Major state-owned company of China, Bright Foods Company, is reportedly opening a permanent office in Sydney, signaling an intention to expand its Australian operations. The reports come after the Chinese food group’s acquisition of a 75% stake in Australian food manufacturer Manassen Foods has been approved by the Australian Foreign Institute Review Board. Bright Foods is one of China’s largest dairy producers and a major manufacturer and distributor of consumer food products. The company... ...Read more »

Progressive Enterprises, a subsidiary of the Australian retail group Woolworths Limited, has bid farewell to the Woolworths brand in New Zealand, marking the final stage of transition to the new ‘Countdown’ brand. Woolworths Meadowlands was the last store in New Zealand to carry the Woolworths brand. The store reopened this week as a Countdown supermarket. In 2009 Progressive Enterprises announced plans to transition all its supermarkets to the Countdown brand. Over 60% of its 159 stores nationwide... ...Read more »

The percentage of Australian consumers who recognise the ethical label Fairtrade has risen from 37 per cent to 44 per cent in the last year, according to a survey commissioned by Fairtrade. Fairtrade International commissioned international market researchers GlobeScan to survey 17,000 consumers in 24 countries. The total number of interviews per country ranged from 500 to 1,500. According to Fairtrade International, 55 per cent of the Australian consumers surveyed said they feel empowered to make... ...Read more »

Pizza Hut, one of the world’s largest pizza chains, has rejected suggestions that they were contemplating a name change to “The Hut”. The company did introduce a brief name change in the US recently to promote their new pasta range but beyond the “Pasta Hut” campaign there appears no desire to alter the name. “Pizza Hut is not changing its name,” Brian Niccol, CMO of Pizza Hut, advised. “We are proud of our name and heritage and will continue to be... ...Read more »

Coles is looking to mothers to help reinvigorate their relationship with customers. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the chain has engaged a panel of over 1000 mothers to test the quality and packaging of their private label goods as well as shelf wobblers and in-store marketing. Coles Marketing Director Joe Blundell, who this week flagged changes to their FlyBuys loyalty program, said the plan was to strengthen ties with customers after years of management placing their main focus on... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Heinz has consigned the pickle to the annals of food history with the launch of a new label for their iconic Heinz Ketchup. Heinz North America announced the gherkin pickle, which has been featured on labels since the 1890s, is making way for a vine-ripened tomato and a slogan communicating that the tomatoes in Heinz Tomato Ketchup are ‘Grown not made’. “The tomato is what makes Heinz Ketchup so extraordinary and so, with all due respect to the pickle, which has... ...Read more »

Food-lovers across the Middle East may soon be able to enjoy more high quality Australian made and grown foods, as some of Australia’s leading food processors and growers are exhibiting at this year’s Gulfood (held on 23-26 February, 2009) – offering buyers a wide range of exciting new products from Down Under. This year buyers are encouraged to look for Australia’s most recognised and trusted country of origin symbol, a stylised golden kangaroo in a green triangle, to easily... ...Read more »

PepsiCo is looking into the mindset of a key segment as they embark on a major new branding initiative. Despite a failing economy, employment woes and countless other concerns, a key segment of Millennials/Generation Y – people who were born between 1980 and 1990 – remain confident about what 2009 will have in store for them. According to an omnibus survey conducted by StrategyOne on behalf of Pepsi, four out of five Millennials are hopeful about the future as the New Year approaches,... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest supermarket operator, Woolworths, has informed shareholders that their growth outlook remains on track, with plans to strengthen their market position in coming years. The nature of their business would partially “shield” them from the impact of any downturn, with investments unlikely to dry up because of economic conditions. Speaking at their AGM today, Woolworths Chairman James Strong outlined his belief that there was “continuing potential” to... ...Read more »

Queen Victoria Market, one of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks, is looking to boost its brand online by creating a destination that replicates the market’s unique sensory experiences. Digital agency Citrus has been appointed to overhaul the Queen Victoria Market website in a bid to drive traffic to all sections of the market and leverage its brand assets such as the night market, cooking classes and industry training. Targeting local shoppers, tourists and the wider public, the site aims... ...Read more »