CPG brands were in the news this week as big players unveiled new products and the Sweets & Snacks Expo highlighted innovations in the candy arena.
The most-read story this week was a roundup of new products from companies including General Mills, Nestle and PepsiCo, a lineup that included co-branded items like Cinnabon-flavored Breakfast Essentials beverages from Carnation and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookie Dough and Cinnamon Rolls from General Mills. PepsiCo-owned Frito-Lay will debut new chip flavors this summer.
Ferrero North America outlined plans to introduce a long list of new products at this week’s expo, including Butterfinger Baking Bits, as well as redesigned packaging of familiar favorites including Crunch and Baby Ruth. Also at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, The National Confectioners Association unveiled the names of its 13 New Product Award winners.
In food retail news this week, Kroger shared insights into its process for using data to forecast post-pandemic trends, including the finding that the habit of cooking at home is likely to continue in the near future. Also in retail news, the autobiography of the late Trader Joe’s founder Joe Coulombe was published this week.
The most popular restaurant stories this week had more to do with regulations and industry issues than specific companies. The second most-clicked story was the news that the Small Business Administration has rescinded more grant approvals from small restaurants that had been granted under the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, as a result of court rulings that found giving priority treatment to historically disadvantaged groups was discriminatory.
Proposed changes by the Labor Department designed to clarify the tip-credit rules and news that restaurants are coping with rising food prices also proved popular.
Read the entire Top 10:
- General Mills, Nestle, PepsiCo debut new products
- SBA pulls more grant approvals from small eateries
- NCA unveils 13 Innovative New Product Award winners
- Ferrero to reveal new products at Sweets & Snacks Expo
- Labor Department aims to clarify tip-credit rules
- Food prices rise as supply lags growing demand
- Kroger turns to data to forecast post-pandemic trends
- Kantar names “Most Valuable” food, beverage brands
- Trader Joe’s founder tells grocer’s story in new book
- Ahold Delhaize US CEO is focusing on trust
Related stories:
- Restaurants roll back restrictions as more people get vaccinated, but most stop short of requiring proof
- Grocers continue to make e-commerce moves
- Investors see the potential in plant-based alternatives
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