News and Trends

  Oatly, Nestlé and Innocent Drinks are among those pulling products from shelves as figures show even Veganuary backfired Jon Ungoed-Thomas Sat 20 May 2023  When the dairy-free brand Oatly launched a range of vegan ice-creams, including chocolate fudge and hazelnut swirl, in October 2019, it hoped to entice consumers with flavours described as “unashamedly indulgent”. The range – described by fans as “silky” and “creamy” – was part of what food experts described as a “gold rush” to tap into the vegan market, including “vegfurters”, vegan mayonnaise and marbled plant-based steaks. One analysis found  nearly a quarter of all food products launched in 2019 were labelled vegan . But it appears the boom-time for some vegan products may now be over. While Oatly’s range of oat drinks enjoys high demand, the Swedish company confirmed last week it was withdrawing its ice-cream tubs from the UK market. A spokesperson said: “Given a number of our plant-based friends are doing ...

The nation’s love of doughnuts is more ferocious than ever, and businesses are happy to cater to this appetite with new shops and new sweet treats. For proof, take a look at Project D. The Derby-based business raised more than five times the amount it had targeted through  a recent crowdfunding campaign , with more than £2m pledged to help the doughnut specialist grow in the coming years. Canadian chain Tim Hortons, famed for its doughnuts, is also continuing its march across the UK, while homegrown Planet Doughnut has  unveiled plans for expansion  alongside up-and-coming business Harry’s Handcrafted Doughnuts. Health-conscious firm  Urban Legend  is also making a major play for the market as it looks to entice consumers with lower fat, sugar and calorie offerings. Consumers are spoiled for choice with a growing number of outlets to purchase doughnuts from, each one with their own unique take on the classic sweet treat. So, as  National Doughnut Week ...

ONS inflation data released today shows that UK food and drink prices in April 2023 were up +19.0% year-on-year, by the CPI method inflicting ongoing hardship on households. IGD said the figure broadly aligns to its own forecast and may indicate that food price inflation has peaked – the rate in March was +19.1%, so the new data indicates a small decline. James Walton, chief economist at IGD, said: “IGD’s latest forecasts, along with today’s new figures, suggest that inflation may have peaked. This is partly because the powerful forces which drove those price increases are running out of momentum, with prices for energy, fertiliser and some basic food commodities falling. “Despite this, due to a number of factors such as long and complex supply chains and ongoing contractual arrangements, there are still further cost increases to work through the system. This means we will continue to live with inflation for several months – which doesn’t offer much relief for hard-pressed shoppers. “H...

Source: Lina Taravella - stock.adobe.com A few of the top current trends in instore bakeries and delis are global influences, nostalgia based in cultural roots and bright colors . Many consumers are looking to branch out and try new flavors from countries around the world , and they are also cherishing their family traditions and the flavors that bring them comfort. While every consumer comes to the supermarket with their own unique family backgrounds and varied stages of life, it is important for them to receive a personalized experience. Gone are the days of generalization. Focus on the five Whitney Atkins, global marketing vice president for the Madison, Wis.-based International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), identified the significance of the number five for the deli and bakery industry in 2023. She explained that engaging consumers with all five senses is the key for retailers wanting to stand out. Atkins also pointed out that there are currently five generations in the ...

Namnews, 16th May 2023 Tesco has joined Morrisons in suggesting food inflation is set to abate and even reverse in the coming months. After yesterday announcing a fourth wave of price cuts since the start of the year, Morrisons’ Chief Executive David Potts promised that shoppers would see many “deflation dividends” over the coming months. Tesco revealed its latest round of price cuts today, with reductions on 30 products, including own-label pasta and sunflower oil. This follows a number of supermarkets dropping the price of some lines of bread and butter last week in response to falling commodity prices. Tesco’s Chief Product Officer Ashwin Prasad commented: “As we see deflation coming through on key cupboard essentials such as pasta and cooking oil, we’re pleased to pass on these savings to customers. “We hope that by reducing prices on these 30 products, which are bought week-in, week-out, we can help customers spend less.”

 Namnews,  17th May 2023 Amid the cost-of-living crisis impacting households and the FMCG industry alike, new research suggests that there is a silver lining for brands in the sector. According to Kantar’s new report ‘ The Great British Squeeze: Innovation Edition’ , despite the rise of private label products and consumers shopping increasingly at discounters, product innovation is thriving. The research notes that the top 10 new product developments (NPDs) of 2022 demonstrated an ability to resonate with households who consider themselves to be struggling financially. Seven out of the top 10 new product launches over-indexed with this group. The struggling shopper group has experienced a consistent increase in size, from 14% in May 2020 to 25% in the latest data. As inflation rates soared and borrowing costs grew, the number of individuals finding it difficult to manage costs has nearly doubled. In such an environment, Kantar noted that brands that can offer value to consumer...

 Namnews,  18th May 2023 Blis, a planning & buying platform, has launched a  new e-guide  showing how UK grocery shoppers are now buying to help marketers understand consumers’ preferences and motivations while offering tips on overcoming the current challenges. Titled ‘The UK grocery list: how to reach shoppers when saving money is the essential item’, the study reveals that 46% of British consumers consider themselves to be bargain hunters when it comes to shopping their groceries. That is nearly 25 million shoppers behaving more cautiously in the face of inflation. Additionally, the findings reveal that over 46 million (85% of the UK population over 18) are now shopping from multiple stores. Over a quarter of them (43%) choose to do this so they can get the best offers, even if that means multiple trips to different stores. Supermarket own-label products were found to be regarded as essential, with 85% of consumers likely to buy them. Being cheaper is the main...

Namnews, 18th May 2023 Tesco has begun testing a new layout for its fresh food aisles, having scrapped its meat, fish and deli counters over the recent years due to falling demand. A report by trade publication The Grocer said the supermarket was introducing new signage and lower-level displays for fresh products. Stores piloting the layouts for the fruit & veg, fish and meat aisles are displaying new signage under the banner The Fresh Market. The report stated that Tesco wanted to introduce new theatre into its stores after the removal of the food counters and improve the shopping experience for customers. Richard Wood, category director for meat, fish & poultry, is quoted as saying: “We’re delighted to begin trialling new fish and deli areas in some our large stores, as well as introducing updated point of sale for meat and poultry aisle. “These areas will showcase new and improved products and offer customers a wide range of great value and great quality options for all occa...

  Slow recovery in the UK food to go sector, impacted by household spending power and travel disruptions     The UK's economic outlook has started to improve, with GDP no longer expected to be in negative growth in the first half of 2023. However, subdued growth is predicted for the first half of the year, and inflation remains high, with continued pressure on household spending power, which in turn weakens consumer confidence. But how is this affecting the Food to Go sector? Here are some key highlights: The sector's recov...

Namnews,  12th May 2023 The volume of frozen food sales returned to growth in the first quarter of 2023, according to latest data from Kantar. Over the 12 weeks to 19 March, volume sales in the sector grew by 2,572,000 tonnes, compared to the same period last year. The value of retail frozen food sales also continued to increase in the same period, up 9.5% (£273.06m), largely driven by inflation across the food supply chain. Frozen vegetables, meat & poultry, potato products, ready meals and savoury foods all saw a jump in volume during the 12-week period compared to last year, whilst more indulgent products, such as ice cream and confectionery, saw a drop in sales volume. The growth in the frozen food market comes as Kantar data also shows that volume sales of fresh and chilled foods decreased by 5.0% in the same period. This suggests that more consumers are seeing frozen food as an affordable choice during the cost of living crisis. Rupert Ashby, Chief Executive of the Britis...

 Namnews,  11th May 2023 Blakemore Foodservice has been awarded five new contracts worth a total of £9m. The contracts, which will be serviced from the wholesaler’s 80,000 sq. ft. site in Wakefield, will add over 400 new accounts across education, care homes, leisure facilities and other council-run services. Matt Johnson, trade sector manager, said: “The wins demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting education catering. Our knowledge of the sector is exceptional and our team’s experience and understanding are outstanding, enabling us to deliver quality concepts and solutions through dedicated client support.”

Namnews, 11th May 2023 Co-op’s partnership with Just Eat is set to reach the 1,000-store milestone by the end of this month, with the convenience retailer stating its aim to bag 30% of the rapid delivery grocery market. Co-op estimates that more than 80% of the UK population will have access to Co-op groceries online by the end of this year, through its own online shop and with delivery partners. Last year, the society saw its online revenues grow by 24%, with it using the strategic advantage of its stores located in local communities to grow its presence in the channel. Over the last six months, the retailer has also expanded its use of autonomous grocery deliveries, with its self-driving robots now operating in areas such as Bedford, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Leeds and Greater Manchester. Chris Conway, E-commerce Director at Co-op, said: “Co-op is combining its physical and digital routes to market stores to further expand and grow its online reach. With our stores locat...