FRANCE: Carrefour revenue growth slows 

Carrefour, the world’s second-largest retailer, today (16 January) posted its slowest quarterly sales growth for five years, undershooting its revised full-year guidance.

NETHERLANDS: Ahold posts 3.3% rise in FY sales 

Ahold, the Dutch retail giant, today (16 January) announced a 3.3% rise in full-year net sales after a "solid" fourth quarter.

BELGIUM: Delhaize FY sales up, announces US closures (REG)

Belgium-based retailer Delhaize this morning (16 January) posted a 3.9% rise in annual underlying sales but said it would close seven stores in the US and sell four outlets in Germany this year.

• UK: Findus upbeat despite UK partner's collapse (MEM)
  Findus has asked other unnamed partners to take on the production of its frozen food for the UK market after the the collapse of its local manufacturing partner.
• EU: Brussels to reintroduce dairy export subsidies (MEM)
  The European Commission has announced plans to reintroduce dairy export subsidies in a move designed to bolster struggling European dairy exporters.
• UK: Deflation could hit Sainsbury's margins - analyst (MEM)
  The threat of falling food inflation in the UK – and possible deflation later in 2009 – could hit profits at Sainsbury's, the country's third-largest grocer, a leading retail analyst has warned.
• US: GMA calls on Obama to increase FDA funding (MEM)
  US food industry representatives have called on president-elect Barack Obama to increase funding to the US Food and Drug Administration in a bid to improve the security of the nation’s food supply.
• UPDATE: EU/US: Brussels warns on escalation of tariff row (MEM)
  The European Commission warned today (16 January) of a serious escalation of its trade dispute with the US over the EU’s ban on beef treated with growth hormones.
• TURKEY: Carrefour acquires local supermarket chain (MEM)
  French retail giant Carrefour has expanded its operations in the Turkish market through the acquisition of local retailer Pinar Marketçilik.
• UK: Co-op deal, new stores boost Waitrose jobs (REG)
  Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose said today (16 January) it is to buy 13 stores from the Co-operative Group in a move that will create 4,000 jobs.

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Why more challenges lie ahead for Carrefour
16th January 2009 18:33

A clutch of retail companies issued their latest numbers today (16 January) and, among them, came more gloomy news from Carrefour. The French retail giant posted its read more >>

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just-food’s review of 2008

Annual reviews often take formats such as ‘Winners and Losers of the Year’ but such an approach might not advisable for the past 12 months. Even the most rose-tinted, ‘glass half-full’ reflection on 2008 would surely yield many more losers than winners. The year began with the food industry facing rampant commodity cost inflation, caused in part by the impact of the biofuel boom on agricultural commodity markets. As early as January, just-food reported on the fierce debate that the growth in biofuels had provoked within industry, academic, campaigning and political circles. Review the key developments of 2008 in this month's briefing.

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