Sales of organic products increased by 5.3% during 2009 despite a cautious consumer environment and the economic downturn, new figures from an industry body claimed yesterday (22 April).The Organic Trade Association (OTA), a trade body representing US organic manufacturers, said that the total category saw sales rise to US$26.6bn, of which $24.8bn was accounted for by food products. “While total US food sales grew by only 1.6% in 2009, organic food sales grew by 5.1%,” OTA executive director... ...Read more »

* Asda aspires to be market leader in non-food, and clear #2 in food within five years * Chain of 100 Asda supermarkets (smaller food stores) and 150 Asda Living (non-food stores) planned * UK-wide rollout of its ‘Order Online, Collect in Store’ service completed * Asda to use global merchandising centers to further leverage Walmart’s global scale * Location of second Asda dedicated home shopping picking center unveiled in North London Wal-Mart outlined a number of ambitious plans... ...Read more »

Nestle on Friday (19 February) became the latest of the largest food manufacturers to set out its stall for further expansion in the world’s emerging markets. The company, the world’s largest food maker, emphasised its plans for Latin America, Asia and Africa after publishing a set of full-year results that the group claimed showed it had outperformed the market in 2009. CEO Paul Bulcke said emerging markets in those regions accounted for 35% of Nestle’s annual turnover. The business,... ...Read more »

China is set to overtake the US as the world’s largest grocery market for the first time by 2014, new research has suggested. According to market research firm IGD, the Chinese grocery market will grow to a value of EUR761bn (AUD$1,202bn), outstripping the US that is set to be worth EUR745bn in four years’ time. IGD said that the Chinese economy was not as badly hit by the global economic recession as the US. Meanwhile, the IMF has predicted that Chinese economic growth could outstrip... ...Read more »

The latest ABS retail trade figures show that sales in December fell 0.7%, seasonally adjusted, although restaurant and takeaway outlets were big winners. Sales declined in every category except Cafés, Restaurants & Takeaway Food Services – where sales surged 2.5%, continuing on recent positive sales trends for the sector. Restaurants and cafés had a difficult end to 2008 and start to 2009 but an economic resurgence has helped many return to more prosperous times. High levels of consumer... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest supermarket operator, Woolworths, has today announced half year sales of $27.2 billion – a 4.2% increase on last year, or 6% when stripping out petrol sales. Woolworths Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Michael Luscombe, said that volume growth had been pleasing, although lower inflation impacted on sales growth. “Our Supermarkets achieved solid volume and market share growth whilst experiencing lower levels of inflation in Australia and New Zealand,... ...Read more »

UK-based confectioner Cadbury, the subject of a hostile takeover bid from Kraft, has reported their 2009 financial figures overnight, saying revenue growth and margin expansion came in “well ahead of expectations” Full year base business revenue surged five per cent, with second half growth up six per cent. The chocolate division led the way with sales rising seven per cent while candy (5%) and gum (2%) sales were also higher. Emerging markets were again a key contributor, with sales... ...Read more »

A leading representative group for Australia’s organic food and farming industry, says that the recent strong growth predictions for the organic industry reflect data and trends identified in ongoing market research commissioned by the industry. In survey findings released last week by independent global industry researcher IBISWorld, organic farming was tipped to be a front-runner in the areas of revenue and employment in Australia. In its report on the “top 10″ growth industries,... ...Read more »

Organic food sales in Germany, the largest European market for the sector, were “stagnant” in 2009, according to the latest industry data. Figures from Germany’s organic food federation, the BÖLW, said there had been particular losses in food retailing and discount stores. Estimated turnover in the sector amounted to around EUR5.85bn (US$8.52bn), which BÖLW said was “roughly the same” or even “slightly less” than last year. “The reason is price declines... ...Read more »

Australia’s organic and sugar industries can look forward with anticipation to a successful 2010, according to a leading market forecaster. A list of the top sectors for the year ahead from information analysts IBISWorld Australia also includes online shopping, as the major retailers – including supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths – begin to embrace the online channel. IBISWorld’s Ian MacGowan said rising commodity prices were the reason behind many of the industries on... ...Read more »