US: A group of six Amish farmers from Michigan have lost a legal battle against the US Department of Agriculture calling for RFID tagging of cattle to be outlawed. The group said use of the tags was against their religious beliefs and that only God should have dominion over animals. The US District Court threw the case out after concluding it was a state matter and therefore subject to Michigan law.
GERMANY: Metro Group has reported a 3.2% fall in group sales to 30.5bn (£25.89bn) during the six months to 30 June. Germany's largest retailer said this reflected the impact of weaker currencies in Eastern Europe and declining food prices. It added that sales were likely to continue to fall because rising unemployment was set to further reduce consumer spending.
However, Metro Group's expansion plans were on track despite the economic downturn, said CEO Eckhard Cordes. The retailer opened 30 new stores during the first half of 2009 and plans to open a further 50 by the end of the year.
AUSTRALIA: The Australian supermarket industry has been accused of being "backward" by Joe Blundell, head of marketing at Coles. Blundell, who joined the retailer from Asda last year, claimed the industry needed to improve the image of supermarkets. He said he was embarking on a major revamp to transform Coles from a retailer that dictated to shoppers into one that listened to them. Blundell said he was confident the industry had the potential to turn itself around.
POLAND: E Leclerc is set to acquire 25 stores from Rewe Group under the Billa fascia for an undisclosed amount, bringing its supermarket portfolio in Poland to 45. Rewe pledged to remain in Poland and said it would focus on growing its Selgros cash-and-carry wholesale business. It added that it planned to open three more stores by the end of next year.
"I am happy that E Leclerc was awarded the take-over in Poland and that it now has the critical mass needed for acting on this market", said Alain Caparros, CEO of Rewe Group.
GERMANY: Metro Group has reported a 3.2% fall in group sales to 30.5bn (£25.89bn) during the six months to 30 June. Germany's largest retailer said this reflected the impact of weaker currencies in Eastern Europe and declining food prices. It added that sales were likely to continue to fall because rising unemployment was set to further reduce consumer spending.
However, Metro Group's expansion plans were on track despite the economic downturn, said CEO Eckhard Cordes. The retailer opened 30 new stores during the first half of 2009 and plans to open a further 50 by the end of the year.
AUSTRALIA: The Australian supermarket industry has been accused of being "backward" by Joe Blundell, head of marketing at Coles. Blundell, who joined the retailer from Asda last year, claimed the industry needed to improve the image of supermarkets. He said he was embarking on a major revamp to transform Coles from a retailer that dictated to shoppers into one that listened to them. Blundell said he was confident the industry had the potential to turn itself around.
POLAND: E Leclerc is set to acquire 25 stores from Rewe Group under the Billa fascia for an undisclosed amount, bringing its supermarket portfolio in Poland to 45. Rewe pledged to remain in Poland and said it would focus on growing its Selgros cash-and-carry wholesale business. It added that it planned to open three more stores by the end of next year.
"I am happy that E Leclerc was awarded the take-over in Poland and that it now has the critical mass needed for acting on this market", said Alain Caparros, CEO of Rewe Group.
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