Walmart

2011 has been an exciting and transformational year in the consumer goods industry. Here, we revisit a handful of the biggest news stories from Walmart's decision to finally share POS data to Kraft Foods big split which will undoubtedly have a continuing impact on the state of the industry.

CGT honors 15 consumer goods companies for excellence in their innovation, supply chain, customer management and growth strategies.

Store closings slowed in 2010 compared in 2009 with most retailers executing growth strategies to match a new kind of consumer. Walmart, for example, is now banking on a new store format to boost sales.

The two free applications are the first of several mobile products to be rolled out from the recently formed @WalmartLabs group under Walmarts Global eCommerce unit.

Walmart U.S. has delivered three consecutive months of positive same store sales. That means big plans for growth through 2013 even though operating expenditures will decrease significantly. New stores will add between 45 and 49 million square feet worldwide in the next fiscal year. The company also forecasted sales growth between 5 and 7 percent for fiscal year 2013.

In the consumer goods community, leaders know that keeping your success a secret can be a detriment to your business. Luckily, many are more than open to not only sharing but celebrating the best practices of their peers. Case in point: CGT received more than 50 nominations for its annual Business & Technology Leadership Awards. In the end, only nine companies were named winners. Find out who they are after the jump.