USA: Kroger launches Hispanic-inspired Mercado brand
Kroger, the leading US grocery retailer, has announced the launch of Mercado, a Hispanic-inspired brand offering more than 50 products sold exclusively in the Kroger family of stores. The new lineup will include queso fresco, Oaxaca cheese balls, ready-to-cook flour tortillas, pre-cooked white corn meal, chorizo ground sausage, thin-sliced beef strip steak, aqua fresca and […]
USA: Utz Brands rationalises manufacturing network
Utz Brands, the US snack maker, has announced plans to rationalise its manufacturing network, including divesting a plant in Bluffton (IN), closing another in Hanover (PA), and listing for sale two further plants in Louisiana and Alabama. The company said the move was intended to streamline its operating structure by consolidating volume into a smaller number […]
USA: Sahale Snacks sold to Second Nature Brands
Second Nature Brands, a US snack and confectionery brand owner, has announced the acquisition of nut and fruit snack mix maker Sahale Snacks from JM Smucker for a total consideration of $34 million. Sahale Snacks has net sales of $48 million and sell its products across the US and internationally under its namesake brand. The transaction will include all […]
USA: Kroger and Albertsons to divest over 400 stores following merger
Kroger and Albertsons have announced plans to divest 413 stores to retail supply firm C&S Wholesale Grocers in connection with the proposed merger of the two chains, which was announced last year. The deal involves stores operating under banners such as QFC, Mariano’s, and Carrs. Kroger will also sell private label brands like Debi Lilly […]
USA: JM Smucker to buy Hostess Brands for $5.6 billion
JM Smucker, a US-based food and beverage company has announced the acquisition of Hostess Brands, a long-established US bakery firm, “to accelerate focus on convenient consumer occasions”. Hostess Brands is a Kansas-based company that markets products under brands such as Hostess, Donettes, Twinkies, CupCakes, Ding Dongs, Zingers, CoffeeCakes, HoHos, and Voortman cookies and wafers. The […]
USA: Kellogg separation gains board approval
Kellogg, the leading cereal and snack maker, has moved a step closer to separating into two distinct business after the proposal was rubber-stamped by the company’s board. Upon completion on 2nd October, Kellogg will be renamed Kellanova and will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “K”, while the spun-off […]
USA: E.l.f. Beauty to acquire Naturium
E.l.f. Beauty, the US cosmetics maker, has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire drugstore skincare brand Naturium for $355 million in a combination of cash and stock. Naturium, which was launched in 2019 by brand accelerator The Center, claims to unlocks the benefits of natural botanicals and powerful actives with innovative technology. Its […]
USA: Wells Enterprises announces expansion plans
Wells Enterprises, the US ice cream maker, has announced plans to expand its Dunkirk, New York manufacturing plant, generating more than 200 jobs. The company, which was acquired by Ferrero in December 2022 but continues to operate independently, said the investment was key to boosting production for brands like Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon Classics, Bomb […]
USA: Aldi to acquire Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores
Aldi, the Germany-based retail chain, has announced an expansion of its footprint in the US with the acquisition of the Winn-Dixie and Harveys chains as part of as part of a larger divestiture of Southeastern Grocers. The deal includes 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, making up 75% of […]
USA: Molson Coors expands non-beer portfolio with Blue Run Spirits buy
US-based multinational brewer Molson Coors is continuing to diversify beyond the beer space with the acquisition of Blue Run Spirits, a bourbon and rye whiskey producer, for an undisclosed sum. With the acquisition, the firm’s first in the spirits category, the company said it would expand its portfolio and offering a more premium range of […]