This week’s most-read news in SmartBrief’s Food and Beverage briefs saw some big company names spanning CPG, food retail and foodservice with CPG news taking the top three spots.
Most clicked was news around a comment from Kraft Heinz’s CEO Bernardo Hees saying the company is on track to debut “record-level innovation” this year. The firm also said it’s expecting to divest certain business units or brands in preparation for upcoming acquisitions.
Chobani’s news that it will introduce a line of children’s clothes, including hoodies, onesies and jean jackets, next week to promote its Gimmies brand of kids’ snacks came in second, while RxBar’s debut of a new oatmeal line called RxOats and salty snack bar brand TIG came in a closer third. In other RxBar news, co-founder Peter Rahal will shift out of his CEO position at the firm and into a founder’s role at new umbrella company Insurgent Brands, and Chief Financial Officer Jim Murray will assume the role of president, handling daily operations.
Other news making the top 10 list this week included Publix ranking highest among grocery chains for customer service in a survey by Newsweek and Statista; Wingstop and Pizza Patron creator Antonio Swad returning to the restaurant business with a new concept called Porch Swing; and Amazon expanding its Sponsored Products feature, allowing CPG brands to buy sponsored ads within the retailer’s AmazonFresh channel. The company’s move on Thursday signifies the first time that AmazonFresh search results will feature advertisements.
Check out the rest of the most-read stories this week:
- Kraft Heinz CEO: “Record-level innovation” coming this year
- Chobani debuts kids’ clothing line
- RxBar expands product lineup with RxOats debut
- Report: Amazon urban grocery coming later this year
- Publix comes out on top in customer service
- Wingstop founder debuts Porch Swing concept in Texas
- Amazon now allowing CPG ads on AmazonFresh channel
- Albertsons CEO: Competition forces us to improve
- Frito-Lay reveals regional snack trends
- In-N-Out updates its style at 20 locations
Related stories:
- A strategic approach to using personalized marketing messages
- Accelerators match big players with promising food startups
- A question of loyalty: How grocers can up their game
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