International News
Tesco Aims to Double Number of Convenience Stores
The grocer says it thinks there’s room for 1,000 more Tesco Express stores in the United Kingdom.
Posted Nov 17, 2009
Nestle: Food Price Volatility Has Become Permanent
Food summit in Rome later this week will consider ways to deal with price volatility while still responding to humanitarian emergencies.
Posted Nov 16, 2009
FamilyMart Seeks Purchase of am/pm Japan Co.
Japan’s third-largest convenience store operator is in talks to purchase smaller competitor.
Posted Nov 13, 2009
Processing Fee Fight Heading To Ottawa
Retail Council of Canada leads fight over debit processing fees.
Posted Nov 5, 2009
Japan Considers Higher Cigarette Taxes
Complicating the plan is Japan’s ownership of Japan Tobacco.
Posted Nov 4, 2009
Leaf Groups Seek Challenge of Canadian Law
Burley farmers urge U.S. trade officials to take their complaint to the World Trade Organization.
Posted Nov 3, 2009
National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco Applauds Quebec’s Stance on Contraband Tobacco
Coalition urges Ontario government to take similar action.
Posted Oct 30, 2009
Northern Ireland’s Alcohol Sales Soar
High alcohol tax rate has Ireland’s citizens crossing into Northern Ireland, spiking alcohol sales by 30 percent. Officials are pushing for alcohol tax reform.
Posted Oct 29, 2009
Nestle, Marks & Spencer Embrace Palm Oil
The food manufacturer and the U.K. retailer have committed to using sustainable palm oil.
Posted Oct 28, 2009
Call to End Tobacco Display Ban
Retailers Against Smuggling claim that Ireland’s legal tobacco trade has been “practically wiped out” since a display took effect in July.
Posted Oct 27, 2009
Record Number of Brazilian Delegates Attend NACS Show
More than 350 franchise owners from Ipiranga attend the NACS Show.
Posted Oct 23, 2009
International Forum Provides Networking, Seminars
The two-day event offered valuable networking opportunities for international attendees.
Posted Oct 23, 2009
Worldwide Ideas Inspire Operators
NACS Show workshop presents a global view of a changing c-store industry.
Posted Oct 22, 2009
Tesco Opens First Self-Checkout Store in U.K.
Some critics warn that the “death of the sales clerk” could backfire for the U.K. supermarket chain.
Posted Oct 22, 2009
Russian Roulette: Carrefour Beats Hasty Russian Retreat
Citing an absence of growth prospects in the short- and medium-term, the world’s second largest retailer withdraws from Russia, just months after opening its first store.
Posted Oct 20, 2009
Marks & Spencer Explores Online Food Sales
A company spokesperson confirms that the retailer is eyeing Internet food sales.
Posted Oct 16, 2009
MPs Approve Cigarette Vending Ban
The U.K. may ban cigarette vending machines and prevent stores from displaying tobacco products.
Posted Oct 15, 2009
Nova Scotia Price Gouging Fines To Increase 100-Fold
But government concedes that it lacks the expertise to evaluate emergency plans from utilities, gas companies, and stores.
Posted Oct 15, 2009
Carrefour Launches Mini Format
French hypermarket chain Carrefour is launching a new retail format to bolster its position in the Thai market.
Posted Oct 15, 2009
Australia Bans Some Energy Drinks
Investigation reveals that more than three-quarters of energy drinks for sale in New South Wales may contain illegal levels of caffeine, with some exceeding the legal limit by more than 30 percent.
Posted Oct 8, 2009
Quebec Plans Suit Against Tobacco Companies
Quebec’s announcement falls just days after Ontario filed a $50 billion (CDN) lawsuit against tobacco manufacturers.
Posted Oct 8, 2009
Receding Food Inflation Erodes U.K. Supermarket Growth
News is favorable for consumers but ominous for food retailers, who are experiencing slower sales growth and falling revenue.
Posted Oct 8, 2009
Support Grows to Hide Cigarettes at U.K. Retailers
Anti-smoking groups use consumer petitions to urge the government to mandate that cigarette displays be hidden.
Posted Oct 6, 2009
Ontario Government Launches $50B Tobacco Lawsuit
Province seeks reimbursement for health-care costs linked to tobacco-related illnesses.
Posted Oct 1, 2009
McDonald’s Gears Up for European Assault on Starbucks
The QSR takes its McCafe overseas in the hopes of becoming the “number-one coffee seller in Europe.”
Posted Sep 30, 2009
Asian Convenience Stores See Earnings Rate Soar
Retailers outside Japan have seen profits increase and margins expand.
Posted Sep 29, 2009
Visa Europe, MasterCard To Appeal Hungary Cartel Fine
Hungary’s competition authority assesses $10.49 million fine on European credit card companies as part of a cartel charge for setting commission rates.
Posted Sep 28, 2009
Waitrose Plans Additional 300 Convenience Stores
U.K.-based retailer will add more smaller format stores with a focus on fresh foods.
Posted Sep 25, 2009
Canadian Coalition Welcomes Ontario Debate on Contraband Tobacco
NCACT says every politician should be shocked at the crisis of contraband tobacco.
Posted Sep 25, 2009
Retail Sales Unexpectedly Slide
Canadian sales fell a surprising 0.6 per cent in July amid lower prices at the pump.
Posted Sep 24, 2009
Germany to Launch Nationwide Hydrogen Fuel Network by 2015
Signs a memorandum of understanding with eight industrial partners, including Daimler, Shell, and Total.
Posted Sep 17, 2009
Canada to Boost Food Safety With $75 Million in Upgrades
Canada will upgrade its food safety system and hire more inspectors in the wake of a listeriosis outbreak in 2008 that killed 22 people.
Posted Sep 15, 2009
British Medical Association Calls for Ban Alcohol Ads
New report claims that a ban on all alcohol advertising will curb the U.K. drinking culture.
Posted Sep 11, 2009
Consumers Continue to Focus on Enjoyment
A recent global consumer trends survey finds that people are discovering ways to lighten the mood.
Posted Sep 9, 2009
NZ Convenience Store Association Tackles Energy Shot Guidelines
The group is working with manufacturers and retailers to keep energy shots out of the hands of children.
Posted Sep 8, 2009
Lawson Announces Drug Store/C-Store Combo
Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain announced plans to jointly open stores with the nation's largest drugstore operator, Matsumotokiyoshi.
Posted Sep 4, 2009
Down Under Going Up In Smokes
Cigarettes prices in Australia would increase to $20 per pack under new plan.
Posted Sep 3, 2009
5,000 British Retailers ‘Could Go Bust Next Year’
Annual business failures have nearly doubled in the U.K. since 2007.
Posted Sep 3, 2009
Soup’s On! (Oden, Actually.)
The heat is on as Japan’s convenience stores aim to lure customers with steaming oden.
Posted Sep 3, 2009
Tea Prices Brewing Up To Beat Record
Depleting global inventories are sending tea to all-time high prices.
Posted Sep 3, 2009
Chevron Obtains Bribery Evidence in Ecuador Lawsuit
The oil company said that it has video recordings of meetings that reveal a scheme related to its $27 billion environmental damage lawsuit.
Posted Sep 2, 2009
Reserve Bank of Australia Re-Affirms Interchange Fee Reforms
RBA considered easing its control over interchange fees, though it determined that the card industry did not take sufficient steps to provide assurances that abuses would not recur.
Posted Sep 1, 2009
Mexico City Bans Plastic Bags
Mexico City gives businesses one year to phase out non-biodegradable plastic bags.
Posted Aug 27, 2009
MasterCard, New Zealand Agree on Fees
Now, credit card issuers can individually set the interchange fees.
Posted Aug 25, 2009
Tesco Displays Milk’s Carbon Footprint
The supermarket chain becomes the United Kingdom’s first retailer to add carbon footprints to its private-label milk.
Posted Aug 19, 2009
The End of Buy One, Get One Free in the U.K.?
In effort to reduce food waste, UK government pressures supermarkets to ban BOGOF deal.
Posted Aug 13, 2009
U.K. Grocers Wage Price War
Sales and profits rise at major U.K. grocers, whose common theme is value.
Posted Aug 11, 2009
Seniors Seek Full Serve
Group is urging local gas stations in Canada to bring back full-service.
Posted Aug 7, 2009
Canadian Gas Consumption Hits All-Time High
April consumption in Canada 3.6 percent higher than last year; economists see another sign that recession has not been as deep as in the U.S.
Posted Jul 23, 2009
Japan’s Convenience Store Sales Fall on Cigarettes
Sales decline is the first in more than a year.
Posted Jul 23, 2009
The Ultimate in General Merchandise Sales
South Korean convenience store retailer GS25 begins selling cars.
Posted Jul 21, 2009
Japanese Beer Companies Discuss Merging
Together, Kirin and Suntory would control half of Japan’s beer market.
Posted Jul 15, 2009
Philip Morris to Purchase Colombia Cigarette Manufacturer
The tobacco company will buy Productora Tabacalera de Colombia for $452 million.
Posted Jul 13, 2009
Taiwan’s Booming Convenience Store Industry
Country ranks number one in the world with the highest density of convenience stores.
Posted Jul 10, 2009
Aussie Smokes Could Hit $20 (AUS) Per Pack
Australia’s effort to reduce smoking could have die-hards reaching for their wallets, shelling out roughly $16 US per pack.
Posted Jul 7, 2009
Supermarkets Expand Outlets in Czech Republic
Concepts especially aggressive in adding more locations include discount and convenience stores.
Posted Jul 6, 2009
Circle K joins Vietnam’s Retail Market
Circle K’s expansion plans include opening more than 500 stores in 20 provinces and cities throughout Vietnam.
Posted Jun 23, 2009
Vending for Gold
German man hopes to rollout and franchise vending machines that sell gold coins.
Posted Jun 22, 2009
Germans Turn To Sweets and Snacks
ACNielsen data shows that German consumers seek sweet and savory comfort foods to soothe their financial discontent.
Posted Jun 22, 2009
Study Cites Global Retail Trends, Prospects
A.T. Kearney report says economic downturn has increased emerging market opportunities for global retailers.
Posted Jun 19, 2009
Is Water the New Oil?
Today, more people worldwide are living in water-stressed areas, with that number expected to increase.
Posted Jun 17, 2009
Esso Stations Get Drive-thru ATMs
By the end of this year, 10 Singapore stations will have drive-thru ATMs with five more planned in 2010.
Posted Jun 16, 2009
U.K. Wine Sales Slows
The decline is attributed to a trend toward healthy lifestyles and heavy taxes.
Posted Jun 15, 2009
Japan Deregulates OTC Drug Sales
Convenience stores could tap into the country’s $12.4 billion OTC drug market.
Posted Jun 2, 2009
Canadian Legislation Prohibits Additives in Tobacco Products
The bill would not permit fruit flavors and other additives, such as sugar or vitamins, to be added to little cigars, cigarettes and blunt wraps.
Posted May 27, 2009
Starbucks Offers Mobile Coupon Loyalty Deal
The coffeehouse chain teams with Codilink for a test program in Mexico.
Posted Apr 28, 2009
Retailers Want Ottawa to Regulate Card Fees
In Canada, retailers also express concern for the future of debit transaction fees and seek to keep Interac’s system in-check.
Posted Apr 23, 2009
The NACS Global Forum: New Ideas, Foodservice Innovations
Explore fresh perspectives from performance-driven industry leaders and experts at the NACS Global Forum in June.
Posted Apr 3, 2009
Health Canada Against Electronic Smoking
The agency advises Canadians not to buy or use e-cigarettes.
Posted Apr 3, 2009
Council to Revisit Plastic Bottle Debate
Decision to scrap plastic drink containers could be reconsidered.
Posted Mar 19, 2009
Companies Drop Dairy With rbST
Dairies and retailers are cutting the synthetic hormone from dairy products.
Posted Mar 18, 2009
Walmart Takes Freshest Candy Honors
Quick turnover keeps Walmart’s Canadian chocolate inventory fresher than the competition.
Posted Mar 17, 2009
Carrefour to Launch New Value Line
French supermarket giant aims to compete with rivals over price.
Posted Mar 13, 2009
Canadian Retailers Welcome Card and Debit Fees Review
A decision to hold hearings on Canada’s card business is lauded by retailers.
Posted Mar 12, 2009
BK Launches Whopper Bar
The new restaurant concept takes burger customization to the next level.
Posted Mar 12, 2009
Hong Kong Smokers Undeterred by 50 Percent Tobacco Tax
Anti-tobacco groups welcome tobacco tax increase, but smokers vow to keep smoking.
Posted Mar 5, 2009
Is Banning Tobacco Displays Effective?
The New Zealand Prime Minister says that there is no evidence to support banning tobacco displays from shops is working.
Posted Feb 25, 2009
Tesco Backtracks U.S. Business Plan
The U.K. retailer admits to making mistakes with its Fresh & Easy concept in the United States.
Posted Feb 24, 2009
U.S., Canada Join on Energy Plan
President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced last week an energy initiative to strengthen NAFTA on the environment.
Posted Feb 23, 2009
PepsiCo Worldwide Sales Rise
PepsiCo’s worldwide sales increased for both snacks and beverages in its fourth quarter.
Posted Feb 19, 2009
Cow Urine Spices Up Soft Drink Sales
Bovine waste will debut in “Gau Jal” by year’s end, a drink that touts medicinal benefits.
Posted Feb 19, 2009
Smoking Fatwa Issued in Indonesia
An Indonesia fatwa prohibiting smoking angers smokers.
Posted Jan 30, 2009
Visa Nears Interchange Fee Deal With EU
Visa Europe is close to ending its dispute with EU competition authorities regarding transaction fees.
Posted Jan 22, 2009