US: Kroger has announced a tie-up with Shell under which it will extend its loyalty programme to offer discounts on petrol. The scheme has been rolled out in five states and allows shoppers to get at least 10c off per gallon at Shell stations after buying $100 in groceries. Kroger said it could eventually expand the deal to all 31 states it operated in following the initial trial. The companies declined to disclose the terms of the deal, but said they expected it to attract new customers as a result.
AUSTRALIA: Foster's Group has revealed profits fell 13.5% over the six months to 31 December. The strong Australian dollar cut first half wine earnings by approximately AUS$83m (£47m), chief executive Ian Johnston said. There was growth in Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, but this was offset by falls in the Americas, Asia and New Zealand. "Recessionary conditions" were to blame, the company said.
MEXICO: Walmart de Mexico has completed its acquisition of Walmart Centroamerica from its parent company and regional investors. Walmex said it issued 604 million shares and paid $110m (£70.2m) in cash to shareholders to complete the transaction. The deal has added 519 stores to Walmex's existing 1,477 stores and has widened its operations to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez has announced plans to take over a second supermarket chain, one month after taking the Exito chain into state control. The second chain, Cada, is owned by Casino, the same French parent company behind Exito. Chavez accused the retailer of raising prices on certain products to take advantage of demand. He has already ordered that warehouses linked to the company be destroyed to make way for new housing.
Casino said the move would have little impact on financial results as Venezuela was a small part of its operations. The president said negotiations with Cada were "friendly". The move is part of his attempt to turn Venezuela into a socialist state.
AUSTRALIA: Foster's Group has revealed profits fell 13.5% over the six months to 31 December. The strong Australian dollar cut first half wine earnings by approximately AUS$83m (£47m), chief executive Ian Johnston said. There was growth in Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, but this was offset by falls in the Americas, Asia and New Zealand. "Recessionary conditions" were to blame, the company said.
MEXICO: Walmart de Mexico has completed its acquisition of Walmart Centroamerica from its parent company and regional investors. Walmex said it issued 604 million shares and paid $110m (£70.2m) in cash to shareholders to complete the transaction. The deal has added 519 stores to Walmex's existing 1,477 stores and has widened its operations to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez has announced plans to take over a second supermarket chain, one month after taking the Exito chain into state control. The second chain, Cada, is owned by Casino, the same French parent company behind Exito. Chavez accused the retailer of raising prices on certain products to take advantage of demand. He has already ordered that warehouses linked to the company be destroyed to make way for new housing.
Casino said the move would have little impact on financial results as Venezuela was a small part of its operations. The president said negotiations with Cada were "friendly". The move is part of his attempt to turn Venezuela into a socialist state.
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