Focus Archive

Investors Have Lost Faith in Conagra and the Industry

Conagra’s stock plunge reveals deep investor doubts about the packaged food sector’s ability to navigate inflation, tariffs, and margin pressure. With volume and pricing power eroding, the industry may be facing a new, uncomfortable normal.

3 Textures Gen Z Can’t Resist

For Gen Z, eating and drinking are multi-sensory experiences – and texture is just as important as taste. Here are three textures the demographic can’t seem to get enough of.

Competitive Beverage Dynamics: Chinese Chains Vs. Starbucks

Chinese café disruptors Luckin and Cotti are muscling into the U.S. market with tech-driven formats and inventive drinks, challenging Starbucks’ experience-first playbook. Can hyper-local pricing and automation rewrite America’s morning routine?

Tariffs Trigger Operational Overhauls: F&B Leaders Forecast Unrest Into 2026

Amid deepening tariff fatigue, F&B leaders brace for prolonged disruption while rethinking sourcing and private-label strategy. With costs rising and margins thinning, industry players are innovating, deploying strategies like alternative sourcing. FI recently gleaned business tips from dozens of industry leaders regarding tariffs.

For Retail and Delivery, Advertising is Becoming Big Business

Retail media is booming, with CPGs pouring billions into data-driven platforms like Walmart Connect, Instacart, and DoorDash. The result: high-margin ad revenue is reshaping profit models and investor expectations across grocery and delivery.

Amazon Prime Day 2025 Inspires Nearly 155K Orders

Amazon Prime Day 2025 smashed records with over $24 billion in sales, fueled by influencer-led campaigns and F&B category dominance. Grocery deals drove traffic, while Premier Protein Shakes emerged as the event’s MVP.

Halloween in July? Gen Z Drives ‘Summerween’ Movement

Gen Z and Millennials are fueling “Summerween,” sparking early seasonal candy sales and viral Halloween-themed celebrations. Brands tapping into this cultural moment are winning attention with creative campaigns and shareable experiences.

The Sauces Star at KFC’s Saucy

KFC’s Saucy spinoff flips fast food on its head, making sauce the star with various flavor combos and a vibe-forward experience. Gen Z diners, after all, are chasing chicken these days.

New US Listing Creates Clear Mission for JBS

JBS says its stock could quadruple if markets re-rate it closer to peers like Tyson and Hormel – but a history of scandals still weighs heavily. With ESG scrutiny fading, JBS bets low drama could mean high returns.

Protein: An Essential but Overhyped Macronutrient

While protein remains a top nutrition trend, health experts argue it’s often overhyped. Many Americans already get enough, and whole food sources may be healthier than processed protein products.

After Trying Everything Else, Kraft Heinz Eyes Breakup

Kraft Heinz is considering splitting into separate companies to unlock shareholder value following a series of unsuccessful strategies. While the move follows the successful Kellogg split, skeptics argue it may not fix the deeper issues of weak execution and an underperforming brand portfolio.

Mid-Year Update: The State of the Specialty Food Industry

At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show, industry leaders discussed the promising future for specialty food makers. Despite economic headwinds, consumers are expected to largely increase or maintain their consumption in many key categories.

Beef Prices Hit Record High, Restaurants Rethink Menus

Facing record-high beef prices, restaurants are reworking menus and investing in vertical supply chains to stay afloat. Some are rebranding leaner protein choices as “wellness-driven,” while giants like Walmart cut out the middleman entirely.

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Peeling Back the Layers of the Banana Coffee Trend

Banana milk is swinging into the coffee scene, turning nostalgic flavor into a retail phenomenon. Fueled by K-pop, global influence, and social media buzz, it’s reshaping what “comfort coffee” means for consumers.

Ferrero Group to Acquire Kellogg

Ferrero’s $3.1B bid for WK Kellogg Co. signals bold ambition amid cereal’s slump and health backlash. As big brands consolidate, legacy CPGs chase reinvention and reformulation in a shifting consumer wellness landscape.

Feel the Burn: Nuanced, Functional Spice Experiences on the Rise

Today’s consumers are seeking more nuanced, complex spice experiences – and brands are delivering them. For example, Arkay Beverages leverages capsaicin in its non-alcoholic spirits to replicate the kick of standard liquor, adding sensory thrills and functional perks to zero-proof cocktails in the process.

Specialty Grocers Sprouts and NGVC Display Market Strength

Amid inflation’s shake-up, niche grocers like Sprouts and Natural Grocers have defied expectations with explosive growth. Turns out, health-conscious loyalty and savvy execution are worth their weight in organic chia seeds.

Crops Rotting in Fields With Undocumented Farmworkers Gone

Tough immigration enforcement is squeezing farms as migrant workers fear ICE raids – meaning some crops are going unpicked overnight. With labor shortages surging, industry insiders warn of price hikes, food waste, and a looming agricultural breaking point.

Calculating the True Cost of Tariffs

Tariffs are reshaping supply chains, squeezing margins, and testing consumer loyalty. In the weeks ahead, food industry leaders will need to pivot quickly, CEOs note.

SFFS Trendspotters: The Trends Commanding Attention

At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show (SFFS) in NYC, protein candy, international convenience, and beverage innovations were among key trends. Learn about the cutting-edge brands supporting the future of food.