Retail News CRM

Category: Food

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Food and Food & Beverage news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Domino’s buys up Taiwan operations

    Domino’s buys up Taiwan operations

    Fast food company Domino’s Pizza Enterprises is to acquire Domino’s Taiwan as part of its global expansion plan.

    The company has entered a binding agreement with Formosa International Hotels under which Domino’s will buy the Taiwan operation for $79 million on a cash and debt-free basis.

    “This is a market with tremendous opportunities for our business and this acquisition provides similar opportunities for the local team,” said Don Meij, CEO and MD at Domino’s Pizza.

    “Our expansion focus has been on identifying opportunities with large total addressable markets and a stable economy.”

    The deal is expected to close in the first half of FY2022.

    Domino’s is Taiwan’s second-largest pizza chain with 157 corporate and franchised stores across the territory. As part of the acquisition, Domino’s Pizza aims to increase the store network to more than 400 stores.

    The company also plans to expand the brand’s footprint in Asia from 1500 stores to 1900 stores by 2032.

    “We intend to expand the store footprint through opening more corporate stores, introducing new, internal, franchisees to the network, helping existing franchises profitably expand their businesses, and investing in the network and our people to drive long-term growth,” Meij added.

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  • Campos picked up by Dutch coffee giant for undisclosed sum

    Campos picked up by Dutch coffee giant for undisclosed sum

    Australian coffee chain Campos will be acquired by international pureplay JDE Peet for an undisclosed sum, with the transaction expected to be completed next month.

    Campos serves customers through direct-to-consumer, retail, and its own flagship cafes, as well as being available in over 600 cafes nationwide – channels that complement JDE Peet’s Australian retail operations.

    “We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved from our humble beginnings on the streets of Newtown in Sydney,” said Campos founder Will Young.

    “We are confident that Campos can and will continue to grow under JDE Peet’s stewardship by continuing to focus on what made us Australia’s number one specialty coffee brand – high-quality coffee and great service.”

    JDE Peet’s general manager in Australia and New Zealand Albert Moncau said the Campos business is the “perfect fit” for the pureplay giant.

    “We look forward to welcoming the Campos team to our world of coffee and tea, learning from each other’s expertise and building on their award-winning coffee experience,” Moncau said.

    JDE Peet also owns and operates the L’OR, Moccona, Harris, Piazza Doro, Espresso di Manfredi, Two Seasons and Pickwick coffee and tea brands in Australia

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  • Paris Baguette enters Cambodia

    Paris Baguette enters Cambodia

    SPC Group is launching the Paris Baguette bakery franchise in Cambodia, opening the first branch in the country‘s capital city, the company said Wednesday.

    According to SPC Group, the Korean firm behind bakery brand Paris Baguette, it forged ties with Cambodia’s HSC Group to open the first Paris Baguette store in Phnom Penh.

    Cambodia is the sixth country in which Paris Baguette has launched, and it is the first time the bakery operator has formed a joint venture for its overseas business, SPC Group said.

    For the business partnership, Paris Baguette’s affiliate in Singapore established a joint venture, dubbed H.SPC, with HSC Food&Beverages, an affiliate of the Cambodian conglomerate, SPC Group said.

    With the launch of Paris Baguette in Cambodia, SPC Group aims to penetrate into the Southeast Asian market.

    “SPC Group is committed to expanding business in Southeast Asia,” an SPC Group official said.

    “We recently met with a Malaysian senior minister to discuss establishing a halal-certified food factory there, and we are reviewing plans to tap into Indonesia, which has the biggest market in the region. We also plan to enter the Middle East market in the future.”

    The first Paris Baguette store in Cambodia is located in the central area of Boeung Keng Kang in the capital city, occupying the entire space of a three-story building.

    SPC Group operates about 430 Paris Baguette stores overseas in six countries — China, the United States, France, Vietnam, Singapore and Cambodia.

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  • SunRice launches cook-in flavour rice sachets

    SunRice launches cook-in flavour rice sachets

    Australian rice company SunRice has launched Flavour Your Rice, the brand’s first range of cook-in flavor rice sachets.

    The easy-to-use paste sachet adds flavor to ordinary rice by using it as a base during the cooking process, making an easy side dish or a meal on its own, said SunRice.

    Flavor Your Rice is available in three different flavors – Indian Spice, Thai Coconut, and Lemon, Chicken, and Herb.

    “Aussie consumers are increasingly looking for products that offer taste and convenience, without compromising on quality,” said Andrew Jeffrey, Head of Marketing, SunRice.

    “Flavour Your Rice is a quick and easy flavor solution bringing authentic Indian and Thai flavors to Aussie tables,”

    There are three sachets per pack and the product is sold in Woolworths and independent grocers nationwide.

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  • Kraft Heinz gives away bulk ketchup to Melbourne small businesses

    Kraft Heinz gives away bulk ketchup to Melbourne small businesses

    Food and beverage company Kraft-Heinz is giving away 12-liter cartons of Heinz Tomato Ketchup to small business owners in Melbourne, including burger restaurants and other quick-service restaurants.

    As restrictions ease across Victoria, the company says it wants to help business owners affected by Covid-19 lockdowns get back on their feet with complimentary product deliveries. 

    “We know that the Melbourne restaurant industry has been hit hard by the latest lockdowns, with small, independent businesses particularly impacted,” said Marisa Jones, head of marketing foodservice ANZ at Kraft Heinz.

    “Whether you’re a burger bar, cafe owner or run another quick-service restaurant, we want to provide our foodservice community with an offer of assistance,” she said. 

    Eligible businesses are those located in the Melbourne metropolitan area, of 30 employees or less, privately owned and not part of a franchise group. The offer will be limited to one carton per business, who do not have to be an existing customer of Kraft Heinz.

    Business owners can apply for this offer from Kraft Heinz here until June 30 or until supplies last. Each delivery will consist of a carton of Heinz Tomato Ketchup containing three 4-litre bottles. 

  • Vietnamese rice faces competition from India in Philippines

    Vietnamese rice faces competition from India in Philippines

    The Philippines is set to import a lot of rice from India at $100 cheaper per ton than Vietnamese rice as it diversifies its supply sources.

    A report by the Agricultural Products Processing and Development Department (Agrotrade) shows that in the first five months of this year, Vietnamese rice exports reached 2.7 million tons at $1.48 billion, down 11.3 percent in volume and 5 percent in value over the same period last year.

    There’s no significant demand by foreign traders as they wait for the summer-autumn harvest season, the report said.

    On the other hand, the price of Vietnamese rice is much higher than that of India and Thailand. A ton of Vietnamese rice is $20 higher than that of Thai rice and over $100 per ton over Indian rice.

    On average, Vietnam’s rice export price in the first four months of this year reached $543 per ton, up 15.4 percent year-on-year. The Philippines is Vietnam’s largest rice-consuming market, accounting for 35.6 percent, but export to this market decreased 20.7 percent in volume and 4.9 percent in value over the same period last year. Similarly, rice exports to Indonesia also decreased sharply by 71.1 percent year on year.

    According to Agrotrade, market demand in the coming time will be high, but Vietnamese rice will face competition in the international market when the prices of Thai and Indian rice are more attractive to buyers.

    Recently, the Philippines eliminated import duties for ASEAN, non-ASEAN, and “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) nations with the goal of increasing imports of cheaper rice from India and Pakistan.

    Specifically, the Philippines has lowered import duties for MFN on rice to a single rate of 35 percent. It had previously imposed a 40 percent in-quota tariff rate and 50 percent out-of-quota tariff rate.

    On June 7, Philippines Finance Minister Carlos Dominguez announced that the country would seek more rice from countries outside Southeast Asia with the goal of diversifying supplies and keeping import prices at a reasonable price. Accordingly, India is a country with cheaper rice that can become a main supplier.

    Vietnam has been the main rice supplier to the Philippines so far. In addition, the Philippines also buys rice from Thailand and India, apart from other countries outside Southeast Asia.

    Vietnam is set to produce 43 million tons of paddy and export 6.5 million tons of rice this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    The nation was the world’s second-largest rice exporter last year at 6.25 million tons.

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  • JBS Foods paid hackers US$11 million to end ransomware attack

    JBS Foods paid hackers US$11 million to end ransomware attack

    Meatpacker JBS USA paid the equivalent of $11 million ransom in a cyberattack that disrupted its North American and Australian operations, the company’s CEO has said in a statement.

    The subsidiary of Brazilian firm JBS SA halted cattle slaughtering at all of its US plants for a day last week in response to the cyberattack, which threatened to disrupt food supply chains and further inflate already high food prices.

    The cyberattack followed one last month on Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline in the US. It disrupted fuel delivery for several days in the nation’s Southeast.

    The JBS meat plants, producing nearly a quarter of America’s beef, recovered faster than some meat buyers and analysts expected.

    “This was a very difficult decision to make for our company and for me personally,” said Andre Nogueira, CEO of JBS USA of the ransom payment. “However, we felt this decision had to be made to prevent any potential risk for our customers.”

    The Brazilian meatpacker’s arm in the US and Pilgrims Pride Corp, a US chicken company mostly owned by JBS, lost less than one day’s worth of food production. JBS is the world’s largest meat producer.

    Third parties are carrying out forensic investigations and no final determinations have been made, JBS said. No company, customer or employee data was compromised in the attack, it said.

    A Russia-linked hacking group is behind the cyberattack against JBS, a source familiar with the matter said last week. The Russia-linked cyber gang goes by the name REvil and Sodinokibi, the source said.

    The Wall Street journal reported on Wednesday that the JBS ransom payment was made in bitcoin.

    The Justice Department on Monday recovered some $2.3 million in cryptocurrency ransom paid by Colonial Pipeline Co, cracking down on hackers who launched the attack.

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  • OmniFoods introduces faux fish range

    OmniFoods introduces faux fish range

    Green Monday, the founder of the OmniFoods plant-based meat alternative products, has expanded into seafood unveiling six plant-based alternative fish products Tuesday, with more to follow.

    “Now, we can enjoy fish and chips without harming the ocean,” said Green Monday co-founder and CEO David Yeung.

    The initial products include precooked battered deep-fried fillets, classic fillets, and burger-shaped fillets and OmniTuna. Faux salmon and crab meat products will join the range soon, while the tuna product marks the first Omni product that can be stored in ambient conditions with no need for chilling or freezing.

    OmniFoods products are distributed in Australia by partners but details of when the seafood replacements will go on sale have yet to be revealed.

    Yeung said the new products can be used in almost any type of cuisine including Thai, Japanese and Korean dishes. They have zero cholesterol, 9gm of protein and have Omega-3, a naturally occurring ingredient of fish, added.

    Researched by Green Monday staff since 2018, the products will be produced in Thailand and soon China as well.

    Since launching in 2012, Green Monday has grown to include advocacy and investment arms as well as producing pork substitutes and investing in Beyond Meat. Today, OmniFoods products are sold in 40,000 points of sale in more than 20 global markets.

    Yeung told the launch event that it is essential the world’s population reduces its consumption of seafood due to depleting resources resulting from overfishing. Global seafood consumption has exploded nine-fold in just 70 year.

    “Ninety percent of the big fish have been wiped out. We are not even talking about dropping supply, we are talking about extinction.”

    With 73 percent of the world’s fish consumption in Asia, OmniFoods is looking to target Asian markets with the new products and engaging chefs around the region to adapt traditional recipes with OmniFoods’ seafood substitutes.

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  • Beyond Meat and Coles launch plant-based meatballs

    Beyond Meat and Coles launch plant-based meatballs

    Beyond Meat has partnered with Coles to bring its plant-based meatballs into Australia.

    Beyond Meatballs will be sold across more than 300 Coles outlets with an RRP of $15. The launch comes at a time when the country is experiencing a rising demand for plant-based products.

    “We’ve seen demand for plant-based meat continue to grow as consumers look for new ways to incorporate plant-based meat options into their diets,” said Ihab Leheta, VP international business development at Beyond Meat.

    “The launch of Beyond Meatballs in Australia marks a new milestone towards our goal in making great-tasting, nutritious and sustainable plant-based meat more accessible to everyone,” said Leheta.

    Beyond Meatballs will join the brand’s existing plant-based products sold in Australia, Beyond Burger and Beyond Mince. Beyond Meat first launched its products in the country in 2018 in partnership with Coles.

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  • Subscription service Beer Cartel to sell shares to public

    Subscription service Beer Cartel to sell shares to public

    Craft beer retailer, Beer Cartel, is gearing up for an initial public offering in Australia, allowing customers to own a stake in the business.

    The alcohol delivery business aims to raise $1.5 million through equity crowdfunding with Birchal to fund its growth and improve its logistics, website and offer.

    Founded in 2009 by Geoff Huens and Richard Kelsey, Beer Cartel currently offers over 1000 craft beers from breweries worldwide. With 20-30 new beers being added weekly, many exclusive to its website and Sydney store.

    “While buying shares in Beer Cartel will probably give you bragging rights to your mates, our 100,000 loyal customers and 12 years of successful online retailing prove we mean business,” said Kelsey.

    “As a part-owner of the country’s biggest craft beer bottle shop, not only will you be able to share in our success – you’ll also be given excellent perks. Imagine having personal access to an Aladdin’s Cave of craft beers from all over the world, at special ‘investor prices’,” he added.

    The business is expecting a huge interest after it recorded a 75 percent increase in revenue over the past year during Covid. Sales were not just limited to its range of craft beers; it also saw an increase in its mixed craft beer packs and monthly beer subscription.

    Huens said that while Covid put pressure on the company last year, the uptick in sales allowed it to employ hospitality workers who lost their jobs because of the pandemic.

    “It was also very satisfying to support craft breweries that were taking a massive financial hit because so many hospitality venues were closed or had severe capacity limits put in place. Our success had a flow-on effect to many families and small businesses around Australia,” he added.

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  • Omotesando Koffee to open first Philippines cafe in Manila

    Omotesando Koffee to open first Philippines cafe in Manila

    Japanese coffee shop Omotesando Koffee is officially opening its first Metro Manila branch in Power Plant Mall, Makati City, tentatively slated for an August 2021 launch.

    The famous Zen-style, minimalist coffee shop from Tokyo will be brought into the Philippines by H&F Retail Concepts, the group behind luxury fashion brands Univers, Homme et Femme, Balenciaga, Comme des Garcons, and Fred Perry.

    David Ong, owner and head barista of The Curator and EDSA Beverage Design Group, will be helping out.

    “Well, the cat’s been out of the bag for a while now. This is just formalizing it further. The opening of the first branch is fast approaching, and we’re helping out a little bit,” Ong wrote on Instagram on Tuesday, June 1, posting a call-out for interested baristas to apply.

    According to Ong, two more Omotesando Manila locations will be opening this year, but the hiring process will be for this branch initially.

    News that Omotesando Koffee would open in Metro Manila first circulated late 2020, when the original brand’s Instagram page added “Manila” to a list of locations on their Instagram bio, alongside Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and London.

    Omotesando Koffee first opened as a humble pop-up shop in Omotesando Hills, Tokyo in 2011, growing in popularity for 5 years until it closed in December 2015 due to the “aging building” it was located in.

    They opened their first Hong Kong branch a year later, and expanded to cities around the world, including a re-opening in Shibuya, Tokyo as Koffee Mameya.

  • Vietnamese restaurant chain Roll’d launches FMCG range through Coles

    Vietnamese restaurant chain Roll’d launches FMCG range through Coles

    Vietnamese restaurant chain Roll’d, has rolled out a range of pantry staples at Coles, allowing customers to recreate restaurant favoritesnoo at home.

    Starting this month, shoppers can now purchase the same ingredients and condiments used at the restaurant, including a range of four sauces – Sticky Hoisin, Spicy Hoisin, Nước Mắm, and Chili Mayo (at RRP $6) – rice papers ($4), vermicelli noodles ($3.50) and rolling trays ($10).

    According to Roll’d, the products are simple to use, free of preservatives, additives or gluten and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

    In addition, customers can scan the QR code at the back of any Roll’d product to access tutorials and recipe ideas designed to suit different skill levels.

    “Teaching Australians to roll their very own Roll’d Vietnamese Soldiers through this new Coles grocery partnership is a natural extension for us beyond the traditional QSR arena,” said Bao Hoang, Founder and CEO, Roll’d.

    “We’re excited to be sharing our authentic Vietnamese eats and recipes to the wider community, going into homes, lunchboxes and onto dinner tables with fresh, family eats options that are healthy and guilt-free.”

  • Nestle internal memo suggests 60 per cent of its products are unhealthy

    Nestle internal memo suggests 60 per cent of its products are unhealthy

    Nestle said on Monday it was working on updating its nutrition and health strategy after the Financial Times reported an internal document at the food giant described a large portion of its food and drinks as unhealthy.

    The newspaper said it had seen an internal presentation circulated among top executives early this year stating that more than 60 percent of Nestle’s mainstream food and drinks portfolio could not be considered healthy under a “recognized definition of health”.

    The paper said this assessment applied to about half of Nestle’s overall portfolio because categories like medical nutrition, pet food, coffee and infant formula were excluded from the analysis.

    Kepler Cheuvreux analyst Jon Cox said that including these categories would significantly reduce the proportion of products potentially considered unhealthy.

    “Given the group’s confectionery, ice cream, and pizza businesses, the real figure for the group based on 2021 estimates would be 28 percent, which is hardly a surprise,” he said in a note. He said the report could point to changes in the product portfolio, notably an exit from mainstream confectionary.

    Nestle said in a statement it was working on a “company-wide project” to update its nutrition and health strategy and was looking at its entire portfolio to make sure its products helped meet people’s nutritional needs.

    It said it had reduced sugars and sodium in its products by about 14-15 percent in the past seven years and would continue to make its products healthier.

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  • Online groceries shopping booms as HCMC practices social distancing

    Online groceries shopping booms as HCMC practices social distancing

    Many HCMC residents have turned to online shopping for essential goods following a two-week social distancing order across the city, and e-commerce platforms are reporting a boom.

    Data from e-commerce platform Tiki shows sales grow by 30 percent last weekend, just before social distancing was implemented in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, with a rise in the number of searches for fast-moving consumer goods, fresh food, mom and baby products.

    E-commerce platform Lazada’s sales of fast-moving consumer goods in the past few days were three times higher than during social distancing period in April last year. Sales of fresh food and frozen products have increased tenfold.

    Tran Tuan Anh, CEO of e-commerce platform Shopee, confirmed that there has been high demand for essential goods, especially fast-moving consumer goods, healthcare products and house appliances.

    A Tiki representative who did not want to be named said that they have been working with suppliers to increase the supply of essential goods, fresh food as well as tech products that serve work and entertainment at home by up to 50 percent, while supply of hand sanitizers will increase 25 times.

    Shopee said it has been selling essential goods at reasonable prices and providing free shipping for customers. It is also implementing free advertising programs for its sellers.

    Lazada has affirmed it will continue expanding goods supply, besides implementing discount programs, no-contact delivery and boosting cashless payments.

    Latest data from Malaysia-based market research firm iPrice shows consumers have grown accustomed to buying essential goods online, with the groceries segment the only one to see a 13 percent year-on-year increase in the number of web visits in Q1.

    Meanwhile, web visits related to non-essential goods like mobile phones and electronics appliances dropped 9 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

    Covid-19 has served as a catalyst for e-commerce, boosting online shopping demand for essential goods, iPrice stated.

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