Asda in second.

Supermarket chain Asda received further evidence yesterday that it is holding off rival Sainsbury's in the battle for second spot in the grocery market.

Research from market research group TNS Superpanel put Asda's share at 16.7% in the 12 weeks to August 14, compared with Sainsbury's at 15.7%.

Tesco is still way out in front at 30.5% after improving its position from 28.1% in the same period a year earlier.

Profits on the up

LOGISTICS group Brambles posted a 23% rise in underlying profits yesterday, despite a weaker performance from its waste business Cleanaway.

The figure of pounds 378m for the Anglo-Australian group was achieved after an "excellent year" at its CHEP pallets business, which improved profits by 29% and reaped further rewards from a restructuring started three years ago.

Cleanaway revealed an 8% fall in profits to pounds 82m, but Brambles said the outlook was more promising as the business ( the UK's second largest waste management company ( was expected to show progress in the coming year.

Making contacts

BUSINESSES in the North-East can find out how they can do business with some of the world's top aid-funded organisations at a free seminar in Newcastle next month.

Firms can learn more about doing business with such organisations as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the United Nations Office at Geneva (ONOG).

The event takes place on Wednesday, September 7, from 10am to 1.30pm at Jury's Inn, Newcastle. For information call: [phone] or email [e-mail]

Buoyant sector

JOB creation in the public sector remains "buoyant" because of continued demand for staff in the NHS and local government, according to a new report yesterday.

Employment firm Manpower said planned recruitment in the public sector in the coming weeks was "far higher" than in private firms.