Sell-by and display-until labels - used by retailers for stock control - could be phased out completely if stores agree.

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Aside from his own labels, he has bought liquid stock from some other highly known personal collections, some dating back to 1777.

FORBES: Outrageous Cocktails

These labels are generally used by shops for stock control.

BBC: Clearer food labelling plan 'to bring an end to waste'

The latter came about thanks largely to the efforts of Steve Jobs, who was able to play record labels off against each other and eventually stock his virtual record store with over 26 million songs.

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The record labels, film companies and games firms that supply it with stock were persuaded to take a small stake in HMV as the chain found it increasingly difficult to pay them for the merchandise.

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Problem is that the gum glue on pill bottle labels tends to melt in the heat and pressure generated by a stock issue laser printer.

FORBES: Toned and ready