News

SIAL China, the largest food innovation exhibition in Asia, took place on May 14-16 in Shanghai. With 4,300 exhibitors and 117,595 professional visitors at this year expo, it was the largest to date. The presentation of the SIAL Innovation 2019 Award was a highlight of the event. SIAL Innovation is …

Bernie Hughes (right) will replace Justin Sargent as Pacific Managing Director at Nielsen, the company has announced. Mr Hughes will lead Nielsen’s Connect business, while Justin Sargent will head up its China Zone as President. About Bernie Hughes Mr Hughes has held several leadership positions in retail and media measurement …

Metcash has reached an agreement with Drakes Supermarkets to supply its stores in Queensland for another five years. The announcement comes after the expiry of its existing supply agreement on June 2, 2019. According to the Financial Review, the agreement means Metcash is “removing a major threat to its revenue …

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has awarded an increase of three per cent (3.0%) in the minimum and award wages. The change will take effect on the first full pay period on or after July 1, 2019. The FWC released its decision in the 2018/2019 wage review at 11am on …

Coca-Cola Amatil has become the newest member of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSD Australia). The beverages company says it has “a growing commitment to sustainability” and “a sustainability framework … embedded in the organisation”. It says it reports regularly on environmental performance and has set sustainability goals …

Coles is cutting down on food waste by selling “unattractive” fruit and vegetables under a new banner, ‘I’m Perfect’. The supermarket calls the produce “flawed but adored”. Coles General Manager of Produce Brad Gorman says it’s one way Coles is working with suppliers to reduce food waste. “Our customers know …

The proportion of the Australian population drinking alcohol continues to fall, although cider is becoming more popular. This is the headline finding from Roy Morgan’s ‘Alcohol Consumption Currency Report March 2019’. In an average four-week period, the report found, 67.5 per cent of the Australian population aged 18 and over …

Highly sexualised imagery in advertising causes some of us to feel dirty – just not in the way we might think. In fact, rather than making consumers feel sexy, such imagery can make them feel physically dirty instead. It can then motivate them to buy hygiene products such as toothpaste, …

The Board of Strikeforce AMC has completed the acquisition of The Blueprint Group, the sales/field marketing group that includes brands such as Powerforce, CCS, AusRep and Extravert. Stronger together Strikeforce MD and CEO Matt Lloyd says the acquisition will benefit both groups. “[We’ll be] stronger together by combining complementary strength, …