Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) Chief Executive, Terry Davis, has refuted claims that their major shareholder is exerting too much pressure in the wake of the failed Lion Nathan bid and advised that they are yet to see signs of an Australian recession. The Coke bottler in Australia and Australia’s largest soft drink producer recently saw a bid from Lion Nathan fail due to a lack of support from their Board and a failure of Lion Nathan to come to terms with Atlanta-based TCCC (The Coca-Cola Company)... ...Read more »

Australian retail food brand franchisor Retail Food Group Limited today announced net profit after tax rose 19% on the corresponding period last year – exceeding the guidance provided on 19 January 2009. Total franchise network sales across RFG’s Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Michel’s Patisserie and bb’s café franchise systems for the half year grew to $320.9 million while total outlets increased to 1,066. RFG Chairman John Cowley was delighted with the company’s... ...Read more »

A decision by Belgian supermarket Delhaize to freeze orders of about 250 products from consumer products giant Unilever is starting have an impact on their sales, according to a survey by Belgian-based Brandhome. Unilever and Delhaize, Belgium’s second largest supermarket operator, failed to come to terms regarding price and the in-store promotion of products earlier this month, with Delhaize admitting that the relationship was “tense”. Unilever said they were asking for a price... ...Read more »

Foster’s, Australia’s largest brewer, today reported a 4.5% increase in net profit to $411.1 million, as their beer portfolio compensated for its struggling wine division. Net sales revenue increased 2.2%, but declined 0.9% on a constant currency basis. “Despite global wine challenges, our Group first half performance has been strong,” CEO Ian Johnston advised. “We are building a more accountable, adaptable and aggressive culture, we continue to take the tough decisions... ...Read more »

The NSW Government will take Independent MP Richard Torbay’s truth in meat labelling bill to the other states for immediate action, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said yesterday.The proposed Bill makes it an offence to falsely describe meat including beef, sheep, goat and pig in advertising, packaging, or labelling. “I fully support Mr Torbay’s push – it will not only meet consumer needs but it will boost domestic meat sales and create more jobs,” Mr Macdonald... ...Read more »

Evidently, the daily dose of bad news has been unsettling consumers but private households have so far shown uncharacteristic composure compared with frantic activity by the public sector. Nevertheless, it is important to take into account the different social groups to which consumers belong, according to new research by German-based GfK AG. The financial situation of consumers is also decisive when it comes to assessing personal income prospects and the propensity to buy. While previously, people... ...Read more »

Foster’s has announced the outcomes from the ten month review of its Global Wine business, with no plans for a sale or a demerger. Background on the Review Foster’s wine review was initiated in April 2008 “as a result of unsatisfactory performance following the acquisitions of Beringer and Southcorp, a period which had seen quality of earnings deteriorate, competitive positions weaken and Foster’s failing to achieve required returns from its investment in wine.” Since... ...Read more »

The Restaurant 09 Melbourne trade show is moving to new dates in June to better suit the market and attract more international chefs. It will now run from 17-18 June 2009 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Exhibition manager Michael-William Kelly said the new dates would allow them to work with the overseas chefs and winemakers appearing at The Good Food & Wine Show. “We can now take advantage of the synergies across our shows to add value, as well as provide the industry... ...Read more »

Australian packaging giant Amcor has reported net profit for the first half fell 29.5 per cent on write-downs and the negative impact of currency changes. Profit fell 9.5% when one-off items were excluded. “The first half result reflects the defensive nature of many of our businesses, combined with the benefit from translating overseas earnings into Australian dollars at a lower average exchange rate,” Amcor’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr Ken MacKenzie said. “The flexibles... ...Read more »

Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose has become the first supermarket to invite customers to help shape the future of their food with an exclusive online club. MyWaitrose launched last week with a personal invitation to join from Waitrose MD Mark Price. The site gives members exclusive behind the scenes access to the development of new products and to the experts and food producers that create them. They will be rewarded with monthly special offers to taste and critique new as well as existing products,... ...Read more »