As CPG brands and retailers respond to shifting consumers behaviors -- from trading down to private label to more brick-and-mortar shopping -- they need to put aside preconceived notions of what consumers want and use data and their internal resources...
While M&A activity is slower, the total capital invested in 2022 remains similar to previous years, with an increase in venture capital funds in the food and beverage industry, and trends surrounding plant-based food, private label and automation,...
A slight uptick in the price of food at home in May from April after months of steady decline isn’t as worrisome to some industry stakeholders as it could be given year-over-year food prices continued to slow and remained far lower than the double-digit...
Nearly 2,000 companies and 270 trade groups, including those representing grocers, convenience stores and other retailers that sell packaged food and beverages, are calling for the swift passage of legislation that could lower credit and debit card swipe...
Due to the rise in grocery prices, consumers have transitioned into value shoppers, prioritizing price sensitivities over brand loyalty. This shift has opened an opportunity for smaller retailers to more efficiently meet consumer needs by leveraging their...
The online marketplace PartnerSlate will “accelerate the growth of its online marketplace digitizing the $200-billion food and beverage contract manufacturing industry" with a $4m fundraise led by Supply Change Capital, according to its recent press...
Despite efforts to upcycle ingredients, promote so-called ugly produce and educate retailers and consumers about how to sell and use food before it spoils, food waste in the US remains at a stubborn 30%, in part due to inaccuracies predicting consumer...
The application-based program will deliver two FarmboxRx packages for six months containing a variety of fresh produce and essential pantry items for 200 households. In addition, households will receive information to help them prepare nutritious meals,...
Critical supply chains are finally “normalizing” after the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted transportation and slowed production, triggering bottlenecks and driving up inflation to 40-year highs, according to a White House report card...
Sustainability and future-proofing the food system
Improving the sustainability of the food system is no longer optional from an optics and long-term business perspective, but short-term challenges – including consumer engagement – threaten immediate and mid-range returns and margins, complicating the...
While scaling is a challenge for the plant-based industry, Tindle is focused on leveraging its minimal assets to expand its US presence through meal kits primarily sold online and limited retail launches, JJ Kass, VP of business development and strategy...
While some fear AI spells the end of the humanity, others are optimistic the technology will optimise food production and achieve ‘what has previously not been possible’.
As brands seek cultural fluency to develop products for different demographics, Kellogg’s presentation during the Sweets & Snacks Expo explored the various nuances of the multicultural and generational differences of the American snack consumer, specifically...
Already a cult-favorite among Gen Z coffee and tea drinkers who prize quality but also want a bit of whimsy, Chamberlain Coffee hopes to expand its appeal, distribution and usage occasions in the coming months with an infusion of $7m in follow-on series...
Sustainability and future-proofing the food system
With between a quarter and a third of human caused greenhouse gas emissions linked to food production and climate change intensifying to a point that its impacting how, where and when key crops are grown, improving sustainability in the food system is...
While e-commerce impulse buys are evolving, in-store purchases are still critical in capturing snack and candy consumers—with the self-checkout lane offering tremendous potential growth for both brands and retailers, Kathy Risch, senior vice president,...
Despite inflationary pressures, consumers at all life stages continue to treat themselves both in-store and online with candy and snacks, Acosta Group's Kathy Risch shares in this first story in the two part series about consumers' candy and...
Consumers interested in health and wellness continue to shop more often for groceries and spend more on food and beverage than all shoppers despite economic headwinds, but the bulk of their investment currently is in the center of the store – not the...
The Pasta Noodle Company is shaking up the ready-to-eat (RTE) space with a trio of options inspired by classic Italian dishes, created with natural ingredients and ready to eat within two minutes, company founder Paolo Internicola told FoodNavigator-USA....
The US Department of Agriculture should help farmers and ranchers better manage climate change risks and step-up oversight of federal assistance programs, including future reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines benefits under the Supplemental...
Consumers are turning away from fresh as their stress levels rise – preferring the convenience and mood management claims offered more prominently in the center of the store, suggests data from consumer research firm Circana, previously known as IRI....
As food prices remain stubbornly high year-over-year, consumers are becoming more sophisticated in how they manage their grocery budgets – allowing them to expand their definition of value beyond the historic combination of price, quantity and quality,...
Flashfood’s State of Food Waste Impact report underscores the link between food waste and food insecurity in the midst of inflation-driven grocery prices and shifting food policies surrounding SNAP benefits and accessibility.
Rising food prices are exacting a higher toll on grocery shoppers than a year ago, with many offsetting increases by choosing less expensive items even if they are less healthy and do not meet their ideal social sustainability values, new research from...
Grocery stores could lose upwards of $20b in sales in 2023, or 2.8% of the industry’s $850b in sales last year, due to cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, and unless they act with “genuine” empathy that...
While inflation across food, beverage and other categories continues to take a sizable bite out of consumers’ grocery budgets and influence the way they manage their food stocks, a slight slowdown in inflation in recent months has reinforced demand across...
Despite a slight dip in plant-based dairy sales in the last three quarters – mostly due to higher prices – “there is a lot of sustained appetite for plant-based dairy, and we’re very optimistic for future growth opportunities in this category,” Bethany...
Fresh and frozen retail seafood in the US has been on a rollercoaster the past three years with shifting shopping and eating habits during the pandemic sending sales and volumes to dramatic highs and then rising inflation in the past year causing unit...
During “The Promise and Pitfalls of Generative AI for Food and Beverage Operations” webinar, Nick Markman, senior product manager, Evocalize, explained that while the risks of producing misinformation from generative AI are significant, it’s up to brands...
As plant-based cheese brand Misha's is preparing to expand into Walmart this month and Ralphs later in the year it is embracing a lean operating model to improve profitability and tackle obstacles facing the non-dairy segment, brand CEO Aaron Bullock...
Developing sharp and effective messaging through loyalty programs can effectively strengthen consumer engagement and loyalty at a time when 65% of consumers are concerned about inflation, according to 84.51°’s recent Inflation Special Report.
Protein giant Tyson Food’s branded foods business, including Hillshire Snacking, Jimmy Dean and Ball Park, was a bright spot in an otherwise “tough” second quarter marred by supply and demand imbalances, ongoing high costs and reduced consumer spending.
The cost of canned food and products could increase by 30% and upwards of 40,000 US manufacturing jobs could be cut if the International Trade Commission greenlights a proposal to impose hefty tariffs on imported tinplate steel from eight countries, argues...
As alt-protein companies respond to changing industry dynamics, many brands are examining how best market products and respond to consumers needs, a panel of experts shared at the Bridge2Food Summit Americas.
Across income groups, shoppers continue to focus on value although retailers have an opportunity to instill a competitive edge by enhancing private label strategy.
Kellogg’s “stronger than anticipated” first quarter in which the company saw double-digit organic net sales and adjusted operating profit growth not only places the company in the “enviable position” of raising its full year guidance, but suggests it...
Even as plant-based dairy newcomer Armored Fresh prepares to roll out is innovative Almond Milk Cubes and American Slices at select Kroger stores next month and nationwide through its recently unveiled online storefronts, the food-tech company continues...
Kraft Heinz expects to gradually regain lost market share in the US, which tumbled 30 points on a mix-adjusted basis in the first quarter, by selectively working with retailers to boost shelf space, ramping up marketing and innovation, and tackling lingering...
Sprouts Farmers Market’s decision to pull back on promotions and cater instead to less price-sensitive shoppers who follow specialty diets and are more health-oriented once was considered risky but now is paying off.
A “massive” repeat purchase rate of 74% direct-to-consumer and 54% at retail combined with healthy margins and strong “no f***ing way” factor helped food-tech startup Hero Bread secure $15m in series B funding despite the challenging economic environment.
Discount stores need to keep a close eye on pricing strategies to remain competitive and balance affordability with product displays and differentiation, advises one industry insider.
Hershey's net sales increased 12.1% to $2.98bn thanks to price and volume gains across both confectionery and salty snack segments, driven heavily by consumer demand and media investments.
Biscuit and chocolate giant Mondelez International nearly doubled its outlook for fiscal 2023 after delivering its “best quarter ever” with organic revenue growth up 19.4% to $1.5bn over the same period last year and “significantly ahead of [an] already...
Nestle’s near double-digit price hike across its portfolio of coffee and confections over the past three months helped buoy sales and offset a notable jump in costs without significantly dragging down volumes, prompting executives and analysts to characterize...
The Federal Trade Commission should update its “Green Guides” to clarify the proper use of climate change claims, such as “net zero” and “carbon negative,” which have proliferated in recent years to meet rising consumer interest, but which are not standardized...
A new partnership between the US Department of Veteran Affairs and the Rockefeller Foundation will test the impact of fresh fruits and vegetables on veterans’ health, and could help build the business case for more health care systems and insurers nationwide...
Partnership for a Healthier America’s Food Equity Opportunity Map uses census, income and health data to determine food accessibility in U.S. communities, and could help CPG companies finetune marketing at the zip code level for a bigger impact.
Coca-Cola Co.’s North American margins “reached toward a new high watermark” in the first quarter of 2023 observed one market analyst during the company’s quarterly call yesterday – a better-than-expected outcome that leadership attributed to higher prices...
CPG food and beverage brands need to focus on three key business activities to survive the current economic climate, including marketing and innovation basics, cost-cutting measures and capital diversification, a panel of food and beverage experts shared...
