Andrea Bastoni

This week in Trieste, BAT Italia announced two major developments that reflect our strategic vision for sustainable growth and shared value creation across the country.   We’ve renewed our Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, committing to purchase up to 15,000 tons of high-quality Italian tobacco between 2026 and 2028. This agreement supports more than 400 companies and 6,000 workers across Veneto, Umbria, and Campania, strengthening a supply chain that’s evolving through innovation, precision farming, and the leadership of a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.   At the same time, we unveiled the expansion of the A Better Tomorrow™ Innovation Hub in Trieste. The site will grow to 30,000 sqm, adding 16 new production lines dedicated to New Category products and creating 150 new jobs by 2026. These new lines will complement those already producing modern oral nicotine pouches distributed in Italy and 14 other European countries, as well as the recently launched line for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.   This expansion, two years ahead of schedule, will double our production capacity and reinforce Trieste’s role as a strategic global centre for BAT.    A huge congratulations to everyone involved in bringing these milestones to life, and thank you to our teams and partners for helping us Build a Smokeless World.   #BATItalia #ABetterTomorrow #Innovation #Sustainability #Trieste #Manufacturing

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Did you know that 85% of Mars products sold in the European Union are produced locally within the EU, which is also an export hub to over 100 markets around the world? We recently announced that Mars is investing €1 billion to boost manufacturing and innovation across the European Union by the end of 2026. This investment will build on the €1.5 billion we invested in the region over the past five years, supporting consumer-driven innovation, economic growth, resilience, and modern, energy-efficient infrastructure. With more than 90 years in Europe, this investment will support our 24 factories across 10 EU countries and the 25,000 Associates we employ in our direct operations.   A great example of what this investment is helping us to achieve, is our recent announcement that all ten Mars Snacking factories in Europe are now powered by renewable energy. This covers the annual production of around 900,000 tonnes of some of the region’s favorite brands, including SNICKERS®, TWIX®, M&M’s®, SKITTLES® and ORBIT®/EXTRA®.   You can read more about our investment in the EU here: https://lnkd.in/eP-BQwN2 and about our EU Snacking factories being fully powered by renewable energy here https://lnkd.in/eVEjNBC6 #ProudlyMars

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Red Bull has retained its crown as the most valuable energy drink brand in the world in 2025, according to the Brand Finance Food & Drink report. The Austrian-born giant recorded a 16% rise in brand value to USD 9.7 billion, securing its place as the #4 most valuable non-alcoholic drinks brand overall. With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.1 out of 100, Red Bull ranks among the top three strongest brands globally. The company’s market reach is unmatched in its category, operating in over 170 countries and selling more than 12 billion cans annually. Brand Finance research shows Red Bull achieves perfect 10/10 domestic scores for reliability, likeability, and recommendation, reflecting its unwavering consumer trust. While The Coca-Cola Company remains the leader in the non-alcoholic drinks sector for the 11th year running, with a brand value of USD 46.3 billion (+32%), and PepsiCo follows at USD 22.6 billion (+12%), Red Bull performance in the high-energy segment is particularly remarkable. Unlike many rivals, Red Bull has maintained its independence, thriving alongside corporate giants in a fiercely competitive market. The 2025 rankings also highlight Nongfu Spring of China, now in third place with USD 11.1 billion (+34%), and the UK’s Yorkshire Tea as the fastest growing brand (+93%). However, in the energy drinks category, no brand comes close to Red Bull Bull’s global recognition, lifestyle integration, and consistent growth. In 2025, the wings are still firmly with Red Bull. Monster Energy Gatorade Dominicana Dr Pepper Snapple Group Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. Nescafe Hub Nestlé Sprite Eastroc Beverage Kagome Co., Ltd. Kagome Australia Grupo Peñafiel Asahi Group Holdings Coca-Cola FEMSA PepsiCo #RedBull #EnergyDrinks #BrandFinance2025 #BeverageIndustry #BrandValue #GlobalBrands #BrandStrength #BeverageTrends #ConsumerTrust #EnergyDrinkLeader

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Food is quietly outperforming. Unilever’s H1 2025 results prove that. Food beat personal care, home care, and even beauty in underlying sales growth. Foods USG: +2.2% Ice Cream USG: +5.9% - the highest across all categories! What does this actually mean? •⁠ ⁠Indulgence is now routine. Ice cream is no longer just a Sunday reward or a party dessert - it’s become a midweek craving, definitely beyond an occasional celebration. •⁠ ⁠Flavour-first “shortcuts” are winning. Products like spicy mayo, truffle drizzles, or curry pastes are replacing long prep. •⁠ ⁠Habit is beating novelty. The brands growing fastest aren’t launching 20 new things - they’re doubling down on the 3 - 5 products that keep getting reordered. As someone building in this space, I find this interesting because every two years you'll see food bump up with a new trend. At the end of the day, we cannot forget food is emotion, utility, and identity - all rolled into one. (dropping the link to the report in the comments)

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This interesting chart “Price increases sustain growth amid falling volumes” shows 2025 Q2 value vs. volume growth for top 11 CPG companies and tells a clear, timely story about how major consumer brands are navigating inflation and changing demand. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 • Most large CPGs (Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Mondelēz International, Mondelēz International, Kraft Heinz, Colgate-Palmolive‑Palmolive, Procter & Gamble) are showing value growth while volumes are flat or falling (Revenue growth is being sustained mainly through price and mix, not higher unit sales) • A smaller group ( Danone, Unilever, L'Oréal) is achieving both value and volume growth — a sign of successful innovation, premiumization, geographic or channel momentum, or stronger consumer relevance. • General Mills sits in the worst quadrant — declines in both value and volume — highlighting vulnerability where pricing power and demand are both under pressure. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙋𝙂 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 • 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦: pricing discipline and portfolio/mix management are essential to protect revenue and margins. • 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦/𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦: real, sustainable growth requires innovation, stronger relevance, and distribution/channel plays that drive volume. • 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬: urgent focus on SKU rationalization, targeted promotions, and marketing to rebuild relevance — plus cost/operational fixes to preserve margin. 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.. 🤔 1️⃣Do you think this will hold true in Q3 and Q4, especially since some companies failed to meet the high expectations they had for the back-to-school (BTS) season? 2️⃣What patterns are you seeing in your category or region, and which tactics are actually moving the needle? #Retail #Strategy #Sales #Planning #Marketing #Business #Growth #StrategicThinking #FMCG

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I take a keen interest in market trends and hence look forward to reading the Whole Foods Market Trends Forecast. This year’s report highlights a clear shift in consumer priorities toward meals that are not only healthy and convenient, but are also rich in flavour and quality. At Mars Food & Nutrition, we recognize that today’s consumers lead increasingly busy lives, and their demand for tasty, accessible and healthy meals is reshaping the food landscape. Our innovations - from Ben’s Original Street Food and Seeds of Change Protein Bowls to Kevin’s Natural Foods frozen entrée bowls - reflect this evolution, as we look to offer solutions that meet these demands. For the food industry at large, this latest forecast shows convenience and health must go hand in hand to meet modern lifestyles. The growing focus on fiber, instant meals, and elevated frozen food, reflects a broader transformation towards more accessible nutrition. As we move forward, the industry must continue to innovate with purpose, delivering products that satisfy consumers’ evolving expectations, in a way that is sustainable for people and the planet. At Mars Food & Nutrition, we are proud to help lead this charge, committed to shaping a future where better food today means a better world tomorrow. I invite you to read the full trends forecast here: https://lnkd.in/gX-cgCcB. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. #BetterFoodTodayABetterWorldTomorrow #proudlyMars

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For us, a festive season is not just a peak in demand- it is a test of preparedness, agility, and #customercentricity. As retailers and producers, meeting #customer expectations during festivals is not possible by simply scaling up production. It requires foresight, precision, and meticulous planning. A few key aspects we always keep in mind while preparing for the festive season:  •  𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲: Anticipating surges and building resilience into supply chains.  • 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Strengthening last-mile capabilities to ensure seamless delivery.  • 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁: Every touchpoint — from packaging to delivery speed — shapes trust and loyalty.  • 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆:  Play the devil’s advocate; hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Business success, regardless of the season, depends on holistic thinking, advanced planning, and strong team alignment. To sum it up, we are already in the excitement phase of festivals, preparing not just to meet demand, but to delight every customer.

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Procter & Gamble’s $1.74bn Digital Boost: What their FLAT year on year results doesn’t tell you… P&G’s 2025 Full Year report makes next to no reference of digital commerce. It really should though as it now represents $1 in every $5 they turnover. The corresponding earnings call however did highlight the VITAL success of digital commerce for them. The full year earnings call tells us some interesting things: 1️⃣ 12% Digital Commece growth over the last 12 months. This is important, as overall Net sales growth was flat year on year, with organic sales at +2%. That means Digital Commerce growth of ~$1.74bn YOY offset similar value/volume declines in traditional physical retail sales. 2️⃣ 19% of sales now coming from digital channels. P&G’s FY 2025 digital commerce sales = $16.25 billion (approx.) We can only expect this digital commerce share of sales to continue growing in the coming years. Interestingly, 19% of sales coming from digital channels is outpacing most other #CPG manufacturers, where digital commerce penetration is typically 10-15%. 3️⃣ Digital commerce sales now exceed that of their entire global Beauty category (including Head&Shoulders, Olay and Pantene) I find it interesting that digital commerce represents almost 20% of all P&G sales and yet isn’t specifically called out in the results statement attached. It’s where their growth is coming from (offsetting traditional instore declines). In terms of aggregated sales digital commerce is bigger than all but two of their reported product categories. Digital commerce is increasingly important to sales success, and therefore to investor confidence. When will manufacturers start specifically reporting digital commerce sales, growth, penetration and participation in their annual and quarterly results? #digitalcommerce #ecommerce #results #digitalstrategy #digitalgrowth https://lnkd.in/eb_8BRyK

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