Kellanova

IRI, Kline to Provide Expanded OTC Coverage

Chicago-based shopper insights provider IRI and pharmaceutical market research firm Kline & Co., Parsippany, New Jersey, have partnered to provide the consumer healthcare industry a higher level of data accuracy, the companies said.

Many small, organic food companies start with a homegrown story that appeals to its consumer base, however, major consumer goods powerhouses have been recently vacuuming up these niche players. Giants like Coke, General Mills and Kellogg have recently expanded their organic portfolios through acquisition with rumors of more to come. With the risk of being called a sell out, is teaming up with bigger companies better for growth, or is it a death sentence for these smaller players?

As the sole managed services partner for all of Kellogg's digital marketing properties, Mindtree will support Kellogg's industry leading digital initiatives with more than 100 monthly production deployments.

General Mills will close a cereal plant and a yogurt factory - eliminating up to 600 jobs - in an effort to cut costs and offset the sluggish U.S. demand for cereal and other packaged foods.

Cereal maker Post Holdings Inc. will acquire privately held MOM Brands Co. for $1.15 billion to expand its growing bagged and hot cereal categories.

Bisco Misr is the number one packaged biscuits company in Egypt with approximately 3,300 employees and three manufacturing facilities.

From acquisitions and divestitures to name changes and new leadership appointments, 2013 was full of memorable moments. This annual list of the top publicly traded consumer goods companies provides a snapshot of organizations that succeeded in upping their growth games.

Analysts Alexia Howard and April Scee weigh in on the hottest consumer trends, the rise of niche brands and future M&A activity.