Nestle comes up with its own version of non-melting chocolate Nestec, the research and development subsidiary of Nestle, has applied for a patent on a method of creating temperature-tolerant chocolate. Competitor Mondelez previously developed a non-melting chocolate, which would be easier to market in hotter climates. Nestec's application said chocolate made using the new method can withstand temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius, while regular cocoa butter begins to melt at 28 degrees Celsius. ConfectioneryNews.com (France) (6/18) Other News  | White Paper: The Practical Approach to S&OP Logility and Deloitte have teamed up in the white paper, The Practical Approach to S&OP, to outline a five-step approach for optimizing the core tasks and analyses that drive S&OP results. Learn how leading supply chain organizations create effective and sustainable S&OP processes. Download Today! | | CPG companies grow sales via innovation, digital marketing A new report by the GMA and PwC found that despite lagging sales in 2012, 2013 is proving to be a lucrative year for food, beverage and household product companies that focus on marketing to current customers via mobile technology. "CPG companies that engage with consumers directly through digital channels and build out their direct-to-consumer processes will have the best advantage for creating new growth," said Steven Barr of PwC. "Fifty-two percent of U.S. consumers are already buying directly online from brands they trust, proving that CPG companies now have far greater opportunities to walk alongside their shoppers in real time while driving sales of existing and new products." Drug Store News (6/18) Selling household items: Off the shelf and onto the Web More executives in the grocery and household products industry are embracing the notion of selling directly to consumers via the Web, a survey by the GMA and PwC US found. PwC's Lisa Feigen Dugal said, "The playing field has changed. They still need retailers, but there's more ways to see a win-win scenario. It doesn't have to be an either/or." MarketWatch (6/18) New products help consumers make home-cooking in a hurry Bumble Bee Foods, Campbell Soup, Kraft Foods Group and other manufacturers have developed new convenience products that aim to give consumers the feeling of cooking from scratch. The kits allow busy home cooks to mix ingredients and follow a recipe while keeping prep-time to a minimum. "People want to put their own touch on things," said FreshDirect's Jason Lepes. The Wall Street Journal (6/18)
Survey: 13% of customers bought groceries online A new survey reveals that 13% of customers bought groceries online within the last month. The survey, conducted by Brick Meets Click and the National Grocers Association, found the online experience was important, with 68% of those surveyed visiting a retailer's website and 53% receiving e-mail from the business. "That tells you that while sales are still small, there's significant customer interest in online grocery shopping," said Brick Meets Click's Bill Bishop. Supermarket News (free registration) (6/18)  | Join a community that can help you grow your business
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 | Retail to expand with new territory, IT and more marketing Eighty-five percent of retailers surveyed said they plan to increase or sustain capital spending in the next year, according to KPMG. Of those spending more, more than 60% will attempt a geographical expansion, 40% will spend on IT, and 24% will up advertising and marketing. "[W]hile there are still some fears among conventional retailers that digital will destroy their business model, the forward-thinking ones are seeing how digital can help them transform their business," said Mark Larson, KPMG’s global retail leader. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (6/18) Logos with staying power The 10 oldest corporate logos in use in the U.S. are predominately owned by household name brands -- and still resonate with consumers. Examples include Sherwin-Williams "Cover the Earth" logo, Campbell Soup's red and white colors and Coca-Cola's iconic script. 24/7 Wall St. (6/18) Other News  | The Social Media ROI Cookbook: Six Ingredients Top Brands Use
In this free report, industry expert Altimeter explores the most effective "ingredients" for measuring the revenue impact of social media, providing insights and case studies from an array of top companies. Offerpop is happy to make this penetrating study available to SmartBrief readers. Download it for free! |
 | Safeway plans expansion of stores in Washington, D.C., area Safeway has plans to expand or rebuild many of its stores in the Washington, D.C., area. Currently, four stores are slated for building or rebuilding -- in Alexandria, Va., and Rockville, Upper Marlboro and Hyattsville in Maryland. Four more stores are in the early stages of redevelopment. "There's a lot more choices than there were seven years ago, and the quality has certainly improved with the Harris Teeters and Whole Foods and the Wegmans," said Tim Baker, vice president of real estate at Safeway. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (6/16)  | How Engineering Management Can Propel Your Career
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 | The Great Debate: Food and Health Policy in the 21st Century At the GMA Growth and Public Policy Summit, July 17 in Washington, D.C., news veterans from national, regional and digital publications will engage in a stimulating roundtable discussion of the state of food and heath reporting today. Panelists include: - Allison Aubrey, Food and Health Correspondent, NPR
- Helena Bottemiller, Washington Correspondent, Food Safety News
- Philip Brasher, Editor, Executive Briefing-Agriculture and Food, Roll Call
- Candy Sagon, Health Writer, AARP Bulletin
- Sally Squires, Senior Vice President and Director of Health & Wellness Communications, Powell Tate
- Stephanie Strom, Food Industry Business Reporter, New York Times
Register today at www.GMAonline.org/PolicySummit | Lawsuit waits for FDA to decide if GMO counts as 'all natural' A California judge has stalled a lawsuit against Mission tortilla chips for claiming to be "all natural" despite including GMOs in order to give the FDA time to clearly define what belongs in "all natural" products, though both plaintiff and defendant are skeptical of the ruling. "The FDA has repeatedly declined to define or clarify the term 'natural' when asked to do so, and courts across the country have declined to apply the primary jurisdiction doctrine as a direct result of the FDA's inaction on this very issue," stated the plaintiff's lawyers. FoodNavigator (6/18) |  | Those who dream by night ... wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible." -- T.E. Lawrence, British army officer | | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions. | | Publisher, Food & Beverage: Chris Warne P: 646.462.4647 | | | | |
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