Pernod Ricard has denied reports that French wine firm Castel Frères is the only company left in the bidding for Oddbins, which Pernod is expected to sell after it has acquired the chain as part of the Seagram portfolio. French food giant Danone is understood to be in talks to sell its Italian cheese division Galbani to London based private equity firm BC Partners in a £1bn deal. Sunderland market trader Steven Thoburn and four other metric martyrs' appeared in the High Court this week to defend their right to sell goods using Imperial measures. Premier International Foods preserves division Chivers Hartley has bought the Nelson's preserves business from AB Foods for an undisclosed sum. Nelson's operates from a single site in Aintree, Liverpool. Argos is in talks with Spar about using its store network as a means of ordering and collecting goods from its catalogues. Shoppers would order Argos products from instore terminals at Spar outlets. US supermarket Safeway has started its tests of an online shopping service powered by the Tesco.com system at undisclosed locations in California. TM Retail, which operates the Forbuoys and Martins chains, has launched a new brand for its variety stores ­ More. Booker is offering a sale or return deal on over 300 lines from its Malt House Vintners wines and spirits range in the run up to Christmas. Bestway's Christmas 2001 range is available in all 27 depots. Retailers are advised to remerchandise their alcohol displays and create a themed festive display area with point of sale material and merchandising props to create impact. Taste of Anglia has launched a new ad campaign in regional magazines to promote food and drink from the region in conjunction with Food from Britain and the East of England Development Agency. PepsiCo is seeking a substantial stake in Mexican soft drinks firm Jugos del Valle in a bid to increase its share in a market dominated by Coca-Cola. Interbrew has completed the sale of its majority stake in Ukrainian brewery Krym to local firm Donetsk to satisfy regulatory concerns over its acquisition of Rogan Brewery. Interbrew is now the market leader in Ukraine. Discounter Aldi has launched a website at www.aldi.com. The site covers all its international operations, with links to sections including storefinder, recruitment and special buys. Italian farm minister Giovanni Alemanno said a new agreement with Spain might lead to Spain withdrawing its bid to host the new European Food Authority, improving Italy's chances of hosting the authority in Parma. {{NEWS }}

Topics