News that the UK food industry has cut emissions by 17% caught the attention of our readers this week.
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However, before you start giving yourselves a collective pat on the back, the UK’s Food and Drink Federation sent out the call for continued action on sustainability in spite of the current economic downturn. Now is not the time to let environmental issues slip down the agenda, FDF sustainability director Callton Young wrote. Rather, environmental initiatives can lead to a “win-win” situation as they often generate cost savings, Young contended.
One sector arguably more resistant to the poor economic climate than most is chocolate, as consumers comfort eat their way through the recession. The battle for the UK confectionery market intensified this week, with Nestlé’s announcement that of its “biggest ever” marketing drive for Kit Kat coming hot on the heels of news from Cadbury that it intends to launch a cross-brand spring promotion.
Meanwhile, competition for consumers’ snack dollars is heating up in the US, where 7-Eleven launched its 7-Select line of own brand snack products this week. The retailer has high hopes for the line and, as 7-Eleven president and CEO Joe DePinto told just-food, more innovations are in the pipeline.
In more news from the States, investors in embattled poultry giant Pilgrim’s Pride will have breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that the company has kept the wolves from the door as a fresh deal with its lenders led to another lending reprieve. Not such great news for investors in ConAgra, however, as analysts warned just-food that the food group’s “brand weakness” could mean it falls victim to trade down in the coming months, as consumers look to cut costs by turning to own label alternatives.
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By GlobalDataHere is a selection of the ten most-read stories on just-food this week.
UK: Food industry cuts emissions by 17%
The UK food and drink industry has slashed its carbon dioxide emissions by 17% since 1990 as part of a five-point plan to tackle the impact its businesses have on climate change.
COMMENT: Downturn should not derail sustainability push
As the economic downturn bites, the importance for food manufacturers investing in reducing their impact on the environment and embracing the sustainability agenda is, in some quarters, being called into question. The UK’s Food and Drink Federation, however, believes such issues remain as vital as ever for the food industry. Callton Young, director of sustainability and competitiveness at the FDF, outlines why.
UK: Cadbury plans cross-brand spring promo
UK confectionery group Cadbury is planning to launch a marketing drive across its key brands this spring.
UK: Nestle plans Kit Kat “biggest ever” ad push
Nestlé is preparing to launch its “biggest ever” ad push for its Kit Kat brand in the UK, with a media budget of GBP16m (US$24.5m) in 2009.
US: 7-Eleven launches private label snack range
US convenience store chain 7-Eleven has announced the nationwide rollout of a new range of private label snacks under the 7-Select brand name.
US: Pilgrim’s Pride gets another lending reprieve
Ailing US poultry giant Pilgrim’s Pride has struck a fresh deal with its lenders lasting until Monday (1 December).
US: ConAgra shares slide on “brand weakness”
Shares in US food group ConAgra continued to slide today (26 November) as analysts warned that the company’s brand weakness has resulted in negative sales trends.
The just-food interview – Peder Tuborgh, Arla Foods
Dairy has proved one of the food industry’s more colourful sectors in recent years with volatile prices, rising production costs and the emergence of buoyant emerging markets keeping processors on their toes. Arla Foods, Europe’s second-largest dairy group, has set out its stall for international growth in this ever-evolving landscape. In this month’s just-food interview, Dean Best spoke with Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh to find out more about Arla’s ambitions.
NORWAY: Reitan “planning new store concept”
Norwegian retailer Reitan Group is planning to launch a new store concept next year, according to local reports.
IRELAND: Greencore profits fall on currency exchange
Irish food group Greencore today (25 November) posted a 4.5% drop in annual operating profits due to currency fluctuations, rising costs and the global consumer slowdown.
