The London-based Allied Domecq plc group is interested in increasing its share of the wine sector by means of small acquisitions. It has made it known that it is currently looking for a suitable wine producer in Australia. The manager of the financial group, Graham Hetherington, says that Allied Domecq wants to concentrate, more than anything, on existing commercial areas and is thus not about to make a grand acquisition. He also talked of a possible later consolidation in the wine and alcoholic drinks market. He went on to say that Allied Domecq wants to keep its fast food restaurant chains, namely Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin & Robbins Ice Cream and Togo’s Sandwiches, thanks to a better yield in this sector than in the drinks sector. They also have greater economic potential in the USA. He added that the business is looking to increase its profits in the current financial year and must maintain advertising and marketing costs. According to Hetherington, the aim for 2002 as far as advertising costs go is in the order of 600 million euros.