CHINA: Spar is set for further expansion in China after international managing director Gordon Campbell said the retailer would enter Hunan province over the next year, moving within reach of 400 million Chinese customers. Spar's retail sales area in China more than doubled to three million sq ft in 2008 as its total outlets rose to 88. There was enormous potential for growth in Africa, Campbell said. Spar would have 20 stores in Nigeria within three years, he added.

AUSTRALIA: Wine producers have agreed to rename fortified wines as part of a trade agreement with the European Union. Tokay will be renamed topaque, sherry will change to apera and Australian port will be termed vintage, tawny or ruby. Most of the name changes will take place within the next year.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: Reports have named private equity groups KKR, TPG Capital and CVC Capital Partners as potential bidders for the central and eastern European assets of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The assets, which exclude operations in Russia and Ukraine, are valued at between $2.6bn (£1.6bn) and $3.4bn (£2.09bn). The sell-off comes as the brewing giant tries to reduce its debts, taken on during last year's landmark merger between Anheuser-Busch and InBev.

AUSTRALIA: The competition watchdog will not oppose Woolworths' proposed acquisition of organic supermarket chain Macro Wholefoods Market, after ruling there was no substantial risk of reduced competition. Woolworths said it planned to convert the eight sites to its Thomas Dux Grocer format, which is smaller and more premium than its supermarkets.

USA: Tesco's US c-store chain Fresh & Easy will open four more stores in California in July, adding to its 120 stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. It is also introducing more than 1,000 new lines in response to customer demand for larger pack sizes, more branded products and cheaper own-label lines.

"We continue to listen and evolve to improve the experience for customers," said CEO Tim Mason.