How our food system will be pushed to the limit in 2018

Mahni Ghorashi, a co-founder of Clear Labs, said this will be "a watershed year" for the industry as new technologies, processes and regulatory requirements change how products are made, marketed and delivered.

By Mahni Ghorashi • Jan. 22, 2018

General Mills' VC arm leads $17M investment in Urban Remedy

This new round of funding will help the plant-based food company expand its product capacity and enter a second market outside of San Francisco.

By Cassie Chew • Jan. 19, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Mergers and acquisitions

Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

By Food Dive staff

Light beers dominate as Budweiser slips to fourth place

Despite dethroning long-time leader Budweiser, these low-calorie beverages are watching sales drop as more consumers look to craft products.

By Cassie Chew • Jan. 19, 2018

Walmart wants patent for online system allowing shoppers to 'see' products

Since most consumers enjoy the chance to pick out their own grocery items, the retail giant is looking to make the online process as similar to an in-store experience as possible.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 19, 2018

Report: Lidl is dramatically scaling back its growth this year

The discounter will open 20 U.S. stores in 2018 — putting it well short of the 100 locations initially planned — as it encounters problems with its first wave of American stores.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 19, 2018

M&A tactics evolve to maintain 'local' rep of small brands

Once the acquisition has been made, both the parent company and the small business it purchased must preserve product quality and customer approval. 

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 19, 2018

Coca-Cola vows to collect, recycle its packaging by 2030

The beverage maker also said it would increase its consumption of reused material and make "better bottles" by developing plant-based resins or reducing the amount of plastic it uses.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 19, 2018

Albertsons' gross margin and same-store sales drop in Q3

Promotions failed to gain traction during the quarter, but officials say their focus on targeted investments has boosted results in recent weeks.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 18, 2018

School fundraisers promote junk food consumption, study says

General Mills’ Box Tops for Education and Tyson Food’s Project A+ were two of the popular programs that critics said establish poor eating habits and skirt federal nutrition requirements.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 18, 2018

Ikea latest retailer to announce chicken welfare standards

The Swedish food and home decor chain plans to gradually phase in the new program, with final compliance expected by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 18, 2018

Trader Joe's, Amazon top list of 'preferred' grocers

The top 10 winners are familiar ones, but they didn't all make the list for the same reasons. The report measures the two most important perceived drivers — price and quality.

By Pamela DeLoatch • Jan. 18, 2018

Amazon beats Walmart in online grocery battle

The e-commerce giant's 18% market share, double that of the Arkansas retailer, is poised to grow as consumers feel more comfortable shopping for food online.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2018

Sanderson Farms says the US has an oversupply of antibiotic-free chicken

The third-largest U.S. poultry producer has drawn national attention for continuing to administer drugs to its birds and claims the practice gives it a competitive price advantage. 

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 18, 2018

Cargill gives peas a chance through investment in Minnesota protein supplier

Puris plans to use the investment for a second production plant and to leverage the commodity trader's market reach to expand global operations.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 18, 2018

CPGs need to focus on emerging markets, e-commerce and partnerships this year

The rise of private labels is just one challenge facing consumer product goods companies in 2018, according to a new report from Deloitte.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2018

Slow expansion and store closures could be the new norm for grocers

As they cope with pricing pressure and rising e-commerce adoption, retailers are more focused on productivity at existing locations.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 17, 2018

Whole Foods' store brands boost AmazonFresh sales 35%

Weekly revenue for the e-tailer's grocery service, which has struggled to expand since its launch in 2007, more than doubled during the last year, according to One Click Retail.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 17, 2018

Kroger to add digital shelf displays to about 200 stores in 2018

The company's new "Kroger Edge" initiative will interact with consumers' smartphones and could eventually replace static price tags in stores.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 17, 2018

Nutella owner buys Nestle's US candy business for $2.8B

The purchase, which includes Butterfinger, Baby Ruth and Raisinets, is the latest move by the Italian company to expand its footprint in the American confection business.

By Cassie Chew • Jan. 17, 2018

Utz owner sells back stake in the chip company

Metropoulos & Co., which has rejuvenated other brands such as Hostess, Pabst Brewing, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Chef Boyardee, more than doubled its investment in the firm.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 17, 2018

Will hemp-infused iced tea create a buzz in the marketplace?

Phivida created the beverage for consumers who want cannabinoid-based treatments without the psychotropic side effects of THC.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 17, 2018

Goldman Sachs may sell US food manufacturer Hearthside Foods

The company, owned by the Wall Street firm's private equity arm, is the largest independent bakery in the U.S., and could snag a price tag of $2.5 billion. 

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 16, 2018

Heineken looks to grow sales of Red Stripe following $16M investment

The new equipment will allow the Jamaican brewery to increase its exports to 26,000 cases per day, or 5 million annually.  

By Cassie Chew • Jan. 16, 2018

Here's why Kroger and other retailers are vying for Boxed

The bulk seller has a growing B2B business and robust online and mobile presences that could prove attractive to potential buyers.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 16, 2018

As Sam's Club downsizes, BJ's goes for its customers

The warehouse retailer sees an opportunity in Walmart's move to reduce the footprint of its club seller, but it’s Costco that could get the greatest benefit.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 16, 2018