Hollywood celebrities-cum-investors hunger for plant food start-ups, but does it matter?

Food Delivery, Funding, Innovation, Start-up / By

There is no shortage of celebrities who besides the day-job, are turning green and punting big on plant food. Madonna has invested in Vita Coco, a coconut water business, Leonardo DiCapriccio owns a stake in Impossible Foods (and is a brand ambassador) and Serena Williams has gone into Baby food. A few months ago news […]

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Once seen as a broken-IPO, Stitch Fix’s data science saves the day

Analytics, Digital, Fashion / By

Unless you live in the US or the UK you may not know StitchFix. It is an online apparel retailer with revenue exceeding $2.1b. Its USP is data science. StitchFix employs over 140 modellers who pour over a client’s clothing preferences to recommend five items that “fix” neatly into a box. On sign up, customers

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SkyLark banks on Shabu Shabu hotpot to launch its US business

Innovation, Japan, Market entry, QSR / By

Skylark may not be a household name in Japan but it has a plethora of well-known fast food restaurant brands from Gusto to Yumean to Tonkara Tei that are found across the country. It’s a big company with sales in excess of $3b, although its revenues dropped 23% in the pandemic. Like many Japanese corporates,

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With Fonterra’s share price at a 5 year low, will management’s new focus on NZ milk hit the sweet spot?

Agriculture, Dairy / By

Back in October 2016 Fonterra’s shares traded at NZ$5.9. However, shoot forward 5 years and the stock has gone backwards to NZ$3.35 leaving management with more questions than answers. Fonterra is a dairy cooperative, owned largely by New Zealand based dairy farmers that supply the business. In Asia-Pacific, Fonterra is a well known brand. China

With Fonterra’s share price at a 5 year low, will management’s new focus on NZ milk hit the sweet spot? Read More »

Photo by Nicholas Barbaros, Unsplash

Middle Eastern hummus grows in popularity; big food giants eye payday!

Ethnic food, Health, Innovation / By

This month I spent a week in West London before returning to the Far East. It was a mixture of work, pleasure and early morning work-outs by the Thames (much recommended!) I walked as much as possible but when using public transport rode the bus more than the tube. The view is better, the buses

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© Danone

New CEO, new strategy? How can Danone fulfill its promise of One Planet, One Health, You?

Dairy, Food Delivery, Health, Innovation, M&A / By

A new CEO started work at Danone this week. Antoine de Saint-Affrique was previously at Barry Callebaut, a specialist (and hugely successful) chocolatier and before that Unilever. Danone’s share price has not shown any positive momentum this year and the previous CEO was forced out in March. There were multiple reports of a boardroom power

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©Laura Ockel, Unsplash

Ajinomoto stock soars far above rivals. But is it due to MSG or the lesser known ABF?

Branding, Innovation, Japan / By

Although the Nikkei has danced to new highs recently (+30% at time of writing), not everyone has been doing so well. That’s especially the case for food & beverage stocks. Yakult and Morinaga’s share price has not grown whilst Ezaki Glico, Nissin Foods and Calbee are down (-7%, -8% & -14% respectively). Alcohol giants Asahi

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Photo: Manish Panghal

The (legal) marijuana business: a future hidden in clouds of smoke, hype and red tape?

Leave a Comment / Agriculture, Pharma / By

Barclays Investment bank held its annual jamboree for the great and the good in the consumer products industry last week. On the roster were many familiar names: P&G, J&J, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Coca Cola and more. All the usual suspects. However one name intrigued me, Canopy Growth. I hadn’t heard of it. Founded in 2013,

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