The French may well have low morale and closely monitor their spending, not about to give up one of their tasty treats: chocolate bars. This is one of the fastest growing segments (7%) on the market for chocolate confectionery, dominated by three heavyweights: Ferrero (Kinder Bueno, Country), Mars (Mars, Twix, Snickers) and Nestlé (KitKat, Lion). "In times of crisis, the French do not want to agree to give up small pleasures available, explains Christophe Bordin, Ferrero France. They arbitrate on other expenses. "Higher prices, less than 2%, due to soaring raw material, nothing changed.

Better growth potential remains high. The French consume on average only three chocolate bars a year, half that of tablets. However, public health campaigns against obesity, especially among children, they have seriously been shadowed. The bars have all but disappeared and fronts of boxes hypermarkets.

Nutrition a key priority

So, most actors, who have given up advertising per hour of after school, have made improving the nutritional profile of their bar one of their warhorses. This is one of the sinews of war fought in this market extremely dominated by Kinder Bueno (Ferrero), the youngest, born just twenty years ago. March, who has made improving his recipe one of the keys of his reconquest of the French market, has pioneered five years ago. There was urgency: mothers had diverted from his bar, which was the first in the French market in 1951, finding it too greasy and disgusting.

After declining the use of saturated fatty acids and fats, March flatly reduces the size of its bar (- 7%). And to inject a little "dream" in his communication, he revived his pub in 1995 and the American imagination of the Wild West, while reviving its historic slogan ("A March, and it goes again") creditreport. Mission accomplished in two years, he won a million new consumers. "Our goal is to become a leader in the segment of chocolate bars," says Thierry Gaillard, president of Mars Chocolat France, whose cult brand is celebrating his eighty years.

Quest for respectability

Even fighting for KitKat (Nestle), one of the most bars sold in the world (17.6 billion in 2010), which in 2008 launched a light version for women ("Senses", 165 calories). Before going out early 2012 "Singles", a single bar to 80 calories.

The battle is fierce. "As this product pulse that are not on the shopping list, the key remains visible in stores and media, based on strong brands," said Thierry Gaillard. Even more than innovation, the "classic" generate most sales. Face Ferrero, who has the largest sales force in the market (400 sales), March 85 vendors hired last year to push its promos. In the agribusiness sector, Ferrero France – who recruited the tennis champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to the pub Kinder Bueno – advertising remains the largest investor with 215 million euros (+8%) in 2011.

In this quest for respectability, chocolate bars have an asset in France: the famous "taste" of children, sacred pause in the Hexagon. On this particular field that Kinder Bueno has succeeded in widening the gap with its competitors. Because it is perceived to be lighter, moms do not hesitate to give their children for their "four hours" instead of biscuits and pastries.

If seeking for a low cost payday loan make sure to compare terms and repayment plans from various payday loan lenders online.

For the second consecutive month, the fuel consumption in France is declining. According to statistics released Monday by the French Union of Petroleum Industries (UFIP), according to data of the Professional Committee of oil (PDCC), fuel shipments in March were down 3.5% from the month of March of last year, reaching 4.2 million cubic meters.

The unleaded fall of 9.1% and diesel, which now accounts for 81.2% market share in France, 2.1%. In February, fuel deliveries had fallen by 1.6% YoY: -7.3% for super, -0.3% for diesel.

This decline in consumption is observed when the pump prices hitting their highs. 1.6619 euro at the average price of a liter of unleaded 95 (SP95) April 6 calculated by the government sprays the peaks of summer 2008 (1.4971 euro June 20, 2008), while the SP98 s' flies to 1.7121 euro per liter.

The euro weakened against the greenback

Gas stations in Paris, who occasionally exceeded the symbolic price of 2 euros per liter, have recently attracted national publicity which they would be well spent business card templates. The preferred fuel of the French, the diesel was selling for an average of 1.4347 euro per liter on April 6, just below the record 2008 which corresponded to a barrel to $ 147, against about $ 120 currently.

The pump price multiplied records while crude oil is trading for less than four years ago, because meanwhile the euro weakened against the greenback, currency exchange gold black. Expressed in European currency, the barrel is the highest.

Consumption of petroleum fuels in France fell by 1.6% from 2007 to 2010. Within this time, the evolution of cars, which account for new models increasingly sober, has had an impact on demand.

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A few days ago, British fashion designer Stella McCartney presented with great fanfare the official uniform of British sportsmen at the Olympic Games in London. A choice at the initiative of Adidas, which has not hesitated to use one of the hottest designers of the moment to boost his image. Although the final result has not been universally accepted. But the detail is not so harmless, while dress codes of the great champions continue to evolve under the combined effect of economic and political pressures.

New more powerful actors in the sports economy

The sexy outfits would only respoonsables the success of beach volleyball according to critics.

One hundred days after his inauguration, Mariano Rajoy faces Thursday its first general strike in Spain. "Hundred Days, hardly!" Are offended tenors of the Popular Party (PP, right), the formation of the head of government. "The strike, finally!" Meet the basics of trade unions, eager to do battle. For the past three months, government and workers' representatives to look into daggers.

In recent weeks, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), the two largest unions in the country, have organized two events before calling a general strike. The leaders admitted bluntly: it was first to count.

In the crosshairs of unions, labor market reform, adopted by decree on February 9 and described as "extremely aggressive" … by the minister of the economy itself!

Javier Doz, Head of International Relations of CCOO, summarizes the two main objections to the reform: "First, this law flexibilized layoffs and cuts costs. Second, it greatly weakens collective bargaining. "The government says it is to encourage hiring by offering less restrictive labor contracts. The argument is scanned by Doz: "Since the adoption of the decree, unemployment has continued to grow."

"A stroke of genius!"

The executive, in turn, paved the way. A short sentence illustrates this perfectly. It was in Brussels on 31 January. Mariano Rajoy attended his first European Council. Prior to opening the meeting, he met with his Finnish counterpart and brags: "The reform of labor law will cost me a general strike!" Rajoy then displays a satisfied smile. Barely a month after taking office, the standoff between the government and unions had already begun.

"A stroke of genius!" Can not help admiring Pablo López Calle, professor of sociology of work at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. "It's Rajoy himself who called a general strike! It presents the mobilization as a sign of his political identity, "he decrypts. Proof of its determination, in short.

For unions, in any case, the day will be a test. In a country affected by an unemployment rate of 23%, fear of losing his job well anesthesia claims. For several weeks, unions must also defuse a series of controversies echoed by the conservative press. A leader of UGT, for example, was accused of receiving tens of thousands of dollars from the Caja Madrid, a savings bank the largest in the country. In reality, the money is paid to each member of the Board and shall be returned to the union. "This is a campaign to discredit us," considers Doz, denouncing "personal insults".

The challenges of Spain

Mistrust vis-à-vis trade unions, however, goes beyond the usual political divisions. During the demonstration on 19 February, for example, indignant movement of May 15 had joined the workers' representatives. But these indignados had organized their own parade. "Thanks for coming!" They sang at the CCOO and UGT. One way to criticize the supposed slowness of their response. "¡No representan our" ("They do not represent us!") Cried others, usually reserved for a political slogan.

Conversely, unions are wary of calls from the foot of the Socialist Party (PSOE). The leader of the PSOE, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, does not hide his strategy: "The PP has shown with the bishops (an allusion to the protests against gay marriage or abortion), we, we demonstrate with the unions." These latter, however, still marked by the austerity measures of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Socialist prime minister post. "In recent events, says Lopez, union leaders have done everything to prevent the Socialists are at the forefront." The Socialists, requinqués by an unexpected election victory last Sunday in Andalusia, intend to transform the test.

Beyond the likely battle between unions and government figures, the point lies elsewhere. Condenses into a general strike the next day challenges of Spain. On the one hand, the government Rajoy wants to kill the rebellion in the bud, establish his austerity program and ensure social peace by force of his majority. The other, the parliamentary opposition and trade union seeks to rise from the ashes.

• Nicolas Sarkozy wants to pay the tax exiles

Incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out at tax exiles Monday night on TF1, the Word of candidate issue, by proposing the creation of "a tax related to nationality," a system "used by the Americans." "Anyone who left France for not paying taxes will make known to the administration the amount of taxes it pays abroad. If it is lower than it would have paid in France, he will pay the difference, "he explained, saying" particularly outrageous "the" category "French people who practice the tax exile.

"The tax exile, is the one who wants to remain French nationality but who do not want to stay in France for taxation. I have all the advantages but no problem! "He insisted. Before warning: "Well, they'll get a surprise."

The spokesman of the president candidate, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, told AFP he would not make "the deprivation of nationality." "If he does not pay, he is pursued by the taxman. (…) However, if he wants to escape measurement, it is of course free to take another nationality, "she added.

However, Nicolas Sarkozy does not want to "touch the expatriate tax status" for professional reasons. "There are two million French people living abroad who are fighting, which conquer markets", he chained, also referring to officials posted abroad. "These French, I do not want anyone to touch anything in their fiscal and legal status. In anything, "he proclaimed.

• a sytème sponsorship by citizens

Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that he would introduce a system of sponsorship by citizens during the next presidential election if re-elected in May. He had recently discussed a figure of about 3% of the electorate.

On the National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, he wished she managed to collect 500 of sponsorships elected him to run for president, adding that if she had not, it would be "a problem ". "Clearly, I want it to have its sponsorship," said the outgoing president.

"I have long thought that people who vote for the National Front vote for this party, not because they believe in their solutions – they have none – but because it is a cry of anger, c ' is suffering, it is an anxiety, "he said paydayloans. He said that "we do not begrudge people their anguish and suffering, I am simply saying to voters that voting for the National Front is a complete impasse. By voting for the National Front, they encourage one thing, as always, the victory of the socialist candidate. "

• Sarkozy sweeps rumors of funding by Gaddafi in 2007

Asked about the website Mediapart whereby Muammar Gaddafi would have funded his 2007 campaign, Nicolas Sarkozy said that "if he had funded I would not have been very grateful," adding sarcastically that the son of former Libyan leader was probably a "moral compass". In March 2011, at the beginning of military intervention led by France and the United Kingdom in Libya, Seif al-Islam had challenged Nicolas Sarkozy in an interview with Euronews.

"Mr. Gaddafi, who is known to say anything, had even said that there were checks, and although his son's place. When quoting Gaddafi who died and his son who has blood on his hands, and that associated himself with the questions he asked, frankly I think it is fairly low in the political debate, " Nicolas Sarkozy deplored.

• "No load without revenue" for artisans

Artisans will no longer pay payroll taxes as they will not realize revenue, announced on TF1 President Nicolas Sarkozy. "The artisans will be treated exactly like the auto-entrepreneur: you only pay charges that the minute you get a turnover," said the presidential candidate, in response to a question from a craftsman.  

• Lifting of military secrecy in the matter Karachi

Nicolas Sarkozy said he was ready to lift the secrecy-defense in the case of Karachi, while his rival Socialists, Francois Hollande, pledged on Monday to lift it during a meeting at his campaign headquarters with relatives victims of the attack. "I have nothing to hide or even remotely. I am for transparency, "assured the president candidate.

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Yesterday, Al Jazeera Sports has won another round in its development strategy in French football. The future French declension with the Qatari called to emerge by June, has indeed been assigned by the UEFA some of the TV rights for the Europa League, together with M6. This was announced yesterday that European football's governing body on its website, thus satisfying one of the objectives of management for future pay-sports channel.

DeuxPour rights multiplied by 16 million euros according to the Team, will share the two channels thus the spread of the second largest European club competition, over the period 2012-2015. Jackpot for UEFA, who sees and double the previous revenue received from Canal + and M6 for this competition (8 million). But bad news for the encrypted string, which is seen again reduce its offer football, in a leak of its journalists to Qatar chain (see below).

For football fans, this new distribution rights for the Europa League should not cause major upheaval. The best match of each day will be broadcast on free DTT subsidiary of M6: W9, and summaries after each match night. In the presence of French clubs, "the meetings of the semifinals and final will be broadcast on M6" said UEFA. For its part, the future chain headed by Charles Bietry obtains the rights to all games, "including the final." The latter, still officially called Al Jazeera Sport but that could take the "Be In Sports," will broadcast at least two live games, as well as summaries highlight each evening meeting.  

Construct the grid programmesPar this new blow, and Charles Bietry continues building the program schedule of Al Jazeera Sport, which will have not one but two stations, broadcast 24h/24 fast cash online. The acquisition of sports rights is a priority to fill the boxes of these new entrants in the audiovisual paying, created ex nihilo. Management has also not hidden his determination to focus also on other sports. In this war to sports rights in football, Canal +, however, can claim to have kept, with 13 choices of the Champions League and the top two of each day in the French league (L1), posters the most attractive.

Faced with the Champions League, bringing together the best European teams of clubs, the Europa League is indeed a second best competition at European level. Until the launch channels that will validate or not this quantitative strategy, the Qatari channel may soon increase his offer with obtaining rights much more attractive to the Euro 2012 football and 2016, which have not been assigned by UEFA.

The ranks are swelling of Canal + Al JeziraComme those rights for TVs, the battle intensifies between Al Jazeera Sport, Canal + on the front of journalists. In this game, Charles Bietry has a head start. Yesterday was Darren Tullett, the specialist in the Premier League (English Premiership), who announced his departure from the encrypted channel to join the Qatari. A third departure, after the journalist Christophe Josse, formalized the previous day and that of Julian Brown, also a specialist in English football. Of new hires reflect the interest of Charles Bietry for the English league. And thus a form of warning for the pay channel, which has made British football a strategic pillar of its offer.

As we approach the presidential election, the office humming with political discussions. This highly controversial topic is no longer taboo in French companies. According to a survey Opinionway * conducted on behalf of the editions Tissot, 57% of employees say they discuss political issues with their colleagues. A quarter clearly shows the same opinions.

Few people see it as a sensitive topic. Employees who never raise this issue at work (38% of respondents) said first adopt this attitude of discretion, because they feel that their political views do not watch them. They are only 22% see it as a source of conflict, and 7% fear that their careers will be affected by the opinions they have issued.

However, many employees perceive that the limits are not exceeded.A large majority (60%) judge and moved to a colleague to explain why he should vote for a candidate or party rather than another. Similarly, distributing a leaflet, wear a badge or paste a poster on the politically charged workplace is overwhelmingly considered unacceptable.

If the policy is no longer taboo, employees are also not willing to discuss the subject with anyone. Colleagues are privileged interlocutors. In contrast, only 29% of respondents speak with their political boss, and 15% with customers of their business.

* Poll conducted from September 21 to 29, 2011 among a sample of 1013 employees and officials.

"Testimonials – And you, are you talking about politics at work? Speak your political opinions? Are you afraid to be detrimental to your career? Share your experience in comments below or by email at temoin@lefigaro.fr.

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The fear of a slowing Chinese economy weigh on Asian stock markets. On Tuesday, the day after a session, however encouraging, the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong and Shanghai Composite Index unleash respectively 3.52% and 1.52 points to 18,209.70% to 2403.32 points. Investors react to the publication of a slowdown in Chinese growth to 9.1% in the third quarter, against 9.7% and 9.5% in the first and second quarters.After this bad figure, other regional financial centers are also displayed down: the Nikkei of the Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 1.55% to 8741.91 points, the Kospi index in Seoul fell by 1.51% to 1837.01 points, the S & P / ASX 200 Index yields 2.07% at Sydney 4186.90 points, the BSE Sensex 30 in Mumbai plaice 1.73% to 16,730.10 points and the FTSE Straits Times of Singapore gives up 1.81% to 2728 , 55 points.

"Economic growth is currently facing a more complicated on both external and internal plans," said the spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Sheng Laiyun commenting on the growth of China. In fact, Chinese exporters are beginning to suffer from particular sovereign debt crisis in Europe, their largest market, a difficult economic situation in the United States.The Chinese economy is also impacted by rising wages and strong yuan, has appreciated by 7% in a year against the dollar. "The number of factors of instability and uncertainty increases," says Sheng Laiyun.

The concern weighing on Europe

In this context, the correct figures for China's industrial production have gone unnoticed. This has increased by 13.8% in September year on year, according to BNS.

In addition, concerns about the debt crisis in Europe grew yesterday and weigh Surles markets payday loan lenders. The German Minister of Economics Wolfgang Schäuble has indeed warned that the EU summit to be held in Brussels Sunday will not lead to a definitive solution to the debt crisis. And, while the central bankers of the euro zone had promised a response "comprehensive and lasting peace" to the crisis at the G20 finance this weekend in Paris.

China Eastern Airlines to Hong Kong and Tepco

On the corporate side, China Eastern Airlines (-9.82% to 2.57 Hong Kong dollars) on Monday announced an agreement to acquire 15 Airbus A330 family for a selected list price of $ 2.5 billion, for delivery between 2013 and 2015.

The action of the firm Olympus camera dropped by a further 8.87% to 1.417 yen to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, bringing to 43% since the sudden collapse of his dismissal Friday of its British CEO accused of mismanagement President Honorary Japanese company.

Note that Tepco, the operator of the nuclear accident in Fukushima, yields 1.38% in Tokyo, after asking the first tranche of public assistance of some 700 billion yen (6.7 billion euros) for finance part of the compensation of victims, according to Japanese media on Tuesday.

On the front of currencies, the euro rose 0.28% to 1.377 dollars on Tuesday. Oil is meanwhile down in Asia after the confirmation of a slowdown in Chinese growth in the third quarter against a backdrop of skepticism about a speedy resolution of sovereign debt crisis in the euro area. The barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November, up in the early electronic trading, lost 9 cents to 86.29 dollars, around 6:00.

The stock market bounce this week has been facilitated by the concerted action of major central banks. The markets now await a response to the crisis of the euro and they still fear a return to recession is not yet integrated into the course.

• Central banks have put out the fire. Policy is to act.

To rebound, stock markets were expecting a strong gesture. A kind of kick in the bottom of the pool after the distressing spectacle of the leaders of member countries of the euro unable to agree on rescue Greece. The first impetus was given by central banks that have decided to tackle the funding problems of European banks. By providing all the liquidity they need dollars, they have the most urgent and avoided a new banking crisis. But the most difficult tasks lie ahead.For central banks are independent organizations, they therefore have the flexibility of movement that do not have the seventeen Member States of the euro. Now it is in the field of European governance, the ability of states to reduce their debt and the solidity of the European financial stability that is expected the euro area. Subjects whose implementation is far from certain and have not finished putting markets under pressure.

• Focus on growth, defensive stocks do not pay more.

The crash of August brought down one of the last great stock market myth: the resilience of defensive stocks in times of crisis. The numbers speak for themselves: Veolia Environnement and Suez, specializing in utilities, a sector traditionally very defensive, yielded 42 and 20% over the last three months.EDF and GDF Suez lost their next 18 and 12%. France Telecom, Vivendi and Vinci also fell sharply. During the summer, these values ​​have not only shown no ability to resist, but they often fell as much as "cyclical" as Lafarge, ArcelorMittal, Saint-Gobain or Peugeot. The only values ​​that really are resilient growth companies in these emerging countries have low debt and strong brands. LVMH is the case, Essilor International, SEB, Air Liquide, Bic or Hermes International. The clear market preference for growth stocks at the expense of defense is not surprising in times of crisis. It is precisely because investors fear a slowdown in the richer countries, that growth is so sought after by scholars.The famous guru of Wall Street, the American Peter Lynch, who long prospered the famous Magellan fund, has shown: in the long run, only the values ​​of growth are able to enrich shareholders. His motto: there is no fortune by multiplying the stock market moves, but the success by joining the best companies at the time.

• Economists fear a growing recession in the United States.

The euro crisis is not the only concern of the operators. According to a survey by the Wall Street Journal on a panel of 53 economists, they believe that there is one chance in three that the United States fell into recession in the next twelve months. This sharp deterioration in business expectations is a bad omen.American economists believe the Fed will be reactive at its meeting on 20 September, but they doubt the effectiveness of measures taken to revive the business. The survey, closely watched by traders on Wall Street, the trend weakens. Especially when we know that this feeling is shared by consumers, which contributes 70% to U.S. GDP.

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What will the television of the future? This is the battle that was played in early August between the Ministry of Industry and the Communications. The Ministry of Eric Besson argued for the adoption of a new standard for DTT broadcasting (the DVBT-2). That of Frédéric Mitterrand preferred delay. Élysée and Matignon has arbitrated in favor of Eric Besson. Result, 9 August, the French government notified Brussels that it reserved the right to establish a new standard for DTT broadcasting, as revealed by the Tribune. The government does not specify the date of service, but it will be theoretically possible on 1 December 2011 with the termination of analog TV. The issue is quite simple. With technological advances in transportation and compression of images, it should be possible to make a lot of space on the radio frequencies (up to 70%).

With current technology, there is room for six new HD channels. Three lines are planned for the bonus of Canal +, TF1 and M6, and three others could be attributed to competitors. With the new standard DVBT-2, it will be possible to disseminate, not six but ten. The problem is that it was not until late 2013 or early 2014 for manufacturers LG, Sony, Samsung … sell TVs with standard DVBT-2. The French who are equipped with new TVs from 2005 to 2011 to receive the TNT are not ready to change to accommodate new channels payday loan no faxing.

Reasoned opinion on September 20

This equation is complicated by the question of the future media landscape and the allocation of bonus channels. But Michel Boyon, the president of CSA, must make a report on the subject to François Fillon, late August or early September. Michel Boyon has several solutions.

The first is to allow the launch of three bonus channels (Canal 20, Paris Première and LCI) in the current standard from 1 December 2012. The second is to allow the launch of these channels but with the new standard. Consequently, many channels exist but would be seen by any viewer, because there will be no television adapted. The third is to freeze the PAF with 19 free channels until 2014, when the arrival of new TVs and a full stop advertising on France Televisions. This would suit TF1 and M6, which argued for a break. But Canal Plus, who wants to launch its free channel Canal 20 in late 2011, could attack the decision to the State Council. It is Brussels that could mediate the dilemma. On 20 September the Commission will issue a reasoned opinion, or it's likely that it opposes these bonus channels.