Tasty Tidbits

• Despite losing 7% of its highly loyal customers according to Catalina Marketing Corp. study, J.M. Smucker Co. has announced its fiscal 4th-quarter profit more than doubled, led by the consumer trend of eating more meals at home, plus the company’s acquisition of the Folgers coffee brand last year, which grew at more than 2x the coffee category. Sales increased by 81% to $1.07bn from $590MM. Not surprisingly, the company says it will concentrate on the Folgers product line in the coming year.

• Safeway is the latest chain to embrace digital coupons for cell phones and computers. A partnership with Cellfire Inc. will load discounts onto a shopper’s savings card at more than 1,500 stores and deduct them at checkout. The price reductions will be printed on their receipt to reinforce the value proposition. Cellfire has already partnered with Kroger. The service is free to consumers, though standard texting and data rates may apply. The company claims redemption rates on digital coupons are as high as 15-20% compared with less than 1% on paper coupons.

• An agreement between the U.S. and Canada permits each nation’s certified organic products to be purchased in either nation with the organic label, thus aiding organic farmers in both countries.

• International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has developed six artificial flavor profiles designed to mimic the characteristics of fresh-cooked beef prepared in different ways: rare, marrow bone bouillon, stewed, boiled, grilled and roast. In a flair of marketing hocus-pocus, they claim this will answer consumer calls for more natural foods.

• Kroger is expanding its Comforts line of infant & toddler foods with a $10,000 scholarship contest.

• Kraft has announced an expanded frozen pizza production plants in Little Chute and Medford, WI (with promises to use 75%+ of the cheese used on its pizzas from Wisconsin). According to Information Resources, Inc., Kraft is the #1 frozen pizza marketer with sales of $1.2bn for the 52 weeks ending May 17. It’s pizza brands include DiGiorno, licensed California Pizza Kitchen, Tombstone and Jack’s.

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