'Back to Starbucks 
Transition revs up!

Niccol nails personalized svce
issues, increased mkt share 

Starbucks new boss Brian Niccol in his Q3'26 report said “Our Back to Starbucks plan was built on an extraordinary cup of coffee and customer experience win every day" On the ground evidence confirms the return of the personalized service masters? Full analysis here, first 

Mondelez snacks
slow, losing share?

Weak USA & Europe demand
offset by AMEA & Latin America 

Mondelez International, the $40Bn in sales, international brand snackmaker (e.g. Cadbury, Ritz, Belvita, Oreo), reported weaker volume demand offset by pricing in Q2'26. CEO Dirk van de Put reported "robust top-line expansion, coupled with volume growth and share improvement" Little evidence in the report? Full report analysis here, first

Coke frothy. US
demand boosted

WCup volume/prices spiked.
Costa coffee disposal delay?

Coca Cola's business supply inc.restaurants, volumes haven't recovered sine 2019. New ceo Henrique Braun reported improved organic growth in Q2'26 said “Another strong quarter by staying close to the changing needs of our consumers” Costa Coffee was down again, after failure to offload? Full analysis here, first 

Nestlé draining
Water business?

JV launches platform for
over 30 

beverage 

brands

Platinum Equity and Nestlé announced today a plan to create Peranel, a 50/50 joint venture for its water and premium beverages business. "Designed to establish a dedicated player with an enhanced focus to drive organic growth in a dynamic category"  said new ceo Muriel Lienau. Really? So why share ownership after a 5yr selloff of water businesses eg Poland Spring. Full story here, first

Nestlé: flat volume
fed by price hikes

Nespresso? 

Nescafe-snacks
up.

CEO's growth plans stall?

Nestlé the #1 global food & beverage maker reported flat volumes in H1'26, boosted by price increases. Demand continued soft in WFH-consumer markets e.g. coffee, water. CEO Philipp Navratil commented complacently: “Our growth strategy is delivering, making steady progress towards our guidance." Really? Full analysis here, first...

Pepsi loses fizz
in flat US market

Snacks flat. EMEA & Asia
beverage sales stronger 

Pepsico the $92Bn+ food & beverages marketer to consumers and business reported growth in snacks, but down in refreshments, CEO Ramon Laguarta commented "Pepsi's global organic volume has increased at the highest rate since 2022 - aided by the strength of the international business". Why no comment on the under performing major US market  Full analysis here, first 

Unilever unmasked
for disposal deceit

Board accused of bowing to
short term activist pressure 

Top veteran investor Terry Smith has accused Unilever of misleading him over its $65Bn food merger, just months after ditching his entire large holding in the consumer goods group. He was assured there would be no more disposals “for the foreseeable future” after the spin-off of its ice cream division late last year. Full story here, first....

Keurig loses Peets
boss to Heineken 

Can ceo Tim Kofer cope with

European coffee expansion

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) confirmed Rafa Oliveira, ex-CEO of recently acquired Peets will depart at the end of July to join Heineken as CEO. Tim Cofer, CEO of KDP, will continue to oversee the new Global Coffee Co. and Beverage Co. post-separation. PP has watched these European expansionist movies before and is skeptical about success without a native barists? Full story here, first... 

Coke can't cope
w Costa collapse

Production focus fails to
connect with customers

Coca Cola bought Costs Coffee chain in 2018 for $5Bn. Today it's valued at $1Bn and looking to offload. It was seen as an opportunity to sell more soft drinks in 4000 European cafes. The strategy has failed miserably, the successful production brand predictably failing to understand the experiential needs of everyday consumers. Now its calling in the consultants? Full story here, first...

Primo punctured
below waterline?

Plagued by delivery failures,
consumer complaint/lawsuits

Ex-Aramark executive Eric Foss was appointed ceo at Primo Brands the water supply group in Nov'25. Brought in to manage the Blue Triton merger things have not gone well. Sales volume and margins have declined over widespread delivery failures, unauthorized charges, related to its home delivery services causing class-action consumer lawsuits. Full analysis here, first...