Experts have warned that retail may take years to recover with continual sales over the past year having trained consumers to expect and only accept reduced prices. The warnings come as research group TNS’ Discount Retailing Study found that 65% of Australians perceive retailers to constantly have sales at the moment. According to TNS’ director of retail and shopper research, Chris Kirby, the cycle of discounting has set a precedent for consumers and many are now unwilling to pay full... ...Read more »

Speaking in Orange today Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown called for a national register of foreign purchases of land or water in rural Australia.”In the coming century food and fibre production will be a huge issue as the world population soars to 10 billion people or more,” said Senator Brown. “It is important Australians know who owns the productive farmlands and water rights of our country. “Currently there is no register except in Queensland nor any vetting of foreign... ...Read more »

Get up, get active and eat healthily – that’s the message being delivered to tens of thousands of Victorian Government school students through the popular Go for your life programs.Education Minister Bronwyn Pike and Member for Macedon Joanne Duncan today accompanied the Go for your life van to Kismet Park Primary School in Sunbury and joined students taking part in exercise and discussions about healthy eating. Ms Pike said the Victorian Government “is committed to improving the... ...Read more »

The NSW Government’s Name and Shame register has attracted more than four million hits since its inception two years ago, successfully meeting the increasing public demand for safe food information, Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan said today.”That’s more than two million hits a year since the Name and Shame initiative was launched in July 2008,” Minister Whan said. “Consumers want to know the best and safest food service businesses to spend their hard earned... ...Read more »

Coles has entered the national car insurance market, launching a new, flexible and great value product with added benefits and savings for customers, backed by the strength of Wesfarmers Insurance. As well as providing quality insurance and peace of mind, Coles Car Insurance lets customers triple their standard four cent Coles fuel discount receipt once every month for a year. Coles Car Insurance will be available both online and through a dedicated call centre. In addition to the fuel discount,... ...Read more »

Kellogg said yesterday (29 July) that it saw net earnings decline 15% in the second quarter of 2010 due to the competition in the US cereals business and the impact of a product recall last month. The US cereals giant booked net income of US$302m for the three months to 3 July, down 15% on the year. The company said “weakness” in the North American cereal category, lower sales of Eggo waffles and the voluntary recall of select packages of breakfast cereals in June had hit earnings. Operating... ...Read more »

US food giant HJ Heinz has introduced a slew of new products into major cities in India.The company has launched chutneys, cooking sauces and mixes and ready meals “to meet the needs of the discerning Indian consumer”, Heinz India MD N Thiruambalam said. Heinz Home Style Chutneys are available in two varieties – coriander mint and tomato – and are priced at INR60 (US$1.28). The company has also launched Heinz Chef Style Sauces, a range of Mediterranean- and Chinese-style sauces. Heinz... ...Read more »

Consumer advocacy group CHOICE has challenged the major political parties to declare their hand on a range of consumer issues in the lead up to the Federal election. The group sent letters to the Government and Opposition parties, as well as the Greens, asking them to outline their approach to consumer protection and list the five most significant priorities that will face whoever forms government after the August 21 poll. CHOICE has also delivered a detailed questionnaire which asks the parties... ...Read more »

A new study by scientists at the American Chemical Society has identified an unlikely new source for raw materials for biodiesel fuels – butter. Researchers report that butter could be used as an eco-friendly feedstock for diesel fuel, a possible new source beyond the current ethanol production. As part of the study, researchers removed the fat from 250kg of butter, and converted it into the fatty acid esters that constitute biodiesel. The result material met all but one of the official test... ...Read more »

General Mills has unveiled a new solar energy initiative at its facility in Methuen, Massacheusetts, designed to supply much of the warehouse’s power requirements via solar panels installed on the roof. The panels will supply nearly 80% of the yoghurt manufacturing facility’s power in summer, and 40% of needs for the rest of the year – a total of 110.7 kilowatts, offsetting around 50,800kg of carbon annually – the equivalent of 12 households or 10 cars. “The enthusiasm... ...Read more »