Latest confectionery news and analysis articles 
Plenty to chew over in chocolate, candy and gum
UK: Perfetti van Melle adds to Mentos gum range
8 February 2012
Perfetti van Melle has extended its Mentos 3 Layers gum range in the UK with the addition of a third variant.
Confectionery, flavours, packaging: just-food's research round-up
8 February 2012
The chocolate sectors in perhaps the land of chocolate - Switzerland - and in the fast-growing emerging market of Vietnam are featured in this week's selection of reports from the just-food research store. A look at successful sustainability initiatives, the evolution of the flavours market in a downturn and the rise of nanotechnology in packaging are also highlighted.
Promo Tracker: Waitrose offers deepest promotions
7 February 2012
Waitrose's promotions offered consumers the highest saving on average, according to the latest data from the just-food Promo Tracker.
SPAIN: Natra forms international chocolate arm
6 February 2012
Spanish confectioner Natra has created an international chocolate subsidiary in a bid to cut costs and boost its position in the confectionery market.
Best bits: Food makers look ahead to another tough year
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.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
6 February 2012
The appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour caused a flurry of comment throughout the industry, with pundits outlining what the new chief's priorities ought to be. Unilever and Kellogg were among manufacturers that announced annual results, while Hain Celestial, reporting its half-year numbers, said it saw a number of acquisition targets in the US. Elsewhere, suppliers expressed anger at a decision in Europe to block the use of new nutrition claims.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
6 February 2012
Hershey and Unilever were among the major food manufacturers that this week were the first to report their 2011 financial results. Unilever's profits inched up 1% and CEO Paul Polman pointed to the performance of its home and personal care operations - casting some questions over the prospects of its food operations. In the retail sector, this week saw the long-speculated appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour and analysts expressed concern about the outlook for Ocado despite narrowing full-year losses.
BELGIUM: Food industry signs RSPO palm oil pledge
3 February 2012
All palm oil present in food products destined for the Belgian market has to be sustainable by 2015, according to a new industry pledge.
2012 - CSR spotlight moves to water, supply chains
3 February 2012
Forecasting that sustainability will be a prominent subject in 2012 is hardly the boldest of predictions. But given the complexity and breadth of the sustainability arena, predicting what the hotspots will be during the coming 12 months is an altogether different proposition. There are some racing certainties, however.
US: Hershey 2012 sales, profit growth to exceed targets
1 February 2012
Hershey has forecast that its sales and earnings will grow faster in 2012 than its long-term targets.
MEXICO: Kraft inaugurates tech centre
1 February 2012
The Mexican arm of Kraft Foods has opened a $50m innovation and development centre in Mexico City.
RUSSIA: Burton's Wagon Wheels to roll-out in Russia
31 January 2012
Burton's Biscuit Co is to re-launch its Wagon Wheels biscuit in Russia.
CANADA: Walmart Canada recalls Passion Cookies
31 January 2012
Walmart Canada has recalled its Original Gourmet Passion Cookies due to potential undeclared allergens in the product.
EUROPE: Hershey in distribution talks
30 January 2012
US confectionery giant Hershey is in discussions to secure wider distribution of its products in more European markets.
US: Hershey investment to target child labour in West Africa
30 January 2012
Hershey is to invest US$10m in its cocoa sustainability programme in West Africa, in a bid to "eliminate child labour" in the region.
UK: Kraft readies Philadelphia, Cadbury spread launch
30 January 2012
Kraft Foods UK has brought its Cadbury and Philadelphia brands together to launch a chocolate-flavoured cheese spread.
UK: Confectioners should target "under-served" older shoppers - study
30 January 2012
Consumers aged 55 and over could provide confectionery manufacturers targeting the UK children's market with a "lucrative" alternative market, according to new research.
UK: Ferrero campaign offers free Kinder Bueno
30 January 2012
Ferrero has launched a promotional campaign for Kinder Bueno in the UK that gives consumers the chocolate for free.
GERMANY: Input costs weigh on profits at chocolate firm Halloren
30 January 2012
German chocolate maker Halloren has admitted profits in 2011 will only match last year's level after "soaring" input costs offset record sales.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
27 January 2012
The UK government this week launched a series of measures, drawn up with industry, to drive the food sector's growth overseas. The so-called export action plan came in the week that food and drink giant Princes announced a venture in Italy and UK confectioner Zetar opened its first sales office in Europe. Zetar's CEO outlined the company's Continental sales target to just-food and, in a further interview with a top executive, Spar International MD Dr Gordon Campbell told us about the symbol retailer's expansion plans in India.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
27 January 2012
Carrefour again grabbed the headlines this week, with speculation intensifying that there could be change of leadership at the company. just-food understands an announcement is due in days. Elsewhere in retail, Asda outlined its expansion plans in the UK and we spoke to the CEO of Spar International about the symbol group's ambitions in India. Meanwhile, Premier Foods admitted more jobs could be lost at the company, we took a look at why US baker Hostess Brands filed for Chapter 11 and, in our latest Sustainability Watch, we discussed HJ Heinz's CSR strategy.
just-food's research round-up
27 January 2012
Baby food, confectionery, meat and poultry and soup are the sector's featured in this week's just-food research round-up.
UK/EUROPE: Confectioner Zetar sets European sales target
26 January 2012
UK confectioner Zetar is aiming to make GBP10m in sales in Europe over the next three years after opening its first office on the Continent.
On the money: Keep Easter caution in context - Zetar CEO Blackburn
26 January 2012
Zetar CEO Ian Blackburn has played down the UK confectioner and snack maker's caution over Easter.
UK: More Premier jobs to go after Cadbury contract loss
25 January 2012
More jobs are to go at UK food maker Premier Foods plc after the country's largest food manufacturer lost one of its contracts to supply Cadbury.
Focus: Why US baker Hostess went stale
25 January 2012
US brands Twinkies and Wonder are so iconic they are known the world over, even in markets where the products are not sold. Yet despite having these cultural touchstones in its portfolio, US baker Hostess Brands has struggled over the last decade, entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection twice, most recently this month. Sam Webb looks at why this baking monolith has started to crumble.
UK: Consumers to vote on Nestle's new Kit Kat Chunky flavour
25 January 2012
Nestle has decided to let UK consumers decide which of four limited-edition Kit Kat Chunky flavours will be added to the range permanently.
UK: Public health goes local in policy shake-up
24 January 2012
Local governments in the UK will have more responsibility for public health in a set of measures announced by the coalition government today (24 January).
UK: Confectioner Zetar cautious over Easter sales
24 January 2012
Shares in UK confectioner Zetar fell this morning (24 January) after the company warned its sales this Easter could be lower than last year.
UK: Discount retailer 99p Stores "up for sale"
23 January 2012
The founders of discount UK retail chain 99p Stores is rumoured to be selling the company for between GBP500m (US$778m) and GBP600m.
