More shrinking boxes

Last fall I reported the trend toward cereal companies decreasing the size of their boxes in order to cut costs and maintain profits. Kellogg was the first one out of the gate. Now, there are reports that General Mills is using the same trick to camouflage price increases.

Sneaky? Yes.

Harmful? Maybe not this one time. But, big cereal companies cannot believe that they continue to play these games without some affect on consumers. Many are already turning to generic brands and specialty cereals. If Kellogg, Generals Mills are not careful they will be minor players in a marketplace that could easily continue to dominate if they focused more on innovation.

Technorati Tags: cereal, General+Mills, marketing, breakfastbowl

Cereal poll update

The results from my last Breakfast Bowl poll are in. The last question was: "How do you prefer your cereal?"

Here are the results:

Crunchy - 76%
Soggy - 24%

Now it's time for our next question: In light of their latest innovation, "What do you think of Kellogg's Cereal Straws?"

LINK TO POLL

Technorati Tags: cereal, polls, breakfastbowl

Caffeinated Cereal?

It seems the fad this year is chocolate versions of existing cereals.

Could caffeine be next?

A Colorado inventor, Dr. Robert Bohannon, has come up with a caffeine additive that can be easily added to virtually any food. It will be marketed under the brand name, Encaff. Obviously adding caffeine to cereal would be natural fit since many people depend on the stimulant to get going in the morning.

Caffeinated Corn Flakes anyone?

PRESS RELEASE

Technorati Tags: cereal, caffeine, breakfastbowl

The Cereal Bowl announces expansion

I have long been intrigued with the development of cereal restaurants over the past few years. Cereality was the emergent leader but had some early struggles, and may have some new life having been bought out by the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery.

But now, the other big contender, The Cereal Bowl, has announced expansion. They claim several thousand franchise inquiries, and say that they will be going nationwide with 16 store now under development.

I sure hope one of these companies gets wise and builds one close to me somewhere!

LINK to press release

Technorati Tags: cereal, The+Cereal+Bowl, restaurants, breakfastbowl

Cereal Straws

I've been a little reluctant to post on Kellogg's new Cereal Straws. It's hard to take them seriously.

Cereal Straws were recently introduced as a fun way for children (I presume) to get their cereal and milk. The straws are actually flavored, crunchy tubes, and come in two varieties: Froot Loops and Cocoa Krispies. As I see it, their nutritional value is low and they are relatively more costly.

I doubt Cereal Straws will catch on, especially considering Kellogg's recent conversion to healthy cereals and related marketing. Nevertheless, I give Kellogg credit because they are doing what I have long suggested: focus on innovation. In a highly competitive market this is the only way they can stay competitive.

Who knows? Maybe I'll be wrong and Cereal Straws will catch on like another ridiculous Kellogg product: Pop Tarts.

Technorati Tags: cereal, Kellogg, breakfastbowl

New beginning for Cereality?

News today that the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery has acquired Cereality. This is significant, not only because of Cereality's recent woes, but because Cold Stone is a perfect fit that could give the cereal bar some much needed expertise and direction.

Story in the Phoenix Business Journal.

Technorati Tags: cereal, Cereality, Cold+Stone, restaurants, breakfastbowl

Cereal goes Simpsons

Summer has kept me busy and away from the computer, but the recent move by 7-Eleven has brought me back.

In anticipation of the upcoming Simpson's Movie, convenience story chain 7-Eleven has come up with some very creative marketing tie-ins, including the decorating of a few select locations to be the Simpson's inspired Kwik-E-Mart. But, the gimmick that has caught my attention, of course, is KrustyO's Cereal. The unashamedly low nutritious cereal adds to the movie's buzz and is a great collector's item for Simpson's fanatics and cereal box collectors.

KrustyO's (apparently made by Malt-O-Meal) is only available at 7-Eleven, and for a limited time.


Technorati Tags: cereal, Simpsons, 7-Eleven, marketing, BreakfastBowl