Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Feeding Fido: Food brands sniff out opportunities in the pet market
These investments have been CPGs' best friend. Just ask Smucker, whose entire profit in the last quarter came from the acquisition of a trendy brand.
Pamela DeLoatch • Aug. 22, 2018 -
The price is right: Why food, drink brands spend big money for celebrity endorsers
While stars have long pitched consumers to buy a product, shoppers now expect them to bring authenticity and believability along with their famous names.
Pamela DeLoatch • Aug. 16, 2018 -
Beef: It's still what's for dinner
Where's the beef? For many Americans, it's right on their plates. Despite health concerns and environmental worries, people are hungry for red meat.
Pamela DeLoatch • Aug. 06, 2018 -
Protein packing a punch as more foods tout the trendy nutrient
While its roots may be in chicken, nuts and eggs, growing consumer demand has prompted manufacturers to add it to chips, bars, shakes, ice cream and even candy.
Krishna Thakker • Aug. 06, 2018 -
Going around the grocery: How brands use e-commerce to sell direct-to-consumer
As the model continues to expand, brands and grocers are searching for innovative methods to reach consumers through data, technology and content.
Krishna Thakker • July 30, 2018 -
Deep data: What it tells retailers about shoppers, preferences and selection
Retailers are getting a lot of shopper information through e-commerce. So how can they use it effectively to build sales online and in their stores?
Megan Poinski • July 30, 2018 -
How Big Food drives impulse buys online
Whether it's via Instagram, a manufacturer's direct-to-consumer site or a click-and-collect grocery platform, legacy snack and candy brands are fighting to spark last-minute purchases.
Emma Liem • July 30, 2018 -
David versus Amazon: Can independent grocers profit off e-commerce?
While large competitors often win on price and convenience, experts say small retailers can’t afford to shy away from online shopping.
Jeff Wells • July 30, 2018 -
Peeking inside the pod: A deep look inside Peapod's grocery delivery business
As competition increases and more consumers purchase food online, the Chicago company increasingly depends on drivers like Ron Gordon to be the face of its business.
Christopher Doering • July 30, 2018 -
With Supervalu acquisition, UNFI gets a company in transition
The combination will create a new wholesaling entity offering a wide variety of products, but both companies have significant challenges to overcome in order to make the deal work.
Jeff Wells • July 27, 2018 -
Are clean label foods healthy?
At IFT18, panelists discussed the disconnect between consumer perception of the mega trend's benefits and the actual impact it has on nutrition and sustainability.
Emma Liem • July 23, 2018 -
3 unanswered questions from IFT18
While clean labeling, the definition of healthy and the future of lab-grown meat were on the menu again this year, attendees questioned — and challenged — the benefits of these trends.
Emma Liem • July 23, 2018 -
Are grocers solving the e-commerce riddle? Depends on whom you ask
Most major supermarket chains have made investments or partnerships in the space, but some experts question whether they are doing enough to separate themselves from their competitors.
Christopher Doering • July 23, 2018 -
Intelligent design: How smart packaging can shape the future of food safety
Technology can protect food from post-processing contamination, signal when a product has spoiled and could allow consumers to add preservatives to items at home.
Emma Liem • July 20, 2018 -
The collapse of Chef'd illustrates meal kits' challenges
Slowing sales growth could put pressure on weaker companies that remain to improve their businesses, find a buyer or be forced to close.
Christopher Doering • July 19, 2018 -
The 3 things in lab-grown meat's way to industry transformation
Silicon Valley startups and NGOs believe this cutting-edge innovation has great potential, but regulatory red tape, the cost of commercialization and lack of government funding are proving to be obstacles.
Emma Liem • July 18, 2018 -
How Coke amplifies in-stadium experiences through digital tech
The beverage giant engages sports fans by working with partner MVP Interactive on activations that leverage AR/VR, facial recognition and more.
Peter Adams • July 18, 2018 -
As consumers move online, food and beverage makers struggle to adapt
With 20% of all grocery sales expected to come from the web by 2022, CPG companies are scrambling to build an effective sales infrastructure for e-commerce.
Christopher Doering • July 17, 2018 -
How specialty food retailers are fighting back against Amazon
At the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, grocery buyers said they're staying competitive by accentuating their core offerings and creating an enjoyable in-store experience.
Louise Kramer • July 03, 2018 -
Not JUST food aid: How a manufacturer plans to feed the hungry — and profit
With its new Power Gari porridge produced in Liberia, the company formerly known as Hampton Creek is using knowledge of the food system and local population to change the way to look at the developing world.
Megan Poinski • May 29, 2018 -
What food manufacturers need to know about snacks
As consumers struggle to find time to eat a meal while looking for more value adds, snacking as we know it shows no sign of slowing.
Food Dive staff • May 21, 2018 -
Snacking's appetite grows to take a bigger bite of US food consumption
The category has expanded beyond salty and sugary items that once defined the space to include more options that meet consumer needs like convenience and better-for-you products.
Pamela DeLoatch • May 21, 2018 -
Forgotten and unloved brands get a reboot as Big Food looks for untapped growth
Hormel, Campbell Soup and Conagra are among the companies that are innovating and expanding the reach of iconic products — some of which haven't been updated in years.
Christopher Doering • May 21, 2018 -
Food companies hungry for snacks turn to innovation and M&A to fill up
In an industry beset by slow growth, Conagra, Hershey, Campbell Soup and other large CPG firms are focusing more of their attention on the burgeoning space with $89 billion in annual sales.
Christopher Doering • May 21, 2018 -
No allergens, no problem: Consumers react positively to safer-eating foods
Larger trends such as healthy eating, clean labels and non-GMO items give the segment a boost.
Megan Poinski • May 17, 2018