Consumer Packaged Goods Broker News: Brands show how to change while keeping identity

Lafley faces an uphill battle at P&G | Schwan exec is ready to heat up frozen food | J&J to sell feminine brands to Energizer

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August 1, 2013

News for the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry

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Lafley faces an uphill battle at P&G
A.G. Lafley, who returned to the CEO spot at Procter & Gamble after the departure of Robert McDonald, is facing an uphill battle as developing countries become saturated and developed markets remain price-sensitive. Shareholders are likely to be less concerned with quarterly results and more interested in Lafley's long-term strategy. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (7/31)

Schwan exec is ready to heat up frozen food
Bob Waldron, president of consumer brands for Schwan Food, says he is "working on getting the right products to the shelf" to drive frozen-food growth. "We went out and talked to consumers about our brands," he said. "They said they love them, but they also wondered where they have been. We saw an opportunity to get back to the fundamentals." FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (7/29)

J&J to sell feminine brands to Energizer
The Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Cos. announced it will sell feminine product brands Stayfree, Carefree and o.b. to Energizer Holdings for $185 million. "We are very excited about the prospect of combining the Stayfree pad, Carefree liner and o.b. tampon feminine hygiene business with our Playtex Feminine Care business, strengthening both in the process," said Ward Klein, CEO of Energizer Holdings. Drug Store News (7/31)

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Trends

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Brands show how to change while keeping identity
Brands including Special K, Gatorade and V8 have found ways to stay relevant while retaining their core identity. V8, for example, has launched the V-Fusion + Energy drink line, which contains fruits, vegetables, green tea and no sugar. Forbes (7/31)

Shoppers, dads included, seek nutrition
Research from Edelman Berland finds fathers are sharing responsibility for food purchases and planning in half of U.S. households. "Traditionally, we considered mom to be the only one who made nutrition and wellness a priority for the family," said Mary Young, senior food and nutrition strategist. "But it's clear it's just as important to dad." FoodNavigator (7/31)

Geospatial EAM for Better Governing
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Supply Chain Management

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Supply chain, logistics professionals gain higher recognition from companies
The role that supply chain professionals play in the global marketplace is becoming more important, especially as the global supply chain continues to become more complex, according to this article. Because of this, supply chain professionals saw an increase in salary last year as the job market began to recognize them as corporate leaders. Additionally, several universities have kicked off undergraduate and MBA programs to train more supply chain and logistics professionals. EBN (7/31)

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Advertising & Marketing

Study: Many consumers are "tired of the taste" of light beers
As major U.S. brewers report declining sales of light beers, more than a quarter of consumers who are drinking them less cited "getting tired of the taste" as the main reason for their reduction, according to a Consumer Edge Insight survey. The increasing popularity of craft beers and imports also highlight "serious warning signs for the premium light segment," said Consumer Edge Insight President David Decker. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (7/31)

Retail Spotlight

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Whole Foods has almost 100 stores in the works
Whole Foods Market says it has 94 store leases in various stages of development. The grocer's net income climbed 21%, to $142 million, and sales increased 12%, to $3.1 billion, in its fiscal third quarter compared with the same period a year ago. Supermarket News (free registration) (7/31), Bloomberg Businessweek (8/1)

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Health & Wellness

Study shows dieting power of common scents
In a study, women ate about 60% less chocolate if they smelled an orange first, compared to smelling chocolate first. "It might be that the smell of fresh oranges reminded dieters to limit intake of a tempting and diet-forbidden snack," said researcher Nicola Buckland. National Public Radio/The Salt blog (7/31)

GMA News

Join 300+ attendees at the Space Needle for the Global Sustainability Summit networking event!
From Aug. 14 to 16 in Seattle, join retail, manufacturing, government and NGO sustainability experts from around the world to address the most critical issues in the food, beverage and CPG industry at the GMA-FMI Global Sustainability Summit.

One of the main benefits of a joint GMA-FMI event is the tremendous networking value that the informal and formal social gatherings offer. Whether it is meeting new contacts at the Taste of Seattle Welcome Reception or enjoying the 360-degree view of the Seattle skyline on Thursday night's event at the Space Needle, you won't want to miss this opportunity to connect with your trading partners while rubbing elbows with some of the world's foremost experts on sustainability.

View the list of 300+ attendees!

Government & Food Safety

Congress to adjourn without farm bill
Congress is heading for a break Aug. 2 without signing into law a new farm bill, and will have only nine negotiating days after returning before the current bill expires. If lawmakers don't extend the current bill or enact a new one, Depression-era programs will be resurrected. FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (7/31)