Confirmation that Unilever is planning to sell its Italian frozen food business proved popular reading this week. It now seems likely the consumer goods giant will continue to streamline its business in developed markets while looking further afield to drive top-line gains, given the strength of its first-quarter performance in emerging markets. Food prices also came under the microscope this week, as retailers in the US and Australia reported on the impact of food deflation. Here are the top ten stories on just-food.
US: Kraft, Heinz join NYC fight to cut salt levels
Food giants Kraft Foods, Heinz and Unilever were today (26 April) named among the signatories to a US push to lower the amount of salt in foods.
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By GlobalDataUK/ITALY: Unilever confirms plans for frozen food sale
Unilever today (26 April) confirmed long-running speculation that it is looking to sell its frozen food business in Italy.
UK: Premier feels winter chill as Q1 sales fall 5%
Premier Foods plc, the UK’s largest food maker, today (27 April) booked a 5.1% fall in first-quarter revenues as January’s cold snap froze sales.
UK: “Sustained return” to premium hurting Asda – Kantar
Asda is feeling the pressure of a “sustained return” by consumers towards more premium products, the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel claimed today (27 April).
UPDATE: DENMARK: PAI to remain investor in Chr Hansen
France-based private-equity firm PAI Partners looks set to remain an investor in Danish food ingredients group Chr Hansen, which is preparing for an IPO in Copenhagen.
US: Organic body to review use of ARA, DHA
The US is to review the use of two synthetic additives in organic baby food and infant formula after a fresh look at the nutrients allowed in organic processed food.
AUS: Woolworths downbeat on consumer outlook, deflation
Australian supermarket operator Woolworths Ltd today (30 April) lowered its full-year sales outlook in the face of food deflation and weakening consumer sentiment, despite posting a 4.7% increase in third-quarter sales.
On the money: Safeway upbeat on profits despite margin hit
US supermarket group Safeway has predicted that it will be able to pass higher costs along to consumers through price hikes, despite revealing yesterday (29 April) that retail price food deflation had dented its first-quarter margins.
US: Kellogg profits jump 30%
US cereal giant Kellogg has posted a 30% jump in first-quarter profits, boosted by improved margins.
UK: Unilever shares rise as Asia drives Q1
Shares in consumer goods giant Unilever rose this morning (29 April) after the Knorr-to-Magnum maker posted “strong” first-quarter results.
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