There’s still time left to enter the 2005 Retail Cheese Awards, but hurry - the deadline is May 28.
The Retail Cheese Awards, which are jointly sponsored by Dairy Crest and The Grocer, are designed to recognise the best cheese retailers in the UK.
There are thousands of pounds to be won, with finalists invited to a special awards luncheon at the Café Royal in London. The awards are divided into two classes - one for symbol group members, multiples and co-ops with deli counters, and one for specialist independents. In each class, three regional winners will be decided. They will compete for the national prize of £2,500. For more details, turn to page 68.
Ahold’s boss says he wants to the business to remain focused on organic growth.
President and CEO Anders Moberg told its annual general meeting: “We want to grow with what we know. This is not the time for large acquisitions.”
Ahold almost went bust after a series of mega-deals and rapid global growth went badly wrong.
Moberg said: “Growth for growth’s sake will not be on our radar screen. It is about profitable growth.”
He did not rule out deals in future, but said: “Our focus regarding further acquisitions will be on geographic areas and cultures that are close to ours.”

The Russian Federal Financial Markets Service (FFMS) may launch an inquiry into the flotation of discount chain Pyaterochka on the London Stock Exchange. Reports suggest this is because Russian law says the placement of shares on foreign markets is only allowed with the permission of FFMS. But Pyaterochka claims it is a PLC incorporated in the Netherlands under Dutch law.

US hypermarket chain Publix is opening two new stores next year with a focus on natural foods. The stores will be located in Miami and Boca Raton and will trade under the banner of Greenwise - a department that Publix runs in 750 stores.
n Aldi plans
Hard discounter Aldi is believed to be planning to open in New Zealand, to complement its existing retail business in Australia.
n flotation fix
Carrefour is planning to expand its operations in Malaysia - opening six hypermarkets next year to add to the eight stores already open there. Another will open by the end of the year.
Australia’s government has apparently ruled out any likelihood of it allowing pharmacies to open in supermarkets, following lobbying by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to prevent such a move.
n no big deals
n new stores