Milling & Baking News Corporate Profiles - October 2011 - (Page 28)

Prepared Foods taste- and health-driven audience.” According to Mintel, shelf-stable meals also are becoming of more interest to consumers, and this segment is driven by Kraft Foods Inc., Northfield, Ill.; ConAgra; and Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn. These meals are growing the most among the Hispanic population. Overall, taste is the biggest barrier to consumption in the segment as 39% of those who do not use shelf-stable meals said they do not like the taste. Also, about a third of those who don’t consume shelf-stable meals believe they are too expensive, do not have good quality or are not healthy. Mr. Browne said there is more opportunity for all-natural frozen meals in the future. But overall, he has seen more innovation in meal components as opposed to entire frozen meals, and there might be a bigger opportunity for such products in the future. Refrigerated meals, including private label, are another avenue of growth. Mintel expects positive but nearly flat growth in frozen meals for the next five years, and Mr. Browne described the outlook for the category as “cautionary.” CP LEADING FROZEN HANDHELD entrees vendors Dollar sales $636,980,400 $108,864,500 $67,823,850 $66,627,910 $50,913,560 $45,607,070 $43,432,860 $40,686,870 $34,840,310 $48,144,600 $1,358,843,000 LEADING FROZEN HANDHELD % change from year ago -5.2% 4.3% 10.5% 4.5% 4.4% -0.3% 17.0% -11.3% 11.3% 27.7% 2.2% entrees brands 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Nestle USA, Inc. Ruiz Food Products, Inc. White Castle System, Inc. Sara Lee Food & Beverage Foster Poultry Farms J.M. Smucker Co. Camino Real Foods, Inc. Windsor Foods, Inc. Amy’s Kitchen, Inc. Private label Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hot Pockets Lean Pockets El Monterey White Castle State Fair Stouffer’s Corner Bistro Foster Farms Smucker’s Uncrustables Amy’s Private label Total % change from Dollar sales year ago $338,946,300 -3.0% $130,971,000 -18.9% $108,863,600 4.3% $67,823,850 10.5% $64,771,600 4.9% $56,326,670 -3.7% $50,760,840 4.2% $45,607,070 -0.3% $34,418,440 11.5% $48,144,600 27.7% $1,358,843,000 2.2% Data for 52 weeks ended Aug. 7, 2011 Total U.S. - Supermarkets, Drugstores and Mass Merchandisers excluding Wal-Mart Source: SymphonyIRI Soup Soup Campbell working to reinvigorate soup sales after several years of category weakness ampbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J., has been working to bring more momentum to its simple meals category as it has showed weakness and declines in recent years. But despite its efforts, earnings were down 11% in the company’s U.S. Simple Meals segment for the year ended July 31. C One of the biggest efforts Campbell has taken in an effort to boost the segment is the “It’s Amazing What Soup Can Do” advertising campaign, which is entering its second year. “We are expanding our ‘It’s Amazing What Soup Can Do’ advertising campaign, based upon the positive consumer reaction we received last year,” said Ed Carolan, vicepresident and general manager of soup and simple meals. “We intend to focus more of our efforts on brand-building activities to drive growth for our brands in the marketplace. People are going to see that Campbell offers an array of soups that meet 28 \ October 2011 Milling & Baking News • Food Business News • Baking & Snack • Meat & Poultry Corporate Proﬁles

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Milling & Baking News Corporate Profiles - October 2011

Milling & Baking News Corporate Profiles - October 2011