Find out what top analysts think of challenging topics in the food industry

Best bits: Food makers look ahead to another tough year

By: Dean Best | 6 February 2012

2011 was a year of low consumer confidence, pressure from raw material costs and ever-increasing demands from retailers. This year is set to see more of the same.

Best bits: New year, still uncertainty at Carrefour

By: Dean Best | 24 January 2012

Tesco executives may feel they have a lot on their plate but their "to do" list is not as long as that sitting in front of their counterparts across the English Channel at Carrefour.

Best bits: Muller faces challenges in UK milk sector

By: Dean Best | 16 January 2012

Muller and Robert Wiseman Dairies are talking up the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's planned takeover of the UK milk supplier but profits in the sector have been under pressure in recent months.

Comment: Values not just value must underpin Tesco revival

By: Chris Brook-Carter | 13 January 2012

Tesco's continuing difficulties in the UK forced the retailer to stun the City with something of a profit warning. As Chris Brook-Carter writes, the company needs to look beyond price to regain the ground lost to the likes of Sainsbury's.

Best bits: Morrisons sets scene for tough 2012

By: Dean Best | 9 January 2012

Morrisons, the UK's number four grocer, kicked off a week in which the country's largest food retailers will report on their Christmas performance with slowing sales growth. And the company's predictions for 2012 would have made difficult reading.

Street talk: Four resolutions for an uncertain 2012

By: Rod Street, SymphonyIRI | 9 January 2012

The consensus is that those hoping for an easier year in 2012 could be disappointed. Consumer confidence will remain in the doldrums, competition will remain fierce and economic uncertainty will continue. In his first column of the year, SymphonyIRI's Rod Street suggests some ways in which manufacturers and retailers could look to improve in 2012.

Street talk: Own label gives European shoppers more for less

By: Rod Street, SymphonyIRI | 20 December 2011

The economic downturn has seen private label, already more prevalent in Europe than in the US, make greater strides across almost every market in the region. SymphonyIRI's Rod Street, pointing to the just-food international basket, launched today, says the price difference between own label and brand is 50% in some markets. Brand owners must act quickly, Street says, to work out where and how to defend their share.

Best bits: UK food makers need support for success in 2012

By: Dean Best | 19 December 2011

Research out this morning emphasised just how tough 2011 has been. The forecasts for 2012 do not look much brighter but the UK food industry is hoping next year will be the start of a fresh push for growth overseas - and it needs government to support it.

Best bits: Tesco must look beyond Big Price Drop

By: Dean Best | 12 December 2011

Tesco claims early results from the Big Price Drop - its campaign to lure cash-strapped shoppers and revive its UK sales - are positive. However, the view from The City was mixed after the retailer reported another quarter of falling sales in its domestic market. Dean Best believes Tesco should be given time - but competition from its rivals means the UK's largest retailer only has a certain amount of that.

Comment: Indian retail reforms descends into morass

By: Sam Webb | 7 December 2011

Faced with a third week of political protests that have stopped the Indian parliamentary process in its tracks, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (7 December) announced controversial reforms to foreign direct investment in Indian retail will now be postponed. A consultation, which will involve opposition MPs, will now take place. However, MPs opposed to the ruling have hailed the announcement as the final nail in the coffin for the governments plans. Sam Webb takes a look at the ramifications of the government u-turn.