epsilon. “While email marketing programs have become standard in the retail industry, measuring the impact of email communications on offline sales and the lasting impressions of brands is not... ...Read more »

Family First Senator Steve Fielding is considering once again taking a stand against the Rudd government’s alcopops tax hike – believing the tax to have been ineffective in tackling binge drinking. It represents another change of heart for the Senator after he first rejected it on the grounds it was merely a tax grab before throwing his support behind it as the financial crisis threatened to blow a hole in the budget. The Federal Government lifted the tax rate on alcopops – Ready-To-Drink... ...Read more »

Confectionery brands, manufacturers and retailers have achieved significant reductions in Easter egg packaging this year – with some eliminating over 50% of materials – tackling the 3,000 tonnes of Easter egg packaging produced in the UK each year.The sector has been responding to increasing consumer pressure to reduce the amount of packaging used, with 59% of UK adults believing that Easter eggs are over-packaged and more wanting action to reduce it, according to recent research. “With... ...Read more »

Woolworths Backing Our Farmers day was held on Friday 20 February 2009, with all profits directed toward Australian farmers via the Country Women’s Association. The profit for the day from Woolworths’ 792 supermarkets was $7,065,546, comfortably surpassing the target of $5 million and bringing the total raised in the three years the day has been held to over $17 million. Woolworths advised that the calculation has been independently audited by Deliotte Touche Tohmatsu, with the full amount... ...Read more »

Australia’s leading pizza chains are upping marketing spend and altering menus as the fight for the fast-food dollar intensifies. With the much-publicised ‘trading down’ from restaurants, a number of fast-food restaurants have recorded strong sales growth despite the economic concerns. Among them have been Australia’s most prominent pizza makers and they are keen to ensure that their momentum continues with marketing spend on the rise. Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars, one of Australia’s... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest brewer, Foster’s, is reinstating the 375ml range of Cascade beers after loyal customers of the brand voiced their disapproval regarding a decision to reduce the bottle size by 45ml in March last year. Their customers were upset that the fall in volume was not met with a consequent drop in price, as the company sought to give the bottle a more “European” appearance. Foster’s spokeswoman Felicity Watson told AAP today that sales of the Tasmanian produced... ...Read more »

One of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations has entered into a €2.1 million (A$4.15m) Euro deal with The Coca-Cola Company, which will see the beverage giant install around sixty vending machines in the city, according to an Italian report.”In exchange for 2.1 million Euros over five years, the drinks giant is getting ready to invade the city,” the daily La Stampa newspaper claimed. It was suggested that Coke vending machines would even be seen in the iconic St Mark’s... ...Read more »

Campbell Soup Company, the owner of Arnott’s biscuits and world’s largest soup maker, has joined the growing list of global food manufacturers realising volume declines. The American-based manufacturer saw sales fall 4 per cent for the second quarter due to the negative impacts of volume and mix (-3%), currency fluctuations (-5%), divestitures (-2%) and increased promotional spend (-3%). These factors were partially offset by price and sales allowances, which provided a 9% boost. Douglas... ...Read more »

China is facing more scrutiny over the safety of its food after at least 70 people fell ill after eating pig organs contaminated with an illegal weight-loss feed additive. The victims, from southern China’s Guangdong province, all suffered stomach aches and diarrhoea after eating the tainted pork in recent days with state media advising that three remain in hospital. Investigations showed the suspect pork bought from local markets was contaminated with clenbuterol, a drug often given to people... ...Read more »

Tassal, Tasmania’s leading Salmon producer, has continued to build on recent earnings momentum, while the Port Lincoln-based Clean Seas Tuna has recorded a net loss of $6.6 million for the first half – a result expected to be turned around in the next six months due to the seasonal nature of their business. Tassal’s net profit after tax was $13.475 million for the first half, a 44.5% rise on last year. Tassal Group’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Ryan... ...Read more »