Latest private label news and analysis articles 
We look behind the label of the non-branded suppliers
GERMANY/UK: Muller seals Wiseman takeover
7 February 2012
German dairy giant Müller has declared its takeover bid for Robert Wiseman Dairies "unconditional" after securing almost 94% of the UK milk supplier's shares.
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.
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.
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.
US: Nut maker Sanfilippo Q2 profits up despite sales dip
2 February 2012
US nut maker John B. Sanfilippo & Son has reported a jump in quarterly profits despite a dip in revenue.
UK: Real Good Food Co. FY profits jump
1 February 2012
UK food ingredients and desserts supplier Real Good Food Co. has reported a jump in annual profits thanks to a focus on "value-added" business.
FRANCE: Co-op Lur Berri takes control of seafood firm Alfesca
1 February 2012
French Basque food co-operative Lur Berri has announced that it has taken majority control of Icelandic seafood group Alfesca.
On the move: Plassat faces Carrefour trial
31 January 2012
After a tumultuous three years at the helm of the world's second-largest grocery retailer, Carrefour chairman and CEO Lars Olofsson is set to be replaced by Georges Plassat.
just the answer - Biscuits Leclerc CEO Denis Leclerc
31 January 2012
Last month, Canadian biscuit firm Groupe Biscuits Leclerc expanded its presence in the US, with the acquisition of snack bar brand Go Pure. In the latest just the answer interview, Katie Smith discusses the acquisition and the biscuit company's plans for the future with CEO Denis Leclerc, including setting up in the UK.
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.
SWITZ: Huegli underlying sales growth accelerates
27 January 2012
Huegli, the Switzerland-based food maker, saw its underlying sales growth speed up in the second half of the year thanks to its private-label and B2B divisions.
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: 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: 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: Finsbury H1 sales jump, warns on margins
23 January 2012
UK cake maker Finsbury Food Group today (23 January) revealed a 16% jump in half-year sales but said input costs was continuing to put pressure on margins.
US: Ahold relaunches Guaranteed Value own-label line
23 January 2012
Ahold is relaunching the Guaranteed Value own-label range sold across its stores in the US.
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.
US: TreeHouse cuts earnings forecast
20 January 2012
US private-label manufacturer TreeHouse Foods has issued a profit warning as a result of a fourth-quarter fall in volumes.
Best bits: Muller faces challenges in UK milk sector
16 January 2012
Muller and Robert Wiseman Dairies are talking up the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's planned takeover of the UK milk supplier but profits in the sector have been under pressure in recent months.
UK: Muller in talks to buy Robert Wiseman Dairies
13 January 2012
Yoghurt maker Müller is in talks to buy UK milk supplier Robert Wiseman Dairies, it emerged today (13 January).
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.
Promo Tracker: Asda upped discounts in December
13 January 2012
Asda, unlike Tesco and Sainsbury's, increased its number of promotions in December, according to data from just-food's Promo Tracker.
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: Food volumes will fall again in 2012, says Sainsbury's
11 January 2012
Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King has predicted that food sales volumes will fall again in the UK in 2012 despite signs that commodity costs could be easing.
UK: Food boosts sales at Marks and Spencer
10 January 2012
Marks and Spencer's food business has driven an increase in quarterly sales at the UK retailer.
