ConAgra Foods (CAG, Financial) has confronted troublesome times in 2014. The stock is down 6%, and if late final quarter results are any sign, ConAgra may keep struggling in the short-term. ConAgra is suffering because of its underperforming private-mark brands. The powerless performance from these brands prompted a decline of $60 million in profits in the private-mark segment last quarter.
Positioned for development
On the other hand, the way that ConAgra is investing in its system enhancement plan, it is positioned for development. The company will be closing three plants, improve distribution centers and put up new supply arrangements. Additionally, ConAgra's Ralcorp acquisition has made it one of the top private-mark sustenance makers on the off chance that the organization can get itself once again on track and improve the delivery of its brands.
ConAgra is attempting to do just that. It has rolled out improvements to its underperforming brands to upgrade performance. The organization has shifted its advancement timings into the first quarter of 2015, with genuine initiatives to have an effect. It is presently focused on quickening volume of its underperforming brands.
Strategic moves to note
ConAgra is also depending on strategic moves such as improvising its item blend to incorporate a greater amount of restrictive Cafe Steamers offerings, and ending various Healthy Choice's slow-moving stock keeping units. Henceforth, the organization is looking to eliminate brands that are underperforming.
ConAgra has invested in its Café Steamers product offering, which has ended up being a key separated item. It has now chosen to quicken this specific product offering with culinary-inspired steaming meals with a crisp and fresh taste that is 100% common. The Mediterranean and Asian-inspired joint steamers are expected to produce strong business for ConAgra in the coming months.
With the inclusion of the Easy Open cover on Chef Boyardee cans that the organization had killed initially in 2014, the product is expected to gain traction. Additionally, ConAgra strongly believes that Chef Boyardee can improve an occupation with center classification users by leveraging its protein content.
The organization has re-tooled its merchandising system customer by customer to focus on the center user. The organization's strategies are now at fill in as ConAgra is currently seeing development in Chef Boyardee microwave cups.
More moves
Proceeding onward to different brands such as Totally Frozen meals, Slim Jim Meat Snacks and Reddi-Wip, ConAgra is getting better, determined by higher promoting spending. Moreover, the organization is currently focusing all the more on single-served meals in the solidified class.
The organization is sure that its strategies will permit it to convey the same. ConAgra is heartily included in developing and designing products, alongside focus on bundling and limited time strategies. It has improved its R&D and supply anchor resources to verify that it is focusing on the right channels. ConAgra is also developing its retail outlets to quicken its sales. Most of its brands are performing admirably in the developing markets, especially in Latin America, Mexico and India.
To quicken its improvement in the developing markets, ConAgra as of late gained Chinese potato processor Taimei Potato for $93 million. As indicated by a press release:
"This acquisition expands ConAgra Foods' Lamb Weston operations in a market that has developing interest for solidified potato products. Sheep Weston makes a mixed bag of solidified potato, sweet potato and other vegetable products for restaurants, retailers and food-service operators in more than 100 countries as far and wide as possible. The purchase cost of $93 million won't affect the organization's previously discussed obligation diminishment plans in fiscal 2015 and will further its development universally.
"Established in 2010, Taimei is found in one of the largest potato-developing regions in China. The office provides Lamb Weston the capacity to make solidified potato products closer to its stretching customer base and take care of the developing demand for solidified potato products in Asia."
Conclusion
ConAgra is making some smart moves which should not be ignored by investors. As a result, the stock can be a good long-term holding, and it should be considered by investors for their portfolio.
