If history is our guide, sales of food and beverage products will rise in the economic downturn. Food staples (cereal, bread, milk) along with convenience meals will gain volume as more families eat at home. It appears that 2009 is a time for food and beverage manufacturers to create big brands in big economies.

Consumer products companies were early adopters of supply chain planning and supply chain execution. Most implementations are mature; yet in 2009, 24 percent of companies are considering switching supply chain planning vendors.