The New America: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Political perceptions are shaping how Americans define value – and it’s not just about price. Today’s consumers demand empathy, convenience, and strategic engagement across life stages.
Tag: tariffs
FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 1, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on talks of a potential government shutdown, and its possible impact on the livestock market.
FI Spotlight: Surviving Tariffs – True Stories from Food Entrepreneurs
FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 24, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Americans’ lessened confidence in the safety of the food supply.
Investors Keep the Faith With Candy Giants Hershey, Mondelez
Inflation, cocoa chaos, and Ozempic-fueled appetite shifts have battered Hershey and Mondelez, but investors still believe in their near-term outlook. A merger may be the lifeline that turns things around.
Holiday Havoc Predicted: Supply Chain Uncertainty to Trigger Inflation
Tariff turmoil and fractured trade flows are changing the rules of supply chains, with inflation poised to spike. Smart food industry leaders aren’t waiting – they’re redesigning for volatility now, experts note.
Macro, Tariffs May be All That Can Stop Walmart
Walmart’s Q2 sales crushed expectations, but tariffs and health costs trimmed profits. Grocery and fresh categories surged, signaling strong share gains, even as the retailer braces for a murky, margin-pinched second half.
FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 13, 2025
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on dollar stores’ continued rise throughout America.
FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 5, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on one CEO’s alarming prediction regarding the banana supply, plus more trending industry news.
FI Fast Break audio news: July 23, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Kellanova’s pledge to remove synthetic food dyes from its retail food products by 2028.
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.
Investors Are Getting Worried About Big Beverage Names
Beverage giants appear to be losing their buzz. Investors are signaling deeper concerns despite steady profits. As GLP-1s and shifting health sentiments rise, the sector’s long-term resilience may be entering a new taste test.
Minimum Wage Rising; Employers Fret Over Impact
Minimum wage hikes took effect starting today across the U.S., leaving restaurants and grocers bracing for ripple effects. Business leaders warn of closures, while advocates say fair pay is overdue in a shifting labor landscape.
US Treasury Cuts Costs by Axing the Penny: What it Means for Retailers
The penny’s swan song – likely to occur next year – may save millions, but it won’t shake 99-cent psychology in retail pricing.
FI Fast Break audio news: June 25, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break podcast notes how July brings another round of U.S. minimum wage increases in states such as Alaska.
Tariff Tactics: How Food Brands Are Battling Rising Costs
Food and beverage businesses have begun to feel the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Some have absorbed the blow. Others were left staggering. When the U.S. raised steel and aluminum tariffs to …
FI Fast Break audio news: June 18, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break podcast touches on the latest related to Pres. Trump’s tariff plans, and the outlook for the energy drink market.
5 Thriving Fast-Food Chains in 2025
Despite rising costs, 2025 is shaping up to be a fairly strong year for many restaurant chains, with top players like Cava and Chick-fil-A thriving by mastering efficiency, marketing, and customer experience. The smartest brands are pricing strategically and leveraging technology to drive success.
Economic Strain: Food Bill Gets Unruly
Despite wage gains, food inflation continues to outpace earnings, leaving consumers increasingly anxious about grocery costs. Meanwhile, new tariffs threaten to disrupt the food industry, with stakeholders bracing for volatile pricing and potential shifts in shopper loyalty.
FI Fast Break audio news: June 11, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on a recent study that suggests GLP-1 weight-loss drugs alter the “taste perception” of users.
FI Fast Break audio news: June 4, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on how Americans are scaling back on summer travel plans due to economic uncertainty.
U.S. Brands in Canada: A Trade War is On, But the Market’s Not Closed
Despite escalating trade tensions and a growing Canadian consumer boycott of American products, U.S. brands still have opportunities in Canada, particularly in resilient categories like soft drinks. A poll by Leo & Dragon revealed that Millennials and Gen Z consumers remain open to purchasing American goods.
Spread the Pain: Walmart, Competitors Consider Global Price Hikes
Amid the latest round of tariffs, global retailers like Walmart are weighing controversial price hikes beyond the U.S., a move that could shake consumer trust. Experts warn that spreading costs globally may backfire, leading to unintended economic fallout.
FI Fast Break audio news: May 28, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on a new study suggesting that many GLP-1 drug users have reduced their beef intake.
Advertisement
FI-Home-NEW-2020Gaps
Advertisement
FI News Review (May 23 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories
FI Fast Break audio news: May 21, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast discusses how trade tensions continue to drive consumers to tighten their wallets.
FI News Review (May 16, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories
CPG Shake-Up: Tariffs and GLP-1 Drugs Challenge Brands
With ingredient bans, rising tariffs, and the influence of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the CPG industry faces a pivotal moment. Forward-thinking brands that embrace strategic supply chain shifts and data-driven consumer insights are most likely to emerge as winners, experts say.
Tomato Tariffs Heat Up, Prices Expected to Surge This Summer
This summer is expected to bring a major shake-up in tomato pricing, as a 17.09% tariff on Mexican imports takes effect, threatening to disrupt a $3 billion market that supplies 70% of U.S. tomatoes. Importers predict higher costs and fewer choices.
FI Fast Break audio news: May 14, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on thawing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, and more trending industry news.
FI News Review (May 9, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories
FI News Review (May 2, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories
For Kraft Heinz, This Isn’t Supposed to Happen
Kraft Heinz’s recent quarterly earnings report posted year-over-year organic volume declines of 7.1% for the period. One potential culprit: the brand’s iconic Mac & Cheese brand is among their weakest performers, per management.
Chipotle Gives Reason to React, Not Overreact
Despite Chipotle’s recent sales slump heading into 2025, investors are not worried about the future of the company. Although Chipotle stock has fallen 27% since December 6, its modest performance is peanuts compared to the fast casual sector, and its historic strength signals it can brace the bump.
FI News Review (April 18, 2025): What’s New in Food and Beverage Right Now
In this week’s FI News Review, we look at a potential increase in international manufacturing expansion into the U.S., a $27 million initiative to reduce methane emissions, and more.
