News and Trends

  Peter Rigney Peter Rigney • 2nd Retail Design Consultant-Rigney Forge Retail Design Consultant-Rigney Forge 1 week ago I'm just back from lunch! - The definitive event for the café, coffee shop & food-to-go sector. and The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show buzzing with insights! The shows were a vibrant showcase of what’s next in food retail and hospitality, blended with industry experts' insights speaking about their experiences. I wanted to share my top five takeaways to help your business stay ahead and keep customers coming back: 1. Use Technology to Elevate Customer Experiences Whether it's supporting your team in delivering exceptional service, enhancing food presentation with Flexeserve, or improving the order and payment process, technology is key. The right solutions will enhance your customer's experience and ensure their journey is smooth from start to finish. 2. Help Customers Make Sustainable Choices Sustainability is more than a trend—it...

  British   supermarket group   Morrisons ' underlying sales growth   slowed in its third quarter,   reflecting what its new boss said was a "noticeably softer" market. Former Carrefour France boss  Rami Baitieh  joined Britain's fifth-largest grocer as CEO in November last year, and in January said its performance was not good enough. His turnaround strategy has focused on improving Morrisons' price competitiveness, product availability and its 'More Card' loyalty programme. A scheme to price match discounters Aldi and Lidl on key items was introduced in February. Sales Increase Morrisons said on Thursday its like-for-like sales, excluding fuel and VAT sales tax, rose 2.9% in the 13 weeks to July 28, having been up 4.1% in its second quarter. Despite the slowdown, Baitieh said the group made "good headway" in the quarter. "Like-for-like sales remained positive, the switching data improved year-on-year and although the market was noticeably ...

Co-op Group, which owns Britain's seventh-biggest supermarket chain, reported a profit in the first half as growth in membership and its quick commerce business offset cost inflation. The 180-year-old group operates almost 2,400 food stores and also runs funeral, insurance, and legal services businesses. Revenue rose 1.5% to £5.6 billion (€6.70 billion) in the first half, driven mainly by its food stores and legal services. Outperformed In All Markets "Although the external environment remains challenging, it is testament to the underlying strength of our Co-op that we have outperformed in all our markets," CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said in a statement. "While there is much more for us to achieve, we are on track to reach our goal of eight million Co-op member owners by 2030. This confidence is supported by a strong balance sheet, a clear business strategy, a compelling vision, and 55,000 amazing Co-op colleagues who are central to our achievements over the last six mon...

Report on the Changing European Breakfast Habits and Supermarket Adaptation Breakfast, often hailed as the most important meal of the day, has undergone significant changes across Europe in recent years. Shifts in consumer behaviour, particularly regarding health and  sugar  awareness, have influenced what people eat in the morning. Supermarkets have had to adapt swiftly to these changes, altering their product ranges and marketing strategies to meet the evolving demands of health-conscious consumers. This report explores how European breakfast habits are changing, the rise in sugar awareness, and how supermarkets are responding to these trends. Changing Breakfast Habits in Europe Traditionally, European breakfasts have varied widely by country, from the hearty, cooked breakfasts in the UK to the lighter, pastry-based breakfasts in France and Spain. However, several common trends are emerging across the continent: Shift Towards Healthier Options: There is a clear movement towa...

As  more Britons incorporate snacks into their daily routines , understanding their preferences could be essential for brands looking to capture a share of the market. From fruits and vegetables to indulgent confectionary and savoury treats, the snacking landscape in the UK is diverse. When it comes to daily snacking frequency, fruits and vegetables lead the way. Research shows that 57% of Britons snack on fruits daily, while 41% eat vegetables just as often. These healthy options are staples in the British diet; however, indulgence also has its place in the snacking routine.  Confectionary items are a popular choice, with 45% of Britons indulging weekly. Similarly, crisps (41%) and savoury biscuits (32%) are go-to snacks for many, highlighting the nation’s love for salty and crunchy treats.  Yogurt is another favoured option, with 24% of Britons enjoying it daily and 30% weekly. Despite being promoted as nutritious options, only a small percentage of respondents consume ...

  Freshly baked authentic Scandinavian cinnamon buns We have also added to our breakfast range a veggie egg, mushroom and spinach ciabatta... Then back by popular demand our Amaretto Range that sold out last Autumn. We have added our new Velvet Americano into the range

  by Leila Lamnaouer "For years, my family and I have wanted to invest in the UK to be closer to our customers and offer them more support and services, in line with our CSR approach (which allows a company to set up projects and initiatives that are part of social and environmental concerns, editor's note) and international development. Investing in The Jones Village Bakery is a unique opportunity to get closer to the best bakery in the UK," commented Laurent Menissez. The boss of the Menissez Group, located in Feignies in northern France, announced in July that he had bought the shares of Limerston Capital, which had invested in 2021 in the bakery group The Jones Village Bakery, founded in 1934 and based in Wrexham in Wales. After Canada and the Netherlands, a stronger presence in the United Kingdom The Jones Village Bakery Group operates on six state-of-the-art production sites (including a new 'super bakery' of over 1,300 square metres) in Wrexham and Minera, ...

Sourdough remains one of the undisputed champions of the British baking industry. Often the star attraction of an artisan baker’s range, it has also become a key driver of growth for supermarkets both in the packaged bread aisles and in-store bakeries (ISB). “Speciality loaves, which include sourdough, are leading the way for value and unit growth compared to others such as traditional loaves, rolls, and French breads,” comments Hannah Sibley, product and innovation director at bakery supplier Aryzta UK & Ireland. Source: Getty Images / Mariia Vitkovska UK spending on sourdough hit £58.5m, according to Kantar data for the 52 weeks to 17 March 2024 . This marked double-digit (10.7%) growth year on year which, like other categories, is partially attributed to price rises as a result of inflation. However, with 26m packs sold over the period, sourdough volumes were up by 4.3% compared to the previous year. With total bread volumes seeing a slight decline of 0.7%, the sourdough market ...