British American Tobacco has forecast that sales of its vapour products will double to £1bn (€1.12bn) next year, as the UK parliament opened an inquiry to establish the health and economic impact of electronic cigarettes.

Unilever agreed to buy a South Korean cosmetics maker for €2.27bn to gain a stronger foothold in the world’s fourth-largest skincare market, betting that the pop-culture-fuelled appeal of the country’s beauty products will outweigh concerns over regional tensions.

Over the past decade, a little-known herb 200 times sweeter than sugar has become a €3.5bn global industry, showing up in everything from Coca-Cola drinks to Heinz ketchup.

The number of Irish people travelling to Egypt and Turkey has fallen amid terrorist attacks and an uncertain political arena in the once-popular tourist hotspots.

Russian billionaire, Mikhail Fridman’s L1 Retail investment vehicle has agreed to buy British retailer, Holland & Barrett, for £1.77bn (€2.01bn), in its first acquisition, betting on continued growth and expansion abroad for the health foods chain.

US cereal company Post Holdings agreed to buy Weetabix from Bright Food Group of China for £1.4bn (€1.65bn), adding the breakfast staple to a portfolio that includes Grape Nuts and Honey Bunches of Oats.

Ireland has one of the biggest appetites for frozen pizzas and factory-made ready meals in Europe.

Unilever plans to acquire Dollar Shave Club in the US in a deal worth about $1bn (€905m), gaining a firmer foothold in the burgeoning market for male grooming products and opening up a new front in its battle against Procter & Gamble.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, which will soon make almost 30% of the world’s beer, wants to serve more low and alcohol-free brews to drinkers trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

Choosing a Fairtrade brand can make a difference to producers in the developing world, says Jonathan deBurca Butler

The global dairy industry is being reshaped by a wave of dealmaking driven by low milk prices and growing demand for products like yoghurt and baby formula in Asia and the Middle East.

Three experts explain to Joanna Kiernan the differences between dodgy unregulated ‘fat burner’ products, and a healthy supplement plan as part of your fitness regime

A lightbulb moment by a US coffee executive while cruising in the Caribbean has created a boom product, writes Jennifer Caplan.

Give your health an instant boost by cutting out the sweet stuff, says Peta Bee.

Believe it or not, the tobacco industry is on a tear.

THERE is nothing sweet about Ireland’s sugar statistics. We are the fourth highest consumer of sugar in the world, according to Euromonitor research. Yes, the world, coming in behind the US, Germany and the Netherlands.

HOFFS (hot, fit and fifty) are putting middle aged men under pressure. While once it was acceptable to put on a little weight, now it’s all about looking good, says Dave Robbins.

Having regarded cider as a second division drink for some time, Caroline Delaney is slowly changing her mind as she beings to appreciate the work and skill behind a glass of craft cider

IAG is set to complete its takeover of Aer Lingus after Ryanair said it would accept the offer and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters the British Airways-owner would gain conditional EU approval.

July 13 will see men walk the runways without the ladies for the launch of a brand new New York City fashion week, dedicated entirely to menswear.

Dave Kenny grew up in an era when a splash of Brut and a flannel cloth under the arms was the height of male grooming. But that won’t wash anymore.

THE Twentieth Century fox moved to the city and is prospering. Now the 21st Century rabbit is following suit. 

Fashion and the economy have long been linked (although they’ll never admit to it). 

Elizabeth Arden’s biggest quarterly decline in years suggests that our love of celebrity fragrances is fading, says Rachel Marie Walsh

Christoph Meier, a sound engineer at Mercedes-Benz, typically spends time making engine noise less jarring. For the carmaker’s new electric models, he’s had to do the opposite — create sound.

Consumers are sticking to frugal shopping habits developed in the recession, even as developed economies show signs of recovery, suggesting some behaviour changes could be permanent, say industry executives.

Tesco is to merge its 131 stores in China with the second-biggest hypermarket chain in the country, ending almost a decade of independent operations as sales decline.

IN recent years, sportsmen such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and the Welsh rugby player Gavin Henson have made it, if not de rigueur, more acceptable for men to look after their formerly rough, red-tinged, gangly-toothed, chapped-lipped faces.

Danone, owner of Activia yoghurt and Evian water, will spend about €325m to form a joint venture and invest in China’s biggest dairy producer to expand its brands in the most populous nation.

The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of five deaths that may be associated with an energy drink, which is currently on sale in Ireland.

Men — yes, even Irishmen — are being influenced by metrosexuals like David Beckham.

A US town has banned texting while walking. Should we follow suit, wonders Jonathan deBurca Butler

IRISH consumers are expected to buy around 10% more chocolate between now and 2015, according to research by Euromonitor.

CHILLED ready meals have seen a growth of 10% in retail volume and value as consumers have decided that staying in is the new going out.

DOG owners are splashing out more than ever oncanine treats, with Irish pooches chomping through more than €117 million worth of dog food last year.