Planet Retail 25 Jun 2009

Wal-Mart has launched a ‘Sustainability Pact' in order to seek out more sustainable practices in the entire supply chain in Brazil. The project will gather over 300 suppliers and 200 NGOs as well as government authorities, partners and associates.

foodanddrinkeurope.com, report by Neil Merrett, 16-Jun-2009

As protests continue around Europe from dairy farmers concerned about covering their costs in the current market, French producers appear to have succeeded in speeding up government scrutiny of supermarket pay practices, according to reports.

fruitnet.com 09 June 2009

An Indian parliamentary panel has recommended foreign and large domestic companies be banned from retailing food, and that no more licenses for wholesale stores be issued.

Planet Retail 1 Jun 2009

Wal-Mart has opened its first wholesale outlet in the northern city of Amritsar, Punjab on Saturday. The Best Price Modern Wholesale store is a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises and offers 6,000 products, 90% of which are sourced locally. According to a company statement, the venture plans to open 10 or 15 wholesale outlets and employ 5,000 people during the next three years.

The Press and Journal, Published: 28/05/2009

Regulation could be on the way to protect farmers from retailers buying farm produce at below the cost of production. Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead last night gave his clearest hint yet that legislation may be introduced to govern relationships between farmers and retailers to ensure a fairer distribution of profits through the supply chain.

Planet Retail 27 May 2009

Wal-Mart India is now planning to accelerate its expansion plans by opening up to 15 stores in the country within three years, instead of seven as earlier planned. Wal-Mart India President Raj Jain said: "In 2007, we talked about opening up of 10-15 stores in the next seven years. I think we can open 10-15 (stores) over the next three years. Besides realty prices, the company's confidence in doing business in India has improved significantly. Whatever we plan, we can probably accelerate that based on the learning we had over the last eighteen months."

26/05/2009 Farmers Weekly (UK)

The NFU is alerting the public to the need for a supermarket ombudsman ahead of the deadline for retailers to sign up to the Competition Commission's proposals.

Planet Retail 21 May 2009

Wal-Mart is set to open its first store in India on 26 May in Amritsar, Punjab, under the BestPrice Modern Wholesale banner. The cash and carry outlet will be the first of 10-15 expected to open in India in the next five to seven years. Operated via a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises, the outlets are expected to offer a selling space of between 5,000 and 10,000 square metres.

28 April 2009

On 28 April, Nestlé organized the first Annual Forum on Creating Shared Value (CSV) in New York City, in conjunction with the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Swiss Mission to the United Nations. The forum included some of the world's leading experts in business strategy, nutrition, water, and rural development (notable names in the agenda include Michael E. Porter, C.K. Prahalad, and Jeffrey Sachs). The day-long event dealt with needed action and policy changes at the global and national policy level, opportunities for progress, and the role of business, including the food business, in helping advance solutions to the challenges facing society in water, food, and nutrition security.

National Farmers Union (UK) April 21 2009

Speaking after the announcement of impressive Tesco financial results NFU President Peter Kendall is quoted:  "To a Tesco supplier, 'savings in the supply chain' often means that they will be subject to even more unreasonable demands including lump sum payments to contribute to that impressive bottom line. Following the conclusion of the Competition Commission investigation last year it is clear that unreasonable behaviour impacts on the consumer. In the consumer's best interests, Government must implement the Commission's remedies, including a grocery market ombudsman, if it is unable to secure undertakings from retailers such as Tesco."