Focus: Bimbo's India entry could spark more deals

Grupo Bimbo, the Mexico-based business that is the world's largest bakery products group, has moved into a new emerging market. Bimbo has mu...

Why Big Data Collaboration could be the new ECR

With growth in FMCG in many western economies hard to come by, manufacturers and retailers need to step up efforts to work together, argues...

How could Whole Foods takeover affect suppliers?

It is the deal that has got the industry talking - Amazon's move to buy Whole Foods Market, hailed by some as a "game-changer" for the secto...

Minor role for direct-to-consumer in US e-commerce

With the e-commerce channel growing in the US but still in its early stages, food manufacturers are weighing up various ways to build a pres...

Amazon's move for Whole Foods will focus minds

"Every so often an event occurs that shakes the industry to its core. Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods is one of those." So said one US r...

How Nestle's US candy review has divided analysts

Confectionery, particularly chocolate, is one of Nestle's flagship businesses and has often been the subject of speculation among industry w...

Food brands must avoid being egotists to thrive - guest opinion 12 Jun 17

Look at the top-line data on the UK grocery market and it shows a sector in rude health. However, at present, inflation has become central to the market's growth, while the performance of own-label is outpacing brands. In a guest column, Stuart Galvin, business director at shopper marketing specialist, Smp, argues one way brands can help themselves is to no longer be the hero of their own marketing strategies.

UK election result raises food sector hopes of better Brexit - column 9 Jun 17

The result of the UK's General Election has stunned much of the country and many observers worldwide. The poll produced a hung parliament, with the Conservative Party, led by UK Prime Minister Theresa May, the largest in the House of Commons but without a majority of seats. May has embarked on talks with Democratic Unionist Party in a bid to form a minority government that can function with the working support of the Northern Ireland party. As Ben Cooper reports, the DUP's stance on Brexit, as well as the now improved standing of Labour, could lead to a softer Brexit that many food manufacturers would support.

UTZ and Rainforest Alliance look to build through merger - interview 19 Jun 17

Ben Cooper

Earlier this month, ethical organisations the Rainforest Alliance and UTZ announced plans to merge, with the two bodies to operate a single certification standard. Han de Groot, UTZ executive director and designated CEO of the merged organisation, spoke with Ben Cooper about the combination and its implications for food companies.

Ambitious Arla remains patient with Africa - interview 14 Jun 17

John Shepherd

With the consumption of dairy products in western countries stagnant, the world's largest processors are ramping up investment in emerging markets. European dairy giant Arla Foods is still targeting growth in countries like the UK and Germany through investment in value-added innovation but it is increasingly investing in markets like China and Nigeria. Both feature in Arla's list of priority markets, drawn up in 2015 as part of the cooperative's Strategy 2020 business plan. Arla's executive vice-president of international operations, Tim Orting Jorgensen, talks to John Shepherd about the company's recent moves in Nigeria and how, despite the country's recent economic problems, the market is a springboard for the co-op's ambitions in the wider region.

The next steps for UK baby food firm For Aisha - interview 13 Jun 17

Dean Best

It is approaching two years since UK halal baby food business For Aisha was taken out of administration by investors that included founder and managing director Mark Salter. After building a business that has secured listings with most of the UK's largest retailers, Salter is looking to continue growth at home with moves into new segments and is aiming to build on some fledgling positions internationally. Dean Best reports.