USA: Snyder’s–Lance acquires Diamond Foods for $1.2 billion
Snyder’s-Lance, the US snack firm, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Diamond Foods, acquiring all outstanding shares of the company in a cash and stock merger deal. This deal will create a powerful international snack foods company with a diversified portfolio, Snyder’s Lance said, and will add brands such as Kettle potato […]
USA: Abbott launches Curate snack brand
Pharmaceutical firm Abbott has announced a new foray in the FMCG space with the unveiling of a snack brand called Curate “that takes a culinary approach to nutritious snacking”. Described as featuring “unique flavor combinations that taste like they were handcrafted by a chef”, the Curate line is said to be a good source of […]
USA: Mars issues chocolate recall
US chocolate maker Mars has recalled products under its Mars, Snickers , Milky Way and Celebration brands in 55 countries after plastic was found in a confectionery bar on sale in Germany. Saying that it believed the case to be an “isolated incident” and describing the recall as “a precaution”, the firm stated that the […]
USA: PepsiCo launches ‘four in one’ Doritos Mix
PepsiCo, through its Frito-Lay division, is introducing a new range of crisps in the US under its Doritos brand that are claimed to deliver a “multi-sensorial experience”. Touted as “the biggest product launch in [the brand’s] recent history”, Doritos Mix Tortilla Chips feature a combination of four different Doritos shapes and flavours in one bag. […]
USA: Kellogg grows sales in 2015
US cereal and convenience foods giant Kellogg has announced that it “met or exceeded initial guidance” for sales, operating profit, earnings per share, and cash flow in full year 2015, according to its recently disclosed financial statements. Kellogg’s net sales rose to $13.525 billion, with reported growth up 7.2%, and currency-neutral comparable growth up 1.2% […]
USA: PepsiCo posts organic revenue growth for 2015
Snacks and beverage firm Pepsico has published its full year results for 2015, reporting an increase in organic revenue for the year versus 2014. The US multinational said that, for 2015, organic revenue had increased 5%, although overall net revenue decreased 5% due to the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange. Core gross margin rose to […]
USA: Mars to remove artificial colours from food products
In an attempt to meet “evolving consumer preferences”, consumer goods giant Mars is set to remove artificial food colors and dyes from all of its human consumable food products over the next five years. The firm, which has a portfoilo of more than 50 brands across categories including gum and confectionery, currently uses a variety […]
USA: Coca-Cola sees full year revenue and profits fall
Non-alcoholic drinks giant Coca-Cola posted a fall in net operating revenue and gross profit in the 2015 financial year, according to the company’s latest financial statements. While organic revenue grew 4%, full-year net revenue declined 4% to $44.294 billion and gross profit was down 5% to $26.812 billion, the company reported. It noted, however, that global […]
USA: Unilever launches first non-dairy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Unilever has announced the launch of its first non-dairy offerings under the Ben & Jerry’s brand. The new vegan ice creams, first rumoured to be in development last June, are based on almond milk and will be rolled out to stores in the US over the next few weeks, according to an article in Time […]
USA: Wal-Mart stores to close more than 250 stores globally
Wal-Mart, the world’s leading grocery retail chain, has announced that it is to end its smaller format operations and will look to close 269 stores globally, including 154 in the USA. According to Business News Network, the confirmation of store closures comes three months after Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon revealed proposals to review Wal-Mart’s […]