Carrefour said sales in austerity-hit Spain returned to growth in the fourth quarter for the first time since 2008, while French hypermarkets further improved though at a slower pace than the previous quarter.
Dutch grocer Ahold reported a steeper-than-expected decline in fourth-quarter sales, as the U.S. food market contracted and customers in the Netherlands spent less per visit to its shops.
Despite tough economic conditions, revenues for the world’s 250 largest retailers reached $4.3 trillion in the last fiscal year (June 2012 through June 2013).
Jeronimo Martins, the owner of the biggest retail chains in Poland and Portugal, has reported a sales increase for its financial year, helped once again by the performance of the Biedronka discount chain.
Lidl is removing all sweets, chocolates and crisps from checkouts at its 600 UK stores in favor of healthier alternatives in what is being seen as a move against obesity.
China's agriculture ministry says there is still no timetable for the commercialisation of domestically developed genetically-modified strains of corn and rice, although the country is already the world's top buyer of GMO soy.
Due to frosts that hit lemon-producing regions in Argentina, production is expected to drop by 40 percent for the 2013-2014 season when compared to the previous season's production.
Exporters of fresh produce are losing out on the international market due to poor quality fruits and vegetables and limited knowledge on soils and plants.
J Sainsbury was the only grocer among Britain's "big four" to hold onto its market share in the Christmas trading period, resisting pressure from discounters and upmarket rivals, industry data showed on Tuesday.
Indian soybean futures dropped on Monday to their lowest in nearly three months, while soyoil and rapeseed also fell on a strong rupee and a drop in overseas markets.
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 206.7 points in December, nearly unchanged from the previous month, with a sharp increase in dairy prices and high meat values balancing out a steep decline in sugar quotations and lower cereal and oil prices.
The number of Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores will this week overtake the number of supermarkets run by the company, reflecting the changing habits of consumers in the UK.
Wal-Mart's finance chief for the international division, Cathy Smith, will leave at the end of this month to take a "leadership position" at an unidentified company.
German retailer Metro Group has reported a sales drop of over 3% after being damaged by weak trading over the Christmas, as well as currency fluctuations.
