"The bill in front of us presumes that current safety standards were insufficient, but the truth is that we don't yet whether that is the case"

By JESSE J. HOLLAND Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Businesses would be required to adhere to new federal safety standards designed to protect workers from combustible dust explosions under legislation moving through ... via WQXI-AM Atlanta

"We're pleased with our broad-based growth across our business around the world. We executed on every level, growing sales, operating profit and earnings per share despite the impact of higher inflation and a higher tax rate"

Kellogg Co. reported Wednesday that its first-quarter profit dipped 2 percent, despite recent price increases intended to offset higher costs. via Houston Chronicle

The UK retail industry has been left ruffled by the findings of the Competition Commission, with the multiples decrying the proposed creation of an ombudsman to oversee the treatment of suppliers and the independents condemning the UK watchdog’s “failure” to safeguard diversity.

Consumer interest in buying “green” products and healthy organic food remains high despite the tough economy and rising food and energy prices, a survey out today (30 April) has revealed.

For the first time in the UK the retail sector has united to introduce a set of comprehensive industry-wide pledges to tackle climate change.

Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble posted a net profit of US$2.71bn for the first quarter, a growth of 11% from $2.51bn in the previous year.

Jeronimo Martins' acquisition of 77 Plus discount stores in Portugal from German retailer Tengelmann has been approved by Portugal's competition regulator.

Food and drinks maker Kraft Foods Inc. says its first-quarter profit fell 13 percent, compared with the 2007 quarter which included a one-time benefit related to the Altria spinoff.

The Northfield, Ill.-based company said Wednesday it earned $608 million, or 40 cents per share, on sales of $10.37 billion. That compares with a profit of $702 million, or 43 cents per share, on revenue of $8.59 billion in the year-ago period.

Excluding special items, earnings in the January-March quarter were 44 cents per share. Read more

German retail group Edeka revealed that its core sales rose bu 4.4% to EUR30.5bn during fiscal 2007, driven by double digit growth at its discount operations.

The Office of Fair Trading has been accused by UK investment bank Cazanove of pursuing a grudge against retailers in its latest investigation into price fixing in the sector, a charge that has been denied by the OFT.