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NORDIC: Nestle, Orkla "in talks to buy Findus unit"
7 February 2012
Nestle and Norwegian consumer goods group Orkla are reportedly among the companies interested in buying Findus Group's Nordic unit.
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.
US: Post shares begin trading after Ralcorp spin-off completed
7 February 2012
Shares in Post Holdings have begun trading in New York after the US cereal maker was spun off from private-label food group Ralcorp Holdings.
UK: Kerry Group mulls closure of frozen ready-meals plant
6 February 2012
Kerry Group has begun consultation on the future of its frozen ready-meals facility in the UK town of Grimsby.
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.
UK: Revamp leads Premier marketing chief Goldstone to quit
3 February 2012
Premier Foods plc marketing director Jon Goldstone will leave the UK food company after it decided to absorb the department into its commercial structure.
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.
On the money: Hain Celestial eyes global growth opportunities
2 February 2012
The CEO of Hain Celestial has told analysts that the US food company will look to make more acquisitions this year, in the US and Asia.
US: Hain Celestial posts "record" H1 profits
2 February 2012
US food company Hain Celestial has hailed "record" first-half profits, boosted by expanded distribution and the acquisition of UK firm Daniels Group last year.
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.
US: Input costs, promotions hit Lancaster Colony profits
27 January 2012
Input prices and promotional costs weighed on quarterly profits at US food maker Lancaster Colony.
UK: Boparan Holdings cautious on margins
26 January 2012
UK food manufacturer Boparan Holdings has warned stubbornly high commodity costs and increased competition over Christmas has weighed on its margins in recent weeks.
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).
SLOVAKIA: Nowaco buys ice cream maker Frost
24 January 2012
Denmark-based food group Nowaco has acquired Slovak ice cream firm Frost for an undisclosed sum.
BRAZIL: JBS denies Goias Verde acquisition rumours
24 January 2012
Major Brazilian meat processor JBS has denied rumours that it is in talks to buy vegetable producer Goiás Verde.
UK: Pension trustees back Unilever reforms
23 January 2012
The trustees of Unilever's UK pension fund have agreed to the company's plans to change the scheme, despite a series of strikes at its factories across the country.
Sustainability Watch - Brian Shuttleworth, Heinz
23 January 2012
In the first Sustainability Watch of 2012, Ben Cooper discusses Heinz's sustainability strategy with Brian Shuttleworth, the company's director of operational risk and sustainability, and looks at how Heinz's knack for creating catchy taglines is helping to communicate the sustainability message to consumers.
US: Private-equity invests in frozen food firm Evol
23 January 2012
US frozen meal and snack manufacturer Evol Foods has received investment from a private-equity fund.
AUS: Food industry body chief Carnell to leave
23 January 2012
The chief executive of the industry association that represents Australia's food manufacturing sector is to leave in March.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 January 2012
Executives at Müller and Robert Wiseman Dairies espoused the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's decision to buy the UK milk supplier, a deal that divided analysts. Industry watchers also scrutinised the latest trading updates from Premier Foods plc, the UK's largest food manufacturer and Carrefour, the French retail giant, while Kraft Foods chief Irene Rosenfeld said the US group's 2011 results means it is one of the industry's better performers - on the day job cuts of 1,600 were announced.
In the spotlight: Kraft puts "lean, mean machine" in motion
20 January 2012
Kraft Foods, which plans to split in two by the end of the year, this week outlined the first impact of the move when it announced plans to cut 1,600 jobs in North America. Analysts believe the split allows the US food giant to accelerate efforts to cut costs and boost margins from the new grocery business. Michelle Russell reports.
just-food's research round-up
20 January 2012
Flavours, health and wellness and ice cream are three sectors highlighted in this week's batch of featured reports from the just-food store.
UK: Frederick's launches Britvic products under licensing deal
18 January 2012
UK ice cream maker Frederick's Dairies has launched two iced lollies under Britvic's Fruit Shoot and R Whites brands.
EU/NETHERLANDS: EU refers Royaan, Ad van Geloven snacks merger to Dutch watchdog
17 January 2012
The European Commission has referred the proposed merger between Dutch frozen snack makers Royaan and Ad Van Geloven to competition authorities in the Netherlands.
Quote unquote: just-food's week in words
13 January 2012
Major UK retailers reported a bit of a mixed Christmas, with Tesco's shares sliding following a trading announcement, while Sainsbury's claimed a "record-breaking" festive period. The fortunes of US baker Hostess Brands are more clear cut. The company this week entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time.
UK: McCain Foods ends UK Athletics deal
13 January 2012
McCain Foods has decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with UK Athletics (UKA), the governing body for the sport in the country.
just-food's research round-up
13 January 2012
This week's featured research from the just-food store includes a look at worldwide flavour trends, analysis on the UK supermarket sector and a report on the sustainability strategies used by food and drink manufacturers.
On the money: M&S food shines but uncertainty remains
11 January 2012
Food helped Marks and Spencer enjoy a sales jump in its third quarter but some market observers fear a post-Christmas hangover.
