Industry News

Delhaize Group expects to open approximately 450 stores in its high growth newer operations from 2012 to 2014. Additionally, the encouraging results of Bottom Dollar Food in the Philadelphia market support plans for expansion in additional markets that present the same growth profile. This will include hundreds of new Bottom Dollar Food stores over the next five years. Full Story

Coca-Cola Co. is switching back to red colors on its cans one month after rolling out snow-white cans for the holidays. New seasonal cans in red will start shipping by the week of Dec. 4, while the white cans will be removed after initial plans were to stock the cans through February. Some consumers complained that it looked confusingly similar to Diet Coke's silver cans, while others felt that regular Coke tasted different in the white cans, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Shoppers are taking an extremely prepared and educated approach to the grocery trip, with 72% making a list, according to Acosta Sales & Marketing's The Why? Behind the Buy report. Approximately 54% are buying more items on sale and 33% are going online or using apps to save money. Shoppers are buying less expensive brands or less food overall due to high gasoline prices. Full Story

View Today! The new normal means deals, deals, deals, according to the Dec. 1 edition of the Lempert Report. And, the future of local may be at risk. "Supermarket Guru" Phil Lempert hosts. Click here to view.

H-E-B Latin grocery concept Mi Tienda will open its second location in Houston on Dec. 7. The 97,000-sq. ft. store is more than twice the size of the original Mi Tienda and will be much different from the original 2006 concept. Mi Tienda lowered its prices, and the interior of the new location will resemble a small village with each department housed in a small pueblo-like structure. A silo outside the store will also hold 36,000-lbs. of corn to be used for tortillas, reported Houston Chronicle. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Ralcorp identified approximately $10 billion in additional annual sales representing 50 individual companies that meet its initial criteria for strategic acquisition, according to the company's co-CEO and president in a conference call with analysts, reported STLToday.com. Full Story

Latest sales & earnings for food related companies (Updated Daily - FI Membership Required)

Food Institute News

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International News

Nestle invested $850 million in Africa over the past five years and sends a network of about 80 salespeople to tiny shops across South Africa to sell Nestle products such as baby food and nondairy creamers, often in single-serving packages that appeal to Africa's price-sensitive customers. Nestle's sales in Africa rose 6.4% to $3.6 billion last year, compared to a global sales increase of 2%, while sales at small stores rose 20% in August from June in 2011. The number of small stores carrying Nestle products in South Africa also doubled for the first eight months of the year to just under 4,500, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Some 49% of Canadian consumers would be more likely to visit a restaurant that offers new or innovative flavors, up from 33% in 2009, according to Technomic's 2011 Canadian Flavor Consumer Trend Report. Flavors imparted by spreads, sauces or condiments that come with food are appealing to 53%, a 7% increase from those surveyed in 2009. Full Story

Washington News

FDA released updated analytical results and a letter to Food & Water Watch regarding the testing of arsenic presence in apple juice and apple juice concentrate. Letter, Analytical Results, Mott's & Nestle Apple Juice Meanwhile, the Juice Products Association responded to Consumer Reports' juice findings, stating that "juice is safe for consumers of all ages." Full Story

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Market News

The 2011 fall potato production for the U.S. and Canada combined is estimated at 478 million cwt, up 3% from 2010. The U.S. fall potato production is estimated at 385 million cwt, 5% above 2010. USDA Report

Fiscal 2012 agricultural exports are forecast at $132 billion, down $5 billion from the August forecast and 4% below final fiscal 2011 exports. Grain exports are forecast down $3.6 billion from the August forecast on increased competition for wheat and corn along with lower unit values for wheat. Oilseed exports are down $2.3 billion mostly due to lower soybean volume. USDA Report