News and Trends

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...

 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...

 Source: https://www.coop.co.uk/coop-media-network/compass/state-of-the-mission-report

 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.

Source: Gavin Rothwell Linkedin post. Grocery Gazette   Asda has just launched a dedicated hot meal deal, priced at £4 and including a main, a dip and a side. What we like about this is how it plays to providing solutions for shoppers, not least in how it offers an array of time of day relevant solutions within the hot food offer. And of course the £4 price point is simple to understand and attractive. Across the market as a whole, this is a fascinating time in the evolution of food-to-go and in how different meal deal mechanics are being adopted by a range of operators - Pret's Pick Your Pair deal is just one recent example of this. Asda has introduced hot food to its meal deal offering,  available at the retailers’ rotisserie counters at participating stores nationwide. This move is designed to offer customers a convenient and affordable alternative when on the move, and the deal includes a main, side and dip for £4. The offer includes a wide range of breakfast and luncht...

Biscoff’s distinctive caramelised flavour and versatility have made it a popular topping, filling and inclusion across the global bakery sector. (Image: Lotus Bakeries) Lotus Bakeries is making its biggest-ever investment to turn soaring demand for speculoos into lasting global growth The global Biscoff boom, explained: Lotus Bakeries is investing at least €500m across Belgium, the US and Thailand to support Biscoff’s continued global expansion through 2030. Biscoff already ranks among the world’s five largest biscuit brands, with volume and revenue growing by more than 20% in the first half of 2026. Social media recipes, cross-category versatility and partnerships with Mondelēz and Froneri are helping turn speculoos from a viral flavour into a lasting global platform. Lotus Bakeries is committing at least €500m to increase production of its caramelised Biscoff biscuits and spread across three continents by 2030. Equivalent to more than a third of the group’s entire 2025 revenue, it’s ...