GLG News by Nuts Experts

Kantha ShelkeFounder & ScientistCorvus Blue

How do you say - "The Best Sweet Tasting Stevia Derviative?"

May 19, 2008

Analysis of:Stevia a sweet bet for Cargill | www.twincities.com

Eleven peer-reviewed albeit company-sponsored scientific studies, accepted for publication this week in Food and Chemical Toxicology, signify a significant lead for Coca Cola and Cargill in the natural sweetener race.  The media will have much to say about the new sweetener and so will giant brands like Splenda, Equal and Nutrasweet.  Industry and consumer watchdogs have much to keep them busy too.

Kantha ShelkeFounder & ScientistCorvus Blue

Candy Land Tremors While Giants Dance

May 9, 2008

Analysis of:Mars to Buy Wrigley’s for $23 Billion | www.nytimes.com

The recent Mars Wrigley courtship is sending veritable tremors ripple across candy land.  Cadbury’s and Hershey’s have to quickly figure out their response to the changing topography.  The more agile mid-market sector will find opportunities to advance their businesses while the smaller and keener innovators will likely take advantage of the market confusion to position themselves for the reactive round of acquisitions. 

Kantha ShelkeFounder & ScientistCorvus Blue

Are Organic Foods Recession Proof?

May 1, 2008

Analysis of:US Growers Should Prevent Food Recession | www.thepacker.com

Consumers, companies and investors in the organic sector are concerned about the impact of price increases and the economy.  While companies acknowledge the price increase is eroding their profit margins, they also realize that their consumer base is relatively affluent and strong principle-based loyalty.  Some sectors such as infant formula, baby food, personal care, protein foods (meat, poultry, eggs and milk), cereals, coffee, chocolate, and pet foods (to name a few) are somewhat buffered because their value propositions and associated consumer perceptions and tolerance for price increases. 

Kantha ShelkeFounder & ScientistCorvus Blue

Is Candy Recession Proof?

May 1, 2008

Analysis of:Sweet Deal: Mars and Wrigley Merge | www.brandweek.com

Is Candy Recession Proof?   Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Executive Chairman Bill Wrigley Jr., and Mars Inc. CEO Paul Michaels, bolstered by Warren Buffet, the Oracle of Omaha, certainly think so.  The two confectionary powerhouses are betting consumers will buy candy and lots of it during down times.    Mars Inc. is buying Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for about $23 billion in cash.  The deal would marry brands with iconic position in the lives of Americans and candy lovers around the world.  Mars, which owns m&ms and Snickers and Wrigley with Big Red, Juicy Fruit, Eclipse, Orbit, and Extra fit right in Warren Buffett's sweet spot.  The Chicago based family owned gum maker would become a subsidiary of the McLean, Va.-based and family owned Mars.  

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Organic and Natural Food Growth Stalls with Increased Commodity Costs

April 28, 2008

Analysis of:Naturally,Super Valu Customers Want More Options | www.forbes.com

Increasing commodity costs are having a negative impact to the growth of organic and natural foods.As commodities increase consumers are being more selective and price sensitive in their grocery shopping.This trend does not bode well for retailers like Whole Foods (WFMI) and the manufacturers that supply items to the leader in the organic and natural foods segment.

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Apple's Superior Brand Strategy Leads to Strong Results

April 24, 2008

Analysis of:Apple's 2Q Results Beat Wall Street Views | biz.yahoo.com

Apple once again delivered very strong results in the face of hesitant consumers under recessionary pressures.Total revenue growth for the latest quarter was +36% led by the Mac brand in personal computers at +51%.The MP3 segment led by the I Pod brand delivered growth of +1% while the I-Phone sold 1.7 mm units.   So how is Apple able to deliver consistent sales and profit growth in tough recessionary times with premium pricing while many of its competitors deliver poor results.In a phrase --it's their superior branding strategy.  

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Commodity Hedging-The Double Edged Sword

March 31, 2008

Analysis of:Against the Grain: Food Firms Hedge Costs | online.wsj.com

With ever rising commodity costs food companies that have hedged their key commodity purchases with forward buying have done quite well over the last year.Several key manufacturers have announced that they have hedged their raw materials by forward buying 60-70% of their 2008 needs.Lost in the discussion has been the potential for commodity prices to go down in the latter half of 2008.

Daniel DurickPresidentEmerging Food Technologies

Restaurant Operators - 2008 Is your Company Ready for What's Coming?

March 25, 2008

Analysis of:Restaurant Food Trends For 2008 | www.quazen.com

As this first quarter of 2008 comes to an end, what's ahead for the Restaurant Industry in Q-3, Q-3 and Q-4? Commodity Prices escalating at unprecedented rates, customer traffic softening, labor costs rising, bottom lines dwindling, talent pools shrinking, facility expenses uncontrollable, oil prices at all time highs, the U.S.Dollar at all time lows, Wall Street on an unbelievable roller coaster, Banks and Financial Institutions failing and laying off ... Watch out ! ! There is not one Restaurant Segment that is in a 'safe' position - not QSR, Casual Theme, Casual Ethnic, Fine Dining, nor High-End Steak & Seafood. No, not one.

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Kraft and Sara Lee turnaround ? Real or wishful thinking ?

March 14, 2008

Analysis of:Kraft, Sara Lee say turnaround efforts are succeeding | www.chicagotribune.com

Kraft and Sara Lee executives recently spoke at analyst conference concerning their recent improvements to drive sales growth and improve operating margins.Both suggested the progress is real and sustainable.   Kraft highlighted new products and headcount reduction as keys to their progress.New products are clearly needed and our key to drive future sales growth.The job cuts they mentioned are real and should help them provide a lower cost basis to expand marketing and potentially improve margins at the same time.  Sara Lee also touted new product innovation and organizational restructuring as means to improve their growth and enhance profitability.Pricing is also key at both companies as they face strong headwinds in the face of commodity inflation.  Do we believe both CEO's assertions and are better days ahead for both companies ?

Rick SheaPresidentShea Marketing Consulting Inc.

Who wins , who loses from rising food prices ? Part 2 --Retailers

January 11, 2008

Analysis of:Higher Food Prices Start to Pinch Consumers | online.wsj.com

As commodity prices increase, food manufacturers will be required to pass on higher raw material costs to their consumers.Over time these higher prices will put pressure on premium priced branded products and shift share to private label and value brands.Will this same pressure apply to retailers and hurt overall category sales ? Which retailers will benefit the most? Which retailers will be hurt on sales volume ?

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