Sara Lee: outlines strategy for consolidated growth

Chicago / IL. (sl) Sara Lee Corporation, manufacturer of packaged food products and body care products, revealed strategies for the company´s future growth opportunities at its annual meeting with analysts. The company said it has derived core capabilities to initiate innovation and extend its operations to potential geographies in order to deliver continued value to customers.

The company further provided business highlights for its Food + Beverages segment. The company expects to raise its margin in this segment through the innovation pipeline, which has been continuously contributing to its profitability in the past. Also, around 25 new products are planned to be launched in fiscal 2008.

The Retail Bakery segment will be focused on enhancing the Sara Lee brand through innovation and better product mix, while the Retail Meats division will achieve top-line margin growth through value-added products. Sara Lee further notified that its Foodservice unit plans to increase margins by improving product mix and developing a sophisticated business model through innovation and boosting customer management capabilities.

For fiscal 2008, Sara Lee International Beverage and Bakery has plans to focus on maintaining its attractive margins, besides strengthening its product portfolio and extending its reach to new geographies. Major emerging markets for this business are Russia and Brazil. In fiscal 2008, International Bakery intends to strive to hold its share in the expanding market and improve operational efficiencies to sustain margins.

Sara Lee further revealed its Financial Overview for the next fiscal year with plans to continue to return substantial cash to shareholders. The company also reaffirmed its financial guidance for fiscal 2008 (press release).