Mars joins Hershey and Ferrero in race for the digital impulse purchases
Mars taps into Instagram Shop in time for Halloween to reach billions of global users, following its predictions on digital commerce’s influence on product discovery.
AI
Dairy Innovations
Danone’s AI commerce goal: ‘Trusted by machines and desired by humans’
At Groceryshop, Arthur Sylvestre outlined why internal alignment, digital consistency and consumer needs – not the latest technology – are guiding Danone’s strategy
Can AI stop seasonal promotions wasting money?
AI can help brands create seasonal campaigns and check whether stores deliver them, but faster marketing won’t rescue an offer shoppers can’t find or don’t want
AI shopping assistants could become the next retail media battleground
The technology promises convenience and personalization, but critics say it may deepen existing pay-to-play dynamics between retailers and brands
Spins leverages vast datasets with new AI product discovery tool
As AI assistants reshape product discovery, the retail analytics firm is using its datasets to help CPG companies improve their visibility in AI-driven shopping results
Barry Callebaut’s move beyond chocolate fails to convince investors
Chocolate producer’s transition into complete product solutions is designed to unlock growth, but investors remain unconvinced
Global Food Tech Awards
Global Food Tech Awards APAC: Meet the 5 startups on this year’s shortlist
Take a glimpse at what the future of food will look like, starting with these five APAC startups tackling waste, compliance and metabolic health
Mars predicts a future of automated and immersive retail
Agentic technology is increasingly shaping what consumers expect from their shopping experience as household staples are relegated to automated replenishment while immersive spaces are designed to drive discovery and spotlight viral trends
Chobani ranks higher in AI referrals than e-commerce sales: Euromonitor explains how
The analytics firm offers four strategies for positioning CPG for AI discovery
Pladis sales pass £3.3bn but profits take a hit
Pladis doubles down on growth, investing in brands, manufacturing networks and sustainable ambitions
Science Shorts: Yili dairy tech, climate research and cultivated meat
Yili dairy tech, climate research and cultivated meat feature in this edition of Science Shorts
Are consumers really asking AI what snacks to eat?
From protein targets to dietary restrictions, shoppers can now describe what they need and get a shortlist of snacks in return but the effect on sales is still unclear
Flavors of the future: global inspiration meets local innovation
Flavor via fermentation reaches new efficiency with AI
AI simulations could help Crush Dynamics reduce energy use by an expected 30% while optimizing fermented grape purées and powders used to reduce sugar and sodium in food formulations
Walmart’s tech expansion a boon for startup CPGs
Upgrades to the retail giant’s distribution network and increased adoption of its AI chatbot Sparky are enabling a broader product assortment
The race to reinvent confectionery is on
From multisensory experiences to AI-powered product development, innovation is reshaping the confectionery industry
Inside Yili’s push to reinvent dairy with technology
After claiming the title of the ‘World Dairy Capital’ for its home ground in the city of Hohhot, Yili is now pushing to live up to this title via comprehensive dairy digitalisation
AI identifies nearly 800 plant proteins for next generation of meat substitutes
Such plant proteins could offer food manufacturers new clean-label emulsifiers for plant-based products
Can food brands survive the rise of agentic commerce?
As AI agents begin to take over food shopping, food brands face a new challenge: winning over algorithms as well as consumers. Bramble Intelligence’s Chris Mitchell explains what will define the next era of commerce
Top 10 shortlist announced for FoodNavigator’s Global Food Tech Awards EMEA heat
The 2026 shortlist of startups take on industry challenges around scalable food waste reduction, nutrition and food safety
Mondelēz accelerates premiumisation drive
From Cadbury and Oreo to Toblerone and Côte d’Or, Mondelēz encourages consumers to trade up as it doubles down on premiumisation
Gen Alpha’s early eating habits offer a roadmap for the future of snacking
NIQ research finds that children are already thinking about ingredients, nutrition and the benefits they want from snacks, which could shape the category as they gain purchasing power
‘Worth it’ replaces ‘more is more’ as indulgence evolves
Confectionery indulgence is shifting from ‘more is more’ to ‘worth it’ as consumers prioritise quality, experience, wellness and sustainability
Mars at 115: Shaping the future of confectionery
From a small-town America to the world’s biggest confectionery company, Mars mark 115 years of family ownership and industry influence
Walmart to deploy 90 million Wiliot IoT tags by end of 2026
Driven by next-generation IoT pixels that monitor cold chain compliance for perishables, Wiliot cements its status as a retail logistics powerhouse
IFT FIRST
Ingredion: Better-for-you foods hinge on texture as much as nutrition
As consumers push for less sugar and cleaner labels, thin beverages and chalky proteins can derail a product’s success
The new beverage battleground is in AI recommendations vs. shelf space
AI is recognizing brands that solve a problem, according to new data
As AI carts enter stores, brands face a new battle for visibility
Are AI carts helping brands sell more products, or are they helping shoppers become smarter, more value conscious buyers?
Nestlé’s turnaround gains momentum despite profit drop
Nestlé delivers stronger organic growth and improving volumes in H1 2026, but net profit falls 31.4%
CEO shuffle at Syngenta nets ADM a new executive
Agriculture company Syngenta names a new leader in anticipation of its Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing, with its former chief executive leaving to ADM