Canadian cannabis company Tilray acquired hemp-food manufacturer Manitoba Harvest for up to $316 million. Manitoba Harvest sells hemp-based granola, protein powder, milk and other food products at more than 13,000 points of sale across the U.S. Manitoba Harvest plans to launch a line of products containing CBD and Tilray is looking closely at developing hemp-processing facilities in the U.S., reported The Seattle Times.
Refresco acquired Cott Corp.’s soft drink concentrate business and its RCI International division for $50 million and immediately sold the RCI division to RC Global Beverages. Refresco will keep the concentrate manufacturing business, expecting it to fit with its current business model.
The retailer is on a mission to reformat its stores to push pickup and delivery shopping options, which will then drive more online business, which will then bring in more online advertising revenue, which it can then use to invest more in the online-offline capabilities.
Americans consume most of their condiments at home but do much of their experimenting with new flavors and sauces while dining out, according to Datassential’s Condiments, Sauces, and Dressings Keynote Report. Younger consumers are driving demand for ethnic sauces like salsa roja, and consumers of all ages are getting more comfortable with such nontraditional sauce uses as ranch with pizza and tzatziki with french fries.
According to a study, the largest U.S. makers of at-home tissue products—Procter & Gamble Co., Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Georgia-Pacific—use only virgin fiber in their major brands, and no recycled content, a vast sustainability gap compared to other brands that use all recycled fiber.
Newer health attributes will make products stand out in an increasing wellness-oriented market.
Nestlé will launch its KitKat green tea matcha bar in Europe, responding to consumer requests to make innovative KitKat flavours available outside Japan.
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) is expanding its Monster Energy portfolio in the UK with the launch of a new ready-to-drink coffee drink range, designed to appeal to coffee drinkers and energy drink lovers alike.
British start-up Nice aims to disrupt the wine industry with the launch of a pale rosé and a sauvignon blanc in cans, rolling out to 600 Sainsbury’s stores.
The discount chain will open locations in Helena and Billings next month, expanding its presence to 10 states throughout the western U.S.