Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has reported a net sales increase of 4.5% to $11.62 billion in 2020, as performance of its coffee pods and branded soft drinks remained strong amid Covid-19. The company witnessed a strong finish to 2020, with its fourth-quarter net sales rising by 6.4% to $3.12 billion, driven by market share gains across its portfolio and more households using the Keurig system. Operating income stood at $2.48 billion for the full-year, compared to $2.38 billion last year , representing a 4.3% increase driven by strong sales. In KDP’s coffee systems unit, net sales increased 4.7% to $4.43 billion for the full-year and grew by 9.1% in Q4. For 2020, KDP saw the unit record higher volumes of 7.2% due to more consumers using coffee pods at-home, while partially offset by a decline in away-from-home sales. In the year ended 31 December 2020, US households regularly using a Keurig brewer increased approximately 10% to 33 million households. For the company’s packaged beverages division, net sales rose 8.5% to $5.36 billion, reflecting 8.2% volume growth. The unit witnessed market share growth across the entire portfolio, with particular strength in carbonated soft drinks, premium unflavoured water and juice including its Dr Pepper, Canada Dry, 7UP, Snapple tea and Core brands. Meanwhile, KDP’s beverage concentrates unit saw its net sales fall 6.3% to $1.33 billion, driven by the negative impact of Covid-19 on the fountain foodservice business. KDP’s Latin America beverages witnessed its net sales drop by 5.9% to $497 million due to unfavourable foreign currency translation and the impact of the pandemic on Mexico’s volumes. Keurig Dr Pepper chairman and CEO, Bob Gamgort, said: "KDP again delivered on its annual financial commitments in 2020, capped by a strong fourth quarter with exceptional growth in net sales that was driven by market share gains across our portfolio and accelerated household adoption of the Keurig system. “While we expect 2021 to be another challenging and unpredictable year, we're confident in our ability to deliver the final year of the merger commitments communicated in 2018.” In 2021, KDP expects to deliver another year of strong growth and exceed its three-year merger target of 2-3% average annual growth.

Bacardi has introduced Grey Goose Essences, a new collection of vodkas infused with real fruit and botanical essences. Available in the US, the new collection comes in three flavours: strawberry & lemongrass, white peach & raspberry, and watermelon & basil. Each expression is made with flavours derived from fruits and botanicals around the world – such as France, Spain, Thailand and Sri Lanka – which are then blended with cold-distilled botanicals and Grey Goose Vodka. With a 30% ABV, the new vodkas are made from all-natural ingredients and contain no sugar or carbs. Essences marks the latest addition to the Grey Goose portfolio and was developed in an effort to meet demand for simple cocktails that are “brimming with vibrant flavour”. “Spritzes and mindful drinking have been growing trends, and with consumers increasingly trying their hand at mixology, we knew there was an exciting opportunity to create a distinctive liquid that would take the guesswork out of mixing light tasting and delicious cocktails at home,” said Grey Goose VP of global marketing, Martin de Dreuille. Grey Goose cellar master, François Thibault, added: "Grey Goose Essences has been a labour of love for both me and the brand. The freshest ingredients were meticulously searched for and a unique distillation process is used for each fruit and each botanical to ensure we captured the purest flavour in every bottle. All three Essences flavours reveal the most perfect expression of the ingredients they contain." The Grey Goose Essences line is now available at spirits retailers nationwide for an RRP of $29.99 per 750ml bottle.

Mondelēz International has announced the launch of Sustainable Futures, an impact investing platform to support ventures addressing key global issues. The new platform gives the company the opportunity to pursue and incubate innovative projects, together with 'like-minded' investors. Through Sustainable Futures, Mondelēz aims to co-invest in projects addressing climate change, as well as make seed investments in social ventures working to improve livelihoods and build healthier communities. Sustainable Futures will seek to support projects that reduce carbon emissions, protect forests and increase resilience in the landscapes from which Mondelēz sources raw materials. The first social ventures to receive support will include a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in India that will set up a women-owned social enterprise to up-cycle multi-layered plastic packaging into board. In addition, Sustainable Futures will back a project in South Africa supporting agro-entrepreneurs in ‘climate-smart’ food production, along with INMED Aquaponics Social Enterprise. “We don’t have all the answers, but we do know that alone, we can never achieve significant progress in the fight against systemic issues like climate change,” said Dirk Van de Put, chief executive and chairman of Mondelēz International. “Sustainable Futures is our first foray into impact investing and gives us the opportunity to work with others in supporting environmental and social projects that can help drive meaningful, long-term change.” Christine Montenegro McGrath, VP and chief of global impact and sustainability at Mondelēz International, added: “It’s only by testing and learning new approaches, and by seeking new forms of partnership with NGOs, governments and social entrepreneurs, that we can unleash the creativity we need to tackle some of the world’s most challenging issues. “By offering seed investment and expertise through Sustainable Futures, Mondelēz International can help to create lasting solutions in areas like forest protection, carbon emissions reduction, and innovation in recycling.”

Mondelēz International is expanding its Sour Patch Kids candy portfolio with the introduction of new watermelon-flavoured jelly beans. Launching ahead of Easter, the new offering comes in a 13oz bag and joins a soft and chewy watermelon candy product in the brand’s range of watermelon-flavoured treats. With an SRP of $3.00, Sour Patch Kids Watermelon Jelly Beans will be available at retailers nationwide. Sour Patch Kids recently partnered with Conagra Brands-owned Snack Pack to launch new ‘sour and sweet’ Juicy Gels.

Complan, which was acquired by Danone in 2011, has released a food supplement drink designed to maintain energy levels when needed.  Available in three flavours – strawberry, vanilla and cappuccino – the Complan On the Go! range comes in packs of four and contains 9.8g of protein and 21 vitamins, including B6, B12 and iron, which have been linked to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.  The range is available now in Tesco, and in selected Boots stores from March 2021.  RRP £6.00.

Duravant – a provider of engineered equipment and automation solutions to the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors – has acquired Votech, a manufacturer of bag filling machines and palletising technology.   Votech, headquartered in Reusel, The Netherlands, will join forces with Fischbein International – a Duravant operating company – to serve its global customer base.  The acquisition will bring together Votech's expertise in bag management and palletising, and Fischbein's portfolio of bag sealing and sewing equipment.  “There is a very complementary relationship between our two organisations,” said Olivier Hancotte, VP and general manager of Fischbein. “We’re thrilled to work closely with the Votech team to create a broader product offering for both companies’ customers. Fischbein and Votech equipment will both be available through the Fischbein global sales team.” The partnership will combine the two engineered equipment manufacturers' expertise and increase Duravant's ability to serve customers in over 190 countries worldwide.  “We’re excited to be a part of the Duravant group of world-class brands and automation solutions,” said Rolf Michiels, director of project sales. “Aligning with the Fischbein team to better serve our customers through a united and collaborative strategy is an exciting prospect for us. Duravant’s lifecycle management via the company’s SupportPro services also gives our customers broader access to value-added solutions that will help their operations achieve their productivity and efficiency goals.” Pierre Dierckx, director of operations, added: “Our partnership with Duravant opens the path for Votech’s geographic expansion and growth in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. We’re thrilled to also collaborate with nVenia, Duravant’s US-based operating company serving customers across a wide array of industrial end markets and consumer packaged goods.”

Private investment firm Mill Rock Capital has announced that its portfolio company Mill Rock Packaging Partners has acquired All Packaging Company, a manufacturer of custom paperboard packaging.  All Packaging, which runs two facilities in Utah and Colorado, will continue to operate under the leadership of its president, Kenneth Pepper, who has made "significant investment" in Mill Rock Packaging.  Following the acquisition, All Packaging will become a sister company to Trojan Lithograph Corporation, which Mill Rock Packaging purchased in August 2020.  The acquisition is set to increase the scale and scope of Mill Rock's operations, which now comprise three converting facilities in western US. The combined platform will "offer a more robust suite of products, services and fulfilment capabilities to new and existing customers," a statement from Mill Rock Captial said.  "This combination creates a powerhouse in speciality paperboard packaging that represents a superior value proposition in the marketplace," said Mill Rock Packaging chairman Edward Rose. "We will continue to target growth with new and existing customers through the combined strengths of both companies and further planned investment in conversion capabilities, design innovation and automation." All Packaging's Mr Pepper added: "We are delighted to join forces with Mill Rock Packaging. Going forward we'll sustain our commitment to our customers' success, offering the same high-quality service with the combined resources of a broader platform." Terms of the transaction have not yet been disclosed.

Diageo has announced its latest move in the alcohol-free spirit category, as it prepares for the launch of Tanqueray 0.0%. The alcohol-free gin alternative is crafted from the same distilled botanicals as Tanqueray London Dry including juniper, coriander, angelica and liquorice. Individually immersed in water, the botanicals are heated and then distilled to create the ‘distinct flavours’ associated with Tanqueray. “This special distillation process is a closely guarded secret, known only to a handful of people and we are incredibly proud to be bringing gin drinkers that juniper and citrus led taste they’re expecting from Tanqueray when they choose not to drink alcohol,” said Tanqueray master distiller, Terry Fraser. Tanqueray 0.0% is also positioned as a low-calorie option, with only 6 calories per 50ml. The new product marks Diageo’s latest addition to its alcohol-free portfolio and follows in the footsteps of Gordon’s 0.0%. The alcohol-free alternative joins Tanqueray’s brand portfolio including No. Ten, Rangpur, Flor de Sevillaand recently launched Blackcurrant Royale. Pedro Mendonça, global reserve director, Diageo’s luxury collection, added: “We believe people shouldn’t have to compromise on quality and taste when they want to enjoy a drink that has no, or low, alcohol.” Tanqueray 0.0% will be available to purchase from March across Spain and the UK for an RRP of £16 per 70cl bottle in stores such as Waitrose, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. The alcohol-free gin alternative will be rolled out to further markets later in the year.

Nestlé  has introduced two new limited-edition Starbucks coffees to its at-home portfolio for spring, which feature flavours such as vanilla, honey and dried fruits. Available in the US, the new seasonal range intends to “celebrate the magic of springtime and refresh your coffee routine”. The line includes Starbucks Honey & Madagascar Vanilla Flavored Coffee and Starbucks Spring Day Blend, which features a blend of black coffee from Africa and Latin America with notes of cocoa and dried fruits. Both products are made with 100% arabica coffee and are available as Keurig K-Cup pods and ground coffee. The seasonal additions follow the launch of a festive Starbucks coffee range last year . Starbucks’ new spring coffees are available for a limited-time online and in grocery stores nationwide.

Danone has reported a decline in net sales of 1.5% on a like-for-like basis, in what the yogurt maker has termed “a year marked by the health crisis”. The company posted full-year net sales of €23.62 billion, compared to 2019 net sales of €25.29 billion. Operating income stood at €2.798 billion for 2020, representing a 13.6% decline from last year. In the fourth-quarter, Danone saw its like-for-like sales fall by 1.4%, representing a “sequential improvement” from the two previous quarters. Danone’s Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) division’s sales were up 3.4% like-for-like to €12.82 billion for the full-year. Plant-based sales amounted to €2.2 billion, growing at 15%. Meanwhile, the company’s Specialized Nutrition and Waters divisions were impacted by Covid-related channel disruptions including out-of-home channels – which declined by approximately 25% in Q4 thanks to new restrictions and lockdown measures. The firm’s Specialized Nutrition business recorded a 0.9% like-for-like decline in net sales to €7.19 billion in 2020, with a less significant drop in Q4 thanks to improvements in all regions. Infant formula sales in China from cross-border channels continued to decline sharply – given the ongoing Hong-Kong border closure and travel limitations with mainland China – at 45% in the fourth quarter, but showed a sequential improvement from last quarter. Meanwhile, domestic channels were back to growth in Q4 thanks to a strong performance by Aptamil. The owner of Evian and Volic saw its full-year Waters unit net sales fall by 16.8% like-for-like to €3.61 billion. Danone continues to reinvent itself with a profitable growth ambitionby reviewing and investing in its portfolio, funded by its €1 billion saving plans. Chairman and CEO Emmanuel Faber, who is under growing pressure as shareholders push for governance changes, says 2021 will be a year of recovery. In line with its plan, Danone has announced today the acquisition of Earth Island, maker of Follow Your Heart. “This is building further on our global leadership on plant-based, now representing 10% of our sales,” added Faber. For 2021, Danone expects a tough Q1 but to be back to growth as of Q2, with a return to profitable growth during the second half of the year.

Nestlé  has surpassed its full-year organic sales expectations with 3.6% growth, driven by strong demand for its pet food and health products in the Americas. In its third-quarter, the company raised its full-year organic sales growth guidance to around 3%; however with 3.6% growth, Nestlé records the highest level in the last five years. Main growth contributors include the Americas, Purina PetCare, at-home coffee and Nestlé Health Science. Full-year total reported sales decreased by 8.9% to CHF 84.3 billion ($94.1 billion), compared to CHF 92.57 billion ($103.3 billion) in 2019. Nestlé's net profit declined by 3.0% to CHF 12.2 billion ($13.6 billion). The Swiss giant witnessed high retails sales growth throughout 2020 due to increased at-home consumption, whereas out-of-home channel sales fell significantly. For 2020, Nestlé recorded sales of CHF 34 billion ($37.9 billion) in the Americas, representing 4.8% organic growth. Coffee, frozen food and home-baking products saw elevated consumer demand, while its Gerber baby food benefitted from strong sales development in ecommerce and for the organic range. The company witnessed 2.9% organic growth in the EMENA zone to CHF 20.23 billion ($22.57 billion), led by strong performances by pet food, portioned and soluble coffee, as well as vegetarian and plant-based food products. Each region recorded positive growth, with particularly strong momentum in Russia, Germany, the UK and Israel.  Sales in AOA grew organically by 0.5%, with declines in China more than offset by mid-single-digit organic growth in the other regions. Nestlé Health Science saw 12.2% organic growth as consumers turned to products with nutritional benefits. “The global pandemic did not slow us down,” said Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO. "In this unprecedented environment, we achieved our third consecutive year of improvement in organic growth, profitability and return on invested capital." "We advanced our portfolio transformation, continued to build Nestlé Health Science into a nutrition powerhouse and expanded our presence in direct-to-consumer businesses," he added.  Dairy saw high single-digit growth, based on increased demand for home-baking products and fortified affordable milks; while Nespresso posted 7% organic sales growth – the highest level in the last six years – to CHF 5.9 billion ($6.58 billion).  Sales in confectionery and water decreased due to high exposure in out-of-home channels and on-the-go consumption. Yesterday, Nestlé announced that it had agreed tooffload its North American water business to One Rock Capital Partners, in partnership with Metropoulos & Co. for $4.3 billion. In 2020, Nestlé expects continued increase towards a mid-single-digit organic sales growth.

Confectionery brand Happi Free From has launched a new range of vegan and allergen-free Easter eggs. To ensure the range is completely allergen-free, Happi replaces soya lecithin with sunflower lecithin. The eggs feature gluten-free oat milk and rice syrup, as well as 47% single origin chocolate sourced ethically from farmers and growers with a full "farm-to-bar" supply chain. “Why should allergy sufferers and vegans miss out on delicious Easter eggs just because they can't or don't want to consume dairy?” said Gavin Cox, founder of Happi Free From. “Our newly-launched range of Easter eggs is made using oat milk, 47% sustainable cocoa and sunflower lecithin, making them allergen-free and accessible to all." "Not only that, but the chocolate is rich, creamy and delicious, with no compromise on taste; a fantastic alternative for anyone looking for a dairy-free Easter egg this spring,” he added. Available in 170g fully-recyclable boxes, which use zero single-use plastics, Happi Easter eggs come in three flavours: plain milk, orange and salted caramel. The eggs are now on sale in Selfridges and available to all retailers. RRP £9.99 per egg.