Heineken  has announced that it will cut 8,000 jobs as part of a strategy to restore its operating margins to pre-pandemic levels. The Dutch brewer saw its net revenue fall by 11.9% to €19.72 billion in 2020. Operating profit for the full-year was €2.42 billion, representing an organic decrease of 35.6% as all regions witnessed declines amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Loss in operating profit was in particular driven by performance in Europe – due to on-trade closures – Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia. Operations in Mexico were suspended throughout most of the second quarter, while South Africa experienced a Covid-related suspension of all alcohol companies in Q2 and a ban on the sale of alcohol. Indonesia suffered from lockdown impacts throughout most of the year and the absence of international tourism in the key Bali region. Heineken first announced that it would cut jobs at its head and regional offices in 2021 during its Q3 results last year. Under CEO Dolf van den Brink’s EverGreen plan, the company says it will save €2 billion over the three years to 2023. The company's consolidated beer volumes declined organically by 8.1% for the full-year. Premium beer volume outperformed the broader portfolio in the majority of its markets with a mid-single digit decline overall. In Africa, Middle East & Eastern Europe, volumes fell organically by 9.2%. The Americas recorded a 7.5% decline, while Asia Pacific saw a 7.9% drop and Europe an 8.2% decline. Meanwhile, the Heineken brand grew double-digits in 25 markets including Brazil, China, the UK, Poland, Singapore, Nigeria and Germany. The non-alcoholic variant Heineken 0.0 – which has now rolled out in 84 markets – grew strong double-digits with growth in all regions and a significantly good performance in Brazil, Mexico and the USA.  While the second half of the year benefitted from a good summer with some easing of operating constraints including in the European on-trade, the fourth-quarter reflects the impact of renewed restrictions in all regions, particularly in Europe with closure of the on-trade. Cider volume declined in the high-teens to 4.6 million hectolitres due to pub closures in the UK and alcohol sales restrictions in South Africa. Strongbow grew double-digits in Mexico and Russia. All together, Heineken’s direct-to-consumer platforms, Beerwulf, Six2Go and Drinkies tripled the number of orders from consumers in the year. Heineken expects the pandemic to continue to impact its business in the first-half of 2021 and market conditions to gradually improve in the second part of the year. The company expects revenue, operating profit and operating profit margin to stay below the level of 2019.

New dairy-free brand SweetPea has launched a range of plant-based frozen desserts made with chickpeas, which it claims are still ‘unbelievably creamy’. The new US brand says its plant-based ice cream alternative contains half the calories, half the fat and all the taste of dairy ice cream. SweetPea’s line of dairy-free frozen desserts comes in nine flavours: vanilla, peanut butter, cold brew, mango peach, cookies and cream, salted caramel praline, chocolate, cookie dough, and raspberry and pie pieces. "We're excited to finally share SweetPea with ice cream lovers everywhere," said SweetPea co-founder Heather Romens. She added: "It was important for us to provide a non-dairy frozen dessert that is both delicious and can be enjoyed by everyone. It took us a number of years, a lot of hard work, experimentation and taste tests to get SweetPea just right. I'm happy to report that it has been well worth the wait.” SweetPea is now available to order online for nationwide delivery and the brand anticipates in-store availability later this year.

The Coca-Cola Company has recorded a 11% decline in net revenue for the full-year, following ‘incremental pressure’ amid the pandemic during Q4. The company posted full-year net revenues of $33 billion and operating income of $8.997 billion, representing an 11% drop since the same time last year . Coca-Cola says that while volumes broadly remained resilient particularly in at-home channels, it experienced incremental pressure in December and into the early part of this year due to a resurgence of the coronavirus in many parts of the world. The company witnessed its net revenue drop by 5% in Q4, which is less steep than previous quarters. Global unit case volume declined 3% in Q4 and 6% for the full-year, as continued strength in at-home channels was more than offset by coronavirus pressure in away-from-home channels. Sparkling soft drinks fell 4% for the full year due to pressure in the fountain business in North America and away-from-home channels in Western Europe. This was partially offset by growth in China, Brazil and Nigeria. During 2020, Coca-Cola says it prioritised its core brands which resulted in Trademark Coca-Cola volume growing 4% for the year, led by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Despite a ‘solid performance’ by its Simply and Fairlife brands in North America, the company's juice, dairy and plant-based beverages were offset by a decline in Minute Maid in the fountain business, resulting in a 9% drop in 2020. Water, enhanced water and sports drinks declined 11% for the year, while tea and coffee fell 17%, primarily driven by coronavirus-related pressure on the company’s Costa retail stores. Coca-Cola’s global ventures unit saw its revenue decline by 22% due to Covid-19 pressure on Costa retail stores; nevertheless, Costa Express machines in the UK performed well.   For the full-year, Europe, Middle East & Africa net revenues fell 14%, Latin America declined 15%, North America 4%, Asia Pacific 11% and bottling investments 16%. The owner of Sprite and Smartwater says it has continued to make progress in establishing its networked organisational model, which became effective 1 January 2021.  James Quincey, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, said: "The progress we made in 2020, including the actions taken to accelerate the transformation of our company, gives us confidence in returning to growth in the year ahead. While near-term uncertainty remains, we are well-positioned to emerge stronger from the crisis, driven by our purpose and our beverages for life ambition." While there are still uncertainties related to the pandemic, Coca-Cola has reinstated its guidance and is providing its 2021 outlook as it expects to record high-single-digit organic revenue growth.

Conagra Brands-owned Snack Pack has partnered with Mondelēz International's Sour Patch Kids candy brand to launch new 'sour and sweet' Juicy Gels. The new offering is available in Redberry and Blue Raspberry flavours, and is made with real sugar and no high-fructose corn syrup, according to Conagra Brands. The gels are also said to be gluten free and kosher, and contain 0g of fat and 100 calories per serving. “When it comes to snacking, consumers are looking for fun new ways to enjoy their everyday favourites,” said Audrey Ingersoll, brand director on Snack Pack. “The partnership between Conagra's Snack Pack and Mondelēz's Sour Patch Kids leverages famous attributes from these iconic brands to deliver an unexpected and truly fun snacking experience." Mili Laddha, associate director of marketing at Mondelēz International, added: "At Sour Patch Kids, we're all about showing up for our fans in new and exciting ways. "We know how much they love the 'sour then sweet' taste so we are always looking to provide them with unique experiences outside of candy that help continue fuelling that fandom. “We can't wait for them to now be able to find Sour Patch Kids in the pudding and gels aisle through our partnership with Conagra.” With an SRP of $2.79 per pack, Snack Pack Sour Patch Kids Juicy Gels are rolling out to grocery stores and mass retailers in the US, as well as select online retailers.

Kraft Heinz has launched a new line of single-serve cheesecakes under its Philadelphia cream cheese brand across the US. Philadelphia Cheesecake Crumble is a new line of three-layer cheesecakes featuring fruit or chocolate sauce on the bottom, a creamy cheesecake filling and a graham cracker or cookie crumble topping. The new dessert range comes in four flavours: original, strawberry, cherry and chocolate hazelnut. Available in packs of two, convenient single-serve cups, Philadelphia’s marketing strategy focuses on providing couples with an escape from ‘the last-bite dilemma’, considering many argue over sharing desserts. To ensure that sharing dessert is not an issue for couples on Valentines Day, the makers of Philadelphia are offering free Philadelphia Cheesecake Crumble this week while supplies last. The cheesecake cups are also available at retailers nationwide for an RRP of $3.99.

PepsiCo has announced that products sold under the Aunt Jemima name will be rebranded as Pearl Milling Company. Products branded with the Pearl Milling Company name, including pancake mixes, syrups and flour, will start to arrive on the market in June. PepsiCo’s Quaker Oats subsidiary acknowledged that "Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype", when it announced that it would replace and retire the range last year. The Aunt Jemima logo featured an image of an African American woman named after a character from 19th-century minstrel shows, which negatively caricatured people of African descent. Quaker has already transitioned away from the imagery, and in this new announcement, PepsiCo said that products will continue to be available under the Aunt Jemima name without the character image until June, when Pearl Milling Company-branded products hit shelves. Though new to stores, Pearl Milling Company was founded in 1888 in Missouri, and was the originator of the self-rising pancake mix that would later become known as Aunt Jemima. Throughout the effort that led to the new name, PepsiCo says that Quaker worked to gather a range of perspectives, including from consumers and external cultural experts, in an effort to “ensure the new brand was developed with inclusivity in mind”. In the coming weeks, Pearl Milling Company will announce the details of a new $1 million commitment that will aim to empower black women and girls.

Mexican grocery delivery start-up Jüsto has secured $65 million in funding, marking what it claims is the largest Series A round raised in Latin America. The round was led by equity firm General Atlantic, with participation from existing investors including Foundation Capital and Mountain Nazca. Founded in 2019, Jüsto was one of Mexico’s first vertically-integrated online grocery platforms with no physical store presence. The company offers a broad range of products from both large consumer product companies and smaller local producers. Jüsto plans to use the capital to fuel its geographic expansion across Mexico and Latin America, as well as to enhance its last-mile logistics infrastructure and marketing initiatives. Since its inception, the company has raised more than $100 million including a $27 million seed round last year led by Foundation Capital and Mountain Nazca. According to Jüsto, its revenue grew by 16-times in 2020. “Our mission at Jüsto is to become Latin America’s favourite supermarket within the next decade. We strongly believe that this vision, combined with our expertise in technology, logistics, and customer service, will lead to an even more seamless, more affordable online shopping experience for our consumers,” said Ricardo Weder, founder and CEO of Jüsto. He added: “We are beyond thrilled to take our vision to the next level alongside General Atlantic and look forward to harnessing the firm’s global resources and expertise in consumer businesses and technological enablement to aid Jüsto in meeting the rapidly-growing demand for our services.” Jüsto marks General Atlantic’s fifth investment in Mexico since 2014, when the equity firm first entered the country. Luis Cervantes, managing director and head of Mexico City at General Atlantic, said: “Mexico is at an inflection point in its transition to a digital economy, and we see Jüsto as leading the way in the high-growth online grocery space with its technology-centric, mission-driven approach. “Under Ricardo’s leadership, we believe Jüsto is positioned for significant expansion as it disrupts and transforms the legacy grocery value chain.” As part of the transaction, Luis Cervantes and Zeev Thepris, vice president at General Atlantic, will join Jüsto’s board of directors.

The Coca-Cola Company has announced that it is shifting to recycled plastic (rPET) bottles for several of its drink brands across the US. Coca-Cola will first introduce the new 13.2oz ‘sip-sized’ bottles made from 100% rPET (excluding the cap and label) for its Coca-Cola trademark brands. Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Flavors will roll out the new bottle starting this month in select states in the Northeast, Florida and California. Fanta bottles will also be available. In California and New York, 20oz rPET bottles will also be available across the same brands and will roll out this spring in Texas. Brands such as Dasani and Smartwater will follow suit with 20oz rPET bottles launching in March and July, respectively. In February, select markets will roll out a new 13.2oz clear Spite bottle, making it easier to be recycled and remade into new bottles. All Sprite packaging will transition to clear packaging by the end of 2022. Coca-Cola says combined, the packaging shifts will represent a more than 20% reduction in its use of new plastic across its North American portfolio compared to 2018 – an estimated reduction of 10,000 metric tons in GHG emissions annually. The introduction of rPET bottles in the company’s home market follows similar moves abroad such as Western Europe, bringing the total to 19 markets globally. In the summer, the new ‘conveniently sized and sippable packaging’ will roll out across additional sparkling beverage brands nationwide. “On-the-go consumers have been telling us they want an option like this, because it’s just the right amount for the ‘snacking’ occasion. We believe this innovation delivers the double benefit of convenience and sustainability,” said Tammy Lee, brand manager, Coca-Cola Trademark. The shift comes after Coca-Cola pledged to make 100% of the packaging recyclable by 2025 and to use 50% recycled material in bottles and cans by 2030. “Given our scale and resources, we realise our unique opportunity and clear responsibility to make a positive difference in the global plastic crisis, bringing us closer to our ambitious World Without Waste goals,” said Alpa Sutaria, VP and general manager, sustainability, North America unit at The Coca-Cola Company. Each 100% rPET bottle will feature on cap messaging, as well as a “Recycle Me Again” message on the label to encourage consumers to recycle their bottles and support closed-loop recycling systems.

Next Frontier Brands has announced its acquisition of distilled non-alcoholic spirit producer, Fluère Drinks. Distilled in the Netherlands, Fluère’s beverages are available in more than 30 countries, including throughout the Asia Pacific region, and in the UK and the US. The brand’s portfolio includes Original, Spiced Cane Dark Roast and Raspberry Blend non-alcoholic spirits, as well as a Smoked Agave mezcal alternative, which Fluère launched last year. Following the acquisition, Fluère will be sold through Next Frontier Brands’ global distribution network.    “Fluère is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the distilled non-alcoholic spirits category,” said Leon Meijers, founder and CEO of Fluère. "We have created a suite of non-alcoholic beverages that deliver an exceptional experience to the sophisticated consumer.” Jason Roth, chief strategy officer for Next Frontier Brands, added: “Fluere's products provide consumers with a great-tasting non-alcoholic alternative to traditional distilled spirits and position Next Frontier Brands to compete effectively at the intersection of beverage and wellness.” Next Frontier Brands, a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company with a focus on beverages and wellness products, says that Fluère is the seventh addition in the past eight months to its portfolio of FMCG challenger brands. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Private equity firm Highview Capital has announced its purchase of Randall Farms, a US provider of fresh poultry and meat products, for an undisclosed sum. Randall Farms partners with grocery customers to provide all types of processed and value-added meats including fresh prepared meals and marinated, ready-to-cook offerings. The company operates in California, the Pacific Northwest, Arizona, Texas, Nevada and New Mexico. Highview Capital bought Randall Farms from the family of Stan Bloom, whose father Sid founded the business. “My family founded Randall Farms in 1952 as a small poultry farm raising chickens to sell to local supermarkets,” said Bloom. He added: “I’m so proud of all of our team’s hard work and how far we’ve come to become an established partner of choice to grocery stores looking for affordable, value-added protein offerings. “As the company sits on the cusp of its next phase of growth, we are thrilled to have found a new owner in Highview that strongly believes in the business and has the tools necessary to take it to the next level.” Following its acquisition, Highview plans to invest in scaling Randall Farms by expanding its geographic reach and product offering. Randall Farms will join Highview’s portfolio that includes GS Foods, a family of specialised food service distribution companies including its subsidiaries Gold Star Foods and Good Source Solutions. Steve Russell, senior portfolio manager of Highview Capital, added: “We have long admired the Randall business and its rich, customer-centric heritage. This is clearly a special company, and we look forward to working with Randall’s leadership to invest in the business for the future while honouring its outstanding legacy."

Campbell-owned Snyder's of Hanover has added three new Twisted Pretzel Sticks flavours to its snack portfolio in the US.  The new additions come in response to demand for snacks with more intense flavours and complex textures and include jalapeno ranch, sour cream & onion and extreme seasoned. Featuring a new and improved taste, the snacks are twisted and slow baked for a unique ‘melt in your mouth’ crunch. Jalapeno ranch offers a balanced spicy snack, while extreme seasoned features a buttery blend of spices including onion, garlic and pepper. The new Twisted Pretzel sticks are available now for an RRP of $3.89 per 12oz bag. They follow Snyder's of Hanover’s launch of milk chocolate covered pretzel balls last year.

Unilever has expanded its Marmite portfolio with a new limited-edition chilli-flavoured variant. Offering “an explosion of flavour”,  Marmite Dynamite is said to be rich in B vitamins and is vegan. The new product is the latest in a series of limited-edition Marmite flavours, with previous launches including champagne and Guinness Marmite.  With an RRP of £3.99 per jar, Marmite Dynamite is available for six months as an exclusive with Sainsbury’s. Last year, Unilever launched Marmite Peanut Butter Smooth in the UK, which joined a crunchy variant in the Marmite peanut butter line.