H.J. Heinz makes no secret of the fact that acquisitions are part of its strategy, especially in areas like emerging markets and health and wellness.
 
Most recently, the company said earlier this month that it would buy Australian canned fruit and juice maker Golden Circle Ltd for about $220 million.
 
The company is still looking at “strategic acquisitions,” CFO Art Winkleblack told an investor conference. And the buffet of brands that Heinz can search from may never be larger.
 
“In the past few months, the pipeline of potential acquisitions has risen to unprecedented levels,” Winkleblack said.
 
“It would appear that the pipeline of potential acquisitions has risen because there are less private equity buyers in the market due to the current financial situation,” he said later through a spokesman.
 
The acquisitions Heinz cited were smaller ones that mostly added to existing categories. No reference was made to anything larger, like the comment Heinz CEO William Johnson made in August that Campbell Soup Co would be a “nice fit.”

Will Heinz launch a bid for Campbell Soup in 2008?

Check out why Heinz didn’t suffer like Hormel did in the past quarter.

H.J. Heinz came in with a quarterly profit that beat Wall Street expectations, helped by price increases and new product sales, while Jennie-O turkey seller Hormel Foods saw its earnings dip.

Food companies have found it tough going as commodity costs shoot up, but Hormel was particularly hard hit. The reason? It raises the turkeys that it eventually sells — meaning spiking corn feed costs hurt its results. 

Also in food news –  Burger King reported quarterly numbers that easily beat analysts’ expectations, as consumers headed to its restaurants for a burger or two. It also issued a fiscal 2009 outlook within Wall Street’s expectations.

On the apparel end, Children’s Place posted a small quarterly profit, helped by summer clothing sales and cost cuts. Still, the kids’ apparel retailer said it expects further pressure on consumer spending due to the weak U.S. economy.

To round up news in the sector, Kohl’s Corp, a mid-tier department store operator, named its president Kevin Mansell as its chief executive, replacing Larry Montgomery, who will remain the company’s chairman.

Also in the basket:

Skechers says still wants to buy Heelys

Shareholder aims to thwart Longs-CVS deal - NY Post   

Tesco completes 605 mln stg of property deals

(Photo: Reuters)

Check out quarterly results from retail companies, including Sears, Costco, Heinz and Big Lots.

Markdowns? No good for Sears. The company, controlled by Eddie Lampert, posted a surprise loss, hurt by discounts and floundering sales at its Kmart and namesake stores.  Immediate respite is not in sight, Sears said, as consumers juggle higher gasoline and food prices.

But discounts on the right products can mean good fortunes. Costco, for instance, reported a 32-percent jump in profit, thanks to consumers who sought deals on items like food and gasoline. Big Lots, which sells excess inventory, also posted higher profit, thanks to strong sales at stores open at least two years.

Ketchup-maker Heinz benefited from price increases and a weak U.S. dollar and is now hoping for higher annual earnings fueled by growth in emerging markets and health and wellness items.

Also in the basket:

Genesco profit up on settlement gain

Elizabeth Arden, Liz Claiborne in licensing agreement

Coach to buy retail business from distributor

U.S. first-quarter GDP growth revised to +0.9 percent

Food prices to stay high as biofuels blamed