SPAR Australia, a growing supermarket chain and distributor of grocery products, has recently launched their first concept store in Deception Bay as they press on with plans to expand their global retail empire. The store incorporates a number of new features, designed to further engage the grocery shopper. Along with an extensive deli and fresh food department, the store will feature SPAR’s new Treehouse cafe – a food-to-go offer where customers can sit down and enjoy Fairtrade coffee,... ...Read more »

Two Australian companies are hopeful that today’s launch of a new form of natural sugar will boost the sugar industry and offer a healthier option to manufacturers and consumers. The product, LoGiCane, is the brainchild of Melbourne-based company Horizon Science and, in combination with the Mossman Sugar Mill, they have produced the world’s first low-glycemic sugar. Independent tests have reportedly found the new sugar’s glycemic index (GI) to be 50, compared to an average of 65... ...Read more »

A parliamentary committee has today urged the Senate to pass the controversial alcopops tax hike, despite admitting it was unsure if the measure had any impact on binge drinking since being introduced in April last year. The news comes as Health Minister Nicola Roxon meets with Family First Senator Steve Fielding, whose support is crucial to passing the bill. The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs released a report into the impact of the 70 per cent tax hike on ready-to-drink alcoholic... ...Read more »

New research from the UK has found that consumers are as keen to buy “green” as ever before, with 62% of consumers saying environmental concerns influence their purchasing decisions ‘the same as a year ago’ and just over a quarter saying they influence them ‘even more’ than in 2008. The research established that a business’s green credentials have a significant impact on consumer buying choices. Two thirds (66%) of consumers say it’s important to buy... ...Read more »

On World Consumer Rights Day 2009, held yesterday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reminded the food and beverage industry that its marketing must be accurate and truthful. “It doesn’t matter how you communicate with consumers – whether it is through advertising, sponsorship, packaging, logos, or nutritional claims – the information provided must not mislead and it must not deceive,” ACCC Deputy Chair, Mr Peter Kell said. World Consumer Rights Day... ...Read more »

Bartter Enterprises has launched a new range of products that extends their Steggles brand beyond the domain of poultry products. The company considers the expansion of the range to be a key step in broadening the business and comes after a bid for the company by Baiada failed to get ACCC clearance last month. In the wake of the downturn, market researcher IRI has discovered many manufacturers are cutting back on new products to the detriment of their future success, while consumers are being drawn... ...Read more »

The latest survey of wine drinkers commissioned by the UK’s Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) shows consumers are continuing to cut back spending on wine, with over a third either buying cheaper wines or buying less. The findings of the Wine Intelligence poll of 1,000 regular wine drinkers reinforced market data suggesting a growing number of low spending consumers are being forced out of the wine category altogether. Asked about the impact of the economic climate, half those surveyed... ...Read more »

The Coca-Cola Company has decided against pursuing a counter offer for Schweppes, paving the way for Cadbury’s A$1.185 billion deal with Asahi Breweries to proceed. Cadbury announced last night that they had entered into a definitive sale and purchase agreement for the Schweppes Beverages business in Australia. A conditional agreement between the firms was completed on December 24 last year, but remained subject to a right of negotiation granted to The Coca-Cola Company in 1999 – under... ...Read more »

Dairy firm National Foods could be facing charges in Tasmania under the Public Health Act after being investigated for allegedly failing to inform health authorities after finding a pathogen in one of its cheese products produced in Tasmania. Routine testing by National Foods at its Burnie laboratory reportedly found listeria present in samples of fetta cheese on at least one occasion between March 2007 and June 2008, but the company failed to report it, according to the ABC. Upon completing their... ...Read more »

Costco has commenced a major campaign to recruit 225 workers for its Docklands store, which is now expected to open five months ahead of schedule. Costco Australia Manager, Patrick Noone, said the company was “thrilled” to expand into Australia, after recently advising that current economic turbulence had not impacted their Australian plans; believing they can do well in a down market and a booming market due to their low price positioning. Joining Mr Noone for the announcement today,... ...Read more »