November 13, 2026

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Mars plans to spend an estimated $1.4 billion on US manufacturing and operations in 2027. And shoppers are moving more of the cart to store brands. Today, we also cover what tariffs cost the international brands entering the US and a case for changing what your production lines measure.

Mars Pours $1.4 Billion Into US Manufacturing and Operations

Mars plans an estimated US$1.4bn in US manufacturing and operations in 2027, its largest single-year investment, on top of more than US$9bn since 2017.
The Kellanova acquisition added Pringles, Cheez-It, and Pop-Tarts, with new spending targeting capacity, innovation, and supply-chain resilience.
A global digital manufacturing program with Microsoft and Accenture uses AI, industrial IoT, and digital twins.

Store Brands Reach Record Unit Share in 2026

Store brand unit share rose to a record 23.7% year-to-date through Nov. 1, with 21% dollar share.
Store brand unit sales increased 0.1% while national brands declined 0.9%, a full percentage-point gap.
Shoppers saved $20.5 billion in the first half of 2026, with store brands averaging 14% cheaper per unit.

International Food Brands Enter US Market Despite Tariff Costs

Several international brands, including Gymkhana, Funday, Grenade, Eat Wasted, and Ahlgrens bilar, entered or returned to US markets in 2026.
The US attracts brands with adventurous younger shoppers and higher-than-average consumer income levels.
Tariffs are a huge cost, pushing some brands to pack domestically or seek US co-packers.

Mintel Forecasts Outcome-Driven, System-Based Brand Growth

Mintel says future growth depends on connected systems and outcomes rather than launching more standalone products.
Half of US consumers already use or are interested in using generative AI to manage health and wellness.
Food and drink brands increasingly compete with supplements, beauty, and technology for the same consumer need.

Rethinking What Food Production Lines Should Measure

Measure conforming finished output at a defined endpoint, not just an individual machine’s rated speed.
Separate downtime, changeovers, material losses, and quality holds so each metric points to a decision.
Treat OEE as a starting point, not a verdict; a useful metric changes an operating decision.

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