Big Food’s big sell off: Who’s cutting loose and who’s cashing in
From shock splits to billion‑dollar buyouts, Big Food is making big changes. Here’s what’s driving the chaos, who’s cashing in, and who could be next
Manufacturers
Opinion
Nestlé’s alt chocolate bet is make-or-break for cocoa-free
This is no ordinary product launch. The stakes are high for cocoa-free chocolate
Hershey courts Gen Z with premium, better-for-you snacking playbook
From holiday occasions to social-first indulgence, Hershey is using premiumization, permissible treats and a bigger salty and protein presence to future-proof its snacking portfolio
Hershey u‑turns as real chocolate makes a comeback
Hershey says it’s bringing real chocolate back to parts of its portfolio – could this small switch signal something much bigger for the confectionery industry?
Texture innovation: Confectionery’s next frontier
From freeze‑dried sweets to ultra‑indulgent chocolate, texture is taking centre stage
Unilever spins-off food as McCormick megamerger confirmed
Unilever separates Foods, McCormick scales-up – a new force in food and beverage emerges
Unilever says McCormick deal could close today
Unilever edges closer to a deal with McCormick in a move that would reshape its future and redefine the global food landscape
Unilever joins Big Food shake-up
As Unilever edges towards a Foods division sell‑off, Big Food braces for the impact
KitKat heist sends urgent warning to CPG sector
Over 400,000 KitKats have vanished in transit, highlighting the increasing threat of cargo crime
Unilever closer to mega food spin‑off as McCormick talks advance
Unilever and McCormick edge closer to a major food‑unit deal that could reshape the future of the global flavour sector
Confectionery sales surge as market races towards $295bn
Confectionery sales are soaring. But what’s driving growth and which brands are best positioned for the future?
Kraft Heinz shares tumble as investor uncertainty grows
Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems
Barry Callebaut, Ferrero, Hershey & Tony’s Chocolonely join Cocoa Coalition
Global confectionery giants join NGOs and major retailers to create UK Cocoa Coalition
Mars accelerates expansion following landmark Kellanova acquisition
Mars Snacking announces new jobs as company signals major growth
Nestlé trials AI technology to tackle factory food waste
Nestlé’s latest AI pilot reveals how real-time data can boost efficiency and unlock revenue
Lindt: The premium strategy driving record growth
Strong growth and expanding global reach are cementing Lindt’s position as the premium market leader
Nestlé under Navratil: The fight to stay ahead
Nestlé’s new chief has steadied the ship – but can he accelerate fast enough to outrun the industry’s most agile challengers?
Unilever confirms Foods merger talks with McCormick
Unilever in talks with McCormick over potential Foods separation, raising fresh questions about the future of some of its best‑known brands
The Big 5: Power players defining confectionery’s future
Five giants dominate confectionery. What gives them the edge, and keeps them on top?
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Cadbury refresh, Potter Peeps and beauty cakes
From organic gummies and dessert‑inspired sweets to licensed seasonal launches and confection–beauty crossovers. Brands are leaning on format innovation
Hershey: Strategy shake‑up and leadership reset
Hershey is shaking up its strategy and its structure
The Big One: Cyberattack that could cripple food and drink
Cyberattacks are closing in on the food and drink sector, and the next one could be catastrophic. Is the industry ready for The Big One?
Hershey: The secret to success and what’s next
With new markets to enter and new categories to conquer, Hershey’s next wave of growth could be its most exciting yet
Mondelēz boosts Toblerone production with $83m investment
A year into its investment, Mondelēz unveils a major milestone at Toblerone’s Swiss home
Lindt reports record growth as rivals stumble
Lindt defies industry headwinds with soaring profits, strong growth and a premium strategy that’s paying off
Buffett bets on Kraft Heinz as shock split suspended
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway signals support for Kraft Heinz, following separation update
Mondelēz’s meteoric rise: The strategy behind the superpower
Strategic deals, powerhouse brands, and disciplined growth – inside Mondelēz’s journey to global leadership, and its vision for the future
Ferrero’s next move: Reshaping confectionery and snacking
From premiumisation to supply-chain control, Ferrero’s strategy is redefining the competitive landscape
Mars launches Impact Fund with cocoa farmers first to benefit
Mars invests in community resilience worldwide, starting with cocoa growers
Nestlé’s new power play: Four Pillars, one direction
Swiss food and beverage giant unveils bold new strategy for the future
Big Food’s race to reinvent as market shifts
Big Food is tearing up the rulebook – but what’s driving the sudden rush to rebrand, reformulate and reinvent?
Why Mars is powering up M&M’s as it reshapes its global growth strategy
As Mars expands through mega‑deals, sustainability pushes and portfolio diversification, the company is placing a bigger strategic bet on M&M’s to anchor growth and relevance in a changing global snacking landscape
Trouble at the Top: Nestlé, Unilever, Barry Callebaut, Kraft Heinz
CEO scandals and surprise shake-ups – the world’s biggest food and drink giants are undergoing a leadership overhaul. But is this a moment of crisis or a chance for positive change?
Industry, brace for change: Momentum builds behind Global Plastics Treaty
After negotiations failed to finalise a global treaty on plastic pollution last year, new hope is on the horizon
Mondelēz charts next growth wave across North America, Europe and emerging markets
The company is tailoring its strategy by region, courting value‑seeking US shoppers, fixing European chocolate margins and using Oreo‑led biscuits and cakes to unlock runway across China, India, Brazil and Mexico
Hershey blasted by Reese’s family over core ingredient changes
Reese family sends open letter to Hershey, challenging whether the confectionery giant is protecting the Reese’s legacy
Nestlé: Confectionery innovation on a global stage
Nestlé is redefining the confectionery landscape with smarter technologies and progressive innovations that keep its brands leading worldwide
Coca‑Cola defies sector struggles with strong profit growth
Coca‑Cola reports robust results as a new CEO prepares to steer beverage giant into next phase of growth
Barry Callebaut launches global chocolate innovation hub
Barry Callebaut has unveiled a new AI‑powered innovation hub, promising faster flavour creation and personalised chocolate experiences
Barry Callebaut ploughs €250m into world’s biggest chocolate factory
Barry Callebaut plans to modernise Wieze and Halle sites, bolstering reliability and efficiency across its European supply network
AI drives new wave of confectionery innovation
From faster R&D to predictive product design, AI is transforming the future of sweets
Unilever faces a pivotal year as strategy moves to execution
Unilever enters a transition year as the company seeks to accelerate growth after its ice cream spin-off
Schumacher’s strategy: Five moves to revive Barry Callebaut
New CEO Hein Schumacher enters a company in decline. Here are the five decisive moves that could put the world’s biggest chocolate maker back on track
Inside Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s legal battle
A long‑running feud between B&J’s and its parent has escalated into a governance battle - here’s the latest
Mars: The making of a confectionery powerhouse
The confectionery giant is changing fast, and setting the pace for the entire sector
Boardroom clash behind Barry Callebaut CEO shake‑up
Leadership shake‑up at Barry Callebaut reveals deeper strategic tensions at the world’s biggest chocolate maker
Mondelēz’s CoLab Tech accelerator shines light on the biggest stress points facing the global snack system
As the company reopens applications for its R&D-led accelerator, the focus areas highlight mounting pressure around climate resilience, packaging constraints and shifting consumer expectations
Mondelēz names new EVP, COO and CFO
Mondelēz International reshapes top team, elevating CFO Luca Zaramella to powerful dual role
Candy in the crosshairs
‘Elevated’ arsenic in candy reveals industry-wide food safety and regulatory risks
Even without enforcement action, publicly released contaminant data could fuel lawsuits, consumer confusion and regulatory scrutiny, while also undermining federal oversight
Nestlé ramps up regenerative agriculture with global partnerships
Nestlé’s new sustainability partnerships could redefine regenerative agriculture for the wider industry