Posts

Op-ed: What's next for food-to-go — five trends to watch

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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...
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Delhaize Belgium, delivering on freshness and experience - Gavin Rothwell linkedin post

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Source: Gavin Rothwell, Linkedin, 25th September 2026 Freshness and experience at Delhaize Machelen.   A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting this excellent new supermarket, which majors around the themes of freshness and experience. Delhaize Belgium is a retailer I'm always keen to visit, there's a combination of quality-orientation, fresh celebration and innovation that means I always learn something new. And this store, independently operated by Miguel Delacroix and Amaury Janssen , delivered across those key areas.   As in many markets, the focus of counters has shifted to be more self-serve than serve over, which can inhibit from the experience, despite the very understandable economic reasons for making this move. But the counter displays here are very done well, and the variety of products impressed and inspired. Here are our top five highlights from the store:   1. Creating a better shopping experience and showing your wares. An open, welcoming environ...
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UK Food Inflation Holds at 1.3% in August

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Source: https://www.grocerytradenews.com/uk-food-inflation-august-2026/ UK food inflation held at 1.3% in August 2026 , leaving grocery price growth at one of its lowest rates in almost five years even as some supermarket categories moved in opposite directions. Office for National Statistics data released on 16 September shows prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages were 1.3% higher than a year earlier, unchanged from July. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.4%, matching the increase recorded in August 2025. The stable headline rate masks a sharper slowdown in confectionery and softer meat prices, offset partly by stronger vegetable prices. For supermarket buyers, that split matters more than the wider CPI story because it shows where category-level pricing pressure is easing and where it is still building. At a Glance Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation: 1.3% year on year in August. July food inflation: 1.3% . Monthly food price movement: +0.4% . Sugar, jam, syrups, cho...
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Major change for Tesco as it cracks down on ultra-processed foods

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Source: https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2026/09/11/major-change-for-tesco-as-it-cracks-down-on-ultra-processed-foods/ Tesco is ramping up its crackdown on ultra-processed foods, with 114 additives now banned or restricted across its own-brand ranges. It has expanded the number of additives covered by its own-brand policy from 65 last year to 114 ,  to simplify ingredients and respond to growing customer concerns around processed food. Artificial colours, aspartame and monosodium glutamate are among the ingredients banned outright from Tesco own-brand products, while other additives, including mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, face restrictions and have been prioritised for further work with suppliers. The company said its own research found 81 per cent of customers are trying to reduce the amount of ultra-processed food they consume, but shoppers can find the issue difficult to navigate. Tesco head of healthy and sustainable diets Alice Ritchie said: “Health needs are r...
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Shop price inflation reaches two year high

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 Source: https://brc.org.uk/news-and-events/news/corporate-affairs/2026/ungated/shop-price-inflation-reaches-two-year-high/ Period Covered: 01 – 07 August 2026 Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said: “Shop price inflation rose to its highest level in over two years, albeit well below the headline Consumer Price Index.  The impact of higher energy, input and commodity costs is beginning to filter through into prices, particularly for ambient foods which are typically imported and processed. In non-food, electrical prices rose amid the ongoing AI boom, which is forcing up the price of memory chips and storage.  Meanwhile, retailers kept clothing prices low to offer value for families getting ready for the new school year.”“The months ahead look challenging for households, with rising bills putting further pressure on budgets.  Retailers are facing persistently high operating costs, limiting their ability to absorb further increases without impacting inv...
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Coop Compass State of the Mission Report 2026

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 Source: https://www.coop.co.uk/coop-media-network/compass/state-of-the-mission-report
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IGD Store of the month visit: Marks and Spencer Food, Godalming, UK

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 Source: Linkedin , IGD An improved format fit for its largest ever Foodhall, brimming with experiential retail, highlights include: 🍣 Highly visible counters, featuring relevant cross-merchandising and adjacencies 🚥 Clear category zoning with embedded themes 🧀 An upgraded cheese barge marking the centre square of the store ❄️ Outstanding use of blended retail across various categories including Organic, seafood, desserts, BWS, pet, and herbs.  🏷️ Improved value cues through Remarkable Value bays  🍓 Strong health and sustainability messaging, spotlighting the credentials of relevant products M&S Food Godalming is an exceptional example of how retailers can format stores to bring together experience and value while featuring blended retail with some class.
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