The European Parliament has called on member states to take urgent policies and strategic measures to halve food waste in the European Union (EU) by 2025.The call coincides with the release of figures from the European Commission, indicating  that up to 50 per cent of food is wasted in the European Union each year. According to the European Commission, 79 million EU citizens currently live below the poverty line, with 16 million depending on food benefits and aids from charitable institutions. MEPs... ...Read more »

The president and CEO of Wal-Mart US Bill Simon has detailed the retail giant’s shifting strategy, which was hinted at in its second-quarter results last month.Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Retail Conference on Wednesday (15 September), Simon said that the retailer was refocusing on its EDLP offer, as “the very aggressive Rollback campaign we had in place that was designed to drive traffic and stimulate sales” did not do what the retailer hoped it would do. “It did not drive... ...Read more »

Australian supermarkets are adopting various strategies to tap into the growing trend to ‘go local’. Independent grocery network IGA recently launched an advertising campaign emphasizing the local individualism of each of its 1,000 independent stores. The launch came days after Woolworths announced it would clearly label its range of Tasmanian produce. “Supermarkets are increasingly tapping into the ‘local’ trend, driven by consumers’ desire to support and feel... ...Read more »

French food giant Danone is to enter the Australian market through a dairy products venture with local milk co-op Murray Goulburn. Products from the venture are scheduled for launch next year but Murray Goulburn MD Stephen O’Rourke said on Friday (14 May) the companies could “enter the Australian yoghurt market with confidence”. The venture will use Murray Goulburn’s site at Kiewa in north-east Victoria and is expected to boost jobs at the facility. Danone has sent a warning... ...Read more »

In the past, processors’ success was based around a simpler business model that focused on manufacturing, logistics, customer service and low prices. However, future success will be based on consumer insights, brand management, product development and innovation, according to a new report from American-based Deloitte. “To achieve alignment with the future requirements, companies need to drive change throughout the organization and reduce the focus on things that were historically important... ...Read more »

The Federal Government’s Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has announced a funding program for local governments to foster healthier lifestyles. The move is in line with preventative health measures. These measures include dietary education programs that are aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity. Minister Roxon said, “The Rudd Government knows that the cost of inaction on chronic disease is too high. We know that cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes... ...Read more »

Dairy group Danone has informed investors this week that they are very confident in the strength of their business model but have tempered expectations of high single-digit sales growth in the medium-term. Emmanuel Faber, co-COO of Danone, reaffirmed that the French firm expected like-for-like sales growth of four per cent in the second half of 2009 but reduced medium-term expectations by cutting the sales growth target to ‘at least 5%’ from the previous 8-10% guidance. “The world... ...Read more »

Foster’s today announced plans to transfer 13 Australian wine brands to a joint venture with Vok Beverages in line with their plans to overhaul their underperforming wine business. Vok Beverages will assume responsibility for the marketing, sales and management of the brands from 1 December 2009. Foster’s will continue to produce wine for the joint venture. The brands to be transferred to the joint venture are Queen Adelaide, Half Mile Creek, Minchinbury, Matthew Lang, Andrew Garrett,... ...Read more »

Grocery wholesaler Metcash is “actively seeking” attractive bolt-on acquisitions and new business opportunities to drive the company forward in the long-term, while increased focus on private label and the fresh offering is expected to boost profit within the IGA supermarket network.Chief Executive, Andrew Reitzer, has also maintained guidance for the full year, with earnings per share growth in the order of 7-10% forecast. Like Woolworths, who reported first quarter sales today, Metcash... ...Read more »

Consumer products company Procter & Gamble has told shareholders overnight that their growth will be driven by reaching out to more consumers with new innovations and strong brands. President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob McDonald, said the company today served about four billion of the world’s seven billion consumers but aimed to reach five billion over the next five years. “Our choices are a natural evolution of the strategies that have been working for nearly a decade,”... ...Read more »