Latest snacks news and analysis articles 
Easy-to-digest news and insight on the snacks business
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.
On the money: Kellogg warns European profits could fall again in 2012
6 February 2012
US cereal giant Kellogg has warned the profits from its European operations could fall again this year amid the challenging economic environment on the Continent.
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.
UK: Tayto buys pork scratchings firm Midland Snacks
3 February 2012
Northern Ireland crisp maker Tayto has snapped up England-based pork scratchings firm Midland Snacks.
US: Kellogg ends 2011 with "strong" Q4
2 February 2012
Kellogg said today (2 February) it had ended 2011 with a "strong" fourth quarter, in which profits jumped by a quarter, boosted by improved earnings in North America and Asia-Pacific.
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.
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.
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.
UK: Eat Natural sales jump but costs weigh on profits
31 January 2012
Rising commodity prices have weighed on annual profits at UK snack bar and cereal maker Eat Natural, offsetting higher sales in 2011.
UK: Premier Foods in GBP50m ad spend
30 January 2012
Major UK food manufacturer Premier Foods plc has doubled its marketing spend to more than GBP50m (US$78.3m) in a bid to drive growth.
FRANCE: Co-operative Euralis cuts jobs
30 January 2012
French co-operative Euralis will shed 60 jobs when it re-organises its loss-making food division.
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.
US: General Mills expands Nature Valley range
26 January 2012
General Mills has added a protein bar to its Nature Valley range of snack bars in the US.
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.
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.
US: J & J Snack Foods Q1 profits fall
24 January 2012
US pretzel and cake maker J & J Snack Foods has reported a "disappointing" first quarter to its financial year when input costs hit earnings.
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.
UK: PepsiCo launches Walkers 'mystery flavours'
23 January 2012
PepsiCo has launched three mystery flavours for its Walkers crisps brand in the UK.
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.
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.
