The diversified American group SARA LEE (food products, household goods, underwear: $20 bn turnover for the 1998-99 financial year, with 23,000 employees in 17 countries) is to launch a hostile £103.8 million bid for the British textiles manufacturer COURTAULDS TEXTILES (£893 million turnover in 1998 with 19,000 employees), or 100 pence a share.