News and Trends

The deep dive into the bread and viennoiserie categories found that 70% of consumers surveyed said their consumption of bakery products had not changed during the pandemic. However, factors like health, sustainability, indulgence and COVID-related hygiene concerns are impacting the sector. While the pandemic has certainly given impetus to the health and wellness trend, indulgence continues to be an important trend as consumers look for speciality breads and viennoiserie. Earlier this year, BakeryandSnacks reported on  Délifrance’s research on the viennoiserie category, ​ ​ which found that 79% of consumers consider taste to be the key factor when choosing an indulgent treat, compared to 61% placing freshness at top spot, and 49% pinpointing price. Prove It: A Bread Focus Délifrance’s report reveals that taste remains the key purchasing decision amongst 95% of Brits. 72% of British households buy bread at least weekly, with 80% purchasing both packaged bread and fresh bread from ins...

Namnews, 29th June 2021 Data released today by NielsenIQ shows total till grocery sales at supermarkets in the UK fell only 2.4% in the four weeks to 19 June despite facing tough comparatives with the exceptionally high levels of spending in the sector last year. A late May bank holiday weekend, combined with a short heatwave and the beginning of Euro 2020 all helped to maintain grocery sales, which remained flat (-0.1%) over the longer 12 week period. NielsenIQ’s data also confirms that category performance shifted in response to changes in weather. For example, delicatessen sales grew 13.5%, with soft drinks (+12.3%), bakery (+8.7%) and crisps, snacks and nuts (+4.1%) all increasing as shoppers sought to enjoy the sunny period. This is in contrast to sales for frozen (-9.3%) and packaged grocery (-12.8%), whilst spend also shifted away from beers, wines and spirits (-4.4%) as indoor drinking and eating returned. Meanwhile, NielsenIQ found that online grocery sales declined by 6.9% ov...

The coffee shop market has seen significant changes over the past year, with specialists severely impacted by lockdowns and site closures.  In 2020, 59.5% of sales were lost and coffee specialists’ share of the food-to-go market decreased by 5.1%. However, recovery has begun and by 2022 the market is set to grow to £2.8bn – a 115% increase from 2020, although this will still be 15% less than in 2019. Source: IGD UK coffee shop sector report 2021   In our latest report on the coffee shop sector and its shoppers, we look at the operations and shopper profiles of the three biggest players –  Costa ,  Starbucks  and  Caffè Nero  – and the new entrants who may disrupt the market.   Food ranges and availability are a top priority for shoppers Shoppers are concerned with food-to-go ranges and availability. However, the selection of hot and cold food is something that they are least satisfied with, with average satisfaction ratings for food on o...

  Pret A Manger expands grocery range with two new ketchups These items will be available to purchase nationwide in Tesco. Pret A Manger announced the expansion of its grocery range with two new ketchups, available for purchase from over 700 Tesco supermarkets and online. The chain said the Chipotle Ketchup is a recipe that has been used in their sandwiches, salads and hot food over the years, and features a spicy tomato and red pepper ketchup with smoky chipotle chilli, garlic and lime juice. Meanwhile, the new Korean Style Ketchup was previously added to Pret’s Korean Chicken Baguette, and is made with gochujang (chilli paste), soy sauce, chilli and garlic. The two new items continue Pret’s expansion into consumer-packaged goods as part of the business’ transformation programme. PRET A MANGER MULTICHANNEL

Consumers in Ireland are keen to make up for lost time in pubs, bars and restaurants, new research from leading business insight consultancy CGA Strategy reveals.   A major survey for CGA’s ‘Consumer Insights’ report shows more than half (53%) of adults in Ireland plan to go out to eat and drink more often than they did before COVID-19, while a third (32%) say they will spend more than they usually do over the next 12 months.    The figures are revealed as hospitality venues in Ireland settle into new trading, having reopened for outside service from 7 June. However, they remain subject to restrictions on distancing and table numbers, and indoor service is not scheduled to return until 5 July. In Northern Ireland, indoor hospitality resumed on 24 May.    CGA’s research highlights the value of outdoor space to the confidence and spending of consumers in Ireland. Three in five (59%) say they feel confident about visiting ven...

The Country Range Group member has launched the platform with Mirakl Marketplace and will offer caterers access to more than 50,000 new products by the end of 2021. Initially, the marketplace has more than 10,000 products available on it and has already helped Turner Price rack up record website traffic. The site is inspired by the best B2C practices rather than those more associated with B2B models, with ease, convenience and efficiency all key features of the new marketplace. And by using Mirakl, the Turner Price marketplace seamlessly blends first- and third-party products into one place. “The marketplace model was a no-brainer for us, as we lead the way in digital innovation in the sector and transform wholesaling to deliver the very best service to our customers,” said Turner Price’s Director of Sales Marketing, Julian Owen. “Like many sectors, catering experiences fast-moving trends and customers want to tap into these, while also having a broader choice of products. “Ma...

The Grocer, By  Helen Gilbert 24 June 2021 Save article Source: Genius Foods Genius has become the latest brand to tap the trend for functional loaves with a range of products baked with active cultures.  Called Gut Lovin’, the five-strong selection is said to be high in fibre, gluten free and packed with vitamins and minerals with ‘active cultures in every serve’. The range comprises: Bloomin-Great Tiger Bloomer (Rsp £3.00/400g) Joy-Full Artisan Loaf (Rsp £3.00/385g) Boosted Brioche Buns (Rsp £1.50 x 2) Super Powered Seeded Rolls (Rsp £2.00/ x 4) Feel-Good White Rolls (Rsp £1.50/x 2) The NPD, and accompanying ‘bold and vibrant’ rebrand, was developed after Genius saw consumers taking active steps to nourish their gut health through the consumption of pre or probiotic foods, increased fibre intake and the reduction of gluten in their diet. Research by the Edinburgh-based business found that 66% of UK consumers wanted to improve their gut health, with others interested in avoid...

The UK eating out market is forecast to grow by 33.4% in 2021, to reach a value of £63.6bn, before making a full recovery and exceeding its 2019 market value by the end of 2022. This is really positive news for the industry, but beneath the overall numbers there will be disparity as some channels recover quicker than others, as displayed by the graph below. The above chart highlights the channels that are expected to recover quicker/slower than the total UK eating out market, which is set to recover to 70% of it 2019 value by the end of the year. Using data from our UK Eating Out Market Report 2021, we identify the three stages of hospitality market recovery… Low Ticket and Low Contact The above figures show the 2021F recovery to 2019 turnover for the three leading channels driving market recovery in 2021. Channels with more focus on takeaway and offer lower ticket solutions are well placed to capitalise on consumers seeking out cheaper meal solutions. The top six eating out companies ...

 T he Grocer,  By  Lyndsey Cambridge | 23 June 2021 No comments Save article On-demand delivery app Grocemania has kicked off a major dark store expansion, cutting out retailers for the first time with 18 planned new hubs. The first dark store opened this week in Kingston, with a second to follow in Twickenham in July. The remaining 16 hubs will be rolled out in partnership with Valli Forecourts by December. Customers within the Kingston and Twickenham area will be able to receive groceries within 10 to 15 minutes.  The new division will operate alongside Grocemania’s existing tie-ups with more than 300 independent retailers and food producers across  Nisa, Budgens, McColl’s and Spar forecourt stores.  Booker will be supplying the dark stores , alongside local fresh producers. Grocemania said it had invested in state-of-the-art PoS technology to facilitate stock management and help process transactions quick...

  Namnews, 23rd June 2021 Grocemania, the on-demand grocery delivery app that launched in 2018, has opened its first ‘dark store’ for servicing orders in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London. It is the first of two dark stores being launched by the company this summer with a second due to open in Twickenham next month. Grocemania’s app and online platform allow consumers to order groceries for delivery in minutes from Nisa, Londis, Budgens, McColls and SPAR stores located in BP petrol stations, as well as independent retailers like local butchers, fishmongers and producers. The dark stores are being launched as part of Grocemania’s new initiative, GM Local, which highlights the company’s commitment to supporting local producers by digitally connecting them to customers. Users in the same area as the new dark stores will be able to receive their orders within 10 to 15 minutes. Over 300 retailers and producers have already signed up to the app and are trading independently across the...