Taste halts Domino's and Starbucks store expansion

South Africa's Taste Holdings said on Tuesday it had halted the roll out of new Domino's Pizza and Starbucks stores after reporting a loss in the first half of its financial year. South African retailers have struggled to lift earnings this year in the recession-bound economy as elevated household debts. Taste said higher fuel prices, an increase in value-added tax and income taxes have squeezed consumers' pockets.