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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.

  • Habeco chairman blames low profit target on Covid-19

    Habeco chairman blames low profit target on Covid-19

    The chief of the company that produces Hanoi Beer, Habeco, expects sales to be hit badly by Covid-19 this year and profits to plummet to a decade low.

    The brewery targets post-tax profits of VND255 billion ($11 million), down 64 percent from last year.

    Its chairman Tran Dinh Thanh said a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 in January means tourism companies, hotels and restaurants continue to languish, directly causing a decrease in the sales of alcoholic beverages.

    The company’s revenues in the first quarter of this year were down 39.6 percent from the previous quarter to VND1.1 trillion ($48.5 million).

    Rising competition with many brewers introducing new products in the mid-priced market segment in which Habeco mainly operates is also a reason for falling sales, he said.

    “If the pandemic is contained this year, the company will definitely surpass the profit target.”

    It is striving to maintain its position as one of the biggest brewers in the northern and central regions, and working to expand its business in the south, he added.

    Last year, beer consumption fell 22.6 percent because of Covid-19 impacts as well as the impact of a law increasing fines for driving under the influence.

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  • Yum China sales, profit soar on fewer store closures

    Yum China sales, profit soar on fewer store closures

    Without the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to hold it back at this year’s beginning, Yum China Holdings reported improved results for the first quarter of 2021. The Shanghai-based fast-casual company — a spinoff from Yum! Brands that hold franchises for Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC, along with a number of regional brands — beat analyst expectations at both the top and bottom lines.

    According to reports aggregating the consensus estimates of multiple Wall Street analysts, Yum China registered a 6.2% positive surprise, $150 million above the predicted $2.41 billion in sales. The actual revenue of $2.56 billion surged 46.3% year over year, without the pandemic causing dining shut down as was the case in early 2020. Adjusted earnings per share, or EPS, came in at $0.54, surpassing the forecast of $0.44 EPS for a 22.7% positive surprise.

    With growth “driven by lower commodity prices and productivity gains” along with far fewer restaurant closures and generally improved conditions, Yum China said in its press release that same-store sales rose 10% overall year over year. Pizza Hut saw the biggest same-store sales increase (38%), while a 5% rise occurred at KFC.

    CEO Joey Wat says Yum China is taking measures designed to “accelerate our growth in the years ahead,” which include strengthening its supply chain, integrating more automation and digital into its processes, and acquiring a 5% stake in its most important chicken supplier. Digital orders at Pizza Hut and KFC accounted for 84% of sales during Q1, while delivery orders added up to 29% of the total. The switch to digital and the growing use of ordering kiosks mirrors Yum! Brands’ recent opening of its first American digital-only Taco Bell in Times Square.

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  • Coffee and dairy help Nestle beat expectations in Q1

    Coffee and dairy help Nestle beat expectations in Q1

    Food giant Nestle confirmed organic sales should grow more than 3.6 percent this year after strong demand for coffee, dairy and petcare products boosted growth in the first quarter.

    The world’s biggest food group has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic well so far as consumers locked up at home bought more packaged foods for themselves and their pets.

    It also expanded eCommerce and its health science portfolio as consumers bought more online and worried about their health.

    Organic sales increased by 7.7 percent, versus 4.3 percent in the year-ago period, the maker of KitKat chocolate bars and Nescafe instant coffee said in a statement on Thursday. This was ahead of a forecast for 3.3 percent organic growth in a company-compiled consensus https://www.nestle.com/investors/analysts-consensus.

    “Retail sales saw solid growth and out-of-home channels saw signs of improvement. We confirm our guidance for the year and our mid-term outlook for sustained mid-single-digit organic growth,” Chief Executive Mark Schneider said in the statement.

    Organic growth stood at 7.2 percent in the Americas, at 4.4 percent in Europe, and at 9.1 percent in Asia, Nestle said. Asia was in negative territory in the year-ago period as the pandemic hit there first.

    In terms of categories, petcare was up 8.7 percent, powdered and liquid beverages including coffee rose 9.9 percent, and dairy increased 15.7 percent. Nutrition and health science fell 0.5 percent, dragged down by nutrition.

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  • Major seafood firm reports 25 pct profit fall

    Major seafood firm reports 25 pct profit fall

    It attributed the falling profit to a 20 percent drop in income from financial activities and a 27 percent increase in cost of goods sold during the period.

    The company also said that the pandemic has changed consumer behavior in its main export markets like the U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have prioritized buying essential products.

    Seafood exports to these markets fell by half in the first quarter of the year, contributing to a year-on-year revenue drop of 12 percent to VND1.6 trillion.

    The company aims to export $638 million worth of shrimp this year.

    Its total asset value at the end of March was nearly VND7.4 trillion.

    It has targeted revenues of VND15.7 trillion and post-tax profit of VND1.4 trillion this year.

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  • Japanese juice chain Honey’s Bar makes Singapore debut

    Japanese juice chain Honey’s Bar makes Singapore debut

    A new healthy and refreshing beverage option in town to quench your thirst and restore your energy. HONEY’S BAR Singapore, will commence its operation on 15th April 2021 with its very first store located at Jurong Point, Level B1-85, just along the SHOKUTSU TEN Japanese Food Street.

    Maintaining at a good selection of 8 juice options at all times, all of HONEY’S BAR juices are made with honey exclusively imported from Japan as its base ingredient with no added sugars. Honey is easily digested by the human body, making it an excellent energy absorption ingredient, thereby the best supplement to be used in a drink for energy replenishment. It also contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for everyone.

    In line with the seasonality of Japanese food production cycle, HONEY’S BAR also offers seasonal juices that are specially curated with seasonal Japanese fruits. From the classic ‘Mixed Juice’, ‘Carrot & Apricot’, ‘Melon’ menu to the premium seasonal menu like ‘Japanese Strawberry Mix Yoghurt’ and ‘Japanese Seasonal Citrus, Mango and Apple’, it aims to offer Singaporeans the taste of ‘Japan’ with Japanese fruit ingredients that are imported directly from Japan.

    Coming in 3 different sizes for all 8 menus – Small, Regular, and Large. Every cup of fresh fruit juice offered by HONEY’S BAR are served with a controlled sweetness from honey to ensure an enjoyable ‘sipping’ experience.

    Operated as a franchise chain business in Singapore, HONEY’S BAR is managed by JRE Ya Kun Food Service Pte. Ltd, a local joint venture company formed by JR East’s Singapore subsidiary, JR East Business Development SEA Pte. Ltd., and Ya Kun International Pte Ltd (Ya Kun).

    Through HONEY’S BAR, both JR East and Ya Kun aim to capture the attention of health-conscious consumers with a passion for healthy and refreshing beverages that taste refreshing and delightful!

  • Amazon to let Whole Foods customers pay by palm print

    Amazon to let Whole Foods customers pay by palm print

    Amazon will let customers pay for their groceries at Whole Foods locations in Seattle with a swipe of their palms. The online shopping giant, which acquired Whole Foods in 2017, is rolling out pay-by-palm technology at some grocery stores near Amazon’s headquarters to make paying quicker and more convenient.

    The technology, called Amazon One, lets shoppers scan the palm of their hand and connect it to a credit card or Amazon account.

    After the initial setup, which Amazon claims take less than a minute, shoppers can scan their hand at the register to pay for groceries without having to open their wallets.

    Amazon first launched the technology late last year and at the time said the technology could be used at stadiums, office buildings and other retailers.

    So far, Amazon hasn´t announced any takers. The technology has been put into use in several of its cashier-less stores and Amazon said it has signed up thousands of users, but didn´t provide a specific number.

    Arun Rajan, senior vice president of technology and chief technology officer at Whole Foods, said the company is always looking to innovate.

    ‘At Whole Foods Market, we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the shopping experience for our customers,’ he said.

    ‘We’re starting with an initial store at Madison Broadway in Seattle and look forward to hearing what customers think as we expand this option to additional stores over time.’

    Privacy experts have warned against the use by companies of biometric data, such as face or palm scans, because of the risk of it being hacked and stolen.

    Reuben Binns, an associate professor focusing on data protection at the University of Oxford, said last year that the technology raises privacy concerns since it is kept in the cloud which could make it accessible to hackers and the government.

    ‘The advantage is that it’s on you all the time, this isn’t something you can lose, but that’s also a disadvantage because you can never change it,’ says Binns.

    ‘You can never change your palm like you change your password or other identification tokens.’

    Amazon said it keeps the palm images in a secure part of its cloud and doesn´t store the information on the Amazon One device. The company said shoppers can also ask for their information to be deleted at any time.

    People walk out of an Amazon Go store, in Seattle. Amazon said Wednesday that it is rolling out its pay-by-palm technology to some of its Whole Foods supermarkets

    A Whole Foods store in Amazon’s hometown of Seattle started using the technology on Wednesday. Seven additional Whole Foods locations in the area will have it installed in the coming months.

    Whole Foods is headquartered in Austin, Texas. It was not immediately clear if locations in Texas will receive the rollout.

    Amazon declined to say if or when other locations might get it. There are about 500 Whole Foods stores across the country.

    The move shows how Amazon is bringing some of the technology already in use at its namesake brick-and-mortar Go and Books stores to the high-priced grocery chains.

    The deployment stops short of introducing Amazon’s cashier-less technology at Whole Foods, which critics have said would result in job cuts.

    Amazon One still requires scanning items at checkout, and the company said it will not impact jobs at Whole Foods.

    According to the Amazon One website, ‘no two palms are alike’ which means it ‘can’t be used by anyone but you.’

    ‘One reason was that palm recognition is considered more private than some biometric alternatives because you can’t determine a person’s identity by looking at an image of their palm,’ the website reads.

    However, fingerprints, also long believed to be unique to individuals, have recently come under fire in the criminal justice system.

    Judge Louis Pollack made headlines with a ruling fingerprint identification was not a legitimate form of scientific evidence in the January 2002 court case of United States v. Llera Plaza.

    Amazon also announced that starting this week, customers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ‘will see local deliveries made in electric vehicles.’

  • Starbucks, Herschel Supply collection made from recycled coffee grounds

    Starbucks, Herschel Supply collection made from recycled coffee grounds

    Eco-warriors might be familiar with last year’s sustainable Starbucks x Herschel collection made from recycled plastic. The 2 brands have teamed up again on a new environmentally-friendly series, The resupply Collection. This time, it is manufactured from recycled coffee grounds. Like the previous collaboration, the Starbucks x Herschel Supply Co. 2021 collection includes drinkware and limited edition bags.

    To commemorate Earth Day 2021 on 22 April, the collection will be dropping on the same day. Read on to find out what items will be available and how you can get your hands on them a day before everyone else.

    Mugs and tumblers

    Herschel Supply Co. is a brand that often incorporates a bevy of floral patterns on its accessories. It’s no surprise that its collaboration with Starbucks will follow suit.

    For this mug, the bright green, red and white print inspired by coffee cherries pops against the black body, making for an eye-catching piece of drinkware. It will retail for $48.90.

    For something you can bring with you on the go, the tumbler features the same print as the mug above. You can also opt for the sleek, all-black tumbler if you want a more minimal piece to add to your backpack. Both tumblers will cost $56.90.

    With the Double Wall Plastic Tumbler, you can do your part for the environment while feeling like you’re drinking out of Starbucks’ iconic takeaway cup. The tumbler will retail for $36.90.

    Lunch box

    For those who like to BYO lunch boxes to dabao food, you can now do it while repping your favourite brands. The Starbucks x Herschel Supply Co. 2021 collection To Go Lunch Box is available for $35.90.

    The Chapter Carry-on Toiletry Bag might be small, but it makes a bold statement bearing the campaign’s tagline, “People, Planet, Coffee”. Use this pouch as a daily reminder to commit to sustainability while getting ready in the morning. The pouch will retail for $49.90.

    Convenience and style packed into one nifty pouch—the Fifteen Hip Bag will be the pride of all streetwear lovers once they get their hands on it. It will be available for $59.90.

    Backpacks and totes

    Tote bags are all about versatility. Whether you carry it on your shoulder, or hold it in your hands, they always look good. The Mica Tote Bag from the Starbucks x Herschel 2021 collection is no exception. You can cop the bag for $79.90.

    VSCO girls tired of pastel colours, give the Classic Mini Backpack a chance. You can achieve a more understated look while still sporting a fresh splash of green. This backpack will retail for $89.90.

    As long as you’re out and about in Singapore, you will probably come across multiple people carrying Herschel Supply Co. backpacks. This remix of the popular Retreat Backpack boasts both brands’ logos, and the campaign’s tagline to stand out. Now you can hop on the Herschel Supply Co. train without being called basic.

    The Retreat Backpack will cost $149.90.

    Good news for Starbucks Rewards Gold Members, all that bling you spent on the brand will be worth it. Gold Members will get early access to the collection in Starbucks stores on 21 April 2021. For the rest, as mentioned earlier, the collection will be released on 22 April to coincide with Earth Day. The Starbucks x Herschel collection will be available in Starbucks Singapore’s physical stores as well as its Shopee Mall and LazMall stores from 12pm onwards.

    In the meantime, you can also check out the freshly released Starbucks hedgehog mugs from the brand’s recent summer-themed collection.

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  • Barry Callebaut names new MD for Australia and New Zealand

    Barry Callebaut names new MD for Australia and New Zealand

    Chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut Group has named Denis Convert as its new MD for ANZ.

    Convert will start his new role on August 1 and will be based in the GKC Foods office in Melbourne. As MD, he will oversee operations and sales teams in growing sales volume and expanding Barry Callebaut’s footprint in the region.

    “The appointment will steer Barry Callebaut’s further growth in Australia and New Zealand,” the company said in a statement.

    Barry Callebaut bought GKC Foods last year.

    Having joined the group in 2014 as VP of gourmet for Asia Pacific, Convert led sales and marketing teams in the region. Prior to Barry Callebaut, he held senior roles at Mars in Europe for 14 years.

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  • Subway Australia launches 24-seven trading

    Subway Australia launches 24-seven trading

    Fast-food chain Subway Australia has unveiled a 24 hours express pick-up service in Bald Hills, Brisbane, ahead of a broader national rollout.

    Customers can order their foods via the app or using a third-party provider and collect their purchases at an express pick-up window.

    “Over the past year, through Covid we have seen a change in the way people are eating Subway,” said Subway country director Geoff Cockerill.

    “More people are ordering through third-party delivery providers than ever before – and more people are choosing to place express-pick-up orders. With shift workers, more remote working, and added delivery options, Subway is proving a popular choice for late night and early morning orders.”

    After testing it at the Bald Hills store, Subway will roll out more 24-hour pick-up windows across Australia.

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  • James Reyne sings praises of new Coopers Australian IPA

    James Reyne sings praises of new Coopers Australian IPA

    Brewer Coopers has rolled out a limited release Australian IPA in kegs and 375ml can format, backed by a marketing campaign fronted by legendary Australian singer James Reyne.

    Coopers Australian IPA is made with local hops with citrus notes such as mandarin and orange as well as piney and passionfruit characteristics, according to the brewer. It has an ABV of 6.5 percent and a bitterness level of 40 IBU.

    “We’ve come up with a great-tasting Australian IPA that will suit any occasion,” said Coopers MD and chief brewer, Dr Tim Cooper. “We’re very mindful about when to bring out a new beer and an enormous amount of time goes into getting it right.”

    The campaign featuring Reyne was filmed at the Silverton Hotel in Broken Hill. The singer will also perform at several trade events in April.

    Reyne previously participated in the Coopers Live, Loud and Local series which was launched last year to support pubs and musicians recovering from the Covid-19 shutdowns.

    Coopers Australian IPA will be sold at bottle shops from late April.

  • Coca-Cola Amatil shareholders approve European takeover

    Coca-Cola Amatil shareholders approve European takeover

    Shareholders at Coca-Cola Amatil have voted “overwhelmingly” to approve Coca-Cola European Partner’s $13.50 per share takeover offer. The vote was held at 10 am on Friday, April 16, and saw 97.6 percent of shares proxy vote in support of the takeover – representing about 62 percent of total shareholders in CCA.

    Only 0.9 percent of votes were against the takeover.

    “Today is a significant day in the 117-year history of Coca-Cola Amatil,” said chairman Ilana Atlas.

    “I am excited by the possibilities that lie ahead for Coca-Cola Amatil’s future, and know I speak on behalf of the board when I say that it has been a privilege to be part of the Coca-Cola Amatil journey.”

    The takeover means CCA’s brands, which include Coca-Cola, Mount Franklin, Pump, Goulburn Valley, Monster Energy, Barista Bros, Blue Moon and Rekorderlig will now be owned and operated out of Europe.

    The takeover also means the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company will see its financial interest in CCA vanish.

    Shares in CCA fell after the vote, as it became clear shareholders would be receiving the “best and final” offer from CCEP.

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  • Covid-led baking craze inspires new flours from McKenzie’s Foods

    Covid-led baking craze inspires new flours from McKenzie’s Foods

    Australian food maker McKenzie’s has met the demand of consumers after seeing more Aussies baking and cooking at home since the Covid-19 pandemic arrived. The company has expanded its single alternative flour range and unveiled a new special purpose flour range.

    “We’re proud to be able to offer such a large variety of flours to our consumers and inspire them to experiment in the kitchen and unlock the power of alternative flours,” said McKenzie’s marketing manager, Bianca Piscopo.

    The alternative blended flour range includes Bread & Pizza Flour, Cake Flour, Cookie Flour, and Pancake Flour. The Bread & Pizza Flour has plain, oat and wholemeal spelt flour for bread and pizzas. The Cake Flour blend is made with low-protein plain flour and cornflour for cakes, cupcakes, and biscuits. The Cookie Flour contains chickpea, plain and oat flour for cookies. Pancake Flour is made with plain, oat, and rice flour.

    While McKenzie’s single-source alternative flour range now has Almond Flour, Brown Rice Flour, and Yellow Pea Flour. The Yellow Pea and Almond versions are a good source of fiber and protein while the Brown Rice Flour contains whole grains.

    The Almond Flour and Brown Rice Flour are gluten-free which can be used for cakes, biscuits, and bread. The Yellow Pea Flour has an earthy flavor and is ideal for baking. They are made from Australian ingredients.

    McKenzie’s alternative and special purpose flours are sold at Woolworths.

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  • McDonald’s implements global inclusive workplace initiative

    McDonald’s implements global inclusive workplace initiative

    McDonald’s has unveiled an initiative to foster a safe and inclusive workplace it calls Global Brand Standards.

    The policy will focus on four main areas: harassment, discrimination, and retaliation prevention; workplace violence prevention; restaurant employee feedback; and health and safety. The company says the standards have been set to further ensure physical and psychological safety for its employees and customers.

    “There are no shortcuts to ensuring that people feel safe, respected, and included at a McDonald’s restaurant,” said Chris Kempczinski, president and CEO of McDonald’s. “Our new Global Brand Standards reinforce our commitment to living our values such that at every interaction, everyone is welcome, comfortable, and safe.”

    These standards will be implemented across 39,000 McDonald’s restaurants in more than 100 countries. From January, restaurants will be assessed and held accountable in accordance with the applicable McDonald’s market’s business evaluation processes. Training and reporting mechanisms will be established.

    McDonald’s said it will work closely with independent and third-party experts to support the implementation of the standards for franchisees.

    “McDonald’s has a responsibility and an opportunity to use our tremendous scale to drive change globally,” said Reto Egger, speaker group chair of the European Franchisee Leadership Group (EFLG) and franchise owner.

    “These refreshed standards and heightened measures of accountability are central to our culture, our business goals and the need in our society to foster more respect, safety, and inclusion.”

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  • Scandal-plagued Luckin Coffee secures US$250 million lifeline

    Scandal-plagued Luckin Coffee secures US$250 million lifeline

    Luckin Coffee, the scandal-plagued Chinese coffee shop chain, secured a $260 million investment from existing shareholders Centurium Capital and Joy Capital. It also replaced its independent auditor.

    This will help Luckin satisfy a $180 million settlement struck last year with the SEC, which had accused Luckin of faking retail sales figures. The company went public on the Nasdaq less than two years ago at a $4.3 billion valuation but was later delisted because of the accounting fraud.

    The investment is structured as convertible preferred stock, with an option for Centurium and Joy to invest an additional $150 million.

    The bottom line, Luckin was supposed to be China’s answer to Starbucks, but so far has been closer to China’s answer to Enron.

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  • Lotte Vietnam denies reports it will close Lotteria fast-food chain

    Lotte Vietnam denies reports it will close Lotteria fast-food chain

    Lotteria Vietnam has said that it will continue its business expansion in Vietnam amid Korean media reports of its closedown over a net loss of nearly US$9 million.

    The company, which is operated by Lotte GRS under South Korea’s Lotte Group, dismissed a media report that it would cease operations in Vietnam, a spokesperson told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday.

    There is an inaccurate understanding of the Korean media report, the Lotteria Vietnam spokesperson added.

    Lotteria Vietnam is proceeding with its normal business while an expansion is underway.

    The firm is expected to invest in a new plant at Long Hau Industrial Park in Long An Province, just outside Ho Chi Minh City, and open ten Lotteria stores in 2021.

    “We are working with our parent company in South Korea to clarify its new strategy,” the spokesperson told Tuoi Tre.

    The spokesperson further explained that Lotteria Vietnam is still operating its franchise business and has reached almost 100 franchised restaurants.

    Entering the Vietnamese market in 1998, Lotteria Vietnam is running over 260 outlets and is among the top fast-food chains in the Southeast Asian country.

    The Korea Times reported on Sunday that Lotteria Vietnam is not closing down.

    “It is true that Lotte GRS is leaving the Indonesian market but we are continuing with our franchise and food retail businesses in Vietnam,” the newspaper quoted a Lotte GRS official as saying.

    The paper seemed to correct its report on Friday that had cited “a Lotte GRS official” as saying “Lotteria Vietnam and others have met the requirements for closure starting this year.”

    Friday’s article said that Lotte GRS was in the process of closing down “Lotte Group’s food material supplier in Vietnam, which was established in early 2020 to expand Lotte GRS’ business in neighboring Southeast Asian countries.”

    “Lotteria franchises in Vietnam have all stopped operations and its headquarters in Seoul is reviewing the possibility of closing down the business within this year,” The Korea Times reported.

    The report went on to elaborate that Lotteria Vietnam did not make any profit for Lotte GRS in 2020.

    “Lotteria Vietnam’s book value stood at 26.8 billion won [$24 million] as of early last year, but declined to 15.6 billion won [$14 million] after recognizing 11.2 billion [$10 million] won in valuation losses,” the article said.

    “Its net loss surpassed 10 billion won [$8.9 million] in one year.”