Beverages

SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company intend to combine the U.S. and Puerto Rico operations of their respective subsidiaries, Miller and Coors, in a joint venture to create a stronger, brand-led U.S. brewer with the scale, resources and distribution platform to compete more effectively in the increasingly competitive U.S. marketplace.

As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Sara Lee Corporation, the producer of coffee flagship brands such as Douwe Egberts, Merrild, Maison du Cafe and Marcilla, is doubling its worldwide procurement of sustainable coffee.

Kraft Foods Inc. agrees to sell its Fruit2O water and Veryfine juice brands and related assets to Sunny Delight Beverages Co.

Mountain Dew AMP Energy, along with the Army National Guard, will sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the popular stock-car driver joins Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign.

It's been about a year since Tesco PLC announced it would enter the United States some time in 2007, and since then there has been much speculation as to how consumer goods companies and retailers will react.

Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods Inc., recently highlighted the solid progress the company has made during the first six months of executing its long-term growth strategy.

On September 24-26, more than 80 senior-level consumer goods executives gathered at The Four Seasons in Miami, Fla., for the second annual Consumer Goods Growth & Innovation Forum.

According to the The Wall Street Journal and Beer Business Daily, Anheuser-Busch is reshuffling part of its executive team.