The Wm Wrigley Jr Company announced record quarterly sales of US$1.2 billion, an increase of 16 per cent on worldwide shipment increases of 21 per cent.

Sales in Asia recorded a 26 per cent increase on a 22 per cent shipment increase.

The confectionery and chewing gum producer said China is the biggest contributor to its Asia sales gain, where sales expanded at a rate in excess of 30 per cent.

The company's continued excellent performance in China reflects ongoing positive consumer response to innovative bottled gum products and an expansion following the first-quarter launch of Doublemint(R) mints, Wrigley said.

Carrefour

French retailer Carrefour said its sales in China totalled 544 million euros (US$691 million) in the second quarter of this year.

Like-for-like sales in China rose 6.3 per cent, representing the best performance in the past five quarters.

China, Indonesia and Malaysia were the major contributors to Carrefour's growth in Asia, which was 13.7 per cent in the second quarter of this year.

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