The town of Roth in Germany had a nice tradition of asking children to hang messages for Santa on the town’s Christmas tree, writes Brian Keegan

The chairman of Premier Foods today announced his intention to stand down after six years at the helm of the Mr Kipling-to-Hovis food producer.

One of Britain's leading female retailers is to leave a senior role at Debenhams after less than a year, the department store announced today.

THE primacy of EU law has been given as a reason for voting against the Lisbon Treaty.

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury today said higher prices left it on course to beat targets for the first six months of the year.

News of a multi-billion deal in the confectionery sector and better-than-expected results from Whitbread helped consumer stocks make strong advances on the London market today.

Chocolate giant Mars is poised to announce a US$22bn (€14m) bid to buy the Wrigley chewing gum group, it was reported today.

A luke-warm response to the Bank of England’s £50bn (€62.4) bail-out for the banking sector left the London market treading water today.

The FTSE 100 Index finished the week above the 6000 mark today as the world's biggest bank gave a boost to the market.

Share losses from blue-chip chocolate giant Cadbury Schweppes and banking majors failed to hold the London market back from the key 6000 barrier today.

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury Schweppes today said its share of the chocolate market suffered over Easter after it held back on price cuts.

The Australian branch of the confectionary and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes today lost a court bid to ban a local competitor from using purple in its packaging and marketing.

The latest effort by central banks to ease the growing pressure on money markets boosted the FTSE 100 Index today.

Bargain-hunting investors gave the London market a much-needed boost today after three successive losing sessions.

Cadbury Schweppes today set a date of May 7 for the demerger of American drinks arm, Dr Pepper Snapple.

Blackpool-based sweets firm Tangerine has bought out the makers of Butterkist popcorn and Barratt Sherbet Fountains, it was announced today.

Barclays shares swung into positive territory today after the bank overcame an initially lukewarm reaction to full-year profits of £7.1bn (€9.4bn).

Cadbury Schweppes today said it would look to increase prices after warning that commodity costs were likely to be 5% to 6% higher in 2008.

Fears over the state of the US economy resurfaced to derail a solid session for the London market today.

Irn-Bru and Tizer maker AG Barr moved into the sports drink sector today after unveiling a deal to acquire the owner of the Taut range.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today as the US Federal Reserve’s overnight decision on interest rates put pressure on global markets.

A profits warning from Currys owner DSG International weighed on retailers today and pushed blue-chip stocks into negative territory.

The retail sector was on the back foot today after a profits warning from Currys owner DSG International impacted the sector.

Credit checking company Experian led a downturn for the London market today as it warned of the impact of tough conditions in UK and US financial markets.

Cadbury Schweppes ditched the sale of its American drinks arm today after admitting it was unlikely to achieve an acceptable price in current market conditions.

A raft of companies in the UK will have their products’ carbon footprints measured as part of a drive to cut emissions.

Confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes was today reported to have turned down a second offer worth between £6.4bn (€9.3bn) and £6.9bn (€10bn) for its drinks arm.

The FTSE 100 Index slid 4.1% today during another session of turmoil for world markets.

The London market dived below the psychologically important 6,000 mark today as investors rushed to offload stocks amid continued credit woes.

The London market slumped in afternoon trading today after a poor opening on Wall Street knocked investor sentiment.

The London market shook off opening losses today as a surprise fall in inflation lifted blue-chips.

The London market continued its rollercoaster ride today, closing deep in the red as hopes of a prolonged revival began to fade.

A revival on the London market proved short-lived today as fresh credit concerns from the United States sent blue-chips tumbling.

Cadbury Schweppes today insisted the turbulent debt markets would not derail plans to separate its 7UP-to-Dr Pepper drinks business in North America.

Better-than-expected results from HSBC and Pearson failed to lift confidence on the London market today following last week’s turmoil.

London’s blue-chips made tentative gains today after last week’s credit fears sent shockwaves through world markets.

Cadbury Schweppes was today forced to delay the £8bn (€12bn) sale of its US drinks business as the crisis in the global debt markets saw bidders struggle to raise finance for the deal.

Cadbury Schweppes’ £8bn (€11bn) sale of its US drinks business could be under threat as bidders struggle to raise debt in tightening credit markets, it was reported today.

The London market was back on the front foot today as investors regained their nerve after yesterday’s sell-off on both sides of the Atlantic.

The FTSE 100 Index lost hold of early gains today after retailers were unsettled by the prospect of another hike in interest rates next month.

Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes today announced plans to cut its global workforce by around 15% – equivalent to around 7,500 jobs.

Cadbury Schweppes said today that it would close around 15% of its confectionery sites, resulting in a 15% reduction in its global headcount.

Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes is believed to be planning to shed more than 5,000 jobs as part of a £300m (€443m) cost-cutting drive, a report said today.

The London market started the week on the front foot today as investor confidence returned after recent wobbles over Chinese stocks and global interest rates.

Confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes sold another batch of businesses today as it remained on track to generate €368m from disposals by the end of the year.

Confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes was today reported to be considering a fresh round of factory closures and job cuts.

Drinks and confectionery group Cadbury Schweppes helped steer an advance for the London market today after reports surfaced indicating private equity groups could be interested in its US beverages business.

The prospect of an £8bn (€11.7bn) bidding war for the drinks arm of Cadbury Schweppes caused shares in the blue-chip company to surge ahead today.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s led an advance for the London market today amid renewed takeover speculation for the firm.

Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes today looked a step closer to selling its drinks arm as a Canadian firm emerged as a potential bidder for the business.