Iceland Foods founder and CEO Malcolm Walker told of his “delight” at purchasing the UK frozen food retailer today (9 March) after months of talks to secure the firm. Elsewhere, Dairy Crest announced a review of its St Huberts unit, which it said would reduce its debt and help it invest in its core business. Analysts also poured over Tesco‘s plans to revitalise its UK business and full-year results from Carrefour, while Morrisons, which also announced its annual financial figures, outlined its expansion plans and fresh food initiatives.
“I am utterly delighted that we have been able to conclude a deal that ensures a secure, independent future for this great British company” – Iceland Foods founder and CEO Malcolm Walker on the purchase of the UK frozen food retailer.
Go deeper with GlobalData
“Carrefour will likely take many years to turn around, require significant price investment and therefore we envisage a further period of earnings pressure and shareholder value destruction” – Matthew Truman, European food retail analyst, JP Morgan Cazenove on Carrefour’s FY results.
“We are trading for today whilst building for tomorrow” – Morrisons CEO Dalton Philips as the UK retailer underlined its plans to expand its convenience business and emphasise its fresh food credentials.
“Dairy Crest has been unable to make additional synergistic acquisitions in Continental Europe as it envisaged at the time of its acquisition of St Hubert and it believes that greater value may be generated for shareholders through the consideration of all the available options for St Hubert” – Dairy Crest on the launch of a review on the future of St Hubert, its branded spreads business in France.
“There is a battle in the fresh arena that Tesco is joining, and if it gets its act together in availability, ranging and service, this may cause ripples elsewhere in the trade” – Shore Capital analyst Clive Black says Tesco’s plans to revitalise sales could have an impact on competitors.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData“What you’ll see this year is Waitrose become more price competitive” – Waitrose MD Mark Price tells just-food the UK retailer will continue to fight hard on price.
“Already under immense pressure, shoppers here can only sustain so much and this pressure translates itself into a strong downward force on inflation. Suppliers are fearful of raising prices or breaking the cycle of promotions” – Rod Street of SymphonyIRI highlights the circular influence of rising food prices and purchasing power.
“It is always sad to propose the closure of factories. However, fierce competition require us to continue producing products with high quality at a low cost” – Cloetta president and CEO Bengt Baron gives reasons for the closure of five facilities.
“I don’t think necessarily we’ll have to go to the table. I think the table will come to us. Everybody will look at it. We will too… [but] there are many people out there that might have a greater interest in it than we do” – Smithfield Foods CFO Bo Manly reveals banks are touting Sara Lee’s meat business for sale.
“Our people are integral to our business and decisions like this are not taken lightly. We have remained transparent throughout this process and kept them aware of possible changes for the past year, in line with our principles” – Michael Ryan, general manager of Mars’ chocolate unit in Australia, on its move to cut jobs in the country.
