A new Bill due to be introduced to the Australian Parliament next week by Independent MP Rob Oakeshott aims to strengthen rules about misuse of market power and curb the powers of Australia’s major supermarkets. Independent MP Rob Oakeshott will introduce a private member’s Bill that moves to change legislation to allow the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make judgements in “a broader context than the direct consumer affected, or the direct supplier affected”, according... ...Read more »

Cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s Australia has launched a new breakfast cereal, Special K Multigrain Oats and Honey. Kellogg’s says the new variation on Special K is made from a combination of Australian-grown grains, including “puffed triticale and rolled oats, light crispy flakes”, topped off with a “touch of honey”. According to Kellogg’s, Special K Multigrain Oats and Honey is “high in protein” and a “source of fibre”. Special K Multigrain Oats and Honey is available from Coles,... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will oppose the proposed acquisition by Australia’s major supermarket group Woolworths Limited (Woolworths) of a supermarket site in Glenmore Park located off Sydney’s M4 Western Motorway by the Nepean River. At the same time, the ACCC has announced it is opposing the acquisition by major baby food producer Heinz acquisition of its major competitor, Rafferty’s Garden. No second Woolworths at Glenmore Park The ACCC said... ...Read more »

Australian Atlantic salmon producer, Tassal, has launched six new flavours in its Easy Bake range. The new flavours – Teriyaki, Soy and Garlic, Moroccan, Lemon and Cracked Pepper, Sundried Tomato and Basil, and Thai Green Curry – can be found in the freezer aisle. The Easy Bake salmon range is stored in the freezer, and cooks in a pre-heated oven in 20-25 minutes, or in a microwave in 3 minutes. “We know the demands and strains of everyday life can take their toll on our diets, especially during... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Simplot has announced the launch of a new steamed rice product in their Birds Eye Steam Fresh range, Birds Eye Steam Fresh Rice. Simplot says the new product is “an Australian market first” and combines snap frozen vegetables with flavoured rice in a one serve portion. The new range comes in two flavours: ‘Rice with Meditteranean Vegetables’ and ‘Seasoned Rice with Peas and Spinach’. Steam Fresh Rice offers a selection of prepared recipes made from long grain rice, vegetables,... ...Read more »

Just weeks after rival supermarket group Coles announced it would extend its ‘Down Down’ campaign to cut the prices of big brands, Woolworths has announced that the price of hundreds of its most popular products have been cut by up to 33 per cent. Products included in the price cut include MSA Australian beef, slice and shaved ham, Tip Top bread, Western Star Butter, Arnott’s multipacks and International Roast Coffee. “Our customers have told us that finding savings in their family budget... ...Read more »

In the interests of securing an assured supply, it seems big food businesses globally could be moving towards vertical supply chain ownership models, with the US-based Coca-Cola Company recently announcing a US$2 billion investment in orange groves in Florida. Partnering with citrus companies Cutrale Citrus Juices and Peace River Citrus Products, the Coca-Cola Company says the investment will enable growers to plant 25,000 acres of orange trees. In the US, the Coca-Cola Company owns two juice brands,... ...Read more »

Major Australian supermarkets appear to be gradually moving towards new store formats that will offer additional services or attempt to create a more ‘market-style’ environment. Woolworths recently advertised positions available for qualified butchers for its “exciting new concept stores”. Woolworths supermarkets also appear to be gradually changing their approach to the format of stores, perhaps in an attempt to emulate its rival Coles’ strategy of focusing on the customer in-store ‘experience’. In... ...Read more »

UK-owned global rice business Tilda has launched a new children’s rice and vegetable range in Australia, using an elephant character called Tilli to appeal to kids. Available in 125g pouches, there are four flavours in the new range: Cheese and Tomato, Sunshine Vegetable, Sweet Vegetable and Wholegrain, and Mild and Sweet Curry. Tilda said the meals are designed to provide one serving of the recommended 5 daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and cater to a child’s taste pallet. The new range... ...Read more »

The proportion of consumers satisfied with German-owned Australian supermarket Aldi is once again comfortably higher than Australia’s other three major supermarket chains, according to market research organisation Roy Morgan Research. In November 2012, both Coles and Woolworths came within 1 per cent point of Aldi, making it the closest race in five years. But the latest results from the Roy Morgan Supermarket Satisfaction report show Aldi edging back toward the nine-out-of-ten mark, with 89.7... ...Read more »