Consumers have evolved their definition of what qualifies as a snack and are increasingly seeking out permissibly indulgent options, which has given rise to a new type of snacking behavior in the frozen set, Mintel consumer insights research suggests....
Food prices continue their steady climb, rising in the last month nearly as much as they did for all of 2019 before the pandemic wreaked havoc on supply chains and dramatically altered consumer demand, according to data released Oct. 25 from the US Department...
Unilever joins the parade of CPG manufacturers hiking prices “significantly” to offset rising commodity costs and other inputs, with CEO Alan Jope warning, “there is more pricing still to come.”
Nestle boosted its full year sales guidance this week after raising prices once again to account for climbing costs, but leadership cautioned those increases may not be enough to fully counter worsening inflation – suggesting more hikes likely are necessary...
Nestlé has entered the refrigerated snacking set with its line of permissably indulgent Rallies, a three-bite snack of chocolate enrobed nut butters, which is targeting a growing group of consumers who need a pick-me-up to rally themselves out of a slump,...
Albertsons’ “surgical approach” to pricing to offset rising inflation coupled with its ability to quickly offer alternatives to out-of-stocks due to ongoing supply chain and labor challenges helped it deliver better-than-expected margins in its second...
'Ultra-processed' food comprises the majority of the average US adult diet, according to a new study by researchers at NYU School of Global Public Health, who suspect the pandemic has further fueled the trend.
What will be trending in 2022? According to Whole Foods' annual food trends report, consumers are seeking products that contribute to their personal definition of wellbeing, whether it be less-boozy beverages, leafy greens grown locally, or ice cream...
Kraft Heinz reported progress against several of its key ESG (environmental social governance) targets including community support, circular packaging design, and animal welfare while also publicly sharing its 2025 DI&B (diversity, inclusion, and...
Like many other CPG companies, Conagra Brands is continuing to take pricing actions across its portfolio spanning snacks, frozen food, and baking products. But the company says these actions have had limited impact on consumer purchasing behavior so far....
An end to pandemic-related government subsidies last month did not, as hoped, end the labor shortage currently hamstringing manufacturers’ ability to meet the sustained higher demand for food consumed at home – forcing industry to seek other solutions.
Higher prices for popular PepsiCo beverages and snacks currently rolling out in stores now and in the coming weeks are likely only the beginning, as the CPG giant revealed today that it is mulling another round of increases that will likely go into effect...
Two-thirds of US adults say the pandemic has caused them to re-evaluate their life priorities and has had the most profound impact on where and how they eat, according to Mintel research.
Spice maker McCormick & Co.’s shares fell 3.2% yesterday despite beating third-quarter profit estimates and posting a “remarkable” 8% sales increase in the period over strong results for the same time last year when pantry-stocking caused consumer...
When I began studying organic food consumption in the early 2000s, I remember one of the first problems I encountered was a misperception among prominent public firm executives.
Interest and demand for products that support the immune system increased since the pandemic began and according to a new survey, the dialogue has ushered in consumer knowledge of the strong interrelationship between digestive and immune function.
In-store demos are one of the most effective ways to drive new product trial, but they are also one of the most expensive strategies – especially now that some retailers prohibit open sampling due to the pandemic.
With inflation driving up grocery prices and many government assistance programs ending, consumers are looking for deals now more than last year – but according to the marketing solutions company Vericast, they aren’t finding them when and where they...
Shares of United Natural Foods skyrocketed yesterday after the natural and organic food wholesaler’s fourth quarter earnings beat industry expectations, and executives laid out an optimistic outlook for 2022 with concrete plans to make the best of lingering...
Fresh food may make most consumers feel happier and capture the lion’s share of retail sales – for now – but rising prices, concerns about perishability and shifting preference are pushing more shoppers to the frozen aisle, suggests new research by Deloitte.
Spending on Halloween candy is predicted to rebound to an all time high this year after the pandemic frightened away most trick-or-treaters and celebrants last year – causing sales to slump to a five-year low, according to industry research.
More US shoppers report feeling unhappy with how grocery stores are handling the COVID-19 crisis now, including a prominent concern around the cost and price of their groceries, than earlier this year, according to dunnhumby in its latest Consumer Pulse...
Demand for immunity-boosting products may have driven an initial double-digit surge of natural and organic product sales early in the pandemic, but many category newcomers have stayed – and more have flocked to the segment in 2021 – even as the threat...
A keen empathy for consumers, a deep commitment to innovation and an open-door approach to collaboration helped the founder of Nissin Foods not only capture the hearts of billions of people when he invented instant noodles, but also helped build and sustain...
While pantry stocking and increased consumer demand for food consumed at home pushed up same store sales 15.8% for most food retailers in 2020, margins remained tight as new pandemic-related expenses and higher credit/debit card, healthcare and new technology...
Sales of herbal supplements in the US grew by a record-breaking 17.3% in 2020, with elderberry supplements surging to almost $320 million in the combined mainstream and natural channels.
With soup sales beginning to cool closer to pre-pandemic levels in the last quarter of fiscal 2021, Campbell Soup Co. is heating up the category, literally and figuratively, with innovations across its Pacific, Well Yes! and namesake soup brands to maintain...
While inflation in August was still more than double the Federal Reserve’s 2% long-term target, its growth rate slowed for the first time in eight months – sparking optimism in some policy makers that the economy is healing.
Unlike many other retailers, Dollar General does not plan to pass through to consumers price increases to offset inflation, rather executives said the banner is more likely to change its product mix – a strategy that shifts the onus for cost management...
Retailers struggling with labor shortages are offering higher pay and better benefits to fill vacancies – but according to one industry player they also should embrace automation to ease the burden on and maximize the efficiency of existing staff to maintain...
Despite “more inflation than we’ve seen in really in a decade,” General Mills has successfully offset increases with little detriment to sales or retailer and consumer relationships, but managing labor constraints and supply chain challenges hasn’t been...
Like many CPG players, Kraft Heinz has leaned heavily on pricing to offset inflationary pressures, and is willing to do so again, but it is not the only weapon in the company’s arsenal to protect its margins and balance consumers’ needs, executives said...
From plant-based and nutritionally enhanced products to improved sustainability and packaging innovations, the 45 startups participating in FoodBytes! by Rabobank’s Pitch 2021 competition announced today hit on some of the hottest trends and biggest challenges...
Over the next three years, Kellogg Company wants to invest $45m to boost production of and better position for long-term success its ready-to-eat cereal business, which has bumped up against capacity restraints in recent months as consumer demand has...
Israeli startup Seebo may be best-known for helping food and beverage companies, like Barilla, Nestle, Mondelez and PepsiCo, predict and prevent food waste, but its Process-Based Artificial Intelligence technology also can help companies navigate one...
Ongoing labor challenges are a double-edged sword for Hormel Foods Corporation, which struggled to fully meet consumer demand in its third quarter due to staffing shortages, but which also saw its food service business rebound significantly thanks to...
Feeling good about where Campbell Soup Co landed in fiscal 2021 “amidst the difficult environment,” company executives anticipate fiscal 2022 “will be a complicated transitional year” as inflation, labor shortages and other supply chain challenges persist....
Kellogg is bracing for at least another six to nine months of volatility as it continues to grapple with supply chain constraints, inflation and labor shortages, but it also is optimistic about upcoming innovations and opportunities embedded in new consumer...
To keep up with its robust year-over-year growth and prevent disruptions to its supply chain network, Walmart has announced that it will be hiring 20,000 new supply chain associates to work across its distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and transportation...
Even as economies reopen and consumer mobility increases, demand for CPGs and food consumed at home remains elevated over pre-pandemic levels in many categories, and in some cases exceeds the high demand of the early pantry-stocking days, according to...
Whether it is in-person, online or a hybrid of both, children across the country are returning to school – bringing relief to some caregivers and triggering anxiety in others, but either way almost everyone is headed to the store for classroom essentials,...
Despite beating first-quarter profit and sales forecasts, JM Smucker cut its full-year earnings outlook in the face of what CEO and president Mark Smucker described as “significant supply chain volatility, disruption and cost inflation” beyond that which...
Food prices across categories are predicted to rise low- to mid-single digits this year and again next year – adding on to already higher prices in 2020 fueled in part by the pandemic and raising questions about how consumers will react in the long term,...
When COVID-19 hit, Amy’s Kitchen – best known for its frozen pizzas, burritos, entrees and shelf-stable soups – ticked all the right boxes for ‘pandemic cuisine,’ says chief customer and consumer officer Karen Jobb. It makes convenient, healthy, restaurant-quality...
The latest consumer price index reveals food prices have climbed 3.4% over the past year, reflecting a slow but steady month over month increase that likely won’t stop any time soon as ingredient, material and labor shortages continue.
The cost of containerized freight has reached an all-time high, says a new report from Mintec, which says its global shipping composite index (based on 11 east-west trade routes) reached a monthly average of $8,796 per 40-foot container in June, up +24%...
As the pandemic drags on and consumers feel more confident in the kitchen they are relying less on well-known, iconic brands for comfort as they did in the months immediately following the coronavirus outbreak and are more willing to try new brands and...
Walmart is capturing “strong” market share gains in grocery as it continues to hold down prices at a time when other retailers are more aggressively passing through to consumers rising costs due to inflation – making it a formidable competitor but also...
Unit and dollar sales of frozen food continue to outpace those of total food and beverage as consumers first gravitated to the category during the pandemic for long-lasting options between less frequent store trips, but as mobility increases many continue...
Recruiting and maintaining top talent in the food industry was difficult long before the coronavirus outbreak, but for many retailers and manufacturers labor challenges have intensified during the pandemic as the type of work, where it takes place and...
