CAGNY, one of the key dates in the US food industry calendar, dominated the headlines this week. Food giants from Unilever and PepsiCo to Campbell Soup Co. and General Mills detailed their 2010 plans for their businesses at home and abroad in what remain tough trading conditions. Elsewhere, Unilever’s Ben & Jerry ice cream business announced plans to go completely Fairtrade, while chocolate, which has had its fair share of Fairtrade news in recent weeks, saw Mars and Barry Callebaut team up to push the health benefits of the sweet stuff. These were the top stories on just-food this week.
CAGNY: Unilever hails “unrivalled strength” in emerging markets
Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever aims to capitalise on its growth in developing and emerging markets in 2010.
CAGNY: PepsiCo targets Russia for growth
Snack and beverage giant PepsiCo has targeted Russia as a “window of opportunity” for growth and said it now has plans to “step up several gears” in the country.
US: Campbell lowers sales estimates, outlines soup plans
Campbell Soup Co. today (17 February) trimmed its forecast for annual sales and outlined plans to take its US soup business forward.
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GLOBAL: Mars, Barry Callebaut push health benefits of chocolate
Chocolate giants Mars Inc and Barry Callebaut have signed a cooperation agreement designed to promote the health benefits of cocoa flavanols.
On the money: Whole Foods sees return of middle-class shoppers
Whole Foods Market has hailed the return of its core middle class customers, who have increased spending around special occasions and been won over by the retailers increasingly “strategic” pricing policy.
US: Ben & Jerry’s commits to 100% Fairtrade
Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has announced a commitment to go fully Fairtrade across its global portfolio by 2013.
US: Kettle Foods receives “second round of bids”
Potential bidders for crisp maker Kettle Foods have reportedly tabled second bids for the US-based business.
On the money: Premier reveals focus on key brands
Premier Foods plc chief executive Robert Schofield today (16 February) outlined how the UK’s largest food group plans to drive growth in the years ahead – with a focus on five “drive” categories.
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By GlobalDataUS: Wal-Mart profits beat expectations, sales sluggish
US retail giant Wal-Mart has posted a 7% increase in earnings from continuing operations for the 12 months ended 31 January, despite sluggish sales gains.
FRANCE: Carrefour profits down 74% on charges, sales slide
French retail giant Carrefour today (19 February) posted a 74.2% slide in 2009 net profit as earnings were dented by writedowns and a decline in sales.
