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This week in FMCG

FMCG-ThisWeekInNews-061118-10The first week of February has delivered plenty news for the FMCG industry. Australian businesses have acted in response to the flooding disaster in Townsville and more objections to the launch of an international grocery store in Australia have surfaced. Read on to find out what happened this week in the sector.

Woolies and Coles sent supplies to Townsville

Supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles have stepped up efforts to supply food and essential items to Townsville residents. Australians living in the area have been affected by the recent flooding wherein a year’s worth of rain hit the city in just one week and caused the Ross River Dam to overflow. Supermarket shelves lacked supplies and struggled to keep up with the demand so the big two are utilising just about every form of transportation from air freight, barges, trucks to road trains to deliver goods. Woolworths delivered 300 tonnes of fresh food, nappies, baby formula and other essential items. Tina Anandji, Woolworths Northern Queensland operations manager said the grocery delivered “30 contingency containers carrying essential lines such as water, long life milk, baby formula, beans, noodles and toilet paper” to their stores in Townsville.

XXXX help bottle shops and pubs in Townsville

Queensland beer maker XXXX has provided assistance measures for bottle shops, pubs and clubs affected by the Townsville and North Queensland flooding. Any Lion Beer Australia stockist has been given access to extended credit and invoice terms; stock allowances and altered delivery conditions and free cleaning for draught beer systems to get pubs to open as soon as possible. The XXXX Brewery will also donate A$50,000 to GIVIT in support of locals affected by the floods.

Unilever bought Graze snacks company

FMCG multinational Unilever has acquired healthy snack UK company Graze this week. The snacks company carries nuts, seeds, trail mixes and snack bars. The acquisition expands Unilever’s portfolio in the healthy foods business. Nitin Paranjpe, president of Unilever’s Food & Refreshment business said the latest move of the company “is an excellent strategic fit for the Unilever Food & Refreshment business, and a wonderful addition to our stable of purpose driven brands.”

Arnott’s released new Tim Tam range

Aussie confectionery rolled out the new Tim Tam Slams. The chocolate come in three different flavours: Choc Malt & Sticky Caramel, Choc Hazelnut & Gooey Caramel and Dark Choc & Sticky Raspberry. The Tim Tams have been designed with a gooey centre to create a flavour explosion when a warm beverage is drawn through the centre, a process known as the ‘Tim Tam Slam’. The Tim Tam Slams range was inspired by flavours that pairs well with tea, coffee, warm milk and hot chocolate.

More objections rose against Kaufland in Australia

Further objections have risen against having Kaufland in Australia. Pacific Epping Shopping Centre, Queensland Investment Corporation and Bevendale Pty Ltd owners opposed the Kaufland store planned for the area in which their own shopping centre is located. They said it is “inconsistent” with local and state planning policy. The owners believe that it is “not strategically justified” and will result in the underdevelopment of strategically located land within a “designated metropolitan activity centre”.

That’s all for this week. Inside FMCG will be back on Monday morning!

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