Latest analysis for today's food industry

In the spotlight - Question marks over Unilever's food unit return

By: Michelle Russell | 3 February 2012

Unilever'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.

On the money: Hain Celestial eyes global growth opportunities

By: Michelle Russell | 2 February 2012

The 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.

On the move: Plassat faces Carrefour trial

By: Petah Marian | 31 January 2012

After 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.

UK: Analysts - questions remain for Ocado

By: Sam Webb | 31 January 2012

Analysts retain concerns about the prospects of UK online retailer Ocado even after it posted a reduction in full-year losses earlier today (31 January).

On the money: Keep Easter caution in context - Zetar CEO Blackburn

By: Dean Best | 26 January 2012

Zetar CEO Ian Blackburn has played down the UK confectioner and snack maker's caution over Easter.

Focus: Why US baker Hostess went stale

By: Sam Webb | 25 January 2012

US 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.

In the spotlight: Kraft puts "lean, mean machine" in motion

By: Michelle Russell | 20 January 2012

Kraft 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.

BRICs and beyond: Fresh concerns over food safety in China

By: Dean Best | 19 January 2012

The 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.

On the money: Tesco's Clarke admits UK failings

By: Dean Best | 13 January 2012

Tesco 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.

Talking tech: IBM's DemandTec buy shows value in price optimisation

By: Glynn Davis | 12 January 2012

With 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.