News and Trends

Today we are diving into shopper confidence for the year ahead. Retail Week’s How They Will Spend It report, supported by Vypr insight, reveals how people are adjusting their spending and what they plan to protect.  Here are the shifts standing out:  79% of households say their monthly spend has increased over the past year Cost of living concerns remain high, especially among younger adults Essentials and small comforts are the most protected categories Clothing, eating out, gifting and premium goods are the first areas people plan to cut back Clear pricing, simple returns and flexible shopping options now matter more than ever Many shoppers are planning more often while buying less frequently Return fees continue to be a major deterrent for online purchases Younger consumers are the most open to using AI to plan their Christmas 2025 spend  These behaviours show shoppers looking for confidence, clarity and ...

  Lumina Intelligence’s Eating and Drinking Out Panel (EDOP)  offers a snapshot of how UK consumers continued to navigate eating out during a period of economic pressure and shifting priorities. As we analyse the 13 weeks to 29 June 2025, the data reveals a market defined by selective spending, health-conscious choices, and a preference for trusted brands. Together, these trends show how diners are adapting their habits rather than retreating altogether from out-of-home occasions. An Era of Selective Spending In Q2 2025, UK consumers continued to tread carefully with their spending amid a tougher economic climate. April recorded the sharpest GDP contraction since October 2023, just as tax rises from the Autumn Budget came into effect. Against this backdrop, eating-out penetration declined year on year by 0.8 ppts, while consumer confidence sank to its lowest level in 18 months. Consumer confidence improved slightly in May and June, but most diners still prioritised value for m...

  Pistachio is everywhere right now. From croissants to doughnuts, biscuits, and even tiramisu, there is no escaping the green hue, indulgent flavour, and nutty finish in bakery. The nut has gone from “niche patisserie ingredient to mainstream flavour hero”, according to Anthony Saison, head of category insights & customer marketing at Mademoiselle Desserts. Riding the high of the Dubai chocolate trend – which sees it paired with chocolate and crispy knafeh (a fine shredded pastry) – pistachio has soared to become a beacon for on-trend indulgence. Five pistachio bakery launches But its allure goes far beyond the hype of being a signature part of a viral flavour combination. “Pistachio sits at the intersection of indulgence, health cues, and global flavour exploration,” explains Tom Smalley, commodities buyer at wholesaler (and  reigning Supplier of the Year ) Bako. While its use has undoubtedly generated sales in droves for bakery businesses, and the wider food & drink...

  IGD Analysis, 20 November 2025 An overview of the impact that the four key trends shaping the UK market in 2026 will have on the away from home market. The Away From Home (AFH) market in 2026 will be shaped by ongoing economic pressures, evolving consumer expectations and regulatory shift. Our  series of trends reports identify the four key trends shaping the UK food system  next year and beyond, and explore the impact these four trends will have on grocery retail, shoppers, food to go and the away from home market. These  trends will impact all stakeholders in the AFH market, so it is essential for operators, suppliers and wholesalers to understand these changes and prepare for the impact on their businesses. Affordable and accessible Consumers will keep looking for value, challenging operators to maintain quality while offering good deals. Operators must compete not just with each other, but also with retailers providing strong alternatives to dining out. In 2026...

Waitrose   bakery  sales have increased by 15% in the past year, driven by a surge in interest from younger customers. The retailer said it had attracted new customers to the category, including younger shoppers “looking for trend-led innovation in flavour and premium ingredients”. It added they were tapping into a ‘little treat’ culture, as well as seeking inspiration via  social media . This had driven positive responses to  NPD  within the Waitrose bakery category, such as limited-edition lines like jalapeño breadsticks and  cereal  milk cookies. Waitrose said bagged cookie sales were up 35% year on year and its Viennoisserie (sweet  pastries ) were up 21%. New products currently being rolled out include a gingerbread bun, a Black Forest Danish and a pistachio croissant. With its sourdough sales up 26% year on year, Waitrose has also launched a new 1kg loaf, double the size of its standard offering. “For our younger customers, it’s less about t...