Mars Inc.'s Acquisition of VCA: More Fidos, Fewer Sugars

Mars Inc.'s Acquisition of VCA: More Fidos, Fewer Sugars

The VCA deal gives Mars further latitude for growth beyond the mass-market product arena. That’s especially important because it’s not just kibble sales that have flattened in the mass market; the same is true for candy. Even in the case of Mars, with its globally iconic portfolio of chocolate and non-chocolate (sugar) candy brands, confectionery manufacturers face considerable challenges to growth.


Hispanic pet owners chart a different course

Hispanic pet owners chart a different course

The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Hispanic pet owners in the United States. Between 2007 and 2016 the number of Latinos with pets in their homes skyrocketed from 11.4 million to 20.4 million as the pet ownership rate among Hispanics grew from 40% to 55%.


10% off candy report for National Chocolate Candy Day

10% off candy report for National Chocolate Candy Day

A sweet National Chocolate Candy Day deal: 10% off our report "Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S., 11th Edition" with code NCCD at checkout.


Consumers and meat & poultry: Transparency and knowledge

Consumers and meat & poultry: Transparency and knowledge

Perhaps more than ever before, consumers want to know about what’s in their meat and poultry, how it was raised and where it came from. This need to know taps a breadth of concerns related to food healthfulness and sustainable practices, as discussed in the Packaged Facts report, "Meat, Poultry and Seafood: Restaurant Trends and Opportunities".


Natural and organic foods and beverages full steam ahead

Natural and organic foods and beverages full steam ahead

The marketplace for natural and organic foods and beverages is undergoing tremendous expansion and change. At the retail level, while Whole Foods Market remains the dominant natural foods supermarket chain, it is being challenged by Trader Joe’s and by No. 1 supermarket operator Kroger Co.


Latinos hold the key to growth

Latinos hold the key to growth

Marketers and retailers have long recognized the exceptional role Hispanic consumers play in their growth strategies. Sheer numbers are one reason. Yet, Hispanics embody far more than just an extraordinarily fast-growing population segment of the American population. They now represent a market with outsize spending power that will only continue to grow in the future.


Nutritional supplement marketers must mind the celebrity gap

Nutritional supplement marketers must mind the celebrity gap

There is a huge gap in how men and women respond to endorsements of nutritional supplements from famous people. I discuss this gap and what it means for how supplement marketers can most effectively advertise to each gender in Packaged Facts’ report, "Nutritional Supplements in the U.S., 7th Edition". However, I thought I would break down those results a little more in this blog since the results are so fascinating.


Blurring the breakfast food lines: breakfast or snack?

Blurring the breakfast food lines: breakfast or snack?

Consumers continue to embrace snacking—not only as viable daypart option but also as a paradigm through which to view eating in general (smaller, more frequent meals). This has caused and will continue to cause changes in consumers’ relationships with traditional breakfast foods.


Is health of the planet more compelling than personal health?

Is health of the planet more compelling than personal health?

The recent attention being paid to plant proteins, both by ordinary consumers and the food industry, begs the question, are consumers more willing to eat less meat to help save the planet than they are to reduce their own chances of developing heart disease?


Whole Foods, Purple Carrot delivering meal kits to retail stores but which consumers will bite?

Whole Foods, Purple Carrot delivering meal kits to retail stores but which consumers will bite?

Based on the number of meal kit delivery services around the country, the current numbers of meal shipments, and the almost certain entry of such services from retailers and food marketers (ahem Whole Foods), Packaged Facts conjectures that the U.S. meal kit delivery services market will generate $1.5 billion in sales by the end of 2016 and will grow to a multi-billion market over the next five years.