RWE: march across Europe continues

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Scottish & Newcastle: brewing up a storm in the East

The major attraction is Hartwall's 50% share of Russia's leading brewer BBH. S&N has been relatively weak in high-growth emerging markets, but its recent acquisitions including Hartwall are changing the situation. As a result, the rumored three-way merger between S&N, SAB and Miller is looking increasingly unlikely.

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Lukoil/Yukos: carving up the post-Soviet markets

Russia's second-largest oil company Yukos looks set to step up its investment in the oil processing and transportation infrastructure of the Baltic states, while archrival Lukoil is concentrating on the new St Petersburg oil terminal and the post-Soviet markets further south. The two strategies allow the companies to avoid head-on competition with each other.

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Lukoil: automatic for the future

Lithuanian fuel retailer Lukoil Baltija has reportedly decided to transform the majority of its network into automatic sites. This will enable the company to keep its position as Lithuania's market leader while increasing its overall efficiency. The venture is also relatively risk-free and should secure a profitable future for the Lithuanian fuel retailer, if not for its employees.

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Lithuania's government has few options in supply contract dispute

The courses of action open to Lithuania in its gas supply contract dispute with Gazprom appear to be limited. A contract signed in 2004 tied gas import prices to an oil linked indexation formula. Rising oil prices mean that the import price for 2006 will rise by 46% - an unwelcome situation for the government, but one in which it has little, if any, room for maneuver.

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The gloves are off in central European fuel retail

Rapid network expansion and upstream muscle are the unstoppable forces pushing Lukoil to the fore of fuel retailing in central and eastern Europe (CEE). The firm is the key mover in the region, expanding its site presence by a remarkable 180% over the past three years. But selling petrol is not simply a numbers game: Lukoil is also successfully incorporating a strong shop proposition.

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Nordic fuel retailers take unmanned voyage east

While unmanned or automated sites have been an integral part of the forecourt retailing landscape in the Nordic markets for decades, in other parts of Europe this concept of automated payment, no shop and slightly more barren forecourts has never quite managed to take off. But a new wave of openings is now occurring, targeting markets further east.

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PKN Orlen: braving the Baltics

PKN Orlen has begun outlining its retail intentions for the Baltic region as it moves closer to the official acquisition of Lithuanian refinery Mazeikiu Nafta. While this deal gives PKN access to much-needed upstream assets, its lack of retail presence means it will have a lot of work do to if it intends to grow organically in markets where the likes of Lukoil and Statoil are firmly established.

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Lukoil: moving forward in non-fuel sales

Russian fuel retailer Lukoil has announced an eight-year plan to increase its focus on shop sales at its service stations, while its Baltic subsidiary has launched a new loyalty program. Both events serve to demonstrate Lukoil's new customer-centric aspirations, and suggest that we may see these aspirations being fulfilled in a rather innovative way.

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Maxima: Baltic Tigers' leading grocer still roaring

Despite the downturn facing the once booming Baltic Tiger States, sales at Maxima were up 31.4% to LTL4.79 billion (E1.38 billion) for the first six months of 2008. The outlook remains positive for Maxima, as sales are being boosted by price conscious consumers' attraction to its stores. Meanwhile, expansion in Bulgaria could provide a significant growth opportunity for Maxima outside the Baltics.

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