With a one-liter bottle of its beverages requiring 2.5 liters of water to produce, and with surging demand in developing countries with increasing awareness about water scarcity (like China), Coca-Cola has made becoming “water-neutral” a key “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) goal. Time (June 12, 2008)
U.S. consumer products manufacutures grew 10.6 percent this past year, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who conducts research on behalf of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. “The Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Industry: Achieving Superior Financial Performance in a Challenging Economy 2008,” report “stated that even in a difficult economy with ever-increasing commodities prices, agile [...]
Besides garnering millions in free publicity (some of it courtesy of Diane Sawyer and Al Roker), the two-page spread for Welch’s Grape Juice featuring “Peel ‘n Taste” flavor strips that appeared in the February 18th People magazine is scoring well as an advertisement, itself. A study by Starch Communications, commissioned by Time Inc., found that 70% [...]
Proctor & Gamble Co., which has seen a multibillion-dollar increase in energy and commodity pricing in recent years and which increased its retail prices on many of its products a few months back, is preparing for a fresh round of supply cost increases from Dow Chemical Co. It will take some time for the effect [...]
Coca-Cola Enterprises, the world’s largest bottler of Coca-Cola, forcast a 10% drop in second quarter profits, largely as a result of the weak North American economy. Especially hurt: C-stores sales of 20-oz. bottles. The New York Times (May 29, 2008)
Beginning next month, chocolate lovers will be to order M&M’s personalized with their photograph and a custom message by visiting MyMMs.com. The announcement may have been the biggest hit at the National Confectioners Association All Candy Expo in Chicago this week. Brandweek (May 22, 2008)
Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. and Giant Food, Landover, Md., have added thousands of health and beauty care items to their everyday low price programs. Reduced price items include: shampoo, hand soap, aspirin, cotton swabs, toothpaste and vitamin brands. Supermarket News (May 19, 2008)
CPG giant and ad industry champion Proctor & Gamble Co. is “…running market-mix modeling and market return-on-investment analyses…” that may herald a reduction in couponing, online offers, or brand sites. Business Courier of Cincinnati (May 9, 2008)
In his first interview with a UK newspaper, new Nestlé ceo Paul Bulcke talks about maintaining the company’s vision and positioning as a nutrition company, managing spiraling commodities costs and building upon an enviable record of recent past performance. The Telegraph (UK) (May 5, 2008)
Despite considerable recent success, Coke Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Neville Isdell sees scarcely a chance to pause for his company, saying, “The moment you declare victory … you have just sown the first seeds of your defeat.” In particular, he said that there is more new product in the pipeline, more to be done to [...]