News and Trends

Namnews, 18th February 2022 Retail frozen food sales have grown by 13.5% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with recent data suggesting the sector will benefit from longer-term changes in shopper habits. A  new market report  from British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) reveals that despite restaurants, cafes and pubs opening back up in April 2021 following over 12 months of restrictions, frozen sales have maintained their momentum. However, the return to eating out has led to less frequent shops and smaller shopping baskets which has resulted in year-on-year value growth of the frozen food market slowing to 1.2%. BFFF chief executive, Richard Harrow, commented: “After two years of disruption, the retail market is returning to pre-pandemic normal, but frozen has attracted over 400,000 more shoppers in the last two years. The retail frozen food market is now worth £7.1bn and has added nearly £850m worth of sales since 2019 that’s value growth of +13.5% and volume growth of +9.2%. With the t

Namnews, 18th February 2022 Gluten-free food manufacturer, Dr. Schär UK, has acquired Glasgow-based allergen-free bread manufacturer, GDR Food Technology. For  Dr. Schär , the deal represents its entry into the fresh bread sector in the country and gives the business its first UK production plant. The company already has 16 sites in 11 countries, offering a wide range of gluten-free products, including pizzas, savoury snacks, and biscuits. Bradley Grimshaw, Managing Director at Dr. Schär UK, commented: “This move is set to significantly boost our presence in the UK and extend our expertise within the gluten-free bread category. We can now facilitate the launch of fresh bakery products to complement the current assortment and support us in our strategic objective of bakery leadership. “We know that more and more consumers are seeking products free-from allergens to meet their dietary and lifestyle needs. Our partnership with GDR will enable us to further tap into this growing demand.” G

Namnews, 23rd February 2022 Caffè Nero has revealed that its sales are getting closer to pre-Covid levels having taken a significant hit in its last financial year. For the first half (to November 2021) of its current financial year, the coffee chain saw its sales surge up 211% to £135.7m after seeing a strong recovery in trade as restrictions eased. During its previous financial year to May 2021, its UK sales had fallen 36% to £153.3m, resulting in losses of £17m. While the rise of the Omicron Covid variant saw some office workers return to working from home, Caffè Nero trade was 82% of normal trading in December and January. Caffè Nero founder and group CEO, Gerry Ford commented: “We’ve seen a very encouraging first half of our financial year. Our business showed great resilience and recovery. “Further, even with the emergence of the Omicron variant, our sales have held up. We are now trading at 90% of pre-pandemic levels and we expect to see that improve further over the coming week

Namnews, 24th February 2022 Nisa is working on an overhaul of its Local format that will see a greater focus on sustainability, ranging, and merchandising to meet the needs of today’s shopper. The move also aims to make the format more “operationally efficient” for retailers. Speaking to trade publication The Grocer, the symbol group’s head of format Darren May said: “We’re reinventing the Nisa Local format and its proposition to drive the modern-day consumer.” Key changes include product refill stations becoming an “integral part” of the store layout. Co-op own-label ranges will also be enhanced by making better use of planograms and product placement. May is quoted as saying: “It’s about how we can use signage and display the product to emphasise these credentials. It’s a different way of utilising the planograms than we’ve ever done before and displaying the brand so it doesn’t just sit with the core range, it enhances it far more.” May told The Grocer that Nisa is also looking to b

Namnews, 25th February 2022 One of the brothers who own Asda is reportedly planning to launch a new supermarket business in his home town of Blackburn. Zuber Issa is behind the new ‘Euro Grocers’ venture, which will be a standalone business and not part of either the EG Group or Asda. Whilst the project is still in the early phase of development, the 6,000 sq. ft. urban supermarket is expected to focus on fresh food and frozen staples. It will include a butcher and fishmonger, as well as a concession serving Indian sweets and savouries. An opening date has yet to be confirmed. Just one store is currently planned but reports suggested that other sites could open if the trial is a success. It was reported  last month  that the other Issa brother, Mohsin, has become heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of Asda. This has led to a halt in the search for a new Chief Executive for the supermarket group. NAM Implications: One to watch…

  Namnews, 25th February 2022 Marks & Spencer is the best in-store supermarket in the UK, beating last year’s top scorer Aldi in the annual survey from consumer watchdog Which? The result is based on a consumer survey that looks at a range of factors including store appearance, product range, and value for money. M&S, which is currently the  fastest-growing supermarket  in the UK, achieved the highest score this year at 78% as recent moves to improve its offer paid off. The chain received five stars for store appearance, customer service and the quality of its own label and fresh products. M&S COO and Food Managing Director Stuart Machin commented: “As M&S Food modernises to become a bigger, better, fresher food business and expand our appeal to enable more customers to shop bigger baskets, this is a welcome endorsement.” Aldi was only narrowly beaten, with a 77% customer score. It was the only supermarket to get the full five stars for value for money – arguably an imp

 

Sales of Caffè Nero products via new channels including home delivery and the supermarkets are on track to exceed £10m in the current financial year, the coffee shop said. In the first half of the year, which covers June to November 2021, the business experienced ‘a notable and encouraging increase in several of its newly established channels’. It accrued £3.4m in sales through a delivery service with UberEats and a further £1.3m from its Coffee At Home business. The latter sees Caffè Nero’s products sold via supermarkets, Amazon, and its own website. These new channels are now on target to generate more than £10m of incremental revenue, which the firm described as ‘a significant development since the pre-Covid period’. The figures were revealed as part of Caffè Nero’s half-year results where it reported sales of £135.7m – an increase of 211% compared to the same period in 2020 – and an EBITDA of £29.4m, which it said was higher than the pre-Covid figure. Caffè Nero added that its sale

The hospitality and foodservice industry in 2022 is at the start of ‘the next era’, as it recovers from the pandemic and adapts to changing consumer behaviours and market dynamics. Forecasts for the total UK market in 2022 rise to £95bn, growing 27% over 2021, and nearly achieving the same levels of revenue as 2019, but there are challenges from the rising tax burden and inflationary pressure. The latest report from FutureFoodservice details forecasts, macro factors and drivers of change, and describes why the market will be different. Among the most eye-catching are: •    A total market valuation for all hospitality/foodservice (excluding accommodation) for 2022 is forecasted to grow to £95.6bn, increasing substantially from £75bn in 2021, but still lower than the £98bn achieved in 2019 •    More apparent polarisation between value-driven social refuelling and the experiential, premiumised dining, with challenges for those stuck in the middle •    A continued growth in fast food brand

Simon Moriarty ,  January 18th, 2022 January 17th, 2022 After two years of the pandemic and multiple lockdowns, what does the future hold for consumers in 2022? Our Director of Trends EMEA Simon Moriarty picks four social and cultural trends to expect this year and beyond. Providing an escape from the uncertainty of the world Even when COVID-19 will no longer be a concern, people will still want to blend at-home and in-venue experiences.  The model of releasing films in cinemas and on digital platforms will continue , with streaming services looking at new premium models to monetise non-cinema viewing. There could be some potential backlash against this from viewers who already pay for streaming services, and from those in the film industry who expect financial compensation based on cinema box office revenue. However,  there is significant potential to enhance viewer experience on all platforms through customisation , on-demand, augmented reality and more as people crave enjoyment ever

Namnews, 17th February 2022 Booker is reportedly set to unveil a new food-to-go concept for its symbol stores, which is based on a service started by one of its Premier retailers. According to trade publication betterRetailing, the Tesco-owned wholesaler is planning to highlight ‘Refresh @ Premier’ at its trade shows next month. The concept is a standalone food-to-go area that combines F’real, Tango Ice Blast, Hershey’s Freeze, and hot coffee machines. It was launched last year at a Premier store in Sheffield. A source close to the company told betterRetailing: “They are refreshing the concept, so it is a different version of what’s been done previously. They’ve learned lessons from what they have done before and are trying to achieve something that can be spread out further to more retailers. “The current model won’t work in every single store, but they’re trying to find something that other independent retailers can fit into their shops.” Mandeep Singh, who runs the store in Sheffiel

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 04 February 2022 SSP Group plc has issued its Trading Update for the first four months of its financial year ending 30 September 2022, covering the period from 1 October 2021 to 30 January 2022. SSP has had a good start to the new financial year, notwithstanding the impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on the travel sector. Over the first four months of the financial year, total Group revenues were c.62% of 2019 levels. As reported at the Preliminary Results in early December, trading had recovered well over the summer and early autumn, with sales running at c.66% of 2019 levels in the first nine weeks of the new financial year (1 October to 5 December 2021). This had been led by the Rail sector, at c.71% of 2019 levels, benefitting from a return to office work as well as strengthening leisure traffic, with the Air sector, at c.62%, boosted by an extended holiday season in the autumn across the UK, Continental Europe and North America. The spread of the Omicro

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 07 February 2022 Catering and event management specialist, Smart Group, has acquired luxury catering company Last Supper in the latest bid to become industry leaders in catering and events. Last Supper joins the groups’ existing catering brands within Smart Group of Moving Venue and Smart Hospitality, alongside other group divisions Evolution London, Smart Parties and Smart Live. Last Supper, the self-styled ‘curators of beautiful events’, boast an enviable portfolio of clients such as Gucci, Breitling, Sotheby’s and Mont Blanc, alongside a variety of private clientele. Last Supper benefit from this strategic acquisition with Smart Group’s buying power and the opportunity of being part of a wider business offers. Last Supper will retain 25% of the business and keep its brand identity, remaining as a separate trading division of the Group. The team structure, offices and kitchens of Last Supper will be un-affected by the purchase and the business will continue to be

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 07 February 2022 Cove UK has established an instant foothold in the Scottish holiday parks sector after purchasing eight parks from Argyll Holidays. The confidential deal, for an undisclosed sum, was arranged by Colliers and corporate finance adviser DSW to enable the three directors and brothers Keith, Allan and Roy Campbell to begin their retirement. Argyll Holidays was established by their father Douglas Campbell in the 1960s and has been a family business ever since. The portfolio includes eight holiday parks with a total of around 1,800 pitches in Argyllshire, on the west coast of the country. More than 250 staff are employed by the business during peak season, which includes privately owned holiday homes as well as rental holiday accommodation, alongside food and beverage offerings. The Argyll portfolio includes waterside, holiday villages Hunters Quay Holiday Village in Dunoon, Drimsynie Holiday Estate in Lochgoilhead, and Loch Lomond Holiday Park, set on th

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 11 February 2022 London’s hotel market will return to pre-pandemic performance levels, but is unlikely to return to growth until at least 2024/25. This was the conclusion of the 15th hotel webinar organised by consultancy HVS, legal expert Bird & Bird, publishing group EP Business in Hospitality and restructuring advisory firm AlixPartners, held on Wednesday. While the majority (38%) of the 300 webinar attendees said in a poll that they did not expect hotel RevPAR to reach 2019 levels until 2023, 19% were more pessimistic with estimates of recovery later than 2024. Nearly half said a key feature of a successful London hotel post pandemic would be a hybrid space, offering workspace alongside F&B and rooms. When it comes to business travellers, 22% of those polled thought corporate restrictions on travel budgets would be the biggest challenge facing London’s hotels with 36% believing the availability of online meeting platforms such as Zoom meant that there w

 rpbi-openings.co.uk,  11 February 2022 Compass Hospitality continues its strong expansion into the UK market, with an additional Scottish property, acquired by Singapore-based Seacare Hospitality. The Best Western Queen’s Hotel of Perth will be the Compass Hospitality’s 16th hotel in the UK, further establishing the hotel management companies’ strong foothold in the market. Located in the heart of Perth Scotland, the hotel offers exceptional transport links being ideally placed adjacent to Perth Railway Station and Bus Station; offering access to major cities such as London, Edinburgh & Glasgow. Located just a short walk from the bustling town centre, the striking 51-bedroom hotel also boasts an impressive bar and restaurant area, plus modern meeting and event facilities for up to 160 guests. Additionally, the hotels on site gym, swimming pool, steam room and sauna facilities are a welcome attraction for both hotel residents and leisure-club members. The well-established property

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 14 February 2022 Confidence returns to pre-pandemic levels as international travel restrictions lift; but UKinbound research shows 2022 will still be very challenging. UKinbound, a leading tourism association that represents over 300 UK tourism businesses that service international tourists visiting the UK, has released results that show business confidence has risen to pre-pandemic levels. The association’s Q1 Business Barometer Member Survey, complied by Qa Research, indicated that 56% of inbound tourism businesses are confident about bookings, visitor revenue and customer orders for the next 12 months, a figure not recorded since July 2019. The results come following the removal of all restrictions for vaccinated international arrivals into the UK from 4am today, Friday 11 February. Vaccinated arrivals are no longer required to take a Covid-19 test pre-departure or on arrival in the UK. However, although confidence across the inbound tourism industry, the UK’s f

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 14 February 2022 The regional hotel market saw considerable investment in 2021, with £2.04 billion transacting and the South West hotel market continued to be in demand with investment volumes climbing 8.2% compared with 2020, to £86.1 million, according to Savills. The real estate advisor represented in excess of 40% of hotel assets transacted in 2021 in the South West. Key deals include: Treloyhan Manor in St Ives sold to Manchester based developers for over £3 million off a guide price of £1.75 million, The Dial House in Bourton on the Water sold to overseas investors off a guide price of £2.5 million and the sale of the Ibis Swansea and Ibis Budget Newport to an unnamed private buyer off an undisclosed guide price. James Greenslade, Director in the Hotel Capital Markets team at Savills Exeter, says: “The regional hotel market has performed exceptionally well, driven by consumer demand for staycations. While accelerated by the pandemic lockdowns, this is a theme

Namnews,   14th February 2022 Delivered wholesale business Kitwave has acquired M.J. Baker Foodservice, a leading independent foodservice supplier operating in the West Country. Founded in 1999 and based in Newton Abbott, Devon, M.J. Baker offer over 3,500 products in ambient, chilled and frozen foods, together with alcohol, confectionery and non-food items. M.J. Baker will be incorporated into Kitwave’s existing Foodservice division which currently controls the trading operations of H.B. Clark & Co. and David Miller Frozen Foods. Paul Young, Chief Executive Officer of Kitwave, commented: “The acquisition of M.J. Baker is an excellent addition to our Foodservice division and expands the group’s nationwide reach into the South West. M.J. Baker is renowned for providing a quality delivered solution to its customers, a key part of the Kitwave Group ethos. “I am delighted to welcome the M.J. Baker team to Kitwave and we look forward to continuing to build our nationwide foodservice off

Namnews, 14th February 2022 Poundland has continued its push into the grocery market with the opening of a new large store format that hosts a wider range of fresh food aimed at attracting cash-strapped shoppers doing a weekly shop. The 15,000 sq. ft. outlet is located at the Riverside Retail Park in Nottingham and is three times the size of an average Poundland store. It sells a wide range of fruit, vegetables and bread alongside its chilled and frozen food offering that has been rolling out across its estate over the last couple of years. The store is said to be more like a supermarket with trolleys and belted checkouts, and sells beer, wine and spirits. Poundland has been trialling fresh food in a handful of convenience stores but this is the first time the retailer has stocked these items in a main store. It plans to add the new ranges to more than 20 other large stores this year. “It’s a natural extension of what our customers are looking for,” said Barry Williams, Managing Direct