Manufacturers

Unilever CEO defends $40bn McCormick megamerger amid growing backlash

Unilever stands by $40bn McCormick deal as scrutiny grows over whether streamlining will strengthen the group or weaken it

Opinion

Hershey’s next move: Rebuilding trust after cocoa cuts controversy

Hershey cut cocoa and stirred up a crisis. A viral takedown from the Reese heir has exposed a deeper clash over taste, trust and the cost of cheapening chocolate

Up the food chain

Mondelēz International R&D VP Ian Noble: Food must innovate or decline

The snacking giant’s innovation lead talks sustainability, the future of cocoa and his love of ‘how things work’

Nestlé doubles down on growth in bold strategy shift

Nestlé resets growth strategy with shift away from price hikes and back towards volumes, brands and execution

Which brands could Nestlé axe next?

Nestlé wants to become a leaner business. As it weighs its priorities, could brands like Coffee Mate and Carnation become dispensable?

Hershey appoints new CSCO in C-suite reset

Confectionery giant recruits new chief supply chain officer from rival snack brand

Mars taps reality TV for experiential M&M’s push

Confectionery brands are ditching traditional ads for immersive experiences as culture‑led campaigns reshape how sweets engage shoppers

Unilever McCormick deal under pressure as backlash builds

Unilever’s $40bn Foods deal with McCormick is facing mounting backlash as questions over strategy and valuation put the deal under pressure

The F&B jobs AI is targeting, but is it really that dire?

AI is accelerating reformulation, automation and data-led decision making at a pace that is already reshaping roles across the food and drink workforce

Hershey’s profit surge masks deeper struggles

Hershey’s profits surge may look like a comeback, but rising prices, falling volumes and volatile cocoa costs reveal a more complex story

Wonka returns as Ferrero taps into experiential marketing boom

Ferrero is bringing Wonka back in bold new strategy – blending limited-edition treats, cross-category innovation and a major new Netflix partnership

New product development

What’s hot in confectionery? Ferrero on Wonka, Nerds, Ring Pops and more…

Freeze-dried candy, matcha creams, brand mash-ups and seasonal reinventions. Global confectionery players are letting it all out

Mars powers production growth with $253.6m smart factory investment

Mars bets on smart manufacturing, using £190m UK factory upgrade to boost output and strengthen grip on global confectionery and snacking market

Big Food’s leadership crisis: Why CEOs are falling faster than ever

C-suite exits are mounting across Big Food, but behind the scandals lies a deeper performance and innovation problem

Mondelēz International loses court case over Milka shrinkflation

Changing the weight labelling is not enough to avoid deception, the court ruled

Unilever shaken by investor exit as McCormick deal unsettles shareholders

Unilever’s $40bn Foods merger with McCormick is facing mounting backlash, as shares slide and investors divest

Kraft Heinz split in doubt as weak performance blunts break-up case

With performance still lagging, Kraft Heinz’s paused split looks increasingly uncertain

Big Food splits: Smart move or strategic misstep?

Big Food’s biggest names are betting on splits, but market reactions show investors aren’t convinced. So when does breaking up actually make sense?

Mars: The global heavyweight setting the snacking agenda

The world’s biggest confectionery and snacking company is driving change across the industry

Nestlé returns to growth but recovery remains fragile

Nestlé’s Q1 results reassured investors, but uneven volumes urge caution

Hershey bounces back as profits jump 93%

Hershey’s had a bruising start to 2026, but fresh results hint at a major comeback

Mondelēz warns of anxious consumers as Middle East conflict threatens spending

While sales rise and cocoa stabilizes, the company keeps guidance steady amid fears of inflation and weakening confidence

Mars accelerates net zero ambitions with landmark energy deal

Mars doubles down on renewables with major wind power deal, signalling how major CPGs are reshaping the food industry’s path to net zero

Tony’s Chocolonely: Turning ethical chocolate into a global hit

From activist roots to mainstream success, Tony’s Chocolonely shows how bold flavours, smart collaborations and a clear mission can turn ethical chocolate into a global growth story

Why Haribo’s one-trick gummy focus is beating the world

Haribo is showing how a focus on core is driving global scale

Nestlé slashes 450 jobs sparking union backlash

Nestlé’s set to cut more than 450 UK jobs as global restructuring begins

Hershey stock sell-off: Key stakeholder sells 30,000 shares

Major Hershey stakeholder sells shares following profit shock and leadership shift

Nestlé weathers formula crisis to deliver strong Q1 growth

Nestlé overcomes infant formula recall to deliver solid Q1 growth, powered by Coffee and Confectionery

Why Unilever’s $40bn food merger is raising red flags

Unilever’s $40bn food deal is supposed to sharpen focus. Instead it’s unsettled stakeholders, raising questions over the success of Big Food consolidation

The KitKat heist that exposed a confectionery crime crisis

The KitKat heist went viral but exposed a multimillion euro cargo crime crisis

PepsiCo, Nestlé and Coca-Cola double down on Mexico as food players chase growth and stability

Mexico is drawing billions from the world’s biggest F&B companies, but behind the investment wave sits a more complex mix of cost pressure, regulation and an increasingly competitive domestic landscape.

Unilever shares plummet following McCormick megamerger announcement

Unilever’s $44.8bn decision to merge its Foods business with McCormick has rattled investors and raised regulatory questions

Hershey US president exits amid profits slide and brand backlash

Andrew Archambault’s unexpected departure comes as Hershey grapples with profit declines and reputational pressures

2,000+ supply ships stranded: Iran war puts food security at risk

What started as an energy shock is fast becoming a food crisis, with stranded cargoes and fertiliser shortages threatening global supply chains

Ferrero gets World Cup fever as confectionery goes big on sport

Ferrero is going big on the FIFA World Cup, with a high-profile campaign. What does it signal for the future of confectionery marketing?

Nestlé steps up security following KitKat heist

Stolen KitKats sparked viral attention, delivering unexpected PR for Nestlé and exposing vulnerabilities in road freight security

Iran conflict: Is ceasefire too little, too late for global food?

A two-week ceasefire is now in place in the war between US-Israel and Iran, but much is still uncertain about how long-lasting the impacts of damage done thus far will be and what still lies ahead for the global food sector

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

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