http://www.just-food.comDaily food news - from just-food.com© 2013 All content copyright just-food.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:44:06 GMTWed, 19 Jun 2013 21:44:06 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.com10021Chinese dairy giant China Mengniu Dairy Co. just got bigger. It has entered into an agreement that will see it take control of local infant formula maker Yashili. Mengniu is looking to reverse its fortunes in a category in which it has struggled. However, with concerns over food safety remaining high, there is a long road ahead as the company - and the country as a whole - look to build a safe and reliable dairy supply. Katy Askew reports.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/mengniu-plays-catch-up-in-infant-formula-with-yashili-buy_id123539.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 18 Jun 2013 15:58:00 GMTTo succeed in emerging markets, you have to think - and act - locally. That was the central message from just-food's interview with the boss of Nestle's business in Greater China, Roland Decorvet.http://www.just-food.com/comment/nestle-china-boss-espouses-benefits-of-thinking-local_id123527.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedMon, 17 Jun 2013 17:27:00 GMTCanada's second-largest grocer Sobeys has swooped to buy the local business of US supermarket giant Safeway. Sobeys has paid a full price for Safeway's Canadian arm but, writes Dean Best, the market was broadly positive and agreed with the company's optimism. For Safeway, however, the sale does leave some questions.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/sobeys-joy-but-questions-for-safeway_id123511.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 14 Jun 2013 13:02:00 GMTNestle is witnessing dynamic growth in China thanks to a combination of M&A and organic growth. As we discovered in part one of this two part interview, regional chief Roland Decorvet attributes much of this success to Nestle's use of both local and global brands. But operating in China is not without its challenges. Katy Askew caught up with Decorvet to find out more about why he believes Nestle is best-placed of all the multinationals to succeed in China.http://www.just-food.com/interview/nestle-best-placed-to-meet-chinese-challenge_id123502.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 13 Jun 2013 16:59:00 GMTThe potential offered by the Chinese market is nothing new. And nor is Nestle's presence in the country. The world's largest food group started trading in Hong Kong in 1874 and opened its first sales office on the mainland in 1908. In recent years Nestle has stepped up the pace with the development of a distinctive model it believes will drive expansion. In part one of the just-food interview, Roland Decorvet, chairman and CEO of Nestle Greater China, spoke to Katy Askew about the company's strategy in the market.http://www.just-food.com/interview/nestle-china-ceo-sees-dynamic-growth_id123494.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 13 Jun 2013 13:33:00 GMTAmazon has made another stride in taking on US food retailers with the roll out of its fresh grocery business into the second most populous city in the US, Los Angeles. The move is sure to make other players in the market sit up and take notice but will it be enough to really shake up the US online grocery channel and give it the much needed boost it requires? Michelle Russell takes a look.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/amazons-fresh-step-in-fledgling-us-online-grocery_id123492.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 13 Jun 2013 11:31:00 GMTSainsbury's has bucked the downward trend in the UK grocery market to book its thirty-fourth consecutive quarter of like-for-like sales growth thanks to a strong performance from its top- and mid-tier own label lines.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/sainsburys-private-label-winning-over-rivals-brands-ceo_id123487.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 12 Jun 2013 14:06:00 GMTSainsbury's has booked another quarter of like-for-like sales gains - bucking the downward trends in the wider UK grocery market and outperforming its peers. However, LFL growth has slowed significantly and management has sounded a downbeat note on the consumer outlook. Here is the City's take on Sainsbury's first quarter results. http://www.just-food.com/analysis/sainsburys-q1_id123488.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 12 Jun 2013 14:27:00 GMTFrench retail giant Carrefour has announced plans to expand further into Africa through a joint venture with consumer goods distributor CFAO. The deal will see it develop stores across eight countries and represents a new signal of intent from the world's second largest retailer as it looks to place an early marker down in what is becoming a fast growing emerging market. Michelle Russell takes a closer look.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/carrefour-takes-chance-on-africa_id123470.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 11 Jun 2013 11:22:00 GMTA quiet week for financial updates as results season winds down, with Diamond Foods, Sainsbury's and Smithfield preparing to issue updates. Trade shows will see food companies setting out their wares in various continents from North America to Africa.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/sainsburys-smithfield-results-international-meat-poultry-seafood-expos_id123450.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 07 Jun 2013 14:35:00 GMTIt has been on the cards for years, but in the past few weeks it has really been hammered home: "on the go" consumption is having a significant impact on the food industry. It is shaping what, how, when and where we eat. While traditional eating patterns are being challenged, the shift presents a growth opportunity for food manufacturers.http://www.just-food.com/comment/on-the-go-the-new-watchword-in-npd_id123455.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 07 Jun 2013 16:17:00 GMTUS spreads-to-coffee group JM Smucker is to increase its marketing spend in fiscal 2014 alongside plans to launch around 100 new products across its portfolio.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/jm-smucker-to-up-marketing-spend-plans-npd-roll-out_id123454.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 07 Jun 2013 16:08:00 GMTOnline retail giant Amazon is said to be preparing to take on the well-established US food market with a major roll-out of its fresh grocery business, a move that could make other players sit up and take notice.http://www.just-food.com/comment/amazon-looks-to-take-bigger-bite-of-online-grocery_id123439.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 06 Jun 2013 12:36:00 GMTPepsiCo and Muller this week opened their US yoghurt plant with much fanfare. Demand for yoghurt has increased in recent years, per capita consumption is relatively low and the companies believe they can benefit. However, the new facility has added to the already increasing capacity in the sector, which is now seeing only sales of Greek yoghurt grow and an intensification in promotional activity.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/pepsico-muller-must-beware-promo-intensity-in-us-yoghurt_id123443.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 06 Jun 2013 17:48:00 GMTTesco CEO Philip Clarke today (5 June) brushed off suggestions the retail giant might have to adapt its strategy outside the UK - where sales in all but two of its markets fell in its first quarter.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/tesco-ceo-defends-international-strategy_id123432.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 05 Jun 2013 18:05:00 GMTTesco's first-quarter trading update contained a fall in UK underlying sales - and lower in LFLs in all but two of the 11 markets it now reports on. The City suggested the numbers showed Tesco has lost momentum and was facing challenges at home and abroad. Shares in the retailer were down more than 4%.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/what-the-analysts-say-city-downbeat-on-tesco-trading_id123428.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 05 Jun 2013 13:08:00 GMTTesco has insisted its UK margin target is "sustainable" despite concerns among some in the City amid intensifying competition and after the retailer reported lower sales.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/tesco-insists-uk-margin-target-sustainable_id123433.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 05 Jun 2013 19:55:00 GMTBreakfast cereal sales in mature markets are under growing pressure. While, broadly speaking, volume and value sales have been fairly steady, the sector has failed to generate substantial growth. Significantly, traditional cereal concepts are facing increasing challenges, pulled on the one hand by new formats and pushed on the other by concerns ranging from macro-economic issues to concerns over health and wellness. In part one of this month's management briefing, Katy Askew assesses some of the pressures boxed cereal manufacturers are grappling with.http://www.just-food.com/analysis/are-cereal-sales-in-developed-markets-going-soggy_id123417.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 04 Jun 2013 14:18:00 GMTCereal manufacturers in the UK are facing a competitive market and flat sales volumes. While overall conditions have been somewhat sluggish, the breakfast category when taken as a whole has seen some pockets of excitement. Manufacturers have looked to capitalise on these and the industry's response has been a sharp focus on product development, promotional activity and marketing. But, Katy Askew asks, is this enough to breath fresh life into the boxed cereal category?http://www.just-food.com/analysis/manufacturers-look-to-grow-uk-category_id123421.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 04 Jun 2013 18:09:00 GMTBreakfast cereal is still big business in the US but sales are flat and volumes down. However, there are some growing segments amid increased interest in healthier or natural options. Industry watchers argue that, until now, some of the larger players have not responded quickly enough to these trends and time is ticking, meaning the likes of Kellogg and General Mills should look at M&A for growth.http://www.just-food.com/management-briefing/hard-work-ahead-to-revitalise-sales-in-us_id123422.aspx?utm_source=insights-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedTue, 04 Jun 2013 18:45:00 GMT