Focus: McCormick's spicy move for Reckitt's sauces

McCormick & Co. this week emerged as the buyer of Reckitt Benckiser's food assets, which include French's mustard and Frank's RedHot sauce....

General Mills 2018 investor day - 4 takeaways

General Mills is one of a clutch of US-centric businesses that have been under sales pressure for some time. In the 12 months to 28 May, the...

Column: Room for improvement at Brandless

With the rapid rise of digital-native, direct-to-consumer brands like Dollar Shave Company and The Honest Company, Keith Anderson, senior vi...

In-depth: Prospects for direct-to-consumer in UK

The continued rapid growth of grocery e-commerce in the UK, combined with the tough trading conditions in serving traditional, bricks-and-mo...

Sustainability still leaves some investors cold

There are increasing signs more investors are becoming interested in the corporate sustainability practices of food companies, with some int...

Long read: Does sustainability sell in the UK?

Consumer concern has long been an important reason for food companies to take sustainability seriously, not only for reasons of reputational...

How PepsiCo is trying to meet shifting consumer, retail dynamics 13 Jul 17

Significant changes are taking place in the way food manufacturers interact with their customers and consumers. Retail dynamics are evolving rapidly, with channel shifts, retailer consolidation and the ever growing importance of e-commerce shaking up the sector. Meanwhile, the consumer environment is developing at a faster pace than ever before. just-food looks at how PepsiCo is responding.

Activist grabs headlines but change was already on way at Nestle 29 Jun 17

Activist investors putting pressure on food companies is not new, especially not in recent years, although Nestle's stature in the industry may have raised eyebrows as US investment fund Third Point made the world's largest food business the latest to feel the heat. However, there were already signs of change at Nestle under new CEO Mark Schneider, Dean Best argues.

How Danone's "manifesto" is shaping its corporate activity - just-food interview, part two 6 Jul 17

Dean Best

Danone has, in recent years, underwhelmed parts of the investment community, with complaints about its margins or the performance of its fresh dairy business. Broadly, sentiment among analysts at least has improved in recent quarters, although there remain whispers Danone could be the next target of activist investors. Nevertheless, Danone’s recent corporate moves have highlighted the company’s interest in areas of health and sustainability. Dean Best spoke to Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber to find out more.

Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber on why industry "mindset" on health and sustainability needs to change - just-food interview, part one 6 Jul 17

Dean Best

Danone has declared an "Alimentation Revolution". The France-based food and beverage giant has urged the industry to join a "movement" that aims to "nurture the adoption of healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking habits". Emmanuel Faber, Danone’s CEO, made the call at the Consumer Goods Forum in Berlin, an annual event where the sector’s leading lights to discuss strategy and outline their vision for the industry. Dean Best caught up with Faber after his speech to find out more about Danone’s "manifesto", how it is defining the company’s actions and why the industry should join them.

"I want to learn how to manage it as a global business" - UK firm Erbology hoping to thrive in PepsiCo "incubator" 3 Jul 17

Helen Arnold

PepsiCo is among the ranks of the world's largest food companies that are turning to the industry's start-ups and early-stage businesses for insight into tapping into the emerging consumer trends that are shaping the sector. The US snacks-to-cola giant has set up an "incubator" programme in Europe to support a select batch of businesses it says are providing "breakthrough nutrition". Helen Arnold spoke to Irina Turcan, the founder of one of the companies chosen, the UK-based Erbology.