US: Ralcorp H1 profits slide on costs
Ralcorp has booked a drop in first-half profits as charges related to plant closures, a legal settlement provision and merger costs weighed on the firm's bottom-line results.
UK: Ocado "encouraged" by progress to date, sales climb
UK online retailer Ocado has said it is "encouraged" by the progress of the business so far this year after gross sales climb in the second quarter.
US: ConAgra acquires pita chip business from Kangaroo Brands
ConAgra Foods has acquired the US private label pita chips business from Kangaroo Brands for an undisclosed sum.
Spartan Stores develops Valu Land to tackle discounters
US-based regional retailer and food distributor Spartan Stores is developing a "value store" format under the Valu Land banner as it looks to see off the challenge presented by discount retailers.
Talking shop: Price-driven Asda prospers - for now
Asda has reported "market-leading growth" in early 2012. Analysts say the UK retailer's focus on price has helped it gain shoppers from Tesco and Morrisons, although, if and when the economy recovers it many need to demonstrate it can offer more.
just-food's 2012 Confidence Survey
We asked, you, our international readership for your views on how you believed the year would pan out for your business and for the food sector - and the results made for fascinating reading.
Frozen fruit and vegetables globally, UK savoury snacks - just-food's research round-up
This week's research round-up includes a clutch of reports looking at frozen fruit and vegetables globally and UK savoury snacks.
Latest food news 
US: Ralcorp H1 profits slide on costs
23 May 2012
Ralcorp Holdings has booked a drop in first-half profits as charges related to plant closures, a legal settlement provision and merger costs weighed on the firm's bottom-line results.
UK: Ocado "encouraged" by progress to date, sales climb
23 May 2012
UK online retailer Ocado has said it is "encouraged" by the progress of the business so far this year and said it expects gross sales to climb in the second quarter.
US: ConAgra acquires pita chip business from Kangaroo Brands
23 May 2012
ConAgra Foods has acquired the US private label pita chips business from Kangaroo Brands for an undisclosed sum.
In the spotlight - Kellogg could need more than brand "refresh"
Facing tough markets in the US and Europe, Kellogg has relaunched its 106-year-old namesake brand. Analysts have argued Kellogg is trying to breathe fresh life into a brand facing stiff competition, including increasingly from own label.
Hot issue
Arla, Milk Link continues UK dairy consolidation
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.
Latest comment
Best bits: Industry's green efforts return to spotlight
This week, two conferences in London will look at how the food industry is trying to alleviate its impact on the environment and the events are timely, with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio next month.
US: General Mills to cut 850 jobs worldwide
22 May 2012
GERMANY: Rewe FY profits slide
22 May 2012
The just-food interview - Unilever CEO Paul Polman
Consumer goods group Unilever has published the latest results of its Sustainable Living Plan programme. Dean Best met Unilever CEO Paul Polman to discuss the initiative, the successes so far and the problems ahead.
Recent hot issues
Food thrives in mixed M&S results
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.
Latest food interview, analysis, comment and insight articles
On the money: NPD sets M&S apart on food - Bolland
22 May 2012
Marks and Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland has insisted the UK's retailer product development sets it apart from rival grocers as he faced questions over the launch of a cut-price own-label range.
On the money: Cranswick sees growth through innovation, value-focus
22 May 2012
UK meat group Cranswick has pointed to its focus on product development and delivering "value" to consumers for its improved annual sales and profits.
On the money: Campbell undertaking "review" of US soups business
21 May 2012
Campbell Soup Co. has said it is reviewing all aspects of its US soup business and expects further execution adjustments after the division dragged on group profits in the first nine-months of the year.
On the money: Spartan develops Valu Land to tackle discounters
21 May 2012
Michigan-based regional retailer and food distributor Spartan Stores is developing a "value store" format under the Valu Land banner as it looks to see off the challenge presented by discount retailers.
Best bits: Industry's green efforts return to spotlight
21 May 2012
This week, two conferences in London will look at how the food industry is trying to alleviate its impact on the environment and the events are timely, with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio next month.
Talking shop: Price-driven Asda prospers - for now
18 May 2012
Asda, the UK's second-largest retailer, has reported "market-leading growth" in early weeks of 2012. Analysts say Asda's focus on price has helped the retailer gain shoppers from the likes of Tesco and Morrisons, although, if and when the economy recovers, it may need to demonstrate it can offer consumers more. Dean Best reports.
On the money: Wal-Mart focuses US price investment on grocery
17 May 2012
Wal-Mart Stores has focused its investment in pricing on the grocery aisle as it looks to grow customer traffic and loyalty in the US.
In the spotlight - Kellogg could need more than brand "refresh"
17 May 2012
Kellogg's namesake brand is one of the world's oldest but, this week, the cereal giant announced a relaunch of the 106-year-old label. The US group is operating in a tough domestic cereal market and it is facing challenges in Europe. Analysts have argued Kellogg is trying to breathe fresh life into a brand facing stiff competition, including increasingly from own label. Michelle Russell reports.
Talking tech: Technology driving development of convenience format
17 May 2012
Convenience retailing is well placed to capitalise on the public's appetite for easy shopping with technology, including mobile, cloud-based operations systems and location-linked promos, driving the sector's development. Andrew Don reports.
Deal or no deal: CSM prepares for bakery bids
Dutch food and ingredients group CSM announced plans to sell off its bakery business earlier this week and we look at the interest the sale could generate.
Get connected:
Reports in focus
Global Food Survey 2012–2013: Market Trends, Marketing Spend and Sales Strategies in the Food IndustryThis is a brand new report that analyzes how food industry supplier companies’ media spend, marketing, sales strategies and practices, and business planning are set to change in 2012–2013. The report provides the current size of the marketing and advertising budgets of global food industry suppliers and how spending by global food industry suppliers will change, providing insight into global marketing behaviour.
Published May 2012 - ($ 2000.00)
- Global Packaging Survey 2012–2013: Market Trends, Buyer Spend and Procurement Strategies in the Global Packaging Industry
Published May 2012 - ($ 2000.00) - Cocoa Bulletin (annual subscription)
Published Mar 2012 - ($ 1275.03) - Food Retail: Global Industry Almanac
Published Feb 2012 - ($ 2995.00) - Snacks - China - April 2012
Published Apr 2012 - ($ 3990.00)
The just-food blog
The element of surprise in fresh UK dairy consolidation
By: Dean Best
22 May 2012
That there was another piece of consolidation in the UK dairy sector was not in itself a surprise but the identity of the participants in the latest deal, announced this morning (22 May) may have raised a few eyebrows.
Emphasising low salt? Consumers remain wary
By: Dean Best
17 May 2012
Manufacturers the world over have been reducing the salt in products amid concerns over public health but there have been signs consumers have baulked at low-salt lines - and fresh research in Australia suggests shoppers could just end up adding salt back onto their products anyway.
UK food industry in spotlight over migrant workers
By: Michelle Russell
15 May 2012
UK food manufacturers were today (15 May) in the spotlight over claims of "exploitation and poor working conditions" facing migrant workers.
M&S growth target looks shaky
By: Katy Askew
14 May 2012
Marks and Spencer is expected to cut its growth target when it reports its preliminary results next week.
Spar International confirms end to Landmark India venture
By: Dean Best
11 May 2012
Global symbol retailer Spar International has confirmed its franchise venture in India with Dubai-based Landmark Group will finish at the end of the year.
Sainsbury's King looks for positives in falling food volumes
By: Dean Best
09 May 2012
Sainsbury's, the UK's third-largest retailer, today (9 May) issued a sales forecast that suggests food volumes will continue to fall in the months ahead - but, speaking to just-food, typically ebullient chief executive Justin King still looked for the positives.
Sainsbury's faces fresh challenges after strong year
By: Dean Best
08 May 2012
Sainsbury's, the UK's third-largest grocer, will tomorrow (9 May) report its annual financial results. Of the UK's largest food retailers, Sainsbury's has been one of the better performers in recent months but, as ever in the country's fiercely competitive market, it faces a new round of challenges over the next 12 months.
Waitrose puts words into action
By: Dean Best
02 May 2012
"What you'll see this year is Waitrose become more price competitive," Mark Price, the upmarket UK retailer's managing director, said in March. Today, the company indicated it would act on those words with two announcements - with Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ocado in the firing line.
Double-dip recession blow for retail industry says BRC
By: Michelle Russell
25 Apr 2012
The news this morning (25 April) that the UK's economy has slipped back into recession may come as little surprise to many, but for the UK retail industry, it is unwelcome news.
UK consumer spending power continues descent
By: Katy Askew
24 Apr 2012
The latest Asda Income Tracker certainly made for some depressing reading today (24 April), revealing that the average UK family has continued to see its disposable income drop - down 6.5% on the year.
Flavourings buyers' guide
The flavourings buyers’ guide provides a wealth of information regarding the fast-moving sector within the global food and beverage industries.
For the latest flavourings news, company announcements, whitepapers and a complete company directory, visit the buyers’ guide today.
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