 | January 18, 2012 | News for the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry |  |  |
| Company Watch |  |  | | - Kraft reorganizes ahead of split
Kraft Foods is changing its sales structure and closing two U.S. management centers as it prepares to divide into two companies by the end of the year. The changes will eliminate 1,600 jobs and create more focused sales teams. "We're confident that this transformational work will improve effectiveness and fuel the future growth of both companies," said Chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld. Drug Store News (1/17), Chicago Sun-Times (1/17), The Wall Street Journal (1/17)       - PepsiCo and Ocean Spray partner in Latin America
PepsiCo and Ocean Spray are partnering to develop, market and distribute beverages with cranberries and blueberries in Latin America. The 20-year deal will encompass markets in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. "We see tremendous opportunities to grow our beverage business in emerging markets throughout Latin America and we continue to take steps to strengthen our brand portfolio through product innovation, marketing and strategic partnerships," said a PepsiCo executive. American City Business Journals/Milwaukee (1/17)  | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
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  - 12 food trends for 2012
The 1,300 booths at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco offer insights into food trends including specialty salts, artisan chocolate, seaweed and gluten-free food. As people seek greater connection to their food, they are returning to butchers, buying do-it-yourself cheese-making kits and bringing pickles back into fashion. USA TODAY (1/17) - Survey shows preference for less packaging
In a Natural Marketing Institute survey, 75% of respondents said they would prefer less packaging on many consumer products to improve sustainability. "Marketers can maintain current and attract new consumers by using less packaging and 'greener' packaging materials," said Managing Partner Steve French. "Specifically, 'renewable' and 'plant-based' materials are rated most environmentally friendly among consumers." BevIndustry.com (1/17)  - Panicked holiday cooks help Betty Crocker build buzz
General Mills' Betty Crocker brand scored a social media win over the holiday season with a campaign on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The "Betty911" campaign allowed people cooking at Thanksgiving or Christmas to obtain help via social channels, with cooks, dietitians and other experts on hand to give real-time advice. ClickZ (1/17)  | Principles of Checkweighing - Building an Effective Program
This essential guide is an invaluable resource of checkweighing information and a definitive reference providing an insight into all aspects of checkweighing from basic principles to implementation of a comprehensive program. Request your free copy now! |
 | Retail Spotlight | | | | - Supermarkets shift gears to cater to food stamp recipients
Supermarket chains that used to highlight their Starbucks cafes and upscale olive bars have shifted focus as more consumers faced with long-term unemployment are shopping with food stamps, a program that rose to a record $71.8 billion last year. SUPERVALU-owned Save-A-Lot promotes bulk items and pricier meat cuts early in the month as shoppers stock up and highlights smaller packages and less-expensive items later as funds dwindle. Bloomberg (1/17)
- U.S. obesity rates are holding steady, CDC says
Data from two nationally representative studies showed that 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 youths were obese between 2009 and 2010, which is no change from 2007 and 2008 figures and only a slight increase among some groups in rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Overall obesity rates in 2009 and 2010 for girls were similar to the rates in 1999 and 2000, with a slight increase among teen boys, CDC researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Reuters (1/17)  | Inventory Optimization for the Consumer Products Industry
A big question for consumer products companies is how to efficiently manage working capital that is often tied up in inventory. Read this solution brief to learn how inventory optimization can facilitate coordinated, integrated and multi-echelon inventory planning, improving turns and service levels while freeing working capital. |
 | GMA News | | | | - Are you registered for the food and beverage industry's premier litigation conference?
If you haven't already registered for the GMA Food Claims and Litigation Conference, Feb. 21 to 23 in Dana Point, Calif., don't delay -- visit www.gmalitigationconference.com to register.
Take a look at the updated program as the wide variety of sessions will allow you to tailor your learning to your company's most critical interests, maximizing the return on your conference investment.
Better yet, register multiple staff from your company to ensure you don't miss a single insight offered by the foremost authorities from industry, government and private practice!
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
--George S. Patton,
U.S. Army general  |
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