Roberts Bakery has been saved from going under by the private investment vehicle of UK-based entrepreneur and billionaire Ranjit Singh Boparan. It emerged earlier this month that Roberts Bakery, based in Northwich, Cheshire, had filed a so-called Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators. However, Mr Boparan has now stepped in to rescue family-run Roberts Bakery via his Boparan Private Office (BPO) investment platform, saving 433 jobs in the process. The businessman is also the owner of 2 Sist ...

Summary of Mondelez International (MDLZ) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Mondelez International (MDLZ) - **Date of Conference**: June 04, 2025 - **Speakers**: Dirk Brandeplut (CEO) and Luca Zaramella (CFO) Key Industry Insights Consumer Health Trends - **US Consumer Confidence**: Low, with significant declines noted in March and April 2025, leading to cautious spending behavior, especially among lower social classes [6][7] - **Snacking Categories**: Overall slowdown observed, with biscuits performing relatively better than other snacking categories, gaining market share despite a 2% volume decline in the category [8] - **Mexico**: Similar consumer nervousness due to tariffs and unemployment risks, resulting in category slowdowns [9][10] - **Europe**: More positive consumer sentiment, with better performance in biscuits and chocolate categories due to wage indexation [11][12] - **China**: Consumer confidence at a low, but Mondelez is gaining market share with high single-digit growth [13][14] - **India**: Shift from premium to basic products in response to inflation, with signs of recovery in consumer sentiment [15] - **Brazil**: Strong consumer performance and market share gains, viewed as a bright spot [16] Strategic Strengths - **Geographical Spread**: 75% of Mondelez's business is outside the US, providing resilience against local market challenges [17][18] - **Distribution Focus**: Aggressive distribution strategy to ensure product availability in various retail formats [18][19] - **Category Resilience**: Long-term growth expected in key categories like biscuits and chocolate, with historical growth rates of 2% volume and 3-5% net revenue [19][20] Chocolate and Cocoa Market Dynamics - **Pricing Strategy**: Successful implementation of pricing increases and revenue growth management (RGM) strategies, with a focus on offering products at various price points [22][23] - **Market Share Gains**: Despite inflation, Mondelez has gained market share in key markets, particularly during the Easter season [23][25] - **Elasticity Concerns**: Monitoring consumer reactions to price changes, with a belief that cocoa prices will eventually decrease [24][26][61] Growth Strategies in the US - **Product Packaging Adjustments**: Shift from larger family packs to smaller packs priced under $4 to meet consumer budget constraints [36] - **In-store Activations**: Focus on brand activations and promotions to drive consumer interest and sales [38] - **Channel Shifts**: Opportunity to capture market share in underrepresented channels [39] Emerging Markets Focus - **Brand Equity and Distribution**: Emphasis on building brand equity and expanding distribution in emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, and Mexico [40][41][42][44] - **Adaptation to Local Markets**: Tailoring products and pricing strategies to meet local consumer needs and preferences [41][43] Cakes and Pastries Opportunity - **Market Potential**: Cakes and pastries viewed as a natural extension of Mondelez's product offerings, with opportunities for premiumization and consolidation [48][49][51][52] M&A Strategy - **Active M&A Interest**: Mondelez has a list of potential acquisition targets and remains disciplined in pursuing strategic opportunities [63][66][70] - **Capital Deployment**: Focus on stock buybacks while maintaining flexibility for future acquisitions [70][71] Regulatory and Health Trends - **Health and Wellness Trends**: Monitoring shifts towards health and wellness, with a focus on indulgent snacking remaining strong [75][76] - **Regulatory Adaptation**: Prepared to adapt to potential regulatory changes in the US, with a proactive approach to health-related discussions [78][79] Cultural and Operational Improvements - **Local First Strategy**: Emphasis on local adaptation while enhancing centralized innovation efforts [84][85] - **Long-term Strategy Execution**: Need for improved long-term strategic planning alongside current operational management [86][87]