SABMiller buys Argentine brewer

SABMiller on Wednesday announced its entry into the Argentine market after agreeing to buy CASA Isenbeck from German rival Warsteiner Group for an undisclosed sum. 25 Nov 2010 11:38

Nampak plan to box clever pays off

Nampak announced that for the year ended 30 September 2010, its operating profit increased by 126% following good turnarounds in the paper businesses in South Africa and Europe and the sale or closure of a number of loss-making businesses. 24 Nov 2010 09:51

GM restructures African business, seeking growth

[Michael Bratt] General Motors (GM) has announced a new strategy for African business, which it hopes will allow GM to capitalise on the growing opportunities around the continent. 23 Nov 2010 12:36

Unilever to halve CO2 impact

Unilever has announced plans to halve the environmental footprint of its products by 2020, to help 1 billion people improve their health and well-being and to source all of its agricultural raw materials sustainably. 16 Nov 2010 13:17

Consumer packaged goods trends for 2011

LONDON, UK: Mintel, the global leader in market and consumer intelligence, has predicted the worldwide consumer packaged goods (CPG) trends set to make an impact in 2011. 8 Nov 2010 07:47

Eco-lovers attracted by perceived superior quality

CHICAGO, US: Consumer demand for sustainable food and drink continues to grow, and companies are increasing the supply, as Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) has tracked more than 13 000 new sustainable food and drink products since 2005. While 84% of consumers say they regularly buy green or sustainable food and drink, some are unaware of what the claims actually mean. 5 Nov 2010 11:24

Asia's 2011 optical industry looking good

SINGAPORE: Over 90% of optical retailers across six Asian markets are optimistic that the industry will continue to do well, if not better next year. 3 Nov 2010 11:19

VAT change eliminates carousel fraud threat from carbon markets

Carousel fraud, estimated to have cost the EU €5bn in lost tax revenues, will be eliminated from UK trading after changes to VAT regulations came into force this week. 3 Nov 2010 11:06

UK: October sees rise in consumer confidence

LONDON, UK: The GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index increased by 1 point this month to -19. October saw increases for confidence in their personal financial situation over the last 12 months, confidence in their personal financial situation over the next 12 months and, confidence in the "general economy" over the last 12 months. 1 Nov 2010 11:23

Hope for full global economic recovery in 2010 diminishes

NEW YORK, US: After an upbeat start to the year with two consecutive quarters of increases in optimism, global consumer confidence fell three points in September to an Index of 90 as consumers' hopes for a full economic recovery this year fades in most parts of the world, according to the latest edition of the Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index. 27 Oct 2010 06:22

SABMiller restarts reporting of Zim ops

Global brewing giant SABMiller Plc said Monday (18 October 2010) that it has recommenced reporting the results of its Zimbabwe associate, Delta Corporation with effect from 1 April 2010. The business contributed total beverage volumes in the six months to September 2010 of 1.0 million hectolitres, including lager volumes of 0.3 million hectolitres. 25 Oct 2010 10:24

Public sector spending cuts could significantly affect private sector jobs

LONDON, UK: PwC research finds that industries such as the outsourcing market could help alleviate potential combined public and private sector job losses due to public sector spending cuts and that public sector spending cuts could reduce private sector gross output by around £46 billion (about R500 billion) per annum by 2014/15. 15 Oct 2010 08:14

Sustained business recovery on the cards as companies look to re-start investment

LONDON, UK: The latest Global Business Outlook Survey from KPMG International suggests that businesses are ready to begin investing again as the healthy optimism recorded earlier in the year holds firm. Overall, business optimism remains static but strong, with India and China leading the way; while UK and Spain are still less confident. 3 Aug 2010 12:20