The burgers at Grill’d in Chermside are not only being made with love but also pride, as franchise owners and husband and wife team Elton and Cindy Berrange celebrate their prestigious win as Queensland’s Franchisee of the Year (2 or more staff) in the FCA 2010 Excellence in Franchising Awards.Grill’d Chermside is now in the running for the national award to be presented at the gala dinner on Tuesday 12 October held as a finale to the 2010 National Franchise Convention. Elton and... ...Read more »

US ingredients group Martek Biosciences has entered into an agreement to supply Feihe Dairy, a subsidiary of American Dairy. Under the terms of the agreement, announced last week, Feihe Dairy will buy polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and ARA from Martek for its new infant formula and growing-up milk products in China. “This new agreement with Feihe Dairy is another important step in Martek’s effort to expand its international presence in the Chinese infant formula market,” said Binglin... ...Read more »

The US is to review the use of two synthetic additives in organic baby food and infant formula after a fresh look at the nutrients allowed in organic processed food. The National Organic Program, which oversees the marketing and labelling of organic food in the US, said new information had brought to light that it had erred in 2006 when it had allowed the use of ARA and DHA in infant formula. After talks with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Organic Program said it had been... ...Read more »

Retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said that after a year of patchy growth, retailers were optimistic of a ‘fair’ 2009 Christmas period with an expected year-on-year growth of 4.7 per cent, totalling $38.7 billion moving through the economy via retail sales. The largest spend is once again expected to be at food retailers, with forecasts for sales growth of 4.7% on last year despite low inflation. ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the current retail... ...Read more »

The ACCC agreement with Coles and Woolworths to get rid of restrictive shopping centre leases has been welcomed by leading industry players as a step toward a more competitive grocery sector. Outlined below are the reactions of prominent players: ACCC “This is a major breakthrough for grocery competition in Australia,” ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, said. “Reducing the barriers to entry for new and expanding players opens the possibility for Australian consumers to have greater choices in where... ...Read more »

Country Road, Aldi and independent retailer Allspares and Bearings were lat night announced as national winners of the 2009 ARA Australian Retail Awards. Clothing outlet Country Road took out the retail industry’s top honour as 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year, edging out Aldi (Food, drink and grocery 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year), L’Occitane (Speciality retailing 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year) and Subway (Restaurants, cafés and takeaway 2009 Australian Retailer of... ...Read more »

The Australian Retailers Association has welcomed an ACCC investigation into restrictive lease arrangements between shopping centre landlords and tenants. The ACCC and Federal Government reported this week that they were looking to rid the country of restrictive lease agreements that prevent more than one supermarket chain operating in a shopping centre. A move supported by ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman, who said many restrictive clauses in shopping centre leases promoted anti-competitive... ...Read more »

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has today announced the category winners for the industry’s top honour – Australian Retailer of the Year. Discount grocer Aldi, which has made rapid strides forward over the past year, claimed the food, drink and grocery category, while sandwich franchise Subway took out the restaurants, cafés and takeaway category. The two food industry representatives will vie for the national award with Country Road (clothing and footwear) and L’Occitane... ...Read more »

The Council of the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has today accepted the resignation of Executive Director Richard Evans.President of the national retail industry body, Roger Gillespie, acknowledged the work of Mr Evans and announced ARA Councillor Russell Zimmerman would step in as Executive Director. “The ARA Council appreciates the work Richard has accomplished in raising the profile of the ARA and opening avenues to have retail issues heard through the corridors of power. He leaves... ...Read more »

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia’s largest business representative, has described today’s decision by the Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) to maintain minimum wages at current levels as the best outcome for both employers and employees, and most importantly, one which will protect jobs. “It is a decision that is consistent with what should be Australia’s key priorities at this time – the ongoing viability of Australian businesses... ...Read more »