General Mills, Nestlé and more discussed how they are cutting operational costs, navigating uneven freight rates and sharpening demand forecasting at a Barclays conference.
Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference Insights
Food and beverage executives updated investors on a wide range of supply chain issues during the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference in early September.
Executives in the conference’s hot seat included leaders from Celsius Holdings, Constellation Brands, General Mills, McCormick & Co., Mondelēz International and Nestlé. Each company had one thing in common: They are focused on cutting costs and optimizing operations for their businesses, including within the supply chain.
Constellation Brands, for example, is on track to achieve a forecasted $200 million in savings by fiscal year-end, partially by building “real discipline” in its supply chain. Meanwhile, McCormick & Co. expects to cut procurement costs by $240 million following its merger with Unilever Foods, and Nestlé is reducing underperforming stock and SKUs in China.
Supply Chain Tactics Across Six Companies
Companies like General Mills, McCormick and Mondelēz described how they used supply chains to reduce costs at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference this month.
General Mills highlighted improvements in demand forecasting accuracy and tighter coordination between procurement and manufacturing planning. Mondelēz International emphasized regionalizing production footprints to mitigate freight volatility, particularly across North America and Europe. Celsius Holdings reported streamlining raw material sourcing to reduce lead times by an average of 18% year-over-year.
The conference took place in early September 2026, and the article was published on September 25, 2026. Executives cited ongoing pressure from fluctuating freight rates and inventory carrying costs as key drivers behind their supply chain optimization initiatives.
Source: Supply Chain Dive
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
