http://www.just-food.comDaily food comment - from just-food.com© 2013 All content copyright just-food.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Fri, 24 May 2013 19:29:29 GMTFri, 24 May 2013 19:29:29 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.com10021The problem of food waste is due to the low value people in the West put on cheap food. And cheap food is a product, in part, of the modern, industrial food system. However, amid some scepticism, the industry is trying to act on the problem. Ben Cooper argues, ultimately, the dynamics of supply and demand will right the situation.http://www.just-food.com/comment/wasting-away_id123327.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 16:01:00 GMTIn recent months, Danone has come under scrutiny for the performance of its fresh dairy operations in Europe. However, in spite of - or perhaps because of - the work needed to turn that business around, the French food giant appears to be stepping up expansion in faster-growing markets and categories.http://www.just-food.com/comment/danone-steps-up-investment-in-future-growth_id123267.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedMon, 20 May 2013 15:16:00 GMTA deal with Ocado represents Morrisons best route into the UK online channel as it plays catch-up with rivals. For the online specialist, it looks a good deal, although it could threaten its agreement with another partner, Waitrose.http://www.just-food.com/comment/pragmatic-deal-for-morrisons-waitrose-risk-for-ocado_id123257.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 17 May 2013 15:40:00 GMTIn a week dominated (at least in the mind of one of the just-food editorial team) by the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United, there were questions and rumours about the future of two senior food retail CEOs - and confirmation that a third did plan to step down.http://www.just-food.com/comment/wal-mart-rumours-surface-as-ceos-hit-spotlight_id123184.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedMon, 13 May 2013 17:46:00 GMTUS manufacturer Hain Celestial has struck again across the pond. And its latest acquisition in the UK seems to be the one with most potential, writes Dean Best.http://www.just-food.com/comment/ellas-kitchen-is-hains-most-promising-uk-buy_id123157.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 10 May 2013 11:42:00 GMTSainsbury's, the UK's third-largest grocer, yesterday (8 May) reported what amount to another solid set of annual results. The year ahead should again be one of progress for Sainsbury's but competition could intensify still further.http://www.just-food.com/comment/sainsburys-solid-but-challenges-lay-ahead-in-tough-sector_id123151.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 09 May 2013 17:52:00 GMTThe rapidly expanding Chinese food sector has long been a focus for multinationals looking beyond developed western markets for expansion. However, it isn't just the international food Goliaths - with big bucks to spend on M&A or organic expansion - that are looking to China for growth. just-food caught up with some smaller enterprises hoping to tame the dragon at Hong Kong trade show Hofex - an event that prides itself of being the largest of its kind in Asia.http://www.just-food.com/comment/international-smes-testing-the-water-at-hofex_id123098.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 07 May 2013 16:10:00 GMTUS health and wellness firm Boulder Brands has acquired a small UK-based gluten-free company, Davies Bakery. The US gluten-free specialist has ambitions to expand the UK business well beyond Davies' current scale. However, Katy Askew suggests, Boulder is likely to come up against stiff competition in the increasingly crowded space of the UK gluten-free sector.http://www.just-food.com/comment/us-firm-boulder-eyes-slice-of-uk-gluten-free-pie_id123072.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 03 May 2013 13:31:00 GMTWhat will Unilever do with its spreads business? After that part of the company's portfolio was a factor in first-quarter sales that missed analyst expectations, the question has returned to the minds of some in the investment community. Dean Best thinks they will stick with the division.http://www.just-food.com/comment/unilever-likely-to-stick-with-spreads_id123034.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 01 May 2013 15:24:00 GMTThe divide between Unilever's high-growth home and personal care business and its food operations has attracted reams of copy. Unilever's stronger performance in emerging markets in non-food has prompted much speculation that the group could, at some point, split the businesses in two as it expands in developing economies. However, Unilever has repeatedly rebuffed such conjecture - and for good reason.http://www.just-food.com/comment/unilevers-strength-in-non-food-could-offer-long-term-boost-to-food_id123024.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 30 Apr 2013 17:35:00 GMTRussian retailer Dixy has reported both its full-year financial results today and a sales update for the first quarter of 2013 - and the picture was mixed. Full-year margins came in well below market expectations, and the company's bottom line took a notable hit. However, the company seems to be off to a better start this year.http://www.just-food.com/comment/mixed-news-for-dixy-in-fy-q1-updates_id122982.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 26 Apr 2013 15:38:00 GMTThe plight of Australian supplier Spring Gully Foods, which is in administration, has again shone the spotlight on the country's grocery sector, of which two retailers enjoy a combined market share of 70%-plus. However, it has also been an example of why retailers do provide assistance to ailing suppliers.http://www.just-food.com/comment/why-it-can-be-in-a-grocers-interest-to-help-a-supplier_id122970.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 26 Apr 2013 12:30:00 GMTRetailers in Europe are looking again at the in-store experience for shoppers, refurbishing outlets and using technology, writes IRI's Laura Volpini.http://www.just-food.com/comment/time-to-renew-focus-on-the-shopping-experience_id122956.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 25 Apr 2013 13:02:00 GMTThe GM debate has re-emerged in the UK in the last couple of weeks with the news four major supermarket operators will allow their suppliers to use GM feed for poultry and eggs.http://www.just-food.com/comment/consuming-issues-gm-debate-comes-down-to-question-of-trust_id122953.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 25 Apr 2013 12:14:00 GMTPremier Foods' new austere message has encapsulated the mood of the time. Gone are the days of frivolity - this firm is knuckling down and reducing complexity across the board. However, cutting costs may lead to higher margins - but the detail Premier has given on how it plans to invest behind its brands has been scant to say the least.http://www.just-food.com/comment/is-austerity-premier-too-focused-on-cost_id122939.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 24 Apr 2013 15:23:00 GMTA decade ago, the conversation around emerging markets was purely about growth. Now, with the developing world accounting for a growing chunk of some businesses, and with some of the faster-growing economies cooling, there is more attention on company performance in the BRICs and beyond. As Nestle found out last week.http://www.just-food.com/comment/emerging-market-operations-under-more-scrutiny_id122922.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 23 Apr 2013 16:08:00 GMTCould sovereign wealth funds and pension funds become more active participants in deal-making in the FMCG industry? Perhaps so, writes Dean Best. http://www.just-food.com/comment/sovereign-pension-funds-to-vie-for-ma-with-trade-pe_id122891.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 19 Apr 2013 17:27:00 GMTEmmi announced yesterday (9 April) it has acquired Swiss speciality cheese maker Käserei Studer. While the majority of Käserei Studer's sales are generated domestically, the move should nevertheless be viewed in the context of Emmi's drive to expand internationally, Katy Askew suggests.http://www.just-food.com/comment/emmi-maintains-focus-on-international-with-swiss-buy_id122766.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 10 Apr 2013 13:24:00 GMTThe horsemeat saga hit sales of ready meals but SymphonyIRI's Tim Eales believes demand for chilled products will bounce back once memories of the contamination fade.http://www.just-food.com/comment/chilled-meals-could-bounce-back_id122736.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedMon, 08 Apr 2013 14:26:00 GMTHershey's commitment to source 100% of its cocoa requirements from third-party-certified sources by 2020 has been broadly welcomed. However, what form that certification will take is unclear and is likely to remain so until the cocoa sector at large agrees sustainability standards and evolves the means to certify a huge amount of cocoa.http://www.just-food.com/comment/consuming-issues-cocoas-certification-challenge_id122703.aspx?utm_source=comment-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 03 Apr 2013 17:09:00 GMT