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Flood revives concerns over rising food prices in Europe


The winter larder is depleted as rains devastate crops in Spain, Portugal, France and Morocco... "It is very difficult to replace some parts of the winter vegetable basket, especially those from Spain and Morocco, so I think we will see the effects very soon, and later on, we will probably also see effects on fruit, and then also on meat, dairy... and olive oil." Central banks have begun to recognise the influence of extreme weather on inflation dynamics... Financial Times Of course Sicily should also be considered.

Climate changeExtra Virgin Olive OilFruit and vegetablesInflationMeat
 

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Walgreens fires over 600 employees after takeover by private equity fund


. ..New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners completed its acquisition of the retail pharmacy company for $23.7 billion in August 2025. The deal came after a tumultuous few years for Walgreens, which saw the closure of more than 1,000 shops as the company struggled with slowing retail sales, growing online competition and challenges in other aspects of its business, including health services... Progressive Grocer

E-CommerceNon-food
 

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Big brands in trouble: Nestlé is selling 50% of Froneri which produces the ice creams it sells under its own brand (Maxibon, etc.)


Drafted on 22 February, updated on 24 February 2026 The Vevey-based multinational aims to focus on coffee, snacks and pet food. The sale of ice cream, which generates more than 5 billion in revenue and employs 12,000 people worldwide, follows that of water, which has been struggling for some time. This divestment follows that of Unilever's ice cream division, which has been in difficulty since the sale, probably also due to the success of anti-obesity drugs. In this regard, it should be noted that weight-loss injections are pushing the price of sugar to its lowest level in five years The futures price fell to less than half its level at the end of 2023 as GLP-1s reduce cravings for sweet snacks. Big brands are in trouble as Pepsi but alsoProcter and Gamble (Procter & Gamble misses revenue estimates due to slower growth in the US)prove. The exceptions seem to be local: Barilla (with an increasing share in pasta) and Ferrero (with increasing turnover and profits). On GLP-1 read here. Below the evolution of the share of private label products (MDD) and big brands. Thanks to Mario Gasbarrino.

BarillaFerreroNestlèPastaPrivate LabelUnileverWater
 

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Online shopping continues to grow, but consumers who do it seem more demanding than in the physical channel


...reactivity is a key competitive advantage, while improvisation leads to losing ground. Digital becomes a structural condition of being a consumer today. The brands that manage to combine technology and humanity, innovation and proximity, immediacy and meaning will be the ones able to build solid and lasting relationships with an audience that is increasingly mobile, informed and attentive to the quality of the experience. Powering

E-Commerce