Pressure mounts on Government over sugary drinks tax and marketing curbs
The UK Government is facing increasing pressure to introduce a tax on sugary drinks to fight obesity among kids, with the Commons’ Health Committee arguing there is now "compelling evidence" that such a measure would cut consumption.
The committee, which is also calling for restrictions on marketing and advertising, highlighted evidence from Mexico, which introduced a 10% tax on sugary drinks and experienced a 6% fall in consumption.
UK ministers have so far resisted calls to introduce such a levy.
Source: BBC
Nissan boosts UK investment with Infiniti manufacture
Nissan is this week starting production on its premium Infiniti model at its Sunderland factory a part of a £250m investment into its UK operations.
The Japanese automotive firm has for the first time decided to build a luxury model in Europe, a huge vote of confidence in its Sunderland car plant.
Source: The Telegraph
High street hopes flat Black Friday will be bolstered by buoyant Cyber Monday
High street retailers hope that the relatively flat sales of Black Friday will be offset by stronger online sales during today’s Cyber Monday.
Another American sales import, Cyber Monday is forecast to generate £900m for online retailers this year, up nearly a third compared with last year. Analysts have predicted that consumers will have spent more than £3bn over the four-day sales period.
Source: The Guardian
Tesco Finest sausage maker posts revenue boost
Sales at sausage manufacturing firm Cranswick, which makes sausages for Tesco and brands including Black Farmer and Bodega, have led to a 10% boost in six-month revenue to £529m, with pre-tax profits up 3.6%.
The BBC suggested that the news is a sign that the appetite for processed meats remains undiminished after the World Health Organisation warned that consumption of processed meats such as sausages could increase the risk of cancer.
However, Cranswick’s latest results are for the period ending 30 September, while the UN health organisation’s findings were published a month later, on 26 October.
Source: BBC
In case you missed it...two longer reads
Read the key features from our November 2015 issue on postcapitalism
This month we looked at new economic models and how marketing fits into a future of potential postcapitalism. Read all our insights and news from the theme in one place.
Lidl's Arnd Pickhardt voted Marketers' Marketer of the Year as he scoops German role
Lidl's marketing and advertising director, Arnd Pickhardt, scooped the Marketers' Marketer of the Year award after being voted in overwhelmingly by elite industry players in Marketing's Power 100.
If you watch one video today...
Rather than a video, this week we're pointing you towards our new podcast. Listen to the third episode below and find out more here.
