NBR Rich Lister Peter Yealands' wine company merges with Ager Sectus, which is run by his neighbour Peter Cutfield.

The NZX-listed fast food company is continuing its expansion in the Middle East.

Foodstuffs has released an update on which of its stores are closed as a result of the Canterbury earthquake and which ones are still open.

The volume of pure alcohol available for consumption has increased by 5.5%, driven by high-alcohol spirits.

The modest retail sales increase in November was driven by a bounce-back in vehicle-related industries, with core retail sales dropping.

The Overseas Investment Office has approved CSR’s sale of Sucrogen, which owns the Chelsea Sugar Refinery, to Singaporean company Wilmar International for $A1.75 billion.

The sale is expected to be completed next Wednesday December 22.

CSR has proposed to return about $A800 million to its shareholders (about 52.7c per share) following the completion of the sale.

The return of funds will consist of a capital return (subject to CSR shareholders’ approval) and a fully-franked special dividend.