GLG News by Experts in the Food & Beverage Council

1.  Corn is used in 97 pct of Ethanol Production in the U.S.2   Corn Prices are at record high levels at around $6.00 per bushel3.  Expected Planted acres are below what may be needed to provide corn for all uses during the next year.4.  Sugar Ethanol is much cheaper to produce than...

What is the objective of offering Starbucks new Pikes Place roast? Will the acquisition of Clover give SBUX a unique offering?

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...

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...

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...

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...

Commodity prices continue to rise driving prices higher in the grocery aisle.Wheat ,corn,dairy and oil prices continue to climb creating a very challenging environment for food manufacturers and retailers.The rising prices begs the question of who will this benefit and who will this hurt over 2008 ?...

 Identical sales growth is one of the key indicators of retail health, and future success. Intelligent price reductions drive transactions and ultimately sales and share. Lower prices allow you to steal share from vulnerable higher priced competitors and narrow the price gap with Walmart...

Large consumer packaged goods companies are finally waking up and embracing the volume opportunity in Organic and Natural Foods.For years ,most of the top selling products at Whole Foods and other Natural stores were made by small manufacturers.Large CPG companies were not quick to offer products because...

The recent article on Interstate Bakeries bankruptcy hearings now officially puts the company in play.IBC struggling from high plant and route costs and the unprecedented rise in flour costs has been attempting to emerge from bankruptcy.IBC Management has stated that their proposal values the company...