Havana Club: serious setback for Pernod Ricard

15th May

 

The French group, co-leader of the global wine and spirits, has lost his latest appeal yesterday in the battle between the past twenty years at rival Bacardi. Pernod Ricard can not use the Havana Club trademark in the United States, world's largest market rum (40% of sales). Held by the Cuban state, the famous rum is sold in 120 countries around the world by Pernod Ricard.

The U.S. Supreme Court refused yesterday to consider the decision to an appeals court in Washington in 2011 that had impeded renew the Havana Club trademark in the United States. And, under a 1998 law, also called "Bacardi Bill". The French had seized earlier this year the U.S. Supreme Court in hopes of finally succeed. "We are victims of something unjust, said yesterday at Figaro Pringuet, CEO of the group. This is equivalent to changing the rules in the middle of the match. "An allusion to the retroactivity of the law, in theory contrary to the U guaranteed pay day loans.S. Constitution.

A bitter defeat for Pernod Ricard. He sees close the doors of the United States while global sales of Havana Club have increased tenfold over the last eighteen years. But the French did not admit defeat. He is preparing for the next battle. Impose the Havana Club trademark in the United States when lifting the embargo will be imposed. Bacardi sells rum discreetly in Florida also called Havana Club, manufactured in Puerto Rico, is in ambush. Pernod Ricard does not intend to let its competitor the right to enjoy the international reputation of the brand, built over several decades. He therefore announced yesterday that he would file the trademark Havanista replica of Havana Club. Insurance for the French to cut the grass under the feet of Bacardi in due course.

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Personal loans like these have to be repaid back within a time span of 15-20 days. This period can be extended a bit in case of emergency.

Sales of lamb at Easter double

4th April

 

Double the normal. During the month of Easter – Friday night for Jews and Sunday for Christians – he buys at least twice more lambs than usual. "It consumes on average between 4000 and 5000 tons of lamb meat per month in France, according to panel data Kantar says Anne Mottet, an economist at the Livestock Institute. When Paschal month, households consumed 9,000 tons in 2010, for example. " A strong tradition since 13% of French households to savor the occasion of Easter, against 5% in normal times. The lamb symbolizes for Christians the resurrection of Christ and the Jews, the exodus led by Moses out of Egypt.

Economically, the farm became a holder of lamb from the reallocation in 2009 by former agriculture minister, Michel Barnier, a part of CAP subsidies in favor of sheep farmers, the farmers worse off at the time. "It allowed me to generate additional income of 12,000 to 15,000 euros per year," said Hubert Elder, farmer in Maine-et-Loire.

To prevent a portion of the added value is captured by intermediaries, this direct selling. "At Easter, I'll sell 12 lambs against 4-5 in a typical week. They are valued 30% more than when I sell them at retail "he adds. A small niche – is consumed in France 190,000 tonnes of lamb, only 10% of the pork market – but profitable. The price is comparable to consumer beef prices: 12.95 against 12.94 per kilo for beef and 6.58 for pork.

Still according to Kantar, the French producer of lamb is the best paid in Europe with a price paid around 6.09 euros per kilo, against 4.97 euros in the UK, against an average of 4.78 euros in Europe.

UK and New Zealand

Flip side, nearly 60% of sheep consumed in France are imported from countries where they are cheaper to raise. More than half the imports come from the UK, just under a quarter of New Zealand, Ireland and the rest of Spain.

"Legs salt meadow, racks of lamb, milk, orders flow for three weeks, said Christian Le Lann, artisan butcher in Paris. We sell top quality local lamb but there is a commoditization of the product because of the importance of imports of lamb from New Zealand including a by-product of wool transported frozen, which invades the shelves of supermarkets "says the merchant who is also president of the French Confederation of butchery.

Lastly, there is the question of renewal of French sheep farmers. They will be 63% out of business in the next decade. The investors do not rush in sheepfolds.

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LD Lines under control of a Danish group

28th March

 

The giant Danish DFDS and the French Louis Dreyfus (LDA), owner of LD Lines, have finally announced the birth of their joint venture that will operate five ferry routes between France and England (Dover-Dunkerque Dover- Calais, Portsmouth to Le Havre, Dieppe, New Haven) and between France and Tunisia (Tunis-Marseille). LD Lines line between Saint-Nazaire and Gijon, Spain will not belong to the joint venture.

Last year, the two partners were involved in a bid to take over Sea France, the SNCF subsidiary whose termination of service was delivered in January. But the offer was violently rejected by the unions.

1160 employees in 2013

Since LD Lines, in partnership with the Danish DFDS, has two ships on the Dover-Calais line, previously operated by Sea France no teletrack payday loan. This is a new step, predictable, but that was difficult or impossible to implement at the time of the attempted rescue of Sea France.

The joint venture will be owned by DFDS 82% and 18% by LDA. Officially launched on July 1, she will manage nine ships. DFDS those under the British flag and those of LD Lines under the French flag. "It is not intended eventually to operate under a single flag, says Christophe Santoni, the CEO of LD Lines. For reasons of social or commercial, we retain the two pavilions. "In 2013, the ferry company expects to achieve a turnover of 276 million euros. It will employ 1160 people in total.

Record in football: more than nine out of ten players are unionized

9th March

 

Sometimes there are coincidences that plunge. A few days after Francois Hollande has triggered an outcry in the microcosm football with his proposal to tax 75% on incomes above one million euros per year, the union of professional players (UNFP) has announced a new record membership. Not at 20, 30 or even 50%. Not to … 96.45%, which means that few players playing in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 not to be enclosed in a union.

This score membership record is even more comical that exceeds the standards of the Nordic countries where, at best, three-quarters of employees are unionized (against 8% in France, it must be remembered) payday loans in 1 hour. But also because such a rate – worthy of glory of the USSR – in a profession considered golden demonstrates that unionism and categorical niche, including employees on the most spoiled society, has a future in France.

"At a time when the image of football is too often tarnished – wrongly, need I elaborate? – This unionization rate (…) shows that the professional football player looks at his job, his future, as much as the other, it is his teammate or opponent on the ground ", for his part prefers to deduce the UNFP. When will a syndicate of traders?

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"A tax that could cost

13th November

At six months of the presidential election, the site of the EPR at Flamanville (Manche) has become the symbol of the debate on the future of nuclear power in France. The sector lights atomic defends tooth and nail so the continued construction of the first Generation III reactor (with a capacity of 1650 megawatts) on French soil. And she just won a first round: Monday, François Hollande, spoke to the chagrin of his potential allies, the Greens for the continuation of the project.

Stop Flamanville, it would stop dead "every effort of the industrial fabric, with over 170 suppliers in France and around the world work for this project," argued Thursday on site Machenaud Hervé, director of production and engineering of EDF.Its CEO, Henri Proglio, went further Thursday in Le Parisien, amounting to 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, and even 1 million taking into account the energy-intensive industries and promoted by the current low prices in France, the issue of a shutdown of nuclear power in France online cash advance. A "red flag" which has also incurred the wrath of the Greens.

Proudly displayed

For the sector, the challenge is to convince both safety and economic feasibility of the EPR. "We are building a completely safe reactor, which not only incorporates the feedback from the entire fleet (58 to 19 power reactors) but also has the amenities that were lacking in Fukushima," says Hervé Machenaud. It specifically targets the "ashtray"-installation capable of recovering the heart of the fusion reactor in case of puncture of the tank-and four buildings housing the safety relief devices.

8th November

Thunder on Corsica. The Administrative Court of Appeal overturned Monday in Marseilles the public service delegation (PSD) of maritime transport between the island and the mainland, a delegation intended to ensure territorial continuity and with a coquettish grant.

Upon assignment to the SNCM and CMN service contract for the period 2007-2013, Corsica Ferries had attacked him. Peter Mattei, the director general of the company, so savor his victory: "It shows that we were in our right and that has suffered!"

The leader has always considered abnormal grant of 33 million euros allocated by the Transportation Agency Corsican (OTC) for the SNCM ferry for peak periods, in addition to the 66 million allocated for the basic service (cargo passengers and freight throughout the year) to SNCM and CMN.The Court found that there was violation of the European regulation on maritime cabotage.

The "safeguard clause" included in the delegation contract is also in the sights of the Court. This clause makes it possible for companies to benefit from a delegated additional grant anticipated revenue when the contract is not to go. This supplement is considered state aid and tens of millions of euros may have to be repaid.

"An overhaul of the system"

A new bid must be launched for a new contract operational on 1 September 2012. "It will be very difficult to meet this deadline," Paul said yesterday Mary Bartoli, president of the CTA.

The risks of recession are increasing in France

24th October

Disturbing signal. The leading indicator of the economy, the PMI fell to 46.8 points in October, against 50.2 in September, Markit Economics reported. The index, published in draft form, is passed below 50, reflecting a contraction in activity.

"The PMI data are currently consistent with a negative growth rate (of about -0.5 or -0.6%) for the third quarter," that is the beginning of a recession, worries Jack Kennedy, economist at Markit. The French government, which still formally table a growth of 1.75% in 2012, suggested Friday that it has revised downwards this goal.

The contraction in activity has particularly affected the service sector. He has recorded its sharpest fall for 27 months, 46 points, against 51.5 in September. The industry is not much better.Despite a slight improvement, she underwent her third consecutive month of decline, to 49 points against 48.2 the previous month.

"The impact of European debt crisis may be felt on the real economy," says Jack Kennedy. Markit Economics and recorded "a further decline in confidence in the services sector." "The growing uncertainty surrounding the evolution of the economy leads in fact companies to revise downward its business prospects to twelve months, the optimism of the service providers also display its lowest level since April 2009" , notes the Institute for Financial Studies.

Very little sign of hope for a quick turnaround the economy, companies have seen a decline in the volume of new business, "the highest in almost two years," notes Markit Economics.Especially in services, providers are concerned about "the largest decline in new contracts since July 2009." In industry, the decline in sales is that alarm. A trend in both export and domestic market.

Slowdown in Germany

The slowdown in activity is not only France, but also German industry. For the first time in two years, the PMI for the sector fell to 48.9 points in October, against 50.3 in September. Unlike the Hexagon, however, services are able to climb out of the area's 50 points marked a growth in sales, to 52.1 points, 49.7 points against the previous month.Overall, notes Tim Moore, economist at Markit, "uncertainty about the euro area largely explain, according to the companies, investment reports and cuts in non-essential spending."

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Towards a more fuel tax for farmers

10th October

The president Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to visit tomorrow, Tuesday in the Creuse to meet the farmers. The daily Les Echos, they confirm that occasion a very expected: a decrease in payroll of approximately one euro per hour at the minimum wage. This reduction would occur in 2012 and aims to improve the competitiveness of industries that use lots of labor, such as fruit and vegetables. This announcement, however, could be accompanied by a far less popular.

The boost will cost the charges because the state just over 200 million euros. Effort that the government wants to compensate for not widening the deficit. As announced in Le Figaro, the doubling of the tax on sugary drinks should help.The state estimates that from a euro cent to two cents per can, he should recover over 120 million euros. And the remainder, Bercy wishes to the agricultural sector contribution.

Movement of the plane 10%

To do this, the Ministry of Finance, armed with his plane, went through the 40 tax loopholes enjoyed by farmers. Two possibilities were considered. According to Les Echos, the reduction of capital investment (DPI) would be a first option. In its report on tax loopholes, the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) emphasized that the device "does not respond only partially to its original purpose to help finance investment." It allows however to 110,000 farmers to reduce their taxes, and farmers are very attached.The government should turn to another niche: the tax benefit for the use of heating oil as fuel. The fuel is taxed at 5.66 euros per hectolitre, against 42.84 euros for diesel, and that niche cost one billion euros per year. So the government is considering a movement of the plane by 10%.

The construction further penalized

To justify this possible movement of the plane, the General Inspectorate of Finance argued that this advantage is at odds with environmental goals, even if it contributes to competitiveness. She also points out that the niche overlap with the tax rebate on energy products, another niche that costs 150 million to the state.

The decision could, however upsetting beyond the agricultural sector. More than the farmers, are in fact the public works professionals who take advantage of this niche.They pick up about 550 million of tax benefits, against only 450 million (300 euros per vehicle) for farmers.

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Sharp mobile phones 3D on sale soon

30th September

Sharp put on Orange and the French market to go back to the conquest of Europe. France is deemed to be the European country most fond of new technologies. What motivated this choice. The Aquos is available in Orange stores and online from October 6. It should be available from 199 euros (with an offer to pay 100 euros) with a subscription Origami Star 3 hours (59 euros per month). Without a subscription, it is much more expensive: 639 euros.

Delicate challenge

For Sharp, the bet is tricky. This is not to be the nth smartphone in the European market, running Android market segment dominated by Korean and Chinese brands. To differentiate themselves, the Japanese put on the 3D display of the phone. While it is the third, after LG and HTC to offer a device with such a characteristic. But only the Aquos almost instantly converts 2D images into 3D.It is also equipped with two optical, which can take photos or videos in 3D and then watch them on their smartphone, or share them on other screens in relief.

Abandonment of the shelf

On a strategic decision to Sharp raises some questions. The brand has announced the abandonment of its shelf Galapagos there just two weeks. But it also reflects the key role of the smartphone market for players in consumer electronics. To exist, they can not do without. Even if only a very symbolic presence. Orange has only ordered 10,000 copies of the Aquos, probably made prudent by the very small success of the 3D Optimus LG and HTC Evo 3D. Sharp will make us forget the bad reputation of free 3D, even on small screen, according to users, giving a headache and seasickness

Germany loses patience with Greece

14th September

Germany "means that Greece is a member of the euro area", reaffirmed on Monday a spokesman for the Ministry of Economy … who quickly added that Athens was coupled with the necessary reforms "loosely controlled". A phrase that sums up how Berlin is losing patience.

An internal document in German Ministry of Finance, taken by the newspaper Handelsblatt, illustrates the degradation of the opinion of the Germans against the Greeks: "The Government will further Papandreou promised much to its partners, to access a new tranche of credit, but it will not happen, "it said. And his conclusion is clear: Germany is preparing seriously to stop helping Athens.

In fact, Berlin is now considering a very real insolvency of Greece.Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is no longer small sentences like this weekend when it was hammered out of the question to continue paying for Greece as it does not fulfill the conditions set by its creditors.

The post-bankruptcy in the study

In gray and cream long corridors of the Ministry of Wilhelmstrasse, the teams of the latter were already working on the management of post-bankruptcy. According to Spiegel, two scenarios are discussed – the output of Pure and simple in the euro area. The Department neither confirms nor denies. But in an article published yesterday, the Minister of Economy, Philipp Rösler, openly spoke of a possible bankruptcy of Greece.

Yet next scene, the CDU denies pessimism. For the president of the parliamentary group in the Bundestag Volker Kauder, "an exit from the euro area is not a solution."The party's general secretary, Hermann Grohe, Cassandra pin that inflame the debate: "We need to encourage the Greeks. We help are people in this way. "

Chancellor Angela Merkel sticks, meanwhile, delivered the remarks Sunday in an interview with the daily Tagesspiegel, saying that one can not "fix overnight what is not done for years" . On Monday, after his meeting with José Manuel Barroso, it simply just a terse statement on the importance of the euro.But if his spokesman said that the government's official position is to rely on the conclusions of the troika (EU-IMF-ECB), which experts arrive Wednesday in Greece for a thorough audit, he added that Germany Greece would not help that "in very strict conditions."

Ruling coalition isolated

Within the ruling coalition in Berlin, the Christian Democrats are isolated. The brothers enemies of Free Democrats and the Bavarian CSU common cause. When Philipp Rösler, also chairman of the FDP and thus vice-chancellor, said that one should "refrain from further consider an orderly insolvency of Greece", the patron of Christian social applauds Horst Seehofer, "content that these thoughts are expressed out loud. "

The CSU has also adopted an important resolution yesterday internally.In fifteen pages, it will detail the conditions it deems necessary to accept in the future to vote on plans to assist countries in need. It says this sentence murders: "States which are not able to stick to common rules, and put the euro area in difficulty should expect to leave the currency area." In Germany, the time of indulgence is over.

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