just the round-up - The week in drinks

The top ten stories published on just-drinks this week:

Heineken, Scottish & Newcastle, Foster's

UK: S&N sacrificed Foster's volumes in discounting snub

Heineken subsidiary Scottish & Newcastle UK allowed volumes of Foster's beer to slide in 2008 because the group refused to take part in deep discounting on lager brands by multiple retailers, just-drinks understands.

C&C Group

IRELAND: C&C Group to cut Magners, Bulmers jobs

Magners cider producer C&C Group has announced plans to cut 18% of its workforce in its native Ireland, as the firm's sales continue to struggle.

PepsiCo, Rockstar, Coca-Cola Enterprises

US: PepsiCo takes Rockstar distribution off CCE

Rockstar Energy Drink has signed a distribution deal with PepsiCo's bottlers in North America, ending its contract with Coca-Cola Enterprises.

Pernod Ricard

FRANCE: Pernod Ricard to cut advert spend in H2

Pernod Ricard may profit in its second half from a plan to reduce advertising spend, partly as a result of lower media rates in key markets.

Heineken

NETHERLANDS: Heineken FY profit tumbles, beer sales slow

Dutch brewer Heineken has reported a 74% drop in net profit for 2008, hit by charges relating to lower-than-expected performances across its new beer businesses.

Carlsberg

DENMARK: Tax gains boost Carlsberg FY profit

One-off tax gains lifted Carlsberg to a 23% rise in net profit for 2008, but the Danish brewer warned of falling beer sales in 2009.

Foster's

AUSTRALIA: Foster's to keep wine business, streamline operations

Foster's has said that it intends to keep its struggling wine business, but will separate its wine and beer divisions and dispose of more than 30 "non-core" vineyards, as well as 37 brands.

PepsiCo, Yazji Group

GAZA CITY: Soft drinks firm hit in Israel attack

Gaza soft drinks producer, Yazji Group, has accused Israel of using white phosphorous explosives to destroy its factory during last month's war in the Gaza Strip, and of blocking the import of materials needed to rebuild the plant.

Pernod Ricard, Absolut

SWEDEN: Absolut Vodka will continue to grow - CEO

The CEO of Absolut vodka has told just-drinks that the brand still sees growth opportunities in the US market, despite volume declines in 2008.

Constellation Brands

UK: Constellation Europe targets CO2 emissions will bottling hub

Constellation Europe has officially opened its European bottling and warehousing hub in the UK, intended to increase efficiency and cut carbon emissions.