News and Trends

JJ Foodservice has launched an AI tool that shows customers where they could save on their next order. JJ Price Compare AI works when customers upload, drag and drop, or photograph a recent supplier invoice with the tool designed to remove the time and guesswork involved in comparing supplier prices manually. The AI tool is then said to return an instant, item-by-item breakdown showing exactly where they could be saving money, with each product marked using a traffic light system: Green: JJ is lower in price; Amber: JJ does not currently stock the item; Red: the customer’s existing supplier is cheaper. Baris Kacar, chief sales officer at JJ Foodservice, said: “We wanted to make it easier for people to know they’re getting great prices without spending hours comparing invoices. JJ Price Compare AI turns that process into something that takes seconds – offering a clear, honest view about where you can save.” Shoppers can then add all products, or only the items they choose, directly to ...

  Tesco controls 27.8% of the British grocery market. Or 26.3%, depending on which research company you ask. Both figures were published on 13 October 2026. Worldpanel by Numerator puts Lidl ahead of Morrisons. NielsenIQ has Morrisons ahead of Lidl. Both agencies agree, however, that Lidl is gaining market share while Aldi and Asda are losing ground. There is another uncomfortable number. UK grocery sales grew just 1.0% in the latest four weeks, while grocery price inflation reached 2.5%. For retailers and FMCG suppliers, the problem is becoming familiar. Sales value can increase without much improvement in actual consumption. And winning market share does not automatically mean making more money. UK Grocery Market Share October 2026: Two Different Rankings The latest Worldpanel by Numerator report covers the 12 weeks ending 4 October 2026. NielsenIQ’s October Total Till report covers the 12 weeks ending 3 October. Both measure grocery retailers in Great Britain, but their method...

Source: https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2026/09/14/m-s-preventing-bakery-waste/ Over 350 M&S Food stores will offer Too Good To Go Surprise Bags, made up of surplus bakery products, as it works to give customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day. Following a trial in a select number of stores across the UK, this is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to ensure good food doesn’t go to waste. The Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies and bread baked in store. Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for £3.80. Customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app and collect them Monday to Saturday, one hour before their local store closes. Lucinda Langton, head of sustainability at M&S Food, said: “ Too Good To Go is a brilliant example of how we’re turning our commitment to reducing food waste into practical action. By ...

 Source: https://www.sandwichandfoodtogonews.co.uk/ftg-features/446-spreading-the-love It’s not easy delivering on consumer expectations – but Delifrance’s marketing & innovation director, Stéphanie Brillouet, has the nous to guide you through the rest of the year. DISCERNING PALATES Hot food, breads and wraps are becoming increasingly important to the sandwich and FTG sectors, as consumers seek convenient food that feels substantial, satisfying and worth the spend. For operators, this is creating opportunities to move beyond traditional formats and build variety into menus with breads, wraps, fillings, flavours and formats.  Value remains a key consideration, but consumers are increasingly judging this via overall product quality rather than price. Délifrance’s Prove it: The Trends Driving Sandwich Consumption in 2026 report found that 56% of consumers consider value for money when choosing where to buy a sandwich. However, higher-quality fillings (45%), freshness (4...

Source: mobilityplaza.com, Gavin Rothwell, 18th September 2026 https://www.mobilityplaza.com/news/op-ed-what-s-next-for-food-to-go-five-trends-to-watch Salads are booming, chicken chains are crossing the Atlantic, and food halls are reshaping smaller spaces. Gavin Rothwell, founder of Food Futures Insights, shares his view on the key opportunities ahead. © Heorshe - stock.adobe.com Healthier, fresher options are growing across key markets The trend towards salads and bowls is now in full swing across many European cities. In its current form, it’s a trend imported from the US, where the likes of Sweetgreen and Dig Inn have blazed a trail that has now spread across the Atlantic. But while these two operators are most famous for salads, the proposition is moving well beyond that. The development of hot bowls, protein plates and wraps based on quality fresh ingredients is permeating more and more across both sides of the Atlantic. London is a great example of how this is evolving. There a...