just-food bloggers
Dean Best
Ferrero sees sense after Nutella sugar rush
23 May 2013 15:43
Would your company issue a cease and desist letter to one of its biggest fans? That's what Ferrero did. However, in a last-ditch outbreak of common sense, it withdrew its attack on someone who has promoted Nutella worldwide.
Katy Askew
Consumer goods giant PZ Cussons expanding Africa food business
22 May 2013 16:45
Personal care group PZ Cussons has said it is making progress in expanding its African edible oils business and is preparing to launch a consumer food brand in the country.
Michelle Russell
E.Leclerc in push for French retail top spot
20 May 2013 14:20
French retailer E.Leclerc has added fresh impetus to its previous declaration of overtaking rival Carrefour in its domestic market by bringing its target forward a year.
Chris Brook-Carter
Tech advances make work a home from home
28 September 2011 12:38
Launch shows for new software applications into the food and drinks industry are, I must admit, not a regular entry in my diary.
The just-food guest blog
Is Whole Foods a "faux hippie Wal-Mart"?
28 July 2011 14:36
An epic resignation letter written by a disgruntled Whole Foods employee from Toronto has gone viral, arguing that the US retailer's business practices are at odds with its hippie, do-gooder reputation.
Latest just-food blogs
Ferrero sees sense after Nutella sugar rush
By: Dean Best - 23 May 2013 15:43
Would your company issue a cease and desist letter to one of its biggest fans? That's what Ferrero did. However, in a last-ditch outbreak of common sense, it withdrew its attack on someone who has promoted Nutella worldwide.
Consumer goods giant PZ Cussons expanding Africa food business
By: Katy Askew - 22 May 2013 16:45
Personal care group PZ Cussons has said it is making progress in expanding its African edible oils business and is preparing to launch a consumer food brand in the country.
Annoyed M&S boss Bolland brushes off questions over his position
By: Dean Best - 21 May 2013 15:30
In some areas, notably food, Marks and Spencer is performing well. However, the UK retailer attracts scrutiny like few others in the consumer sector and, today (21 May), after reporting another year of falling profits, chief executive Marc Bolland faced media questions about his future.
M&S could face questions over long-term online food strategy
By: Dean Best - 20 May 2013 16:01
When Morrisons makes its first home deliveries in January, Marks and Spencer will be the only major UK food retailer not to have a full online grocery service. M&S's food arm has been ticking over nicely and much of its focus is elsewhere but the retailer could face questions over its online plans for food when it reports its annual results tomorrow.
E.Leclerc in push for French retail top spot
By: Michelle Russell - 20 May 2013 14:20
French retailer E.Leclerc has added fresh impetus to its previous declaration of overtaking rival Carrefour in its domestic market by bringing its target forward a year.
Now we wait for Waitrose lawyers to issue Ocado verdict
By: Dean Best - 17 May 2013 18:02
Today's top story has, obviously, been news that Morrisons and Ocado have a struck a deal that will see the UK grocer at last launch into online grocery. However, industry watchers are waiting to see what Waitrose, Ocado's existing partner, does next.
Wal-Mart continues to play CEO card close to chest
By: Michelle Russell - 14 May 2013 15:38
US retail giant Wal-Mart has continued to remain tight-lipped over who will succeed current CEO Mike Duke when he steps down.
M&S looks to Friel to further boost food sales
By: Michelle Russell - 10 May 2013 15:14
UK retailer Marks & Spencer is hoping the voice of actress Anna Friel will add further momentum to its food sales in 2013 with the launch of a new campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson admirer Justin King rebuffs questions over his future
By: Dean Best - 8 May 2013 17:44
"The only good news about the speculation swirling around me means I have had my name mentioned in the same breath as Alex Ferguson today. The great man himself." So quipped Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King as he again faced questions over when he, like the legendary Manchester United manager, could step down from his post.
Delhaize shares climb as CEO steps down
By: Michelle Russell - 8 May 2013 14:13
Surprisingly, Delhaize saw its share price climb this morning (8 May) on news that its CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers is to retire at the end of the year.
Iceland Foods claims "encouraging" start to online return
By: Dean Best - 7 May 2013 15:02
We reported a fortnight ago Iceland Foods was to start trialling an online service in weeks - and, over the weekend, the UK retailer announced its return to the channel.
Nestle's Maggi the food brand bought most often, says Kantar Worldpanel
By: Dean Best - 2 May 2013 15:59
Nestle's Maggi is the food brand purchased most regularly around the world, according to a new survey from industry analysts Kantar Worldpanel.
Mondelez faces fresh UK union criticism over Cadbury
By: Dean Best - 1 May 2013 18:17
The takeover of Cadbury was one of the most debated deals of recent times, particularly in the UK, where the then Kraft Foods faced union and political criticism. Now the confectioner's current owner, Mondelez International, is in the spotlight.
Waitrose sets sights on Europe with Eurostar deal
By: Michelle Russell - 30 Apr 2013 15:07
UK upmarket retailer Waitrose has its sights set on Europe with the signing of a Eurostar deal.
Sainsbury's insists King staying... again
By: Katy Askew - 29 Apr 2013 13:57
Sainsbury's has again insisted chief executive Justin King has no imminent plans to exit the UK supermarket group.
Orkla initiates compulsory acquisition of Rieber shares
By: Katy Askew - 26 Apr 2013 16:04
Orkla Brands has made a mandatory offer for all the shares of Rieber & Søn that it does not already own.
Danone's Oikos tops US NPD poll - and here's the top ten
By: Dean Best - 24 Apr 2013 16:21
Underling the buoyancy of the Greek yoghurt sector in the US, Danone's Oikos brand has topped a poll of the best-selling new products in the US - and here we list the top ten.
Booker gets green light for Makro buy
By: Katy Askew - 19 Apr 2013 15:40
The UK Competition Commission has unconditionally cleared the acquisition of Metro's UK business, Makro, by cash and carry operator Booker Group.
US consumer study brings cheer to private label, concern for brands
By: Dean Best - 18 Apr 2013 14:40
US shoppers, historically some of the most brand-hungry on the planet, have become more accepting of own label during the downturn - and a survey suggests store brands will remain a key part of the basket even when the economy improves.
Pershing investment adds to PepsiCo/Mondelez rumour mill
By: Michelle Russell - 16 Apr 2013 15:25
Speculation is once again mounting about a potential marriage between Mondelez International and PepsiCo.
Sainsbury's athletics sponsorship continues
By: Dean Best - 15 Apr 2013 15:29
Sainsbury's move to sponsor the 2012 Paralympic Games looked to be one of the more astute recent pieces of marketing - and the UK retailer is set to continue its association with athletics.
"Immodest" CEO proclaims Magnit's Russian leadership
By: Michelle Russell - 12 Apr 2013 14:18
The CEO of Magnit is afraid to be seen to be blowing the Russian retail group's own trumpet, but what the heck, he will anyway.
Further speculation over Burton's Biscuit Co. bidders
By: Katy Askew - 11 Apr 2013 17:09
A potential deal likely to make a regular appearance on our pages for some time to come is the possible sale of Burton's Biscuit Co.
Emerging market ambitions prompted Barry Callebaut to look to PepsiCo, Chiquita execs
By: Dean Best - 9 Apr 2013 15:33
Alongside Barry Callebaut's half-year results came news the B2B chocolate giant wants a current PepsiCo executive and the former boss of Chiquita Brands International as company directors. And it's the Swiss group's ambitions in developing markets that led to their nominations.
Ireland's food makers demand grocery code of practice
By: Dean Best - 5 Apr 2013 15:39
The UK food industry has seen the establishment of an "adjudicator" to oversee relations in the sector - and now suppliers across the Irish Sea have called for a code of practice to govern the market.
It's not just multinationals eyeing emerging market dairy demand
By: Dean Best - 4 Apr 2013 16:56
In the last six months, just-food has interviewed several heavy-hitters in the dairy industry about their plans for emerging markets, how they will exploit growing demand in regions like Asia and Latin America. But the Western giants will face strong domestic competition.
Indian business giant Ratan Tata lined up for Mondelez board role
By: Dean Best - 3 Apr 2013 20:42
One of India's highest-profile businessmen, Ratan Tata, looks set to join the board of global snacks giant Mondelez International, a company formed to exploit the potential of the emerging markets.
National fish fingers and custard day?
By: Katy Askew - 2 Apr 2013 13:18
There are some of you who will immediately know what I'm talking about. For the rest, let me explain: tomorrow has been named "national fish fingers and custard day" to celebrate the favourite food of the eleventh doctor. Dr Who? Exactly.
just-food closed for Easter
By: Dean Best - 28 Mar 2013 17:46
just-food is closed for Easter when the team will be busy either eating or trying to resist scoffing to many eggs. We return perhaps a little heavier on Tuesday 2 April.
Could Marfrig be eyeing M&A, disposals?
By: Dean Best - 26 Mar 2013 15:59
Marfrig, the Brazilian meat giant, has created a new senior position - and filled it with an executive with experience in M&A.
