Sara Lee, which doesn't break out its research and development spending in
financial statements, has had a reputation of skimping on research spending. The move is key to keeping Sara Lee competitive, analysts say, in a marketplace where companies are carving out high- and
low-end niches.
Sara Lee executives say their R&D push is crucial to its reinvention of the company as an American food company. Executives hope the changes will lead to innovations,
boost sales and earnings, and move its stock price--which is down 23% since 2005--up.
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