The West Australian Food Industry Association is to run a seminar outlining methods to reduce costs in food and beverage manufacturing. Martin Lienert, Technical Advisor at FIA and an ex-Nestle Production Manager, and David Richens, Manufacturing Excellence Coach with Improve Group, will discuss the “lean” concept in the food and beverage sector and cover issues like: • Identifying and eliminating “lean” waste in the food and beverage industry • Lean Culture - Leveraging... ...Read more »
A new kind of supermarket is gaining notoriety in Europe. The products remain the same, the staff are still there, but there are some clear distinguishing features. The ‘pensioner-friendly’ supermarket, which directly targets senior citizens, will incorporate a host of changes to the average outlet - from wider aisles to brighter lighting, clearer signage and relaxation areas. German supermarket chain Kaiser’s was one of the first to introduce such stores and their popularity has... ...Read more »
Companies must incorporate greater flexibility in the way they manage their people to sustain their business strategy in adverse market conditions, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. And, with a wave of negative economic news over the last 12 months, employment costs - which include pay, employee benefits, national insurance contributions and administration - require close scrutiny. Debra De’Ath, Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, believes hasty attempts to reduce costs such as staff... ...Read more »
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP last night announced the winners of this year’s City of Sydney Business Awards, with Almond Bar, Crema 55, Sassy Treats and DARE - Delicious and Responsible Eating among the award winners. Atlassian, a small software company started by two young graduates in 2002, took the top honour as Business of the Year. “This year’s City of Sydney Business Awards saw an enormous number of entries, as well as a record number of attendees to the Gala Awards Dinner,... ...Read more »
The ARA Retail Institute is offering free training to industry newcomers and canvassing host employers to provide on-the-job training under the Federal Government’s Productivity Places scheme in a bid to attract more people to the retail industry. The Federal Government’s Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has funded the ARA’s Retail Employment Pathways program in response to industry pleas for more skilled workers. Under the initiative, DEEWR’s... ...Read more »
Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) today announced a 134% increase in net profit in spite of the recent economic turbulence which has hit consumer confidence. The owner of the Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Michel’s Patisserie and bb’s café franchises saw growth stimulated by their purchases of Brumby’s and Michel’s and a record number of new store commissionings (61). There is now a total of 1,052 franchised... ...Read more »
Dairy marketers could soon have another basis for milk promotion, with Flinders University researchers expecting to have clear evidence by the end of this year on the role that the humble cow could play in boosting the anti-cancer properties of the natural trace element, selenium. In a ground-breaking human trial now underway, a research team led by Professor Graeme Young is testing the beneficial impact that selenium delivered through cow’s milk has in preventing bowel cancer compared with... ...Read more »
NightOwl Convenience is set to expand its network into Victoria with the opening of its first Victorian store in Mornington. Australia’s sixth largest convenience store franchise is anticipated to open their Mornington store in September this year, as they look to embark on a Victorian expansion. They are looking for franchisees within the Melbourne market so they can open additional stores throughout the city. NightOwl Convenience Master Franchisor, Adam Adams, said he was excited to be entering... ...Read more »
Eating out, takeaways and nights in the pub will be among the first activities to be chopped by UK consumers in the wake of the downturn but restaurants are better placed to survive the economic turbulence than fifteen years ago, research by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has revealed. In a study that surveyed 1000 people, 27 per cent confirmed the first items they would cut back on would be restaurant meals, takeaways or fast food, and visits to the local pub, compared to 18 per cent who would cut back... ...Read more »
Super-premium juice has emerged as a small but dynamic part of the American beverage marketplace, according to a new study from the Beverage Marketing Corporation titled “Superpremium Juice in the U.S.: The Impact of Superfruits and Antioxidants“. The super-premium sub-segment includes fresh packaged juice, which is 100% (or very close to 100%) fruit juice that is bottled in single-serve containers and shipped fresh rather than reconstituted from concentrate or chemically preserved. These... ...Read more »