RT ConservativeCarolinaGirl (@RightGoDeacs)*Me just now on a Walmart errand for my mom*Me to Walmart employee: “Excuse me, do y’all have any more of the white fudge Oreos?Walmart employee: *just smiles*Me: *Repeats the same sentence*Walmart Employee: *Tries handing me her phone so I could type in what I was needing.*Me refusing to take her phone but noticed it was in all Spanish so began using what little Spanish I know: “No habla English?”Her: “No”Me: “Never mind then” and I walked off.Wasn’t trying to be ...

Core Insights - Major companies are expanding their product portfolios to capture market demand, particularly in the confectionery sector [1] Company Summary - Mondelez International Inc., known for brands like Cadbury and Toblerone, is focusing on gummies in the American market [1] - The company highlights that limited-time offerings, such as Halloween-themed Sour Patch Kids and Oreos, significantly boost seasonal demand [1]

Core Insights - The rise of private label products is prompting more consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers to take legal action against retailers for alleged imitation of their products [2][3][7] Group 1: Legal Actions - J.M. Smucker has filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe's, claiming that its crustless PB&J sandwiches are a clear imitation of Smucker's Uncrustables [2] - Mondelēz International has also sued Aldi, alleging that the grocery chain's snack products replicate the packaging of well-known brands like Oreos and Chips Ahoy! [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Private label products, once considered inferior, have become significant competitors in the market, available in various retail environments from small stores to large chains like Walmart and Costco [3] - Private label is projected to account for over 20% of food and grocery sales by 2025, up from 12% two decades ago, with sales reaching a record $271 billion in 2024, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year [4][5] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Inflation has led consumers to seek cost-saving options, making private label products more appealing [5] - Retailers are investing more in enhancing the quality and value of private label offerings, contributing to their growth [5] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The competition between national brands and private label products is intensifying, with manufacturers increasingly willing to defend their market share through legal means [3][7] - The relationship between private label retailers and branded products is described as a "game of cat and mouse," where retailers attempt to closely mimic popular items to attract consumers [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The J.M. Smucker Co. is suing Trader Joe's, claiming that the grocery chain's new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches infringe on Smucker's trademarks due to their similar design and packaging [1][4]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - Smucker alleges that Trader Joe's sandwiches have the same pie-like crimp markings and round, crustless design as its Uncrustables, which violates its trademarks [1][6]. - The lawsuit states that the blue color of the packaging used by Trader Joe's is identical to that of Smucker's Uncrustables, further infringing on its trademarks [2][3]. - Smucker claims that the visual representation of a sandwich with a bite taken out of it on Trader Joe's packaging is also similar to Uncrustables, contributing to customer confusion [3][8]. Group 2: Brand Development and Investment - Smucker has invested over $1 billion in developing the Uncrustables brand over the past 20 years, focusing on perfecting the product and expanding its flavor offerings [7]. - The company emphasizes that it does not oppose the sale of other crustless sandwiches but cannot allow others to use its intellectual property for their sales [3][6]. Group 3: Previous Legal Actions - This lawsuit is not the first instance of Smucker protecting its Uncrustables brand; in 2022, it sent a cease and desist letter to a Minnesota company for producing similar products [13]. - The lawsuit follows a recent similar case where Mondelez International sued Aldi for packaging that resembled its well-known brands [14].

Core Insights - Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is recognized as one of the best food dividend stocks to buy according to analysts [1] - The company has a strong portfolio of popular snack products, including Oreos, Cadbury chocolate, and Sour Patch Kids, contributing to its significant market presence [2] Dividend Performance - Over the past five years, Mondelez has increased its dividend by more than 10% annually and has repurchased billions of dollars' worth of shares, reducing the total stock by approximately 15% since 2018 [3] - In July, Mondelez raised its quarterly dividend to $0.50 per share, marking the 12th consecutive year of dividend increases, with a current dividend yield of 3.19% as of October 5 [4]

Product Innovation - The snack industry is seeing innovative combinations of popular brands, such as Oreos and Reese's [1] - The combination is being compared to the Manhattan Project, suggesting a significant and impactful collaboration [1]