Allegations of bribery at Wal-Mart Stores’ Mexican arm grabbed the headlines at the start of the week, rocking the world’s largest retailer. Nestle, the world’s largest food manufacturer, made waves of its own with its US$11.9bn deal to buy Pfizer’s baby food business. The week also saw a raft of first-quarter results and the announcement of the latest results from Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan, a programme to reduce its impact on the environment. We met Unilever CEO Paul Polman to discuss the company’s progress.
Wal-Mart mired in Mexico bribery claims
The world’s largest retailer is facing claims that employees in Mexico bribed local officials – and that it knew of the payments and covered them up.
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Nestle moves to buy Pfizer’s baby food arm
The world’s largest food manufacturer beat off reported interest from Danone with a deal worth US$11.9bn. But has the Swiss food giant paid too much?
The just-food interview – Unilever CEO Paul Polman
FMCG companies the world over talk often and loudly about the ways in which they are alleviating their impact on the environment or trading more ethically. Few, however, set public targets and even fewer report their progress or the challenges they are facing. Unilever is a notable exception. This week, the consumer goods group published the latest results of its Sustainable Living Plan programme. Dean Best met Unilever CEO Paul Polman to discuss the initiative, the successes so far and the problems ahead.
US: Kellogg issues profit warning
US food group Kellogg today (23 April) issued a surprise profit warning amid “significant challenges” in its domestic market and in Europe.
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Click here for coverage of Kellogg’s first-quarter results, which were issued later in the week.
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By GlobalDataOn the money: ABF expects improved grocery returns
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On the money: Premier Foods eyes margin improvements in 2012
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