Supply Chain & Merchandising

According to AMR Research, trade funds investments can account for 15 percent of a consumer goods (CG) company's revenue, and the total spent on advertising, marketing and promotions by CG companies is an estimated $250 billion annually.

A re-cap of the year's must-attend industry event

The Customer Management Award is presented to a consumer goods firm for the successful execution of a sales and/or marketing effort throughout its entire customer base to achieve superior results.

Heineken is taking its promotions to a more responsible level by including a message on all Heineken brand bottles and cans worldwide that invites consumers to visit a newly developed responsible consumption Web site.

In an effort to get closer to its customers, optimize its supply chain and become a low-cost supplier, Diageo North America tapped into a collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) program with its distributors.

Hormel's Competitive Edge Hormel Foods Corporation sinks its teeth into Interactive Edge's XP3 Suite to better analyze syndicated scan and panel data and to automate the updating of its customer business planner.

Even though most diet fads come and go faster than a Britney Spears wedding ceremony, there appears to be one universal mission statement about health that rings true from sea to shining sea: A well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise are key ingredients to a quality life.

While profitability is the key to the success of any company, it is measured in a variety of ways across different areas.