A shortage in 8-ounce and 16-ounce plastic bottles is forcing the Kwik Trip convenience store chain to cut back on production of flavored milks and creamers. Full production of these items is expected to resume by Oct. 21, said Kwik Trip spokesman David Niemi.
The International Dairy Federation's recently released World Dairy Situation Report 2021 provides a snapshot of the global industry and analyses for more than 50 dairy-producing countries. A special chapter, devoted to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook for the upcoming decade, includes an examination of the dairy industry's push to reduce its carbon footprint.
Coca-Cola's new "fewer, focused and future-minded" approach to innovation will include offerings targeting Generation Z consumers next year such as the canned Minute Maid Aguas Frescas line and mystery Fanta flavors, said Carlton Austin, director of convenience retail strategy and commercialization. Other debuts will represent the increasing consumer focus on health and include a reformulated Minute Maid Juice to Go line featuring vitamin C and an immunity-focused smartwater+ variety, said Austin.
Nestle's partnership with Starbucks to produce products for retail has unveiled its 2021 holiday lineup and features the returning Holiday Blend and Peppermint Mocha varieties in ground and K-cup formats. New this year is a Gingerbread coffee flavor in K-cups, and the lineup also offers Teavana White Chocolate Peppermint Tea sachets and ready-to-drink Iced Espresso Peppermint Mocha.
Consumers got an early start on their Halloween shopping this year, retailers say, after the pandemic dampened the spooky festivities in 2020. Americans are expected to spend a record $10.14 billion on costumes, candy and decorations this year, according to NRF, boosting prospects for both seasonal merchants and major retailers including Walmart and Kroger.
About 10,000 Deere & Co. employees in the United Auto Workers union went on strike Thursday after 90% voted to reject a contract offer earlier this week, and workers began picketing outside several plants including a large factory in Waterloo, Iowa. This is the first time employees of the farm equipment giant have gone on strike in 35 years, and the company said it expects to continue production with "employees and others" amid soaring demand.
Equipment costs are high on the list of expenses at most farms and many are in a position to invest in upgrades after a profitable year, writes Shay Foulke, a consultant at ag decision enhancement tool provider Ag View Solutions. Foulke shares a checklist for making successful equipment decisions, starting with figuring out what you want and need and what your priorities are.
A Keurig Dr Pepper-affiliated entity will purchase $20 million in Vita Coco shares from Verlinvest Beverages as part of Vita Coco's initial public offering next week, according to a Vita Coco statement. KDP is the largest distributor for the coconut beverage company, which posted a net sales gain of 17% for the year ended June 30.
PepsiCo has repositioned its Yachak Organic yerba mate brand as a plant-based energy tea to align with "consumer interests," said Aziel Rivers, PepsiCo's senior director of marketing. The rebrand also includes a cleaner package design that features a different animal character for each of the line's five flavors.
Larger basket and pack sizes and more frequent shopping trips are driving sales growth across the mainstream, premium and fine chocolate categories, according to a National Confectioners Association Sweet Insights report. "Over the past year and a half, we've seen consumers more willing to treat themselves to a piece of fine chocolate in order to support their emotional well-being during this stressful period," said Bill Guyton, executive director of the Fine Chocolate Industry Association, a report co-sponsor.