The multiples are supporting Fairtrade fortnight with a series of instore activities and promotions between March 4-17. Fairly traded products generate annual UK sales approaching £50m. Kerry Group has signed an agreement to sell its Bailieboro milk processing business to Lakeland Dairies for E33m. The business was acquired as part of the Golden Vale acquisition last year. Ahold has pledged to increase spending on store opening and remodelling by 16% to $3.5bn this year in a bid to boost organic sales growth. Japanese dairy giant Snow Brand Milk Products is reported to be considering an alliance with local dairy operators to stave off ruin. Spar has opened a second store in Moscow. Three more are expected to open before August. Billington's is providing a boost for natural unrefined cane sugars with a new cookbook in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign called the Utterly Unrefined Cookbook. German minister of consumer protection, food and agriculture Renate Künast has been given the German-British Forum award for promoting organic farming and reforming agriculture, and making a notable contribution to Anglo-German relations. South African Breweries' Zambian subsidiary has bought all the outstanding shares in Coca-Cola bottler Zambia Bottlers in a $21.5m deal. Herbal specialist Potter's has secured a long term deal to supply herbal medicines to Tesco. Sainsbury category planning expert Richard Bickerton has left the multiple to take up a consultancy role at Leeds based research and marketing consultants, The Cog. Specialist confectionery cash and carry group Hancocks will slash prices on Easter eggs on Sunday, March 3, as part of a One Day Easter Special promotion. Pernod Ricard announced an increase in its global spirits and wines sales last year of 9.1% to E1.92. Its 10 key brands all grew, with the best performance recorded by Jacob's Creek up 19%. Customs and Excise is to launch a legal battle against big British retailers, including Tesco, over VAT on credit and debit card handling fees. It says the retailers set the VAT-free administration fees at 2.5% as a tax scam, as actual processing costs are much lower. Tesco said:"We have made no profit from this mechanism." BP says sales at it retail driven Connect forecourts were an average 35% higher than the best BP Express in the last three months of 2001. The Heart of England Co-op Society is mailing a new privilege card to its 6,000-member database. The card entitles members to offers and discounts including free delivery on non-food items over £100. Non-members can pick up application forms in store. {{NEWS }}