Morrisons celebrates best-ever year
Morrisons has toasted its value proposition and fresh offer after posting its best-ever sales performance.
Turnover for the year to 31 January rose 6% to £15.4bn, the Bradford-based supermarket announced today, with pre-tax profits up from £655m last year to £858m. The retailer reported that weekly customer numbers were up 7% and said it had completed its Optimisation Plan with all targets exceeded. However, net debt rose from £642m last year to £924m following a £1bn splurge on capital investment.
“Morrisons had another good year,” said non-executive chairman Sir Ian Gibson.
“Once again our focus on fresh food and great value appealed to shoppers everywhere and we have successfully grown sales and profits to record levels.” Despite opening 43 new stores and a new RDC in the southeast in the last 12 months, the retailer said it plans to continue to invest in new stores, manufacturing capabilities and systems in the coming year.
The results come with new chief executive Dalton Philips set to take up the reins on March 29, filling the gap left by Marc Bolland following his defection to Marks & Spencer.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Tesco withdraws four varieties of sandwiches
Tesco has withdrawn four varieties of its sandwiches with 'use by' dates of 5 March 2010 and 6 March 2010, because the lettuce used in the sandwiches might be contaminated with slug pellets.
Tesco has been told by the manufacturer of the sandwiches that slug pellets were found in the raw Lollo Bionda lettuce used for the sandwiches. As a precautionary measure, Tesco has withdrawn the sandwiches from sale in case any residues of the pellets had got through the washing and preparation stage to final lettuce leaves in the sandwiches.
Tesco has put an immediate till block on all four products. This means that no more of the products can be sold.
Tesco will be displaying point-of-sale notices in stores and publishing the notice onto its website, explaining to customers why the products have been withdrawn. If you have bought any of the affected sandwiches you can return them for a full refund.
Tesco has been told by the manufacturer of the sandwiches that slug pellets were found in the raw Lollo Bionda lettuce used for the sandwiches. As a precautionary measure, Tesco has withdrawn the sandwiches from sale in case any residues of the pellets had got through the washing and preparation stage to final lettuce leaves in the sandwiches.
Tesco has put an immediate till block on all four products. This means that no more of the products can be sold.
Tesco will be displaying point-of-sale notices in stores and publishing the notice onto its website, explaining to customers why the products have been withdrawn. If you have bought any of the affected sandwiches you can return them for a full refund.
US: P&G recalls Pringles as salmonella scare widens
Procter & Gamble has recalled two flavours of Pringles on fears that an ingredient used in their production could be contaminated with salmonella.
Responding to guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, P&G has initiated a recall of Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger potato crisps and Pringles Family Faves Taco Night potato crisps.
The products contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors. It was revealed last week that the ingredient, which has been used by a variety of US food makers, could be contaminated with salmonella.
A customer of Basic Food Flavors notified the authorities of the contamination and an FDA investigation then identified salmonella at the production site.
Basic Food Flavors then issued a voluntary recall of all powder and paste HVP made since 17 September last year.
The scare has drawn in a number of US food makers and retailers, including Homemade Gourmet, Reser's Fine Foods, Safeway Inc, Ahold USA and McCormick.
In a statement released yesterday (8 March) P&G insisted that food safety was the company's “top priority”.
“We follow rigorous food safety and ingredient testing standards,” the company said. “We are withdrawing these products out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety and in response to FDA's recommendation to the food industry.”
Responding to guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, P&G has initiated a recall of Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger potato crisps and Pringles Family Faves Taco Night potato crisps.
The products contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors. It was revealed last week that the ingredient, which has been used by a variety of US food makers, could be contaminated with salmonella.
A customer of Basic Food Flavors notified the authorities of the contamination and an FDA investigation then identified salmonella at the production site.
Basic Food Flavors then issued a voluntary recall of all powder and paste HVP made since 17 September last year.
The scare has drawn in a number of US food makers and retailers, including Homemade Gourmet, Reser's Fine Foods, Safeway Inc, Ahold USA and McCormick.
In a statement released yesterday (8 March) P&G insisted that food safety was the company's “top priority”.
“We follow rigorous food safety and ingredient testing standards,” the company said. “We are withdrawing these products out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety and in response to FDA's recommendation to the food industry.”
BELGIUM: Unilever, Nestle silent on ice-cream talk
Unilever and Nestle have both declined to comment on reports they may be interested in buying Belgian Icecream Group (BIG), Belgian's largest ice cream maker.
According to reports in Belgium, local holding company NPM/CNP plans to sell the ice cream business.
Belgian daily De Tijd reported the potential sale on Saturday (6 March) and cited Unilever and Nestle as potential buyers.
Merchant bank Banca Leonardo, in which CNP has a 19.5% stake, has been mandated to handle the transaction, De Tijd said, without specifying how much the sale could raise.
BIG is Belgium's biggest ice cream producer with a reported turnover of EUR88m (US$119.5m) in 2008.
When contacted by just-food today, both Unilever and Nestle said they would not comment on rumours or speculation.
Officials at BIG could not be reached for immediate comment.
According to reports in Belgium, local holding company NPM/CNP plans to sell the ice cream business.
Belgian daily De Tijd reported the potential sale on Saturday (6 March) and cited Unilever and Nestle as potential buyers.
Merchant bank Banca Leonardo, in which CNP has a 19.5% stake, has been mandated to handle the transaction, De Tijd said, without specifying how much the sale could raise.
BIG is Belgium's biggest ice cream producer with a reported turnover of EUR88m (US$119.5m) in 2008.
When contacted by just-food today, both Unilever and Nestle said they would not comment on rumours or speculation.
Officials at BIG could not be reached for immediate comment.
Food Awards
Just some awards
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodawards
http://www.sussexfoodawards.com/
http://www.qualityfoodawards.com/Home.asp
http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/
http://britishstreetfood.co.uk/
http://www.worldfoodmediaawards.com/
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodawards
http://www.sussexfoodawards.com/
http://www.qualityfoodawards.com/Home.asp
http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/
http://britishstreetfood.co.uk/
http://www.worldfoodmediaawards.com/
Veggie option from Haribo
Haribo is targeting vegetarian consumers with its new hanging bag, Funny Mix, featuring Strawberry, Cola Bottle and Starfish treats in each bag. The sweets contain no gelatine and are clearly marked 'Suitable for Vegetarians'. They are also free from artificial colours and packed in 160g coloured bags.
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