Innovation
Mondelēz Expands Premium Cookie Footprint with Tate’s Bake Shop
Tate’s Bake Shop, owned by Mondelēz International, is gaining traction in the premium cookie segment as consumers seek affordable indulgences. The brand, acquired for $500 million in 2018, now holds about 2% of the $11.2 billion sweet cookie market and is growing faster than the category. Mondelēz plans further innovation and potential expansion into brownies, cakes, and muffins.
Jif refreshes brand identity, expands peanut butter consumption scenarios
Jif kicked off the "Every Jif'ing Thing" campaign on Monday, reshaping its iconic red, blue, and green logo to showcase peanut butter's versatility in dips, beverages, mixed ingredients, and more, aiming to move beyond the sandwich scenario. The campaign, creatively led by BBH USA, spans multiple platforms and includes an updated visual identity system.
Goldfish Launches First Gluten-Free Cheddar Crackers, Responding to Long-Standing Consumer Demand
The Goldfish brand has announced the launch of its first gluten-free smile-faced cheddar crackers, set to hit retail shelves nationwide in November. This move is seen as another example of a major food company catering to dietary restriction needs and driving innovation in its core brand.
7Up Reshapes Recipe, Highlights Lime Flavor to Strengthen Differentiation
Keurig Dr Pepper announced the largest recipe reformulation of its 7Up brand in 15 years, shifting the product positioning from "lemon-lime" to "lime-lemon" to emphasize lime flavor. The new recipe covers the entire product line, including regular, zero sugar, cherry, and cherry zero sugar, accompanied by a brand visual upgrade. The company claims this is the first lime-led recipe in the category, intended to differentiate competitively and attract younger consumer groups.
C4 Cross-Category Sparkling Protein Drink, Minute Maid Spiked Expands into Hard Iced Tea
This edition of Leftovers focuses on three new products: C4 Energy introduces a caffeine-free sparkling protein drink featuring 20 grams of protein and a zero-sugar formula; Minute Maid Spiked extends its lemonade line into hard iced tea with 5% alcohol by volume; Mexican juice brand Jumex ventures into protein shakes for the first time, launching a product with 30 grams of protein.
Kraft Heinz invests nearly $100 million more in marketing to advance transformation strategy
Kraft Heinz announced in its Q2 earnings report an additional investment of nearly $100 million to advance its transformation, with a focus on boosting marketing, raising marketing spending to at least 6% of net sales. The CEO stated that the investment has begun to show results, with the Heinz brand returning to growth, and the company also raised its full-year organic net sales outlook.
WK Kellogg to Remove Artificial Colors from Froot Loops and Other Cereals a Year Ahead of Schedule
WK Kellogg will complete the removal of artificial colors from its cereal products nearly a year ahead of schedule, covering categories such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, which account for approximately 15% of its product portfolio. The company has tested hundreds of alternatives and selected natural color sources such as turmeric and annatto, with shipments to retailers expected to begin by the end of the year. This move is seen as a significant step in response to declining cereal sales and regulatory pressure.
Food Giants Double Down on DTC Direct-to-Consumer Channels
Food e-commerce continues to grow, and DTC (direct-to-consumer) channels are becoming an increasingly important business segment for food giants. Although their revenue is hard to rival traditional retail, DTC provides brands with unique opportunities to test new products, gather feedback, and counter digital-native competitors. Companies like Hershey, PepsiCo, and Beyond Meat have already made moves, and industry data also indicates the potential of this channel.
PepsiCo enters the US refrigerated ready-to-eat meal track with cold soup
PepsiCo announced it will introduce its Spanish cold soup brand Alvalle to the US, available at select Whole Foods locations. This move aims to meet consumer demand for foods with simple, recognizable ingredients and to expand its presence in the fresh and refrigerated category.
Nissin Foods Introduces AI Supply-Demand Planning Tool to Optimize Inventory and Cost Control
Nissin Foods announced the adoption of Blue Yonder's AI-driven supply-demand planning tool, aimed at improving inventory management, enhancing forecast precision, and cutting costs. This initiative is part of the company's broader digital transformation strategy and is expected to strengthen customer collaboration capabilities.