Beverages

Starting March 26, 2012 cola lovers everywhere will be invited to get a first taste of new Pepsi NEXT, the first to deliver real cola taste with 60 percent less sugar than Pepsi-Cola.

Key functionality in the new system from HighJump, includes order management, inventory management, route settlement, pricing, promotions and more.

Among optimistic and pessimistic shoppers alike, all indications point to continued frugality and conservatism in 2012. From new product development and technology to store layouts and consumer shopping patterns, here are a few trends that CPG marketers need to actively respond to with products and strategies in 2012.

The Hain Celestial Group announces over 40 new grocery products were launched at Natural Products Expo West earlier this month.

Unilever's Open Innovation team launched a new online platform, which asks experts to help the company find technical solutions it needs to achieve its ambition of doubling the size of its business.

The M&A environment for consumer markets companies is primed for a resurgence in the next two to three years, according to KPMG LLP. Nearly 70 percent of respondents in a recent survey expect their companies to make at least one acquisition in 2012, compared with 57 percent in 2011. Here's a recap of recent M&A activity in consumer goods.

The executive joins the company from Unilever where he served as CEO North America, overlooking Unilever's operations in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.