News and Trends

 

      Our latest Eating & Drinking Out Panel data highlights a cautious consumer mindset during the festive period, as mixed economic signals shape participation, channel choice and menu preferences.   Cautious consumers amidst mixed signals Inflation remains higher than last year, despite lower interest rates, while consumer confidence shows little movement. This has resulted in softer overall participation, with consumers approaching eating-out occasions more selectively during the festive period.   Value-led channels gain share Quick service restaurants have recorded the strongest growth in channel share, reflecting demand for convenient and...

  Full report available here: https://media.licdn.com/dms/document/media/v2/D4E10AQF62Ye633I0Xw/ads-document-pdf-analyzed/B4EZrFQvQ6KoAY-/0/1764246096824/HOWTHEUKREALLYEATS1pdf?e=1767794400&v=beta&t=gBasfSIzrJRik6EKN2zevPyYtPXhRUD2rPLnw4WNByE or here: R:\UK\MARKET REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS\How the UK Really Eats - Health, Habits and Hidden Opportunities.pdf

  Today’s insight comes from our new collaboration with The Grocer , exploring how health, affordability and everyday eating habits are redefining what people want from food and drink brands.# The report, Eating Well in 2026: The New Rules of Health and Value , brings together new Vypr insight to highlight the biggest movements shaping the year ahead. Shoppers are becoming more conscious of what goes into their products and more selective about the claims they trust.  Key findings include:   79% feel more confident buying products with fewer and more recognisable ingredients “Low in sugar” is now a stronger daily health cue than “high protein” 40% say protein snacks are too expensive GLP 1 medications are influencing appetite, portion size and snack choices, particularly among women aged 25 to 54 Health, transparency and enjoyment are now working together to shape what people choose. Bran...

We explored how tradition and discovery shape festive dessert choices across five markets, combining quant, free text and behavioural insight to understand what people reach for and where they are open to something new.    What we found   UK: Christmas pudding 64%, mince pies 61%; 62% likely to try new.  Italy: Panettone 81%, Pandoro 71%; 88% likely to try new.  Germany: Lebkuchen 63%, Spekulatius 58%, Stollen 52%; 64% likely.  Australia: Pudding 62%, Pavlova 37%; 71% likely (summer favours chilled).  US: Christmas cookies 52%, fruitcake 17%; 58% likely.  Why it matters   Tradition anchors choice, but there is real space for seasonal innovation, especially in Italy and Australia. In the US, festive rituals like baking and decorating are the key entry point. In Germany and the UK, premium twists on familiar classics resonate most .   

Today we are diving into shopper confidence for the year ahead. Retail Week’s How They Will Spend It report, supported by Vypr insight, reveals how people are adjusting their spending and what they plan to protect.  Here are the shifts standing out:  79% of households say their monthly spend has increased over the past year Cost of living concerns remain high, especially among younger adults Essentials and small comforts are the most protected categories Clothing, eating out, gifting and premium goods are the first areas people plan to cut back Clear pricing, simple returns and flexible shopping options now matter more than ever Many shoppers are planning more often while buying less frequently Return fees continue to be a major deterrent for online purchases Younger consumers are the most open to using AI to plan their Christmas 2025 spend  These behaviours show shoppers looking for confidence, clarity and ...

  Lumina Intelligence’s Eating and Drinking Out Panel (EDOP)  offers a snapshot of how UK consumers continued to navigate eating out during a period of economic pressure and shifting priorities. As we analyse the 13 weeks to 29 June 2025, the data reveals a market defined by selective spending, health-conscious choices, and a preference for trusted brands. Together, these trends show how diners are adapting their habits rather than retreating altogether from out-of-home occasions. An Era of Selective Spending In Q2 2025, UK consumers continued to tread carefully with their spending amid a tougher economic climate. April recorded the sharpest GDP contraction since October 2023, just as tax rises from the Autumn Budget came into effect. Against this backdrop, eating-out penetration declined year on year by 0.8 ppts, while consumer confidence sank to its lowest level in 18 months. Consumer confidence improved slightly in May and June, but most diners still prioritised value for m...

  Pistachio is everywhere right now. From croissants to doughnuts, biscuits, and even tiramisu, there is no escaping the green hue, indulgent flavour, and nutty finish in bakery. The nut has gone from “niche patisserie ingredient to mainstream flavour hero”, according to Anthony Saison, head of category insights & customer marketing at Mademoiselle Desserts. Riding the high of the Dubai chocolate trend – which sees it paired with chocolate and crispy knafeh (a fine shredded pastry) – pistachio has soared to become a beacon for on-trend indulgence. Five pistachio bakery launches But its allure goes far beyond the hype of being a signature part of a viral flavour combination. “Pistachio sits at the intersection of indulgence, health cues, and global flavour exploration,” explains Tom Smalley, commodities buyer at wholesaler (and  reigning Supplier of the Year ) Bako. While its use has undoubtedly generated sales in droves for bakery businesses, and the wider food & drink...

Waitrose   bakery  sales have increased by 15% in the past year, driven by a surge in interest from younger customers. The retailer said it had attracted new customers to the category, including younger shoppers “looking for trend-led innovation in flavour and premium ingredients”. It added they were tapping into a ‘little treat’ culture, as well as seeking inspiration via  social media . This had driven positive responses to  NPD  within the Waitrose bakery category, such as limited-edition lines like jalapeño breadsticks and  cereal  milk cookies. Waitrose said bagged cookie sales were up 35% year on year and its Viennoisserie (sweet  pastries ) were up 21%. New products currently being rolled out include a gingerbread bun, a Black Forest Danish and a pistachio croissant. With its sourdough sales up 26% year on year, Waitrose has also launched a new 1kg loaf, double the size of its standard offering. “For our younger customers, it’s less about t...

MORRISONS : New Chocolate Orange Pain au Duo SAINSBURYS: TTD Spiced Honey and nut Bun Birthday Cake Muffin Caramel Latte Muffin Custard Ring Doughnut TESCO Fiest Chocolate & Honeycomb Choux wreath MORRISONS Chocolate & Orange Doughnut Chocolate & Orange Brownies GREGGS: Gingerbread Muffin Chocolate & Hazelnut Muffin MARKS & SPENCER Cranberry, Pistachio & Orange Sticky Buns Peppermint Bark Cookies Mini Ham & Cheese Croissants Almond Croissant Blondie Chocolate Pastel de Nata

 

  Source: Ole & Steen Cinnamon Social Slice Waitrose has teamed up with Danish bakery café chain Ole & Steen to expand its in-store bakery offering with an range of sweet pastries. Launching at 35 stores and online, the exclusive partnership is aimed at further accelerating growth at the high-end retailer as well as bringing thousands more customers to the Ole & Steen brand. The range includes a Cardamom Bun, a Maple & Pecan Social Slice, a Chocolate Swirl, and Ole & Steen’s signature Cinnamon Social Slice, which can also be purchased in a sharing format: the Cinnamon Social Half. Among the Waitrose stores introducing the pastries is Newbury, which has recently been refurbished at a new ‘Home of Food Lovers’ concept store to trial ideas and technology such as electronic shelf labels and handheld devices to check stock levels and answer customer queries. “With their emphasis on quality, craftsmanship and respect for baking traditions, Ole & Steen complements ...