General Mills better-than-expected quarterly results came from some unusual sources: its natural-foods unit, international customers, a bevy of new product launches, and from convenience stores and
food-service providers. Plus, it got help from Oprah Winfrey, whose popular "Best-Life Diet" includes so many General Mills products that the company believes it made a difference in third-quarter
sales. The book was written by Winfrey's personal trainer.
CEO Steve Sanger noted that the quarter is historically strong for healthier food products, "but we think they did a little
better, after that "Best-Life Diet" came out."
The company has launched an array of cereals this fiscal year, including Nature Valley granola, Disney-themed children's cereals and Fruity
Cheerios. The company says it has scored productivity gains through plant consolidations, but Sanger hinted that a price increase might be coming as grain prices rise.
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