Food industry hot issues
Comprehensive coverage of the food industry's hottest issues through a compilation of news, analysis and comment.
Arla, Milk Link continues UK dairy consolidation
22 May 2012
The combination of Danish-Swedish co-op Arla Foods and UK counterpart Milk Link is the latest deal in the country's dairy sector following Muller's takeover of Robert Wiseman Dairies earlier this year.
Food thrives in mixed M&S results
22 May 2012
Marks and Spencer has reported higher sales and margins from its food business in a set of mixed results that included a patchy performance from the UK retailer's general merchandise arm and a cut to the top end of its group sales forecast.
Arla cuts costs to keep pace with competition
16 May 2012
The dairy giant is cutting 250 jobs - with more possibly to come - to stay competitive despite insisting sales are increasing.
Sainsbury's confident as competition intensifies
10 May 2012
The UK's third-largest grocer beat City forecasts when it reported its annual results this week and the company believes it will continue to prosper despite the prospect of a wave of competition on different fronts.
Weetabix moves into Chinese control
4 May 2012
State-backed Chinese group Bright Food has finally made an investment in Europe, with the acquisition of a 60% stake in Weetabix. The deal has potential benefits for both sides - but can Bright Food really develop a significant presence for the brand in China, where the breakfast cereal market is in its early days.
Wal-Mart mired in Mexico bribery claims
27 April 2012
The world's largest retailer is facing claims that employees in Mexico bribed local officials - and that it knew of the payments and covered them up.
Nestle moves to buy Pfizer's baby food arm
23 April 2012
The world's largest food manufacturer beat off reported interest from Danone with a deal worth US$11.9bn. But has the Swiss food giant paid too much?
Concerns persist as Tesco tackles UK problems
18 April 2012
The retail giant has revealed plans to invest GBP1bn in the UK to revitalise its domestic business after a year of falling profits. However, CEO Philip Clarke has had to defend claims that the programme might not be enough.
Indian Adelie takeover adds spice to M&A debates
17 April 2012
The rise of the emerging markets of the East has led some M&A watchers to believe companies in markets like India and China could be more regular buyers of businesses in the West.
Slow progress for US retail giant Supervalu
13 April 2012
Supervalu, one of the largest retailers in the US, is trying to win back consumers with a range of initiatives. It is seeing improvements but progress remains slow and analysts are unsure how long it will take for the company to see its efforts truly pay off.
UK cake maker Lees Foods set for management buy-out
13 April 2012
Directors at Lees Foods, including chief executive Clive Miquel, have tabled a takeover bid for the UK cake manufacturer.
Stevia: is it the holy grail of sweeteners?
30 March 2012
Few ingredients have been discussed as much as stevia in recent months. The natural, zero-calorie intense sweetener is seen as having a lot of potential but can it live up to the hype?
The spectre of commodity costs lingers
26 March 2012
The theory that less pressure from commodity costs this year could help improve margins in the face of still weak consumer sentiment may not materialise as quickly as many manufacturing giants had hoped.
Industry executives present to CAGE investor conference
20 March 2012
The world's leading food manufacturers, including Nestle and Unilever, have this week met investors and analysts at the annual Consumer Analyst Group of Europe conference in London and just-food is providing exclusive media coverage of the event.
Premier Foods reaffirms focus as full-year profits slide
19 March 2012
Premier Foods has this week said it will focus on rejuvenating its power brands and rebuilding its relationships with retailers after posting a 29% drop in full-year profits.
Tesco ups UK focus as boss Brasher exits
13 March 2012
Tesco UK director Richard Brasher has announced his intention to leave the business later this year, after just one year in the role.
Dairy Crest weighs up its future
7 March 2012
The UK's largest dairy processor is mulling whether to sell French spreads unit St Hubert to lower its debts and free up funds to invest in its domestic market.
Industry ushers in Fairtrade Fortnight
27 February 2012
As Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off in the UK, just-food looks at the major stories surrounding the event and speaks to Fairtrade pioneer and Traidcraft chief Paul Chandler about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
CAGNY 2012: Food giants reflect on trading challenges
21 February 2012
General Mills, Kraft Foods and PepsiCo are among the food manufacturers facing Wall Street analysts at the annual CAGNY conference in Florida this week.
Kellogg snaps up Pringles
15 February 2012
The US cereal giant has moved to buy the Procter & Gamble global snacks brand after its prospective sale to Diamond Foods was called off.
PepsiCo moves to refresh global business
9 February 2012
After months of investor unrest, PepsiCo has announced a wave of measures it hopes will drive growth across the company. The US giant will up spending on advertising and look to save US$1.5bn in costs, which will lead to 8,700 jobs being cut.
Food giants report 2011 results, provide 2012 outlook
6 February 2012
The world's largest food manufacturers are reporting their financial results for 2011, one of the most challenging 12 months in recent years. The companies are also providing an outlook for the year ahead, which promises little respite.
ISM confectionery and snack exhibition, Cologne
3 February 2012
just-food has joined over 1,400 suppliers and thousands of visitors at ISM, the confectionery industry exhibition in Cologne, this week. Here, UK confectioners take their place alongside competitors from Europe, the US and beyond to try to build their presence overseas.
Carrefour CEO Olofsson makes way for Plassat
23 January 2012
Carrefour has announced it is parting company with CEO Lars Olofsson and will replace him with Vivarte's George Plassat. The move follows a turbulent year for the world's second-largest retailer, which has seen falling sales in France hit profits.
Unilever's UK pension dispute
19 January 2012
Workers at Unilever sites throughout the UK are holding industrial action to protest at plans to change the company's pension scheme. Staff and unions argue the reforms are unnecessary; the consumer goods giant disagrees and vows to press ahead.
Muller makes move for Wiseman
16 January 2012
Yoghurt giant Muller has made a takeover bid to buy UK milk processor Robert Wiseman Dairies, the largest supplier in a sector beset by challenges.
UK food retailers ring up Christmas sales
9 January 2012
A number of the UK's largest grocers this week report how they fared over the Christmas period, which came at the end of the year food sales volumes this year fell.
Safety scare again rocks China's food sector
3 January 2012
China's food industry is again under scrutiny after one of its largest dairy processors was found to have milk products contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical.
Controversy over EU cage egg ban
3 January 2012
On 1 January, the EU's ban on cage eggs came into force. Farmers in the UK, however, have hit out at some of their counterparts on the Continent for not complying with the new law. And UK farmers are concerned the now illegal eggs could still be sold in their home market.
2011 - The year in review
22 December 2011
2011 has been a fascinating, varied and tumultuous year for the food industry. just-food takes a look at the stories that have shaped the sector.
