Once a darling of Wall Street, the Whole Foods brand is facing increasing competition in a rapidly changing marketplace. Some investors have sarcastically nicknamed the company “Half Foods,” because its shares have dropped 31 percent this year. To remain competitive, Whole Foods recently announced plans to reduce its workforce by 1.6 percent, or 1,500 jobs.

Although Whole Foods has struggled recently, the natural and organic foods market has experienced strong, steady growth overall. Last year, retail sales of natural and organic foods and beverages rose 5.5 percent to nearly $53.5 billion. That figure is 53 percent higher than sales in 2009, according to Packaged Facts.

Oprah Winfrey is shaking up the $65 billion U.S. weight loss market. Last week, she bought a 10 percent stake in Weight Watchers International and joined its board of directors. As a result, the diet company’s stock more than doubled in value.

Oprah’s endorsement comes at a critical juncture for the struggling company, which has experienced 10 straight quarters of declining sales. More and more consumers are turning to high-tech activity trackers and Smartphone apps to manage their diets, and some investors question whether Weight Watchers can remain relevant in an increasingly competitive environment.

Will Oprah’s endorsement help turn around the company’s flagging revenue, or do the problems at Weight Watchers extend too far? In this article, we turn to research firm Marketdata Enterprises for some possible answers.

Chocolate candy is the most popular item given to trick-or-treaters. Last year, seasonal chocolate Halloween candy generated nearly $217 million in sales, up 12 percent from the previous year, according to consumer research firm Packaged Facts.

Chocolate candy sales have continued to rise, not just on Halloween, but throughout the entire year. In 2013, the U.S. market for chocolate candy was an estimated $21 billion, and it is expected to exceed $26 billion by 2018. A variety of factors are helping to drive sales of chocolate candy. Read on to learn more

Through Profound, users can access the world’s leading business intelligence providers in one convenient platform. With more than 200 publishers across 700 industry sectors, Profound offers a vast array of market research reports to choose from.

In this new blog series, we’ll give you an inside look at specific publishers on Profound. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about the reports they publish and what differentiates them from other publishers on the market.

Today, we’re interviewing Aroq, publisher of just-auto, just-drinks, just-food, and just-style — a publisher that provides timely news, analysis, and market intelligence. Find out more in the Q&A below.

For the past four weeks, we have been posting blogs about the growing trends and popular ingredients that are driving the U.S. sandwich industry. From authenticity to health and wellness, the six sandwiches we have covered so far each fulfill unique cravings for foodies everywhere.

In the third blog in our series, we are introducing two in-demand sandwiches that are satisfying comfort foods and growing culinary trends — brisket sandwiches and Cuban sandwiches.

Appearing in both fast-casual restaurants and upscale bistros, these sandwiches meet consumer demands for flavor adventure and authenticity.

Last week we introduced our new blog series covering the top trends that are driving the market for sandwiches in the United States. As international cusine becomes more popular among foodies, beloved flavors from around the world are appearing in a variety of food, including sandwiches. In this week’s series, we'll take a closer look at tortas and cemitas, Mexican sandwiches, and garden tartines, French-inspired sandwiches. 

The modern concept of a sandwich can be traced back to eighteenth century Europe. The first written usage of the word appeared in a historian’s journal, referring to “bits of cold meat” as a “sandwich.” Today, sandwiches are a staple in restaurants and homes throughout the U.S. With so many varieties to choose from, it’s no surprise that 79 percent of adults say they have eaten a sandwich in the past seven days.

In the latest edition of its Culinary Trend Tracking Series, Packaged Facts covers the top trends in the U.S. sandwich industry. Over the next few weeks, we are going to explore these trends and provide an overview of the sandwich types that are gaining importance in U.S. restaurants.

What’s a simple, easy way to keep employees happy and productive? You guessed it — coffee.

Citing its performance-improving qualities, low cost, and ability to boost morale, Business Insider listed coffee as the one perk employers must splurge on.

According to a report by Natural Marketing Institute, 38% of organic consumers are new within the past year. This means that consumers have only recently begun focusing on adding organic products to their purchases. In order for consumers to appreciate their products, they need to be educated so they understand what they are buying, and how it will benefit their health.