Walmart decided to stop using robots that move through the aisles checking inventory levels and prices after seeing the results from about 500 stores. In January, the retailer announced plans to expand use of the …
China accepted its first-ever commercial container of U.S. rice in history, creating cautious optimism with rice growers across the U.S., reported Western Farm Press (Nov. 3). The shipment was received as Chinese buyers await the …
Industry heavyweights are taking ownership of the startups they invested in. Nestle has gone from stakeholder to full ownership of Freshly, a company that delivers fresh, chef-cooked meals to customers on a weekly basis. The …
Land O’Lakes is selling record amounts of butter to consumers, with sales expected to reach 275 million to 300 million pounds in 2020, an increase of more than 20% from a normal year, reported Bloomberg …
Companies in various sectors of the food industry reported positive quarterly results. Foodservice Starbucks expects to recover and return to growth in 2021 after a fourth quarter where its same-store sales in the Americas declined …
Let’s face it—2020, by most accounts, has been a year the vast majority of us would like to forget. However, many are anticipating better days ahead as one can only hope there will be a …
Financial strains caused by the pandemic are the main source of worry concerning grocery prices, according to dunnhumby’s latest Consumer Pulse Survey. Forty-nine percent of respondents said their personal finances were poor—a 20% increase since …
The U.S. economy grew at a record pace in the third quarter, reported The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 29). It increased 7.4% over the prior quarter and at a 33.1% annual rate—recovering about two-thirds of …
YouTube kid influencers are marketing junk food from McDonald’s, Coke, and others to children, reported MarketWatch (Oct. 27). In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers analyzed 418 YouTube videos from the five most-watched …
Commodities, such as cheese and lemons, are still facing issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Cheese The U.S. cheese industry is reeling after months the pandemic causing upheaval in prices and demand, reported The Wall …
DoorDash is investing in a restaurant for the first time, reported The Verge (Oct. 24). It will work alongside CA-based Burma Superstar for a brick-and-mortar store called Burma Bites. It will be designed for delivery and …
State and local officials around the world are reinstating lockdown orders as coronavirus cases rise. Newark, NJ, is reversing course on reopening as cases increase across the city, reported CBS News (Oct. 27). Many of …
Several major food companies have recently made headlines with sustainability-forward initiatives. Chipotle With the debut of Real Foodprint, Chipotle Mexican Grill becomes the first brand to provide detailed sustainability impact data about its ingredients for …
Dunkin’ Brands is in talks to sell itself to private equity-backed Inspire Brands, reported The New York Times (Oct. 25). The deal would take Dunkin’ Brands private at a price of $106.50 a share, according …
Nothing has been more impactful in 2020 than how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people view their lifestyles. Consumers are becoming increasingly more cognizant of the importance of health and well-being for themselves …
Restaurant openings are returning to normal levels, but many are doing so with new formats, according to data from Yelp. Pandemic-friendly restaurants are opening, debuting eateries with features such as large patios, spaced out tables, …
Several major food companies recently reported earnings, beating analyst expectations. Chipotle Quarterly same-store sales growth was more than 8% at Chipotle Mexican Grill, with digital sales more than tripling, reported CNBC (Oct. 21). However, a shift to delivery …
Impossible Foods will use the $700 million it raised in 2020 to double its research and development team to focus on plant-based milk, steak, bacon, and fish products, reported The Washington Post (Oct. 21). The …
Six out of 10 global consumers are increasingly looking for food and beverage products that support their immune health, with one in three saying that concerns about immune health increased in 2020 over 2019, according …
Many restaurants may be waiting until COVID-19 uncertainty fades to declare bankruptcy as there is a lack of interest in turning some chains around in the current business climate, reported Forbes (Oct. 20). There were …
Albertsons Companies introduced Albertsons Pay, a new zero-touch checkout experience. Available through its updated just for U loyalty app, it offers shoppers with a secure and contact-free way to pay, use discounts, and earn rewards. The new technology is …
Grocers and suppliers feel more prepared for a second surge of COVID-19, reported The Boston Globe (Oct. 19). Most grocers and wholesalers began stockpiling items that were popular during the first wave of shutdowns. Some …
While diversity in leadership roles in the food industry has historically been lacking, companies today are making the business case for inclusion and upping their commitment to advance racial equality. For instance, the Multicultural Foodservice …
Many companies in the food industry are continuing their quest to refresh their images during the coronavirus pandemic. Bumble Bee Seafoods and Nutrisystem are the two latest examples. The 120-year-old Bumble Bee is trying to …
Americans are currently drinking so many things out of aluminum cans that it’s causing a shortage. Ball Corp., the world’s largest manufacturer of metal beverage containers, even told investors this past week that the U.S. …
An insider says Nestlé SA will sell some of its American water brands, which include Pure Life, Poland Spring, and Deer Park, reported Reuters (Oct. 15). The brands being sold, which also include Deer Park, …
Vertical farming company Plenty Unlimited Inc. attracted $140 million in a Series D financing round that included existing investor SoftBank Group Corp., as well as berry producer Driscoll’s, reported Bloomberg (Oct. 14). The new raise …
Although plant-based beef is usually in the spotlight, meatless chicken is now taking center stage. Jack in the Box unveiled the Unchicken Sandwich, its first plant-based offering, reported Forbes (Oct. 15). It will be tested …
The plant-based trend isn’t going away anytime soon as more vegan-friendly companies are raising significant capital from investors. The LIVEKINDLY Collective, a global multi-brand plant-based food company, raised $135 million in capital in a round …
In wake of the pandemic, foodservice is continuing to adapt in unique ways to survive. UK-based Pret A Manger has struggled during the pandemic without the commuter crowd. In August, weekly sales in Britain were …
Amazon issued a warrant to purchase up to 5.4 million shares in SpartanNash, according to a filing with SEC, reported The Motley Fool (Oct. 9). The warrant has been issued specifically to Amazon.com NV Investment …
National chains are growing while locally owned restaurants suffer in the pandemic, reported The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 12). Large chains have more flexibility both when it comes to moving money and locations around and …
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is turning the world upside down as technology is advancing in leaps and bounds during these turbulent times. And AI is ever present among many areas of the food industry. Firmenich, one …
The Nobel Committee awarded the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, reported Bloomberg (Oct. 9). The organization is being honored “for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas …
Several retailers have been working on re-strategizing their operations recently. Dollar General is looking to attract more high-income shoppers, reported The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 8). The company is planning to open a new brand …
Six current and former chicken-industry executives were indicted on price-fixing charges, according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ). A federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court in Denver, CO, returned a …
