Keys to scaling for emerging brands
The right mindset affects an emerging brand’s ability to make its first million dollars in sales or reach its $100m milestone, according to a study of 90,000 brands
Brands & manufacturers
Sustainable September
Papacks bets on fiber bottles as plastic alternative
German company looks to US collaborators to scale compostable bottles
Unilever, Mars, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: A story of spin-offs, splits, mergers & acquisitions
From Kraft Heinz’s split to Mars and Kellanova’s mega-merger, the world’s biggest food brands are reshaping the industry
Quorn cuts additives and embraces health trend
The legacy brand is responding to consumer demand for clean label foods
Juice brand Apple & Eve celebrates 50 years amid shifting trends
Family-focused juice brand leans on nostalgia and clean-label innovation to stay relevant in today’s marketplace
Archer gives snack meat market something to chew on
Premium protein company carves its niche in the rapidly evolving jerky industry
What a waste – can big food really close the loop?
A major food and drink player has ambitions to close its waste loop, but can it be done?
Hydration powders quench consumer demand
Category growth fuels retail wins as DryWater scales to 6,000 Walgreens locations
New flavours won’t cut it: Inside Magnum Co’s innovation playbook
Unilever’s soon-to-be-demerged business is committed to growing the ice cream market, and innovation will play a major role
Kraft Heinz split: What happens now?
Kraft Heinz is officially splitting into two companies. What does this mean for its iconic brands, shareholders, and the future of the food industry?
Closing the visibility gap: How CPG brands can prevent lost sales in-store
Rising costs and stiff shelf competition mean every blind spot can turn into wasted product, lost sales or empty shelves when customers show up.
From field to aisle: Regenerative won’t work without supply chain buy-in
Heartland Craft Grains’ pact with Grown Climate Smart proves regenerative certification is becoming a supply-chain movement
Campbell’s feels the crunch as America’s snack appetite slows
Campbell’s latest results show America’s once unstoppable appetite for crackers, cookies and pretzels is stalling – leaving Campbell Snacks under pressure
Sam’s Club takes a slice of the pizza business with online sales growth
The warehouse club is growing its store count along with its prepared food offerings
Apothékary scales retail while centering women’s hormonal health
Apothékary’s expansion from DTC powders into tinctures on the shelves of Sprouts and Ulta shows how CPG brands can grow strategically while addressing an underserved category: women’s hormonal health.
Unilever: 4 key focus areas for strategy
The CPG giant is focused on performance, core brands and embracing the new
Mars-Kellanova: Merger update
Is the clock still stopped on the $35.9bn deal?
News Bites
Energy drinks, snack trends and a big split
Energy drinks, snacking behaviors and corporate restructuring made headlines this week, underscoring how rapidly the food and beverage landscape is shifting under competitive and consumer pressures
From sugar cuts to smart packaging: The new playbook for kids’ drinks
As FDA and MAHA tighten rules, kids’ CPG brands are leaning into transparency, functionality and eco-conscious design
Mondelēz bets on collaborations as M&A costs climb
From Oreo x Reese’s to Biscoff tie-ups, partnerships are delivering the consumer buzz and sales lift that price cuts and big-ticket acquisitions no longer guarantee
Rabobank Global Dairy Top 20: Big shifts brewing amid M&A activity
Rabobank’s annual list has few surprises this year but pending M&A activity may spell major changes in 2026
Major PepsiCo investor launches campaign for overhaul
Elliott Investment Management, with a $4bn stake in the company, wants to shake things up
Nestlé’s CFO Anna Manz: “We didn’t expect to find ourselves here”
The CFO spoke out on why Freixe was let go – and why Philipp Navratil was picked for the CEO job
The rise of functional snacks: How Day Out is redefining plant-based protein options
From a founder’s kitchen experiment to retail expansion, Day Out reflects the growing demand for nutrient-dense, convenient and clean-ingredient snacks
Celsius buys Rockstar Energy Drink from PepsiCo
The deal also includes a $558 million investment from PepsiCo and distribution of Celsius’ Alani Nu
The new rules of snacking: How to navigate a $150bn market in flux
Data from Conagra and Circana shows how shifting tastes, wellness demands and convenience are rewriting the playbook for snack makers worldwide
Suntory reacts as CEO quits amid drug investigation
The shocking resignation of Japanese food and beverage giant Suntory’s CEO has sent shockwaves through the industry
Meat stick brand Singing Pastures leans into clean nutrition and joy
The company’s storytelling piques the interest of consumers who crave ethical protein and expands appeal to women consumers
Beyond the box: Turning packaging into an interactive channel to consumers
In a digital-first, sustainability-driven world, packaging is evolving from container to channel and reshaping how brands connect with consumers
Nestlé burns through two CEOs in two years – how did we get here?
It’s not unheard of, but Nestlé being on its third CEO in two years is an anomaly. Here are the circumstances leading up to the appointment of new CEO Philipp Navratil
Kraft Heinz split confirmed
The food giant will split into two focused companies - one global, one domestic - in a bid to simplify operations and unlock brand potential
Nestlé’s CEO scandal: What now?
Laurent Freixe has been dismissed over conduct violation - here’s everything you need to know
Hormel joins other CPG giants in raising prices to offset inflation
Pork, beef and nut costs worsened beyond company’s second quarter projects
News Bites: Beef tallow surge, fall flavors beyond pumpkin spice and SNAP impact
This week’s top stories explore beef tallow’s viral rise, new fall flavor trends and how SNAP policy changes are reshaping value-driven innovation
Rethinking the frozen aisle: packaging, claims and clean label trends in global cuisine
Saffron Road’s brand refresh highlights global flavor, compostable trays and a strategic approach to on-pack claims
Can KDP and JDE Peet’s new coffee giant challenge Nestlé’s stronghold?
Keurig, Jacobs and Douwe Egberts take on Nespresso and Nescafe
From research to market: How generative AI can speed product development
Practical strategies from industry voices show how generative AI can enhance ideation, protect intellectual property and create “first-time right” product launches
Coffee price hikes help JM Smucker Co weather tariffs
CEO says the company has yet to feel the impact from GLP-1 drugs
Is Nestlé pulling back on plant-based?
Nestlé continues move away from plant-based as market growth slows
RFK Jr. and social media drive beef tallow market surge
Beef tallow’s resurgence signals broader shock in the edible oils market with many CPG brands rethinking marketing messaging around fats and replacing seed oils
Inside Torani’s people-centric playbook for $1b growth
In a layoff-heavy industry, beverage syrup and sauce brand Torani’s century-long people-first approach delivers stability, growth and a clear path to $1B revenue
Functional beverages evolve amid GLP-1 use and private label growth
FedUp Foods’ Ravi Jhala breaks down how GLP-1 trends and private label innovation are influencing functional beverage strategies for CPGs and retailers
The UPF lawsuit that fizzled – and why the next one might not
A US judge tossed the first big UPF lawsuit, but with mounting science and regulators circling, bakery, snack and cereal brands shouldn’t breathe easy just yet
Coca-Cola reportedly planning Costa Coffee sale
Coca-Cola rumoured to be in talks to sell British coffee chain Costa Coffee
McCormick doubles down on ‘finishing’ trend with re-launched sugars
McCormick is building out its Finishing Sugars portfolio as consumers and operators look for easy-to-use flavor boosters that deliver indulgence at home and across foodservice
Keurig Dr Pepper to acquire JDE Peet’s in transformative $18bn coffee deal
The acquisition will create the world’s top pure-play coffee company; which Keurig Dr Pepper will separate from its refreshment beverages business
Sustainable squid snacks: How The Hermit is disrupting the jerky category
Squid jerky startup targets the clean-label snack market
Startup Spotlight
Niche vs mainstream: Startup ReadyBar sees big potential in focused market
ReadyBar’s founder warns CPG startups against trying to be everything to everyone. His lesson: focus on a niche, like first responders, to build real traction
How CPG brands can navigate SNAP waivers and restrictions
As new regulations tighten Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and states introduce waivers restricting the use of benefits for “unhealthy” foods, CPG brands face both risks and opportunities
Cell-based dairy moves closer to market with Opalia-Hoogwegt tie-up
Start-up Opalia is on a mission to prove its cell-cultured milk can be used to make an entire range of dairy products: from cheese to ice cream