Business & Industry

A company director has received a prison sentence after being prosecuted for fraudulently selling conventional foods as organic. Northamptonshire supplier One Foods Limited sold products falsely described as organic to consumers and businesses across the UK over a five-year

Meat Promotion Wales has visited Bari in southern Italy in a bid to promote Welsh lamb in the region and increase the #,### tonnes of the meat sold in the country.

Prolonged dry weather in the south east is likely to make the English apple crop ##% lower than forecast. Growers had been expecting a bumper crop, but a lack of rainfall from July to September has reduced volumes and fruit

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The versatility of canned tomatoes has helped sales defy the downturn in the canned market. Value sales have risen ##% to ###m [pounds sterling] [TNS, ##w/e # September], largely as a result of increases in canning production

Pernod Ricard premium vodka brand Wyborowa is to launch its first above-the-line campaign later this year. "Wyborowa is at a key stage in its development as it has been the fastest-growing international spirit brand for the past

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] InBev UK is encouraging music-lovers to plug into the Beck#;s brand, literally, with interactive bottle-shaped outdoor ads that play music back when people plug their headphones in. Part of deck#;s Music Inspired Art campaign

Loire wine producers are reclaiming Sauvignon Blanc to combat growing New World competition. Former Marks & Spencer buyer Sam Harrop is spearheading a project to highlight the stylistic diversity of AOC Touraine and Vin de Pays Sauvignon Blanc to the UK

Fairtrade wine still has a long way to go before it will be as relevant to consumers as Fairtrade products in other categories, Tesco wine buyer Graham Nash said this week. Although sales of Fairtrade wine have been rising, up

Wells & Young#;s has revamped its Red Stripe bottled beer to bring it in line with its canned and draught versions. The new-look bottles, available now, feature a bigger and bolder logo.

Nielsen would like to clarify that total brand sales for Encona sauces are #.#m [pounds sterling] for the ## months to # August #### and not #m [pounds sterling] as published in last week#;s Focus on Sauces & Condiments.

Pick #;n#; mix specialist Sweet Express, which has ## stands in shopping centres and railway stations, is to launch an offer online. The website, expected to go live in the next few weeks, will allow customers to choose from about

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Semichem, Scotmid Co-operative Society#;s health & beauty chain, this week launched its first TV campaign in four years, marking its move into England. The retailer, which has more than ### stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland, has

Retailers will need assistance if ambitious targets for battery recycling are to be met, the British Retail Consortium has warned. The EC Batteries Directive comes into force from # February next year and will require all retailers who sell more

Logistics specialists NFT has secured a deal to distribute M&S sandwiches on behalf of major own-label supplier Uniq. As part of the three-year deal, NFT, the former distribution arm of Northern Foods, will handle ##% of M

First Milk has posted a #m [pounds sterling] loss for the year after volatility in the global dairy ingredients market hit profitability. Turnover in the year to ## March #### was down #% to ###m [pounds sterling], with losses after

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ocado has opened its seventh distribution hub with a new site in London as it ramps up coverage in the capital. The new depot in White City, west London, is one of the smallest hubs so far at

Tesco#;s online business has followed in Asda and Waitrose#;s footsteps by automatically refunding the difference on more expensive substitutions. Under the Refund the Difference initiative, shoppers who have an out-of-stock product substituted for a more expensive

Sainsbury#;s is opening a new front in the own label versus brand war with the launch of a major in-store sampling spree as part of its Switch and Save campaign. The two-week Taste Test Challenge has been

Meat Promotion Wales has visited Bari in southern Italy in a bid to promote Welsh lamb in the region and increase the #,### tonnes of the meat sold in the country.

Prolonged dry weather in the south east is likely to make the English apple crop ##% lower than forecast. Growers had been expecting a bumper crop, but a lack of rainfall from July to September has reduced volumes and fruit

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The versatility of canned tomatoes has helped sales defy the downturn in the canned market. Value sales have risen ##% to ###m [pounds sterling] [TNS, ##w/e # September], largely as a result of increases in canning production

Pernod Ricard premium vodka brand Wyborowa is to launch its first above-the-line campaign later this year. "Wyborowa is at a key stage in its development as it has been the fastest-growing international spirit brand for the past

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] InBev UK is encouraging music-lovers to plug into the Beck#;s brand, literally, with interactive bottle-shaped outdoor ads that play music back when people plug their headphones in. Part of deck#;s Music Inspired Art campaign

Loire wine producers are reclaiming Sauvignon Blanc to combat growing New World competition. Former Marks & Spencer buyer Sam Harrop is spearheading a project to highlight the stylistic diversity of AOC Touraine and Vin de Pays Sauvignon Blanc to the UK

Fairtrade wine still has a long way to go before it will be as relevant to consumers as Fairtrade products in other categories, Tesco wine buyer Graham Nash said this week. Although sales of Fairtrade wine have been rising, up

Wells & Young#;s has revamped its Red Stripe bottled beer to bring it in line with its canned and draught versions. The new-look bottles, available now, feature a bigger and bolder logo.

Nielsen would like to clarify that total brand sales for Encona sauces are #.#m [pounds sterling] for the ## months to # August #### and not #m [pounds sterling] as published in last week#;s Focus on Sauces & Condiments.

Pick #;n#; mix specialist Sweet Express, which has ## stands in shopping centres and railway stations, is to launch an offer online. The website, expected to go live in the next few weeks, will allow customers to choose from about

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Semichem, Scotmid Co-operative Society#;s health & beauty chain, this week launched its first TV campaign in four years, marking its move into England. The retailer, which has more than ### stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland, has

Logistics specialists NFT has secured a deal to distribute M&S sandwiches on behalf of major own-label supplier Uniq. As part of the three-year deal, NFT, the former distribution arm of Northern Foods, will handle ##% of M

First Milk has posted a #m [pounds sterling] loss for the year after volatility in the global dairy ingredients market hit profitability. Turnover in the year to ## March #### was down #% to ###m [pounds sterling], with losses after

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ocado has opened its seventh distribution hub with a new site in London as it ramps up coverage in the capital. The new depot in White City, west London, is one of the smallest hubs so far at

Tesco#;s online business has followed in Asda and Waitrose#;s footsteps by automatically refunding the difference on more expensive substitutions. Under the Refund the Difference initiative, shoppers who have an out-of-stock product substituted for a more expensive

Sainsbury#;s is opening a new front in the own label versus brand war with the launch of a major in-store sampling spree as part of its Switch and Save campaign. The two-week Taste Test Challenge has been

Those #;show me your cocoa beam#; posters last week had us worried the new TV ad for Cadbury Dairy Milk would be patronising and cutesy. But the latest in the Glass and a Half Full series, showcasing CDM#;s new

Wags have previously compared Tesco#;s impenetrable Cheshunt tower of power to the Death Star--but the supermarket was last week facing a potential religious discrimination claim from across the galaxy after picking on the wrong Jedi. Daniel Jones, a

Theses multi-pocked plastic pots were launched two years ago yet already command a #.#% value share of the baked beans category and #.#% of spaghetti hoops. This is a pretty impressive performance considering that the flagship Heinz

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] John West has thrown down the gauntlet to other brands and own-label offerings with the launch of its No Drain Tuna in February. The new variant commands a ##% price premium over standard product, says the head

There has been a lot of talk about canned food and its performance in the recession. There is no question that canned foods are very affordable and, on the face of it, look as if they are growing well (##

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumers voted the tin can the greatest kitchen invention of all time in a TNS poll this summer--ironically just as the canned food market started showing signs of metal fatigue. It seems people are not prepared to

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When James Hall & Co decided in June to take control of production of the sandwiches it supplies to Spar retailers it was in no mood for half measures. Spar#;s wholesaler for the north of England spent more

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Corona Extra is continuing its Save the Beach campaign to help preserve some of Europe#;s most endangered beaches. The brand has already recovered Italy#;s Capocotta beach, voted for by users of coronasavethebeach.org, and continues its

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To celebrate the start of the new school term, Walkers#; Nonsuch is offering ## readers the chance to win a case of its Andy Pack Traditional Toffee. Each mixed case will include shelf-ready boxes of favourites such

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Premier Foods is rejuvenating the individual pot desserts sector with the launch of two innovative new Ambrosia ranges, Crumble Puds and Jelly Puds. Crumble Puds contain Ambrosia creamy Devon Custard and fruit compote with crumble on the side

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Grocer has teamed up with Swan to offer ## readers the chance to win outers of Green papers, Combi packs and #+# Free multipacks from the UK#;s number one supplier of filters, papers, lighters and

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As autumn sets in, retailers should stock their shelves with delicious chutneys and condiments--ideal for serving with Sunday roasts and bacon sandwiches. The English Provender Company#;s range is made with the finest ingredients and is perfect

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Twinings, winner of ## Great Taste Awards, will shortly be revealing a new look for its Speciality tea range. The relaunch will be supported by a #.##m [pounds sterling] TV and press campaign, which will build on

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Princes is throwing its strength behind ambient juice with the launch of a four-strong juice drinks range. Made using ##% pure juice, the new drinks are helping to reposition juice as #;not just for breakfast#; and will

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Astonish is celebrating ## years of producing the best quality products at the lowest possible price. Soon to be backed by a national TV campaign, Astonish products are now sold worldwide with an emphasis on competitive pricing structures

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To celebrate growth in the vodka category, Dannoff is offering ## lucky readers the chance to win a case of Dannoff vodka (#x##cl bottles). Available at leading wholesalers, Latvian vodka brand Dannoff is quadruple-distilled to ensure a

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To celebrate the relaunch of its new Spar own-brand range, Spar is giving away three hampers each containing ## [pounds sterling] worth of Spar-branded products, plus a star prize of a selection of three Spar wines

The European Commission is to examine the possibility of legislating contracts between dairy farmers and their customers. Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has proposed a wide range of measures to address the worsening crisis in European dairy, including the establishment of

Milk Link is to lay off up to ## staff at the former Dairy Farmers of Britain Llandyrnog Creamery as it looks to return the site to profitability. Llandyrnog, which produces the Cadog cheese brand, had been loss-making when

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wyke Farms is to launch its autumn TV campaign alongside Come Dine With Me on C#. The Cheddar brand#;s new ad is launched on ## September in a food-themed ad break that also includes Gordon#;s

Dairy products produced and processed in the Irish Republic are to carry a new identity logo to support the industry against cheaper imports. The new logo had been developed to encourage shoppers to buy locally produced products--rather than imports

Asda has boosted its sustainability credentials with two new product lines. The retailer has become the first UK outlet to sell king prawns under the Best Aquaculture Practice certification scheme, which guarantees responsible sourcing. The prawns are supplied by Cumbrian

The Quality Standard Pork logo is to be replaced with a new mark incorporating the Red Tractor. The new logo, which will still represent production, welfare and quality standards, would come into effect from # April #### on pork, ham

The Food Standards Agency has been blasted by the seafood industry for failing to include shellfish in its latest consumption advice to consumers. The agency reissued its advice last week following a consultation asking stakeholders for views on what should

The Co-operative Group is hoping to inspire home cooks with a versatile new potato variety. Pioneer potatoes can be eaten hot or cold and are ideal for boiling, sauteing or using in salads. The variety, which is named after

Molson Coors is investing #.#m [pounds sterling] in a new campaign for Grolsch from next month to re-establish its swing-top format as an asset in the straggling premium lager category. The campaign is themed around bringing the

Cornish ice cream brand Kelly#;s has reported sales up ##% to ##m [pounds sterling] in the year to August [Nielsen], boosted by sunny weather and a #m [pounds sterling] TV campaign.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PepsiCo is giving away Guitar Hero World Tour kits, Guitar Hero # games and Xbox ### consoles in an on-pack promotion for Doritos as part of a new multimillion-pound push. From this week, three winners will

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wilkinson Sword is ploughing #m [pounds sterling] into a charity tie-up from November for its Quattro Titanium Precision razor, including a new TV campaign, online activity and a "moustache emporium" in London. The company has signed up

Princes is attempting to launch tuna into the snacking category with a new cubed range that will be sold in Tetra Pak cartons--a first for the fish category. Tuna Bites, which debuts in November, comes in a Tetra Recart

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heinz is overhauling its flavoured Beanz to provide a cohesive brand identity with its core Baked Beanz brand. The dark blue background of the old cans has been replaced with the iconic Heinz turquoise colour on the new

Adult soft drink Shloer has had a packaging revamp and is launching a sparkling rose variant to reinforce its credentials as a wine alternative. "With the phenomenal growth of rose in recent years, adding this variant was the obvious next

Rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio has joined forces with Sacla#; to launch a range of pasta sauces. Dallaglio by Sacla#;, which hit shelves this month, is based on recipes originally cooked by the ex-England skipper#;s Italian father. The range

Young#;s has stolen a march on Birds Eye with the launch of the UK#;s first microwaveable cook-in-the-bag fish range. The four-strong range, which is launched next month, can be cooked from frozen in the

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fox#;s is defending our "rights to enjoy chocolate biscuits" in a new #m [pounds sterling] ad campaign that marks the brand#;s biggest spend in three years. The TV ad, which comes as Fox#;s repositions the

Birds Eye is bringing back its ####s Supermousse brand as it continues to embrace the retro trend. The move follows the revival of its Arctic Roll brand earlier this year and will be supported by a nationwide campaign featuring iconic

GlaxoSmithKline is taking its Lucozade Alert energy drink into the shots market via a #m [pounds sterling] marketing push. Lucozade Alert Plus, which is being rolled out across the trade next month in a ##ml pocketsize format (rsp: #.##

Mars is taking on Yakult and Danone in the ailing probiotic drinks market with the launch of a Galaxy shot--and other Mars brands could follow. The company is targeting sales of ##% of the ###m [pounds sterling] dairy shots

Although experts are predicting a huge increase in product placement in the light of culture minister Ben Bradshaw#;s announcement that the ban was being lifted, companies will still not be allowed to product place on television programmes aimed directly

As managing director of The Kerrygold Company, the UK#;s biggest supplier of cheese to the major multiples, I read far too often that #;cheap imports#; are damaging the British dairy industry. This is a myth I feel compelled to

A chatty and knowledgable delivery driver--plus strong availability and a well designed website--has made Tesco this quarter#;s G## online winner. Tesco#;s green credentials were also impressive as it remained the only retailer to offer delivery in

It only launched on Wednesday, but critics have already branded Sainsbury#;s attempt to woo couples with a ## [pounds sterling] meal deal as a "boring" attempt to catch up with its rivals#; ready meal offers. The new Wine and

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It#;s been a rough year for the organic sector. In April, the Soil Association published a report showing that the category#;s perennial growth had ground to a juddering halt. That was followed in July by a

Independent retailers across London have ramped up their fruit and veg ranges under a new scheme to improve the health of shoppers. Some ## c-stores have signed up to the Buywell Project, a scheme launched this week by Rosie

Confectionery wholesaler Kitwave, which trades as M&M Value, has bought Telford-based Westone Distribution for #.#m [pounds sterling] in a move that will help it extend its reach beyond the north east of England.

Booker launches itself on the international stage today as it opens its first cash & carry in India. The depot in Mumbai will serve stores, food stalls and the restaurant trade with an emphasis on fresh foods, pulses and staples. Booker

Booths opened the doors to its second new store in three months this week, in Garstang, Lancashire. The ##,### sq ft store replaces a smaller shop in the town, which originally opened in ####. Booths said that the store

Spar has credited a strong sales uplift to the rise of local shopping coupled with a recession-driven revamp of its own-label range and advertising strategy. Sales shot up #.#% in the three months to the end of

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kerry Foods Direct to Store is #;Smashing Prices#; for independent retailers. The chilled distribution service is launching a #.#m [pounds sterling] initiative on Monday to reduce prices and let customers know they can purchase more than ###

TJ Morris is expecting to break through the #bn [pounds sterling] sales mark two years earlier than expected after reporting a massive hike in full-year sales and profits. The north of England-based discounter, which trades as Home Bargains

Laws brought in this summer to crack down on duty-avoided alcohol have failed to deter fraudsters, with some wholesalers reporting that the problem is "worse than ever". Some smaller retailers continued to source big beer and wine brands from

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Musgrave Retail Partners GB is set to launch ### products in the next few weeks as it ploughs ahead with revamping its own-label ranges. The wholesaler revealed in June that, having launched its new Good Value range

Tesco has pledged its support for the Tories#; plan to reform the roles governing country-of-origin labelling. The UK#;s biggest retailer said this week it would introduce clear statements on all products with a ##% meat content or

Imperial Tobacco has announced trading performance in line with expectations for the year to ## September. The Lambert & Butler maker will announce its full-year results on ## November.

Fattening foods with little nutritional value should be taxed to help tackle the UK#;s obesity epidemic, the BMA#;s Dr Kailasb Chand has warned.

Sainsbury#;s hopes to cash in on the success of The X Factor--by giving its contestants cooking lessons. From the end of the month, the retailer will be sending a team of food experts, the Try Team, into The

Shoppers are trading up to more expensive items of clothing in supermarkets and moving away from throwaway cheap fashion. Value sales of clothing rose #% in the ## weeks to ## August while volume fell #% according to the latest

A new concept in food advertising is to hit screens this weekend with a menu-themed ad break featuring seven brands making up a seven course meal. The ads, which will run during C##;s Come Dine With Me on

A spate of stabbings in Beijing has prompted a ban on knife sales at major supermarkets until mid October. According to state media, knives were removed from shelves at Carrefour, Wal-Mart, Jingkelong, and Tiankelong supermarkets. It follows the stabbing

Progressive Enterprises, the company behind the Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown supermarket brands in New Zealand, is to bring them all under the Countdown fascia. It has been given a new grey and green stylised apple logo as part of the

The government will not scale back its support for the UK retail sector, Secretary of State for Business Lord Peter Mandelson has promised. "At a time when our economic prospects are improving, this is not the moment to pull that

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Waitrose will find it tougher than it thinks to meet its target of opening ### c-stores within the next lo years, experts have warned. This week, the retailer unveiled aggressive expansion plans to open the c-stores

Microwaves are killing the can. Sales of canned foods are plummeting--with volumes down #.#% year-on-year. And the biggest success story in the canned category is not, in fact, in a can. Heinz#;s yoghurt pot-style

China#;s Output of Petroleum and Chemical Products in August #### Output in Growth Growth Aug #### over over Product ### tons Aug ####, % Jul ####, % Crude oil #####.## #.## #.## Natural gas (billion [m.sup.#

On August ##th, #### Tangshan Sanyou Group Co., Ltd. commenced the production of its first phase ## ### t/a silicone project in Tangshan, Hebei province. With an investment of RMB### million, the first phase can produce over ten varieties

September #th, #### marked the official opening of Rhein Chemie LOA (Qingdao) Ltd., the company#;s new production facility for lubricant additives in Qingdao, China. "We aim to benefit from the above-average growth in China#;s industrial lubricants segment