just the round-up - The week in drinks

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

JAPAN: Kirin Holdings, Suntory talks break down

Kirin Holdings has ended merger talks with Japan-based drinks rival Suntory.

FRANCE: Remy Cointreau to cut Piper-Heidsieck jobs

Remy Cointreau plans to cut around a quarter of jobs at Champagne division Piper-Heidsieck, following a tough time for Champagne in the economic downturn.

Insight - US: MillerCoors plans brand spend to lift beer sales

MillerCoors is planning to formally launch draft-beer kegs of Miller Lite and Coors Light in the US off-trade as it looks to boost beer sales in a depressed market by targeting home drinkers.

Insight - Molson Coors not on acquisition trail, yet

Molson Coors' CEO, Peter Swinburn, does not believe that the brewer should rush into acquisitions in new markets to offset shrinking beer sales volumes in the US, UK and Canada.

SINGAPORE: Asia Pacific Breweries, Heineken complete assets shuffle

Asia Pacific Breweries has completed deals to acquire Heineken's controlling stakes in Multi Bintang of Indonesia and Grand Brasseries de Nouvelle Caledonie.

Comment - Coca-Cola Enterprises maintains a little sparkle

Coca-Cola Enterprises swung to a full-year profit today (10 February) and confirmed plans to repurchase up to US$600m of its common stock by the end of 2010.

Analysis - Premium drinks to remain under pressure - Diageo chief

Diageo CEO Paul Walsh has said that he sees little respite for the firm's premium drinks brands in key western markets over the medium term, but added that the drinks giant does expect improved profits in its second half.

Insight - PepsiCo eyes “rapid” expansion in China

US food and drink giant PepsiCo has said that it plans to begin “rapidly” expanding its footprint in China having received approval to build ten further plants in the country.

US: PepsiAmericas posts drop in FY profits

PepsiAmericas today reported a drop in full-year profits, impacted by significant foreign currency movements.

MEXICO: Soft drinks drive FEMSA sales, profits growth

Sales rise across soft drinks, beer and retail divisions have driven a strong performance from Mexico-based Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA) in 2009.