http://www.just-food.comDaily food analysis - from just-food.com© 2012 All content copyright just-food.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:46:24 GMTWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:46:24 GMTjust-food.com - RSS feedjust-food.comhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss20http://www.just-food.com/images/small_logo_style.gifhttp://www.just-food.com10021Tyson Foods managed to garner the support of analysts on the release of its first-quarter results, beating estimates despite continued high feed costs.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/analysts-hail-tyson-q1-despite-profit-slump_id118169.aspxTue, 07 Feb 2012 11:03:00 GMTUS cereal giant Kellogg has warned the profits from its European operations could fall again this year amid the challenging economic environment on the Continent.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/kellogg-warns-european-profits-could-fall-again-in-2012_id118167.aspxMon, 06 Feb 2012 19:39:00 GMTUnilever's food division has been under the microscope in recent months, with a series of disposals and growth in many categories slow, lagging behind its more buoyant non-food businesses As Michelle Russell writes, this week, as Unilever reported its 2011 results, the scrutiny returned.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/in-the-spotlight-question-marks-over-unilevers-food-unit-return_id118149.aspxFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:25:00 GMTThe CEO of Hain Celestial has told analysts that the US food company will look to make more acquisitions this year, in the US and Asia.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/hain-celestial-eyes-global-growth-opportunities_id118138.aspxThu, 02 Feb 2012 17:04:00 GMTAfter a tumultuous three years at the helm of the world's second-largest grocery retailer, Carrefour chairman and CEO Lars Olofsson is set to be replaced by Georges Plassat.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/plassat-faces-carrefour-trial_id118103.aspxTue, 31 Jan 2012 11:39:00 GMTAnalysts retain concerns about the prospects of UK online retailer Ocado even after it posted a reduction in full-year losses earlier today (31 January).http://www.just-food.com/analysis/analysts-questions-remain-for-ocado_id118109.aspxTue, 31 Jan 2012 15:07:00 GMTZetar CEO Ian Blackburn has played down the UK confectioner and snack maker's caution over Easter.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/keep-easter-caution-in-context-zetar-ceo-blackburn_id118054.aspxThu, 26 Jan 2012 09:08:00 GMTUS brands Twinkies and Wonder are so iconic they are known the world over, even in markets where the products are not sold. Yet despite having these cultural touchstones in its portfolio, US baker Hostess Brands has struggled over the last decade, entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection twice, most recently this month. Sam Webb looks at why this baking monolith has started to crumble.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/why-us-baker-hostess-went-stale_id118052.aspxWed, 25 Jan 2012 15:01:00 GMTKraft Foods, which plans to split in two by the end of the year, this week outlined the first impact of the move when it announced plans to cut 1,600 jobs in North America. Analysts believe the split allows the US food giant to accelerate efforts to cut costs and boost margins from the new grocery business. Michelle Russell reports.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/kraft-puts-lean-mean-machine-in-motion_id118011.aspxFri, 20 Jan 2012 17:32:00 GMTThe Chinese New Year is marked on Monday (23 January) but the same old questions over the safety of food made in the country have reared their head once again. Contaminated milk at Mengniu Dairy has renewed consumer concern and infant-formula maker Synutra International found itself linked to the death of a baby boy. Chinese food makers are working on improving supply chains but there is still much more to do, as Dean Best reports.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/fresh-concerns-over-food-safety-in-china_id117983.aspxThu, 19 Jan 2012 09:19:00 GMTTesco CEO Philip Clarke has said the UK retailer will focus more on products and on service to revitalise the company's poor underlying domestic sales.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/tescos-clarke-admits-uk-failings_id117919.aspxFri, 13 Jan 2012 13:05:00 GMTWith shoppers looking for value and commodity costs volatile, margins are under pressure, meaning pricing decisions have never been more important. Manufacturers and retailers are looking for technologies to help them optimise prices and suppliers of that technology are in demand - as shown by IBM's deal to buy US analytics firm DemandTec. Glynn Davis reports.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/ibms-demandtec-buy-shows-value-in-price-optimisation_id117905.aspxThu, 12 Jan 2012 15:59:00 GMTIn spite of its worthy aim of focusing on improving the diets of at-risk lower-income families, a new UK government healthy meals campaign has attracted criticism from campaigners. Ben Cooper reports.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/uk-healthy-meals-initiative-mired-in-controversy_id117903.aspxThu, 12 Jan 2012 15:51:00 GMTSainsbury's chief executive Justin King has predicted that food sales volumes will fall again in the UK in 2012 despite signs that commodity costs could be easing.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/food-volumes-will-fall-again-in-2012-says-sainsburys_id117888.aspxWed, 11 Jan 2012 15:24:00 GMTFood helped Marks and Spencer enjoy a sales jump in its third quarter but some market observers fear a post-Christmas hangover.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/ms-food-shines-but-uncertainty-remains_id117869.aspxTue, 10 Jan 2012 13:48:00 GMTJust before Christmas, US retailers Bi-Lo announced a deal to buy local peer Winn-Dixie Stores, creating an organisation of almost 700 grocery stores in eight states throughout the south-east of the country. Sam Webb speaks to industry watchers about the move, and what it will mean for the new company.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/an-uncertain-future-for-bi-lo-and-winn-dixie_id117859.aspxMon, 09 Jan 2012 17:37:00 GMTSenior Morrisons executives have expressed caution about the prospects for UK food retailers in 2012.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/trading-to-remain-tough-in-2012-morrisons_id117857.aspxMon, 09 Jan 2012 15:37:00 GMTWhile seeing sales slide in certain markets, globally, the organic sector has largely proved resilient amid the worst economic conditions for a generation. Euromonitor International's Diana Cowland looks at the likely drivers behind the continued steady growth in the sector.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/organic-to-continue-to-withstand-downturn_id117742.aspxTue, 20 Dec 2011 12:27:00 GMTAnalysts are split over the prospects of UK online retailer Ocado, which today (19 December) announced projected profits that were lower than expectations.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/analysts-divided-over-ocado-outlook_id117732.aspxMon, 19 Dec 2011 15:57:00 GMT"This transaction makes industrial and strategic sense." So said Leaf International CEO Bengt Baron when on Friday he announced the Swedish confectioner's plans to merge with local rival Cloetta. The initial reaction from analysts is much the same. As Sam Webb reports, industry watchers believe the combined company will benefit from the increased number of markets in which it operates and a greater ability to deal with volatile commodity costs.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/cloetta-and-leaf-merger-lauded-by-analysts_id117731.aspxMon, 19 Dec 2011 15:47:00 GMT