Latest news with #BlueBuffalo
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
General Mills initiates 'transformation' programme with embedded costs
General Mills has revealed a 'global transformation' programme that will incur costs of around $130m as the US food major seeks to boost productivity. In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday (27 May), the Blue Buffalo pet food and Cheerios cereals brand owner said the 'multi-year' plan was approved by management on 20 May. It is 'intended to drive increased productivity by enhancing end-to-end business processes, enabled by targeted organisational actions'. Although light on detail, the initiative comes on the back of a poor set of results reported in March for the third quarter of General Mills' current 2025 fiscal year. And the company suggested yesterday the transformation programme will be accompanied by job cuts. Sales for the period dropped 5% in organic terms, a performance the company admitted fell short of 'expectations', with volumes down four percentage points. At the same time, General Mills downgraded its full-year guidance for a flat-to-higher print confirmed at the second-quarter stage in December. The Pillsbury cookies maker now expects organic sales to be down 1.5% to 2%. General Mills said yesterday that of the expected $130m in total charges, about $70m will be booked in the fourth quarter of 2025, 'primarily reflecting severance expenses'. The Old El Paso Mexican brand owner explained in the filing: 'The company anticipates that the series of actions related to the transformation initiative will be substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2028 and will result in total charges of approximately $130 million, of which approximately $120 million will be cash.' General Mills did not reveal any further details but implied in yesterday's filings that the initiative could have more in-depth implications. 'The estimate of costs that the company expects to record, and the timing thereof, are subject to a number of assumptions and actual results may differ from current expectations,' the publicly listed business added. 'The company may also record other charges or cash expenditures not currently contemplated due to events that may occur as a result of, or associated with, the transformation initiative.' Discussing the third-quarter results in March, chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening made a pledge to reinvest $100m from targeted savings in the 2026 financial year. 'We're reviewing new cost-efficiency initiatives that are anticipated to generate at least $100 million in additional savings in fiscal '26, with further savings expected in fiscal '27 and beyond,' Harmening explained. 'Our number one priority is to accelerate our organic sales growth by delivering remarkable consumer experiences across our leading food brands, resulting in stronger volume and improved market share performance.' General Mills is on target to generate 5% in cost-of-goods sold savings in the current year through the company's Holistic Margin Management (HMM) programme and expects to repeat that in fiscal 2026, equating to more than $600m in 'gross productivity savings', Harmening said in March. "General Mills initiates 'transformation' programme with embedded costs" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Attention, Walmart Shoppers: Bring Home A Free Dog Or Cat Tomorrow
Walmart shoppers will have the chance to meet adoptable dogs and cats tomorrow at seven store locations — and bring them home for free. The nationwide Bring Happy Home pet adoption event takes place from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 17 at Walmart stores in Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Miami, Florida; North Bergen, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Over 150 cats and dogs from Best Friends Animal Society and partner shelters will have pet adoption fees covered by Walmart and Blue Buffalo, according to Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare nonprofit working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. 'Walmart is really into community values, and pets are part of the family,' she said. 'Being able to engage their employee base in something that is so fun and positive and brings so much joy to their customers I think is just a really big win for all of us.' Every available dog or cat will have been fully vetted for any health issues and be spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations and ready to go home with a goodie bag filled with toys and treats, she noted. She's inspired by the resilience of the dogs and cats available for adoption. For instance, a Belgian Malinois mix named Nicky landed in a Los Angeles shelter with a broken jaw. The team at Best Friends LA got him the veterinary care he needed, and now he's ready for adoption. 'We took Nicky in, we gave him love, we gave him medical attention, and today he's full of life and energy and is a spunky little dog who enjoys other dogs and runs around in playgroups,' Castle said. 'He's a really sweet, very beautiful dog. Hopefully he's going to find a home this weekend.' There are cool cats available for adoption, too. In a rural area outside of Houston, an animal control officer was surprised when a calico cat named Millie 'came running out of nowhere to greet him,' according to Castle. 'The animal control officer could see that Millie's eye was having problems and called us,' she said. 'She had an eye ulcer, which is sometimes not so reasonable for a small rural shelter to deal with. We treated her eye ulcer and she's probably always going to have a little bit of cloudy vision, but she's a great kitty.' The Bring Happy Home locations for the May 17 pet adoption event are at the following Walmart stores: If you miss tomorrow's Bring Happy Home event, you can still find pet adoption fees waived at Best Friends locations across the U.S. throughout May in honor of National Pet Month. Adoption fees will be covered by Blue Buffalo and Walmart. Castle said over 90% of U.S. animal shelters are within 20 miles of a Walmart store, so she hopes the Bring Happy Home promotion helps spread awareness that terrific dogs and cats are available at shelters across the country. She's constantly impressed by what many of them have overcome. 'One of the coolest parts of my job is to see all of these dogs and cats. They want to live — they're survivors,' she said. 'It's unbelievable the amount of trauma and pain that these animals can go through and the resiliency to bounce back and forgive and forget and find that true love again in their lives and be part of a loving family. It's really, really special, and it's something that we as humans, I think, could really learn from.' An estimated 7 million Americans will bring home a pet in the next year, Castle said, and she hopes many will choose to adopt animals from shelters instead of buying them from a breeder or pet store. 'Of those 7 million, if just 6 percent more decided to adopt rather than buy, then the problem would be solved,' she said. 'Consider adopting a pet because you're saving a life and you're not just doing that, but you're helping a shelter whose staff does not want to kill animals for a living. It's a profound impact and a domino effect. We are nearing the tipping point of ending killing in America's shelters for good.'
Tom's Guide
13-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Amazon Pet Day sale is live — save up to 50% on treats, food, toys and more
As a pet-owner, I'm no stranger to spoiling my dog with all his favorite treats and toys (even if he does destroy them in a matter of seconds). And while my heart feels full when giving him the very best, my bank account doesn't always tend to agree. Fortunately, Amazon Pet Day is here to help! For a limited time, Amazon is hosting a huge sale with up to 50% off all things pet related. If you're a dog or cat owner, you're in luck. I've compiled a list of pet essentials that are now on sale from just $9. From treats and food to dog cameras and beds, here's everything I recommend shopping from Amazon Pet Day. With 45% off the usual price, this is the first Amazon Pet Day deal I'm adding to my cart. My dog absolutely loves these treats and patiently awaits them after his walks. The Blue Buffalo treats are made with real beef for a taste dogs just can't resist! You'll feel great rewarding your furry friend since they contain no artificial preservatives, corn, wheat or soy. Perfect for both dogs and cats, this donut bed was made specifically for animals with anxiety. It features a round shape so your pet can easily curl up and its raised rim provides neck and head support. This creates a sense of security, which helps your dog to relax their muscles and stay calm. I bought this bed for my dog and he definitely sleeps more soundly and comfortably. It's always wise to keep your pet's flea and tick treatments up to date, especially in the spring and summer when the latter can absolutely thrive. With 33% currently knocked off the treatment, you should take advantage while you can. This version is for small dogs, but there are discounts on all sizes. (I just picked this one because it looks like my pup). Keep an eye on your pets while they're on their own with this camera, which also doubles as a treat dispenser to keep them out of mischief. This offers full HD resolution, a built-in mic and speaker, full night vision, a 160-degree FOV and is compatible with Alexa. My dog has allergies and very sensitive skin — but when we switched him to this Sensitive Stomach and Skin formula by Hill's Science Diet, it was very clear he felt relief and wasn't scratching quite as much. It features prebiotic fiber to fuel beneficial gut bacteria and support a balanced microbiome, as well as omega-6s and Vitamin E to promote a healthy coat. Keep your cat's (or small dog's) dinner on the right schedule with this automatic feeder. The Wi-Fi-enabled device can dispense up to 10 feeds a day, and offers 10 different voice recordings. It's controlled via the companion app, and records your feeding record for future reference. Named our favorite robotic litter box, this one from Neakasa is now $120 off. With its open style design and large base, it's perfect for cats who want extra room to work with. This automatic litter box also has a sizable waste bin that's quick, while Wi-Fi connectivity lets you keep track of their usage and weight.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart and Best Friends Animal Society Team Up to Celebrate National Pet Month
Events and programs throughout May will offer several ways to adopt, give back and save all month long BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May is National Pet Month, and Walmart is celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives while making it easier and more affordable to care for them. In collaboration with leading national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society and trusted suppliers, Walmart is helping customers adopt, give back and save big all month long with extra savings on top of Walmart's Every Day Low Prices. Pet ownership continues to grow, with nearly 15% more households owning at least one pet compared to 20231. Even still, the cost of pet ownership remains top of mind for customers as 61% of pet owners say ownership costs have been more expensive than expected2. That's why Walmart is prioritizing making it easy and more affordable for customers to add a new best friend to the family and get their pet essentials during National Pet Month and all year long, with Walmart's Every Day Low Prices on the most sought-after brands and multiple ways to shop — in-store, online and on the Walmart app. "We know pets are family, and that's why Walmart is dedicated to providing the best products and services to support them," said Kaitlyn Shadiow, vice president of merchandising, pets, Walmart U.S. "We are committed to making pet ownership accessible, affordable and enjoyable for everyone and we're excited to do that this National Pet Month with hundreds of rollbacks and thousands of deals, while also supporting pets in shelters all month long." Adopt a pet, save on essentials Walmart is teaming up with Blue Buffalo and Best Friends to help customers expand their families and support shelters nationwide. Walmart and Blue Buffalo are making it easy and accessible for those looking to expand their families this National Pet Month. For select bags of Blue Buffalo pet food or treats purchased at Walmart in May, Blue Buffalo will donate to Best Friends, up to $550,000. The funds will help cover pet adoption fees all month long at Best Friends locations nationwide, including: Houston Los Angeles Northwest Arkansas New York City Salt Lake City Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah Other suppliers, such as Fresh Step, Nutrish, Unique Petz, Nylabone, Temptations, Pedigree, ADAMS Botanicals, Sulfodene, Spruce and Pooph are also giving back to Best Friends. Together, Walmart and its suppliers have collectively donated over $1 million to Best Friends over the past year. On May 17, Walmart and Best Friends will host pet adoption events at select Walmart locations across the country. There, customers can meet, interact with and adopt their newest companion with adoption fees waived, courtesy of Walmart and Blue Buffalo. Events will also feature giveaways and sampling opportunities, and new adopters can take home goodie bags filled with essential pet products. The full list of Walmart locations participating includes: Houston: Store 6930, 8927 Fry Rd., Cypress, TX 77433 Los Angeles: Store 2100, 14501 Lakewood Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723 Miami: Store 6397, 15601 SW 127th Ave., Miami, FL 33177 Newark, N.J.: Store 3795, 2100 88th St., North Bergen, NJ 07047 Philadelphia: Store 5130, 9745 Roosevelt Blvd. Ste. A, Philadelphia, PA 19114 Phoenix: Store 2671, 1175 S Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85286 Salt Lake City: Store 3232, 7671 S 3800 W, West Jordan, UT 84084 "We are grateful to partner with Walmart this National Pet Month to help make pet ownership accessible to all those looking to adopt," said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. "We know about seven million households will add a pet to their family this year, and if just six percent more of them chose to adopt versus purchase their pets from a pet store or breeder we could make this entire country no-kill. Adoption is the most affordable option for acquiring a pet and combined with Walmart's commitment to keeping pet care accessible, we can help more dogs and cats find and stay in happy homes." Discover new pet favorites and save on thousands of pet products Throughout May, shoppers can take advantage of thousands of deals on pet must-haves — including Rollbacks on top brands like Fresh Step, Purina Pro Plan and Blue Buffalo. With Every Day Low Prices and the flexibility to shop in-store, online or through the Walmart app, it's never been easier or more affordable to care for every member of the family — paws and all. Convenient pickup and delivery make it even easier to treat pets (and pet parents) right. Walmart continues to expand its pet assortment, offering a wide range of sought-after and on-trend items. Customers can explore Beautiful by Drew Pets, an exclusive collection featuring thoughtfully designed bowls, beds and water fountains while new additions like Petlibro and Litter Robot offer tech-forward solutions for feeding and clean-up. Additionally, Walmart's iconic private brand, Ol' Roy, is relaunching, offering the same incredible value but now with a new veterinary formulation that is free from any artificial flavors or colors in recyclable ready packaging. Walmart is the one stop destination for pet owners all year round From fresh food and durable toys to comfortable beds and delicious treats, Walmart has everything for pet parents, available wherever and however customers prefer to shop. Using the Walmart app, they can take advantage of Walmart's fast and convenient pick-up and delivery services, as well as subscription options, for all their pet needs. This National Pet Month and beyond, customers can treat their furry companions to the pet essentials they love — all at Walmart's Every Day Low Prices — while helping shelter pets find families of their own. Because at Walmart, we believe caring for your pets should be easy and affordable – during National Pet Month and all year long. About Walmart Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 270 million customers and members visit more than 10,750 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2025 revenue of $681 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting on Facebook at on X (formerly known as Twitter) at and on LinkedIn at About Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 5,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®. 1 The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced that U.S. pet industry expenditures reached $152 billion in 2024, showing continued growth and resiliency (APPA, 2025) 2 ValuePenguin. "Pet Owners: Furry Friends More Costly Than We Thought." ValuePenguin, 21 Apr. 2025. View source version on Contacts Media Relations Hotline: 1.800.331.0085http://
Business Wire
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Walmart and Best Friends Animal Society Team Up to Celebrate National Pet Month
BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May is National Pet Month, and Walmart is celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives while making it easier and more affordable to care for them. In collaboration with leading national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society and trusted suppliers, Walmart is helping customers adopt, give back and save big all month long with extra savings on top of Walmart's Every Day Low Prices. Pet ownership continues to grow, with nearly 15% more households owning at least one pet compared to 2023 1. Even still, the cost of pet ownership remains top of mind for customers as 61% of pet owners say ownership costs have been more expensive than expected 2. That's why Walmart is prioritizing making it easy and more affordable for customers to add a new best friend to the family and get their pet essentials during National Pet Month and all year long, with Walmart's Every Day Low Prices on the most sought-after brands and multiple ways to shop — in-store, online and on the Walmart app. 'We know pets are family, and that's why Walmart is dedicated to providing the best products and services to support them,' said Kaitlyn Shadiow, vice president of merchandising, pets, Walmart U.S. 'We are committed to making pet ownership accessible, affordable and enjoyable for everyone and we're excited to do that this National Pet Month with hundreds of rollbacks and thousands of deals, while also supporting pets in shelters all month long.' Adopt a pet, save on essentials Walmart is teaming up with Blue Buffalo and Best Friends to help customers expand their families and support shelters nationwide. Walmart and Blue Buffalo are making it easy and accessible for those looking to expand their families this National Pet Month. For select bags of Blue Buffalo pet food or treats purchased at Walmart in May, Blue Buffalo will donate to Best Friends, up to $550,000. The funds will help cover pet adoption fees all month long at Best Friends locations nationwide, including: Houston Los Angeles Northwest Arkansas New York City Salt Lake City Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah Other suppliers, such as Fresh Step, Nutrish, Unique Petz, Nylabone, Temptations, Pedigree, ADAMS Botanicals, Sulfodene, Spruce and Pooph are also giving back to Best Friends. Together, Walmart and its suppliers have collectively donated over $1 million to Best Friends over the past year. On May 17, Walmart and Best Friends will host pet adoption events at select Walmart locations across the country. There, customers can meet, interact with and adopt their newest companion with adoption fees waived, courtesy of Walmart and Blue Buffalo. Events will also feature giveaways and sampling opportunities, and new adopters can take home goodie bags filled with essential pet products. The full list of Walmart locations participating includes: Houston: Store 6930, 8927 Fry Rd., Cypress, TX 77433 Los Angeles: Store 2100, 14501 Lakewood Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723 Miami: Store 6397, 15601 SW 127th Ave., Miami, FL 33177 Newark, N.J.: Store 3795, 2100 88th St., North Bergen, NJ 07047 Philadelphia: Store 5130, 9745 Roosevelt Blvd. Ste. A, Philadelphia, PA 19114 Phoenix: Store 2671, 1175 S Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85286 Salt Lake City: Store 3232, 7671 S 3800 W, West Jordan, UT 84084 'We are grateful to partner with Walmart this National Pet Month to help make pet ownership accessible to all those looking to adopt,' said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. 'We know about seven million households will add a pet to their family this year, and if just six percent more of them chose to adopt versus purchase their pets from a pet store or breeder we could make this entire country no-kill. Adoption is the most affordable option for acquiring a pet and combined with Walmart's commitment to keeping pet care accessible, we can help more dogs and cats find and stay in happy homes.' Discover new pet favorites and save on thousands of pet products Throughout May, shoppers can take advantage of thousands of deals on pet must-haves — including Rollbacks on top brands like Fresh Step, Purina Pro Plan and Blue Buffalo. With Every Day Low Prices and the flexibility to shop in-store, online or through the Walmart app, it's never been easier or more affordable to care for every member of the family — paws and all. Convenient pickup and delivery make it even easier to treat pets (and pet parents) right. Walmart continues to expand its pet assortment, offering a wide range of sought-after and on-trend items. Customers can explore Beautiful by Drew Pets, an exclusive collection featuring thoughtfully designed bowls, beds and water fountains while new additions like Petlibro and Litter Robot offer tech-forward solutions for feeding and clean-up. Additionally, Walmart's iconic private brand, Ol' Roy, is relaunching, offering the same incredible value but now with a new veterinary formulation that is free from any artificial flavors or colors in recyclable ready packaging. Walmart is the one stop destination for pet owners all year round From fresh food and durable toys to comfortable beds and delicious treats, Walmart has everything for pet parents, available wherever and however customers prefer to shop. Using the Walmart app, they can take advantage of Walmart's fast and convenient pick-up and delivery services, as well as subscription options, for all their pet needs. This National Pet Month and beyond, customers can treat their furry companions to the pet essentials they love — all at Walmart's Every Day Low Prices — while helping shelter pets find families of their own. Because at Walmart, we believe caring for your pets should be easy and affordable – during National Pet Month and all year long. About Walmart Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 270 million customers and members visit more than 10,750 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2025 revenue of $681 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting on Facebook at on X (formerly known as Twitter) at and on LinkedIn at About Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 5,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®. 1 The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced that U.S. pet industry expenditures reached $152 billion in 2024, showing continued growth and resiliency (APPA, 2025) 2 ValuePenguin. 'Pet Owners: Furry Friends More Costly Than We Thought.' ValuePenguin, 21 Apr. 2025.
