The Consumer Goods Forum has unveiled a new set of industry-wide resolutions designed to promote health and wellness. On the first day of its annual global summit in Barcelona today (15 June), the Forum committed to improving access to healthier products, providing “transparent, fact-based” information to allow consumers to make informed dietary decisions and promoting educational programmes that raise awareness of healthy lifestyles. The collaborative work to promote these resolutions... ...Read more »

An overwhelming majority of EU citizens want the fish they buy to come from sources that are sustainable and not overfished, according to an independent poll commissioned by WWF and carried out in 14 EU countries. With 88% of respondents believing it is important that fish products on sale within the European Union come from non-overfished stocks, WWF believes a clear signal is being given to the European Union that ambitious reform of the failing Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is urgently needed.... ...Read more »

French supermarket giant Carrefour announced yesterday that it is testing two new convenience store concepts in France, including Carrefour City Café – a combination supermarket and food hall. Carrefour City Café stores will offer over 700 takeaway food products including sandwiches, snacks, products that are ready to eat or heat, cold drinks and pastries. The 100-150 square metre stores will also offer a dining area and Wi-Fi. The first outlet will open in Bordeaux on 16 December. The French... ...Read more »

Carrefour has reportedly cancelled plans to sell its operations in Malaysia and Singapore.The retailer now plans to retain its 42 stores in Malaysia and two outlets in Singapore, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal. The French retail giant said it had decided to retain its presence in Malaysia and Singapore, after the planned auction did not attract bids that would have justified proceeding. “We have some very encouraging growth prospects in Malaysia. “We can create much more... ...Read more »

French retailer Carrefour is extending its Carrefour Discount range to offer fresh produce, meat and seafood. The company announced late last week (28 October) it would begin offering 30 new products under the Discount brand, including sausages, minced beef, breaded fish, salmon, prawns, mussels, fruit and vegetables. Carrefour said that according to Nielsen studies, almost one in two French households have bought at least one Carrefour Discount product and that the “success” of the... ...Read more »

Malaysian private-equity fund Navis Capital has reportedly made the second round of bidding for Carrefour’s Singaporean and Malaysian assets. According to reports by Reuters, a source said Navis would not be bidding for Carrefour’s Thai assets. The retailer’s sale of its assets in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have been shrouded in secrecy, with the retailer denying the disposals, which could raise US$1bn for the retailer. However, the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal... ...Read more »

Europe’s food retail industry is set to see the return of mergers and acquisitions, analysts at J.P.Morgan Cazenove said yesterday (12 October) as they started their coverage of the sector.In a report covering 12 European grocers from Carrefour and Colruyt to Ahold and Tesco, Matthew Truman and Paul Diamond argued retailers had to respond to moves from food manufacturers that are driving scale and broadening their global reach. Truman and Diamond said “initial overtures” were starting... ...Read more »

Carrefour has revealed an EUR1.5bn (US$1.97bn) plan to convert or remodel some 500 hypermarkets to its new Carrefour Planet concept by 2013 in France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Greece.The Carrefour Planet concept was unveiled in late August and the new stores have been redesigned and adapted to its customers’ needs in a bid to offer a “new experience of shopping comfort, ease and pleasure.” The retailer is hoping the new format will turn around the struggling hypermarket, forecasting... ...Read more »

Carrefour has reportedly dropped Tesco and Aeon from the bidding for its businesses in three south-east Asian markets.According to the Wall Street Journal, the remaining bidders reportedly include Carrefour’s French peer Casino and PTT PCL, an energy company that has convenience stores at its gas stations. Other bidders are Thai retailers Big C, which Casino part owns and Central Group, as well as Thai FMCG firm Berli Jucker Pcl. While Carrefour has remained tight-lipped on its plans, it reportedly... ...Read more »

* Company returns net profit of EUR82m * Operating profits up 7.6% on savings * Sales in Asia up 8.9% at constant exchange rates Carrefour SA has returned to profit in its first half with sales growth driven by a strong performance in emerging markets such as China. The company said that for the six months to 30 June 30, it recorded a net profit of EUR82m (US$104m) compared to a loss of EUR58m in the year-earlier period. From continuing operations, Carrefour reported a net profit of EUR67m, compared... ...Read more »