== Greencore stays solid ==

Greencore announced it had "performed solidly" during the last year, according to its recent interim management statement. The firm said Convenience delivered a solid performance in 2008, with sales up 8.3% after currency conversions. However, Greencore warned consumer pressure has resulted in weakened demand for some of its convenience food offerings, particularly food-to-go.

== Costa into Zagreb ==

Costa Coffee is to open its first shop in Zagreb, Croatia in March. According to the Croatian Times, the project will cost E200,000 (£176,000). Costa already has one outlet in Croatia, located in Split, which operates through franchisee company Vlamanda Group.

== Panera pushes profit ==

Increased retail prices and new store openings helped push fourth-quarter profits at US-based Panera Bread Co up 43% to $25.5m, on sales worth $357.8m. The firm opened 32 new bakery-cafés during the quarter and now owns or franchises 1,252 stores under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co brands.

== PAVA enriches flour ==

Major Russian grain processor PAVA has launched Zhitnitsa, a flour enriched with nutrients, using a special milling process. Bakers are reporting that yield of bread can reach 132-135%, exceeding the usual 115%, due to increased moisture-absorbing levels in the new flour.

== Instant Starbucks ==

Starbucks has launched instant coffee, in a bid to give shoppers a hit of its high-street brand. Via Ready Brew will be available packeted for take-home and goes on sale in London Starbucks from 25 March - at £1.20 (three servings) and £3.95 (12 servings) - before rolling out in the autumn.

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