Home Retail Group has announced that it expects profits to rise above market expectations when full years results are published, despite sales at Argos having fallen dramatically in the last two weeks of the year.

The group expects profit to be £290 million for the year ended 27th February 2010.

Scientists are developing technology which will enable certain crops to be harvested robotically.

Scientists from the National Physical Laboratory, in collaboration with KMS projects and Vegetable Harvesting Systems, have developed technology which will allow machines to identify the size of vegetables through the use of infra-red, terahertz and radio frequencies, which can then be utilized in fully automated harvesting machines.

International Supermarket News will be giving £15,000 advertising to the winner of the Fresh-Cut award in a ceremony at the World Fruit and Vegetable Show on 27th October 2010.

Entry for the award will open on 1st September 2010. The competition will be judged by major fresh-cut supermarket buyers. The winner will be able to use £15,000 advertising in the International Supermarket News magazine and on the website.

A plant that was once considered a weed is now showing promise as an alternative source of oil for fish and animal feeds, and even jet fuel. Camelina (False Flax), known for its hardy growing nature and high oil content is the subject of a unique research project linking researchers across Canada, and as far away as Germany.

It is six months since Starbucks introduced Starbucks VIA Ready Brew in the U.S. and Canada, and the Company have announced it will launch Starbucks VIA throughout their Company operated and licensed locations in the U.K. on March 8, and in Japan on April 14. Customers