Nestle 2017 Investor Day - 5 things to learn from CEO Mark Schneider's vision for food giant 29 Sep 2017

Dean Best

Nestle’s 2017 investor day had been much anticipated – and it did not disappoint. The event in London was the first of Nestle’s annual investor gatherings to be led by CEO Mark Schneider, with the market keen to hear how the German saw the future for the world’s largest food maker. Dean Best gives you the top takeaways from the event.

---

What does Generation Z want from food? 25 Sep 2017

Simon Creasey

Move over Millennials. There's a new consumer cohort in town and food manufacturers should stay paying them more attention. Simon Creasey takes an in-depth look at what makes Generation Z tick, what shapes their buying habits and how food companies should respond.

---

Why did Post Holdings buy Bob Evans Farms? 25 Sep 2017

Andy Coyne

In the largest M&A deal in the US packaged food sector in 2017, on Tuesday (19 September) Post Holdings announced the acquisition of bacon, breakfast sausage and mac and cheese maker Bob Evans Farms. The transaction is the latest move by the deal-hungry Post, with the company, which some see as having a patchy record with its purchases, looking to inject some growth into its business, this time by targeting a business operating in more buoyant categories on the perimeter of US stores. Andy Coyne reports.

---

Changes to food labelling will be a delicate issue post-Brexit 20 Sep 2017

Ben Cooper

Once it leaves the EU, the UK will be able to frame its own food labelling legislation but what is likely to change? Ben Cooper attended a Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum Keynote Seminar last week which took "Next steps for UK food labelling policy and opportunities post-Brexit" as its theme.

---

The rise - and potential - of certified transitional organic in US 19 Sep 2017

Victor Martino

Sales of organic food in the US continue to be robust but a limit to the growth of the industry is the gap between demand and the supply of ingredients and raw products. just-food's US columnist, Victor Martino, says the growth of the US organic industry has prompted the sector to look at a new designation, the so-called "certified transitional" organic, which he argues can grow into a real segment in the category.

---

NGO Ceres' deep dive into water gives food plenty to ponder 15 Sep 2017

Ben Cooper

A new report from US non-profit Ceres looking at how food manufacturers are addressing water risks points to improvement among some companies but finds many others to be worryingly off the pace. Ben Cooper reports.

---

Why Moy Park sale will help placate JBS creditors 14 Sep 2017

Andy Coyne

Market reaction to JBS' sale of Northern Ireland-headquartered food group Moy Park to the US' Pilgrim's Pride for US$1.3bn has centred squarely on the Brazilian meat giant's need to pay down debts, Andy Coyne writes.

---

Campbell Soup Co. results - five things to learn 4 Sep 2017

Andy Coyne

Having last week reported full-year earnings short of analysts' expectations, Campbell Soup Co. noted a challenging business environment in the packaged foods industry amid changing consumer preferences.

---

Murray Goulburn's FY results, outlook and strategic review - four things to learn 24 Aug 2017

Dean Best

Murray Goulburn has just closed what its CEO has called a "difficult" 12 months. In reality, it has been tough for the Australia-based dairy foods and ingredients group for longer than that. In April 2016, the Devondale brand owner announced a cut to the price it paid suppliers for milk, issued a profit warning and the departures of its CEO and CFO. Current chief Ari Mervis joined Murray Goulburn in February this year and has seen the supply of milk into the business continue to fall, denting sales. Under Mervis, Murray Goulburn has embarked on a strategic review and this week, the company, alongside its 2016/17 results and 2017/18 outlook, spoke at length about the reappraisal of its business. Dean Best reports.

---

What's the next chapter for yogurt in the US? 17 Aug 2017

Victor Martino

In a US packaged food market that has struggled for growth for much of the last decade, the yogurt category has been a success story, driven by the rise of Greek-style products, itself a segment propelled by one business - Chobani. However, 2016 saw the growth of the category and of Greek specifically grind to a halt. just-food's US columnist Victor Martino argues Greek will remain the dominant force in US yogurt but he observes a jostling for position as yogurt makers look for the next wave of growth.

---

Soft US cereal, shipping snacks, Australia recovery - five things to learn from Kellogg H1 4 Aug 2017

Dean Best

Second-quarter profits that beat Wall Street forecasts gave Kellogg's shares a boost yesterday (3 August), closing up more than 4% after the US cereal and snacks giant reported its latest set of financial results. Nevertheless, Kellogg revealed continued pressure on its domestic breakfast cereal business and faced plenty of questions about its top line and about the change to the way it distributes its snacks in the US.

---

Plenty to ponder as Mondelez changes CEO 3 Aug 2017

Dean Best

One of the longest tenures at the top of a major food multinational is set to come to an end, with Irene Rosenfeld, the chairman and CEO of Mondelez International, set to leave the Cadbury and Oreo maker next March. Rosenfeld, who became the CEO of Mondelez forerunner Kraft Foods in 2006, will leave behind a very different business to the one at which she arrived 11 years ago. Dean Best reflects on her time at the helm and outlines what could lie ahead for her successor, the former Coca-Cola, Mars, Danone and McCain Foods executive Dirk Van de Put.

---

The rise of the 'professional shopper' in Greece 31 Jul 2017

Panagiotis Boretos, Greece commercial director, IRI

Last week, Greece's Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, said the "worst" of the country's economic troubles were "clearly behind us". Two years ago, IRI's Panagiotis Boretos took to these pages to discuss how Greece's economic crisis was affecting consumer behaviour. Boretos takes the temperature of the market again.

---

How the food industry can help reverse climate change 25 Jul 2017

Katy Askew

Climate change is widely viewed as one of the biggest threats facing humanity. The impact of global warming can be seen across the world and it is already causing insecurity and uncertainty in food industry supply chains. As a significant CO2 emitter, the food industry is uniquely positioned to tackle the issue through innovation. Katy Askew looks at how food makers can help mitigate – and even reverse – global warming by using their supply chains to rejuvenate farmlands and forests.

---

McCormick hot on Reckitt sauces deal despite fiery multiple 21 Jul 2017

Dean Best

McCormick & Co. this week emerged as the buyer of Reckitt Benckiser's food assets, which include French's mustard and Frank's RedHot sauce. The brands look a good fit with McCormick's own basket of sauces and spices but the US group has paid what appears to be a rich multiple for the assets and its shares cooled on Wednesday when the deal was announced. Can McCormick extract value? Dean Best reports.

---

General Mills' fiscal 2018 investor day - four things to learn 20 Jul 2017

Dean Best

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 Yoplait maker's annual net sales fell 6% - the third successive year in which its top line contracted. Last week (12 July), the US food giant held its annual investor day to set out its plans for the new financial year, a chance for recently-installed CEO Jeff Harmening to outline how he believes the company can improve its performance. Here are the top takeaways from the event.

---

Direct-to-consumer in the UK - analysing the problems and potential 17 Jul 2017

Simon Creasey

The continued rapid growth of grocery e-commerce in the UK, combined with the tough trading conditions in serving traditional, bricks-and-mortar retailers, is leading a number of food manufacturers to investigate whether selling directly to consumers could be an option worth pursuing. Simon Creasey weighs up the prospects for the fledgling channel.

---

Does sustainability sell in the UK? 13 Jul 2017

Ben Cooper

Consumer concern has long been an important reason for food companies to take sustainability seriously, not only for reasons of reputational protection but increasingly for the value strong sustainability credentials can bring to a brand. In the first of a series of articles looking at the market pull for more sustainable food, Ben Cooper looks at the relationship between consumers and food sustainability in the UK, and asks whether sustainability sells.

---

How PepsiCo is trying to meet shifting consumer, retail dynamics 13 Jul 2017

Katy Askew

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.

---

India bread industry believes Bimbo's entry could spark more deals 28 Jun 2017

Raghavendra Verma and Elizabeth Machuca

Grupo Bimbo, the Mexico-based business that is the world's largest bakery products group, has moved into a new emerging market. Bimbo has muscled its way into India with the acquisition of a majority stake in local packaged bread group Ready Roti India. Logistical and supply chain issues make India’s bakery industry challenging but some market watchers expect Bimbo’s move to be followed by other multinationals attracted by the industry’s growth.