Jun 27, 2013 CSNews ATLANTA — Based on its advertising campaigns, we already know Coca-Cola is the “real thing.” Now, Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co.’s latest product means the company can be called the “natural thing” as well. The beverage giant announced it will introduce Coca-Cola Life, a new cola that is sweetened with sugar and the naturally occurring, zero-calorie sweetener stevia. The soda will contain half the calories of a regular Coke and will first be sold in Argentina. According to Reuters,, Coca-Cola has used stevia in 45 products to date, including Vitaminwater Zero and Fanta Select, but never in its flagship brand. Competitor PepsiCo Inc. has also used stevia, a plant native to Paraguay, in drinks for many years. However, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has stated on several occasions that stevia does not work well in colas. It is unknown if and when Coca-Cola Life will be sold in…

The Age June 24, 2013 Supermarket group Metcash has lifted underlying full year profit by 6.9 per cent to $281 million but has lost market share in its core grocery business as it beds down major restructuring and new acquisitions. The company promised a review of its food and grocery operations as it recorded revenue of $13.1 billion for the year to April 30 and a reported net profit after tax (NPAT) of $206 million. The result is up $129 million on the previous year, when the company recorded restructure costs and impairments. Metcash shares jumped 6.7 per cent to $3.69 in early trade. The retailer behind the IGA and Franklins supermarket chains suffered a 2.3 per cent fall in sales in its core food and grocery business to $9.1 billion as it closed stores but achieved 35 per cent earnings growth, to $47 million, in its liquor business. Outgoing…

John Addis June 17, 2013 The Age In One Up on Wall Street famed investor Peter Lynch urges us to invest in the companies we know and, for most of us, retailers will fit the bill. The sector has a homespun appeal. To see what we’re investing in and check on its progress, all we need do is drive to the local shopping centre, which is a lot easier for most of us than weighing up the quality of a bank’s loan book or testing out the latest cancer drug. Best of all, unlike the CBAs or the CSLs of this world, the inner workings of a retailer are literally spread out on the pavement before us. We can see the product lines and store layout, and talk to the sales person to see how things are going. This last point is especially useful. Scuttlebutt, as analysts call it, is…

Nina Hendy June 17, 2013 The Age Sydney businesswoman Priyanka Rao is fed up with Sydney traffic. Daily, she struggles her way infuriatingly through the traffic between Bondi and Punchbowl in a trip that can take up to 90 minutes. The CEO of furniture manufacturing firm Luxmy says her best efforts to be at the office by 8.30am are often dashed because traffic congestion is unpredictable. The trip to and from her office robs her of 15 hours a week. Ms Rao also has important client meetings all over Sydney, and traffic congestion often makes her late. “Being late because of unforseen hold-ups in traffic has cost me so much money in lost productivity. It’s common for staff to get caught up in a massive traffic jam and be an hour or two late, while getting home every night takes me forever,” she said. Ms Rao has tried leaving home…

June 17, 2013 NACS Online The announcement comes despite mounting concerns over the ban’s potential impact to the city’s small businesses and taxpayers. ​ NEW YORK CITY – Local lawmakers announced a bill to ban the sale of polystyrene foam foodservice products, a decision that will negatively impact thousands of New York City businesses, as well as millions of local consumers and taxpayers, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC). The ACC notes in a press release that the proposal, supported by the Bloomberg administration, has the potential to cost New York City and state nearly $100 million per year and will do little to reduce solid waste. 
 ”A ban in New York City would cost businesses, consumers and taxpayers millions of dollars, as well as threaten jobs in the restaurant industry, in upstate manufacturing plants, and in companies that reuse foam in the greater metropolitan area,” said City…

AILSA LESLIE June 17, 2013 Daily Mail Devotees claim that coconut water — the liquid inside young, green coconuts — rehydrates the body faster than normal water, thanks to its high levels of minerals such as potassium and magnesium, making it perfect after exercise or for easing a hangover. Celebrities such as Courtney Cox and Demi Moore are said to be fans, while Madonna and Rihanna endorse and own shares in the biggest brand, Vita Coco. In Australia, Kyle Sandilands, Andrew Hawkins and David Freeman joined forces to release H2 Coco, and young entrepreneurs Zac Jex, Julian Tobias and Adam Abram launched C Coconut water, with Juliana Forge as the face. But does this pricey wonder liquid live up to the hype? Some experts think not. For a start, don’t expect this ‘health’ drink to work miracles on your waistline. Vita Coco has 15g of sugar per 330ml carton —…