| Industry
News The pace of change is accelerating as technology,
marketing trends and retail formats converge to redefine how CPG retailers and
manufacturers interact with consumers, according to The Nielsen Company's
Retail 2015 Forecast. By 2015, Nielsen predicts mass supercenters and e-commerce
to be the big winners by dollar share gains, growing by a combined five share
points between 2009 and 2015. Warehouse clubs and dollar stores will also grow
share positions. Nielsen forecasts that supermarkets will continue to lose share,
but at a declining rate. Full
Story 
Just
Posted! The Food Institute takes a look at the future of food retailing
in the June 17 edition of the Lempert Report. Hosted by Phil Lempert, The
Lempert Report comes out every Thursday. Click
here to view. Kroger is considered
the best-positioned national grocery chain to withstand Wal-Mart's latest "Rollback"
grocery price cutting campaign after taking steps years ago to offer lower prices,
according to analysts. Kroger also built up customer loyalty by investing in service.
A recent J.P. Morgan pricing survey of Virginia supermarkets also found Wal-Mart's
average price of 31 items fell 3.5% since the end of April, most among the supermarkets
measured, while Kroger cut the average price 2.1%, reported The Wall Street
Journal. Full
Story (WSJ Subscription Required) Wal-Mart
is prepared to build "dozens" of Chicago stores if Mayor Daley can find a
way to break a six-year-old City Council stalemate over demands that the company
pay employees at least $11.03 an hour, according to City Hall sources, reported
Chicago Sun-Times. Full
Story Consumers
visit fast-casual chains two to three times per month or less, about the same
frequency customers say they visit casual-dining chains, according a survey conducted
by Morgan Stanley. Fast-food chains, meanwhile, are visited at least once a week
by half of their customers. About 35% of respondents said they would visit fast-casual
restaurants operated by the likes of Panera Bread Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill
Inc. more often if the locations were more convenient; nearly 30% stated lower
prices would entice them through the doors, reported Nation's Restaurant News.
Full
Story (Free Registration Required)
International
News EU lawmakers backed a proposed requirement for
companies to label the energy, sugar, salt and fat content of their foodstuffs
on the front of packages, and added protein, unsaturated fats and fiber to this
list. Members also added a  requirement
for country-of-origin labels on meat, dairy, and fruit and vegetables, as well
as meat and fish products used in processed food, reported Reuters. Full
Story The European Commission will set up
a new forum on the effectiveness of the European food chain, reported Food
Navigator. Full
Story Health News Extracts
from black tea may help reduce weight gain and cut body
fat levels, claims a study published in Nutrition, reported Food Navigator.
Full
Story Washington
News The
Environmental Law Foundation filed Notices of Violation of California Proposition
65 Toxics Right to Know law against 49 companies, alleging that lead was found
in a variety of children's and baby foods. The food categories are: apple juice,
grape juice, packaged pears and peaches (including baby food) and fruit cocktail.
Full
Story 
Funding
was authorized through the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 for American
farmers and ranchers outside the 48 contiguous U.S. that experience high transportation
costs. Full Story Market
News U.S. tart cherry production is forecast at 195 million-lbs.,
46% below the revised 2009 production, according to USDA. Michigan, the largest
producing state, expects a crop of 140 million-lbs., down 47% from the revised
2009 crop. The crop potential was reduced markedly by frosts during bloom. U.S.
sweet cherry production is forecast at 315,400 tons, down 27% from 2009. The Washington
crop forecast of 160,000 tons is down 35% from 2009. The crop has fallen behind
on maturity due to cool, wet weather this spring. Cherry
Production Report 
Meanwhile,
despite the coldest, wettest May in half a century, Washington is expected
to produce a decent-sized cherry crop, and an earlier-than-expected end to
the California deal should mean strong demand heading into July 4th. Between 13
and 14 million boxes will likely ship from Washington this season, stated B.J.
Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers. That is down from initial
estimates of 16 to 18 million boxes, reported The Packer Online. Full
Story (Subscription Required) | 
