Investment

The Kroger Company and Albertsons Companies this week terminated the proposed $24.6 billion merger agreement that was initially announced more than two years ago, after a federal judge sided with the Federal Trade Commission suing to block the deal and Washington and Oregon state courts put permanent injunctions in place to halt the transaction.

History has repeated itself as Hershey’s controlling owner yesterday rejected a preliminary takeover offer from candy and snacking rival Mondelēz International, according to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter.The Hershey Trust – which holds approximately 80% of the voting power at the company – labeled the offer as too low.

The proposed $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons megamerger was temporarily blocked today by a federal judge, who ruled in favor of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suing to block the deal.

Mondelēz International is exploring a possible acquisition of candy and snack rival Hershey, according to a Bloomberg News report citing private sources familiar with the matter. The combination would bring together such brands as Oreo, Ritz, Reese’s and SkinnyPop and generate annual sales of almost $50 billion.

The EVERY Company has combatted a tough investment terrain to become the latest food tech outfit to lock in funds, totaling $2 million, from the U.S. Department of Defense, according to an announcement this week.

Lillie’s Q Sauces & Rubs has been sold to manufacturing company OWS Foods as it looks to accelerate growth within new channels including conventional grocery, foodservice and club stores.

Unilever is looking to sell several European food brands with combined sales of €1 billion (USD$1.05 billion), according to a Reuters report, with sources previously telling the publication that the conglomerate was in talks to sell some of its Dutch food brands, including Unox soups and Conimex seasonings, as well as smaller food brands in Britain.

The EVERY Company has combatted the tough investment terrain and managed to lock in $2 million in new funds from the U.S. Department of Defense, according to an announcement this morning.

Big-brand portfolio reshuffling isn’t going to all of a sudden clear a pathway to acquisition for tiny brands to get scooped up by huge food concerns – at least not right now. Instead, strategics are looking for those billion-dollar acquisitions that can bring them tangible revenue gains.

PepsiCo’s healthy snack buying streak continues. The multinational announced today it will acquire the remaining 50% share of Sabra Dipping Company and its Geneva-based international arm Obela from Israel-based Strauss Group for $243.8 million.