Food management briefings
At just-food, we understand the need for depth in analysis. Using a mixture of data and analysis, our portfolio of management briefings delve deeper into the issues and environment shaping today's news. Topics are grouped together on a monthly basis, allowing us to cover subjects from multiple angles, giving you an unrivalled view of what's important.
Breakfast cereal firms search for growth
4 June 2013
Breakfast cereals - a staple in Western diets - are under pressure as consumer habits change. In this month's briefing we look at the factors hitting cereal consumption and how manufacturers are looking to revitalise sales.
Growth of the gluten-free market
30 April 2013
just-food takes a look at the potential offered by the gluten-free market around the world, examining where growth is being generated today - and where companies are looking to drive future revenues.
just-food's 2013 confidence survey
2 April 2013
We asked you for your thoughts on 2013, the outlook for the industry and the prospects for your business. The just-food team, alongside SymphonyIRI, Grant Thornton and Mintel, analysed the results.
just-food's outlook for 2013
31 January 2013
Our team of writers gaze into their crystal balls and - with the help of industry experts - predict what the year holds for NPD, M&A, international retail and sustainability.
2012: just-food's review of the year
1 January 2013
Economic uncertainty prevailed and the industry battled commodity volatility and weak consumer confidence. Here, we took a look back at another challenging year for the sector.
Packaging - from sustainability to innovation
3 December 2012
We take a look at the challenges and opportunities for packaging suppliers and their food customers on issues including sustainability and innovation.
The nutrient taxes debate
1 November 2012
Taxing foods according to their nutritional value to tackle diet-related health problems has been a topic of fierce debate over the past few years. This month's just-food management briefing for subscribers looks at this thorny issue in detail.
Logistics - the latest challenges and opportunities
30 September 2012
The prolonged economic downturn, the increased influence of the emerging markets and the pressure from green issues are all having an impact on logistics providers - and their manufacturing and retail customers.
Social media - the potential and the pitfalls
1 August 2012
Manufacturers and retailers are continuing to use social media to market new products and connect with consumers. In this month's management briefing, Jonathan Thomas looks at how and why the likes of Facebook and Twitter are being used - and the potential and the problems of the medium.
Enterprise Resource Planning software
28 June 2012
The global economic downturn has exacerbated the cost pressure food manufacturers are facing, at the same as regulation has increased and scrutiny on the supply chain has intensified. This management briefing looks at Enterprise Resource Planning, software systems that aim to help companies manage cost and monitor their supply chains.
Fat reformulation - the challenge of change
31 May 2012
The food industry is changing product recipes in response to pressure from regulators, campaigners and consumers but reformulation remains a challenge. In this month's management briefing, Ben Cooper looks at the progress that has been made and analyses if manufacturers can do more.
just-food's 2012 Confidence Survey
29 April 2012
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.
The just-food briefing - stevia: is it the holy grail of sweeteners?
31 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 just-food briefing - nutritional labelling
1 March 2012
What to put on front-of-pack nutrition labels has become a matter of fierce contention in many markets around the world. This management briefing looks at the debate between industry, government and campaigners in two key markets - the US and Australia.
What to watch in 2012
7 February 2012
Water usage, food security, the "savvy shopper" and industry consolidation will be themes to watch this year
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 industry.
The just-food briefing - logistics
1 December 2011
A stagnant economy, retailers opening more and different types of stores and the environment: food manufacturers and their logistics partners have a lot consider when thinking about to get food from A to B.
The just-food briefing - the food safety challenge
1 November 2011
The safety of food has made headlines in Europe and the US in 2011. A fatal E. coli outbreak in Germany hit the produce sector across the EU, while in the US, Washington is looking to reform the country's food safety network. This briefing looks at the challenges companies and regulators face in improving traceability in the supply chain.
The just-food briefing - self-service technology in retail
15 September 2011
Retailers around the world are using self-service technology in their stores - some with success, others less so. Glynn Davis looks at the different models, examines why some retailers are changing what they use and discusses where the technology could go next.
The just-food briefing - the challenge of online food retail
29 July 2011
Consumers are increasingly shopping online but developing a successful operating model has proven tough - even for the largest retailers. In this month's just-food management briefing, Glynn Davis analyses the more successful ventures and looks at how the channel could develop.
The just-food briefing - social media and the food industry
2 July 2011
Social media is playing an increasing role in the marketing strategies of food manufacturers around the world. The latest just-food management briefing outlines the social media landscape and looks at how it is effecting how companies are marketing their brands.
The just-food management briefing - GM
31 May 2011
Few issues divide opinion in the food industry like GM and, in this month's briefing, we look at issues including consumer protection and product labelling - and ask whether GM is a threat to the environment or a force for good.
The just-food management briefing - sustainable packaging
26 April 2011
How a company packages its food is key to any moves to making itself more sustainable. We look at what is driving the development of sustainable packaging, the pre-eminence of recycled material, the rise of renewable and biodegradable sources - and highlight two companies leading the sector, CSM and Tetra Pak.
The just-food management briefing - the globalisation of food retail
21 March 2011
Facing mature markets at home and a supplier base becoming ever-more international in scope, the world's largest grocers are expanding worldwide at a rapid rate.
The just-food management briefing - Functional foods
28 February 2011
The functional food channel is set to grow year-on-year by between 3% and 5% over the next five years. Growth is being driven by new product development and increased customer concerns over health, giving an opportunity for manufacturers to premiumise their brands. This management briefing explores the opportunities and issues facing this fast-growing sector.
The just-food management briefing - Food trends 2011
31 January 2011
While the economic downturn has had a relatively minimal impact on packaged food sales, continued economic anxiety means that future growth prospects are far from guaranteed. However, some categories within the food industry have benefited and look set to continue to do so. This management briefing explores the trends set to impact the sector in 2011.
The just-food management briefing - M&A in 2010
20 December 2010
Kraft Foods' move to buy Cadbury in January failed to spark a burst of M&A activity in the food industry, as economic conditions continued to dampen attitude to risk. As the year progressed, however, confidence returned and the pace of acquisitions picked up. This management briefing tracks all the major acquisition activity from the last 12 months. And, as our analysis shows, the nature and rationale behind the deals has altered significantly.
The just-food management briefing - the healthy snacks market
29 November 2010
Health has become a key factor in the development of the snacks market worldwide. This month's management briefing looks at the consumer dynamics driving demand for healthy snacks, developed and emerging markets and the recent NPD from companies like PepsiCo and Kellogg
The just-food management briefing - how to 'green' your supply chain
25 October 2010
It is no longer enough for sustainability to be a buzzword slapped on a company's corporate brochure. Supplier and stakeholder engagement is vital for effective measures. This briefing analyses the industry's latest efforts on how to implement programmes that build a greener business.
The just-food management briefing - reformulation
29 September 2010
Reformulation has become one of the food industry buzzwords as the sector reacts to consumer demand for healthier products and the threat of regulatory pressure to change recipes. This briefing takes sugar, salt and fat in turn and outlines the options available to manufacturers looking to reformulate their products.
