Dairy

CPG industry facing a serious talent shortage, recruiter

Millennials have a general distrust of big companies and a different set of priorities than baby boomers

Recruitment focus: ‘The consumer products industry is facing a serious talent shortage’

By Elaine Watson

While working at sexy new food & beverage companies such as Hampton Creek or Suja Juice sounds like a pretty exciting way to earn a living, the most talented people coming out of business school today are still more likely to pick technology or investment...

IMR International 2015 food hydrocolloids conference, Florida

Where next for hydrocolloids?

Once considered purely technical ingredients (thickeners, stabilizers, gelling agents), hydrocolloids are “going through a transformation from purely functional to nutritional ingredient status”, say the organizers of a conference dedicated to the $7bn...

Seurat Group on the top 10 challenger brands in US food retail

What are the top 10 challenger brands in US food retail?

By Elaine Watson

It’s no secret that smaller, emerging brands are winning the battle for consumers’ hearts, minds and wallets from larger, established players in the US food and beverage industry, but which ‘challenger’ brands really stand out in the crowd? And what are...

MOM’s Organic Market’s sustainable mission drives business

Organic & Non-GMO trends

MOM’s Organic Market’s sustainable mission drives business

By Elizabeth Crawford

The mid-Atlantic natural grocery chain MOM’s Organic Market dramatically cut operational costs, drove increased food traffic and reinforced its branding by incorporating sustainability into every aspect of its business. “Our purpose is to protect and...

Hartman Group on the top food & beverage legacy brands

What are the top-performing legacy brands in US grocery?

By Elaine Watson

There are plenty of billion-dollar brands in the CPG market, but just 8% of 213 ‘legacy’ US food and beverage brands analyzed by market researcher Hartman Group are outpacing inflation and category growth rates.

Wild Oats organic products are now sold in 3,800 Walmart stores

US organic food sales rose 11% to $35.9bn in 2014

Wild Oats organic products are now sold in 3,800 Walmart stores

By Elaine Watson

Around 3,800 Walmart stores now carry at least 30 Wild Oats organic products, while 2,200 stores carry more than 70 items, says the retailer, which says customers are saving up to 25% compared with national brand organic products.

Is ALDI the most underestimated grocery retailer in the US?

Is ALDI the ‘most underestimated grocery retailer in the US?'

By Elaine Watson

While Trader Joe’s gets plenty of plaudits, its German parent company ALDI – which operates nearly 1,400 stores in 32 US states - is probably “the most underestimated grocery retailer” in the nation, according to a new report from market researcher Hartman...

General Mills nears goal of 100% sustainably sourced palm oil

General Mills nears goal of 100% sustainably sourced palm oil

By Elizabeth Crawford

Through partnerships with small farmers, non-governmental organizations and other industry stakeholders, General Mills reports it is making progress towards its goal of sustainably sourcing 100% of its top 10 ingredients by 2020.

Tate & Lyle said it expected to finalise a plan to maximise returns from Splenda by the end of the month.

Ajinomoto denies Splenda buyout rumours

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Ajinomoto has denied claims published in the UK’s Telegraph newspaper that it was eyeing Tate & Lyle’s Splenda sucralose business.

Competition heats up as new frozen desserts launch

Competition heats up as new frozen desserts launch

By Elizabeth Crawford

With the arrival of Spring, the weather is heating up and so is the competition in the frozen dessert aisle as firms launch new ice creams, gelatos and frozen novelty treats. Here are a few of the new desserts hitting store shelves with the goal of keeping...

Heinz-Kraft merger comes from weakness, not strength, says CPG expert

Big CPG firms are not nimble enough to innovate and align with changing consumer tastes, says TABS Group founder

Heinz-Kraft merger comes from weakness, not strength, says CPG expert: ‘It’s almost as if the large tier one guys have surrendered’

By Elaine Watson

The impending marriage of Heinz and Kraft Foods Group will create a $29bn consumer packaged goods powerhouse. But is bigger always better, or are megadeals like this more about making money for lawyers and shareholders than delighting consumers and driving...

Who buys organic and where is evolving

Organic & Non-GMO Trends

Who buys organic and where they buy it is evolving

By Elizabeth Crawford

The face of the organic shopper is changing slowly to reflect more accurately the American population thanks in part to increased distribution, according to a new study by the Organic Trade Association. 

Green tea's not just about health; it's a beauty ingredient, too, Taiyo says

Special edition: beauty from within

Green tea's not just about health; it's a beauty ingredient, too, Taiyo says

By Hank Schultz

The beauty-from-within market is one of those that is perennially not quite ready for prime time, at least in North America. But officials at Taiyo International believe that’s about to change, and the company stands ready to benefit with a green tea...

Source: Acosta Sales & Marketing The Evolution of Eating Insights into Americans' Changing Habits

Shrinking household sizes are changing how Americans eat, buy food

By Elizabeth Crawford

A whopping nine out of 10 consumers prefer to eat at home, but the size and make-up of those households are changing and so are consumers’ needs from food and beverage companies, according to research firm Acosta Sales & Marketing. 

Aloe companies expanding production in Mexico to meet rising demand

Latin America

Aloe companies expanding production in Mexico to meet rising demand

By Hank Schultz

Worldwide demand for aloe means acreage for this important botanical continues to expand in Mexico, one of the main sources of the ingredient. And that demand has been driven largely by products sold through network marketing companies, an expert says.

Big Food is at a crossroads, says Hartman Strategy

Disrupt or die: Big Food is at a crossroads, says Hartman Strategy

By Elaine Watson

While ‘legacy’ food and beverage brands are laser focused on price, promotion and placement, no amount of financial clout or merchandising wizardry can mask the fact that smaller, sexier, more disruptive, brands are outpacing them. But are CPG’s biggest...

While plant-based foods are hot right now, high-protein meat-snacks such as jerky are also gaining momentum

Vegan, paleo, grass-fed, pasture-raised, ancient grains, and allergen friendly claims are gaining

From grass-fed to Paleo: What are the hottest trends in the natural food and beverages market?

By Elaine Watson

According to Chicago-based market research firm SPINS, US retail (dollar) sales of foods & beverages rose 1.7% in 2014, while unit sales declined by 0.4%. By contrast, sales of natural and organic brands grew nearly 12%. But where are the opportunities...

The previous status quo allowed crops to be grown anywhere in Europe following EU approval, although only one GM crop, Monsanto maize variety MON810, is grown commercially in the EU.

Member states back national bans for GM crops

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

EU member states have voted to allow national governments to ban or restrict cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops even when approved at EU level, meaning the new rules will be written into law.

Banana flour: The next big thing in the gluten-free toolkit?

Banana flour is gluten-free, grain-free and rich in potassium and resistant starch

Banana flour: The next big thing in the gluten-free toolkit?

By Elaine Watson

Banana flour –dried unripe banana milled into powder – is still a novel concept for American consumers, but the Utah-based entrepreneur behind WEDO (which claims to be the only banana flour company in the US) reckons 2015 could be the year it hits the...

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