UK: Cranswick CEO Hoggarth exits after "record" H2
UK meat group Cranswick has said CEO Bernard Hoggarth plans to stand down as CEO, after booking a 3% increase in full-year pre-tax profit on the back of a "record" second half.
CANADA/US: 7-Eleven to expand North America store network
7-Eleven has said that it plans to increase its convenience store network by 630 outlets in the US and Canada by the end of the year.
UK: Milk Link reports higher FY profits
UK dairy co-op Milk Link has reported an increase in annual underlying pre-tax profits on the back of cost cuts and higher commodity prices, which boosted sales.
On the money: Wal-Mart focuses US price investment on grocery
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.
Sustainability Watch - Jerry Lynch, General Mills
Jerry Lynch, chief sustainability officer at General Mills, sees sustainability as an "innovation challenge", while uniting environmental and cost-saving strategies ensures the sustainability mission addresses environmental and economic aspirations.
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 
UK: Cranswick CEO Hoggarth exits after "record" H2
21 May 2012
UK meat group Cranswick has said CEO Bernard Hoggarth plans to stand down as CEO, after booking a 3% increase in full-year pre-tax profit on the back of a "record" second half.
CANADA/US: 7-Eleven to expand North America store network
21 May 2012
7-Eleven has said it plans to increase its convenience store network by 630 in the US and Canada the end of the year.
US: Spartan sees mixed full-year
21 May 2012
Regional US supermarket group and food distributor Spartan Stores has booked a decline in full-year earnings despite a 4% increase in sales.
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 cuts costs to keep pace with competition
The dairy giant is cutting 250 jobs - with more possibly to come - to stay competitive despite insisting sales are increasing.
Latest comment
Best bits: Manufacturers continue making strides on "greening" the food system
In a month's time, the world's political leaders, senior representatives from business and NGOs will be among those in Rio for the latest UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Dean Best writes.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
21 May 2012
UK: UK signs pork deal with China
18 May 2012
UK: Milk Link reports higher FY profits
18 May 2012
GERMANY: Metro, Auchan coy over "Real talks"
18 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
Sainsbury's confident as competition intensifies
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.
Latest food interview, analysis, comment and insight articles
Best bits: Manufacturers continue making strides on "greening" the food system
21 May 2012
In a month's time, the world's political leaders, senior representatives from business and NGOs will be among those in Rio for the latest UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Dean Best writes.
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.
Focus: FDA restates intentions on nutritional food labelling
17 May 2012
The FDA's recently announced 2012-2016 strategic plan includes specific reference to both front-of-pack nutritional labelling and reform of the nutrition facts panel. Details of how the FDA plans to proceed remain sketchy, Ben Cooper writes, but the fact that these two items are firmly on the policy agenda ensures a lively debate will continue and possibly intensify during the coming few years.
On the money: Zetar develops year-round revenue
15 May 2012
UK confectioner Zetar plans to grow its "everyday" sales, reducing the firm's dependency on seasonal revenues.
Best bits: M&S touts value credentials with Simply launch
14 May 2012
Food has been the strong suit for Marks and Spencer in the last 12 months. Ahead of its annual results next week, the upmarket UK retailer has launched a range of "everyday" products and, Dean Best writes, becomes the latest grocer to emphasise its value-for-money credentials.
In the spotlight - Sainsbury's success points to position of strength
11 May 2012
Sainsbury's full-year profits came in ahead of City forecasts this week. Dean Best takes a look at how the UK retailer believes it can withstand fresh competition and how its success in the downturn means it is now in a position of strength.
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
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.
The "sheer folly" of the UK liquid milk sector
By: Dean Best
20 Apr 2012
Dairy Crest's announcement this week that it is to close two dairies is yet another sign of the difficulty of trading in the UK liquid market.
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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