News and Trends

French frozen-food brand Picard will sell five bakery and pastry products in more than 150 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK from 26 October 2026. The listing puts the brand into the frozen aisles of a major supermarket group, and follows a separate online launch of 20 products on the Rohlik platform in central Europe. Picard announced the two partnerships within days of each other. It says it is present in 19 countries and grows outside its home market by working with established local retailers, with a selected range adapted to each market. Retail Times reported the Sainsbury’s listing on 14 October 2026 , and because the start date is 26 October, the products are not yet on shelf at the time of writing. The announcement gives no sales target and no investment figure for the UK. What goes on the shelves on 26 October The range has five lines: All-Butter Croissants , Mini Croissants , Mini Pains au Chocolat , Rustic Baguettes and Pastéis de Nata . According to the announcement, the b...

  Source: Comptoir Bakery London-based Comptoir Bakery has unveiled a range of bake-at-home products which are delivered to customers frozen via an online order. Included in the range are croissants, cinnamon rolls, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins, and chocolate chip cookies. Customers can also buy sheets of puff pastry or croissant dough to craft their own shapes or formats, as well as baking mixes for brownies, madeleines and chocolate chip cookies. The service will initially just be available to Londoners only but is expected to roll out across the UK later in the year. Croissants are sold in bags of six (rsp: £12), while cinnamon rolls, pain aux raisins, and pain aux chocolat come in packs of five (£12), and cookies in a four-pack (£12). A mixed bag of six pastries costs £15. Comptoir Bakery was founded in 2010 by French master pâtissier Sebastien Wind, who trained under Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. He first set up a stall in 1999 at Borough Market, trading as Sweet...

  Kantar data shared with the British Frozen Food Federation shows shifting consumer preferences amidst the backdrop of persistent food inflation. The latest findings, covering 52 weeks to 17 March 2024, indicate a modest 0.1% increase in the volume of frozen food sales, alongside notable consumer behaviour trends. In response to ongoing food inflation challenges, consumers continue to turn to own-label products, in place of established brands. In the same 52-week period, total private label volumes have increased by 2.2 percentage points against a -3.7 drop in total branded volume. Discount retailers are witnessing a surge in both volume and value, as budget-conscious consumers switch from three of the big four supermarkets, seeking more affordable alternatives. This significant shift is evident across the market spectrum, highlighting that consumers continue to prioritise value amidst economic uncertainty. However, upmarket retailers such as M&S have experienced a marginal ri...

  Namnews,  1st September 2023 The volume of frozen food sales continued to grow in the second quarter of this year as consumers impacted by the cost of living crisis looked for ways to save money. Kantar data covering the 12 weeks to 11 June shows that volume sales of frozen food grew by 1.6% compared to the same period last year. In contrast, the fresh and chilled market continued to see volume sales decline (-3.3%) as price-conscious consumers switched to frozen options. Growth was driven by increased demand for frozen vegetables, meat and poultry, potato products, pizza and savoury foods. More indulgent, premium products such as ice cream, confectionery and fish saw a drop in sales volume as shoppers remained price-conscious. The frozen ready meals sector, which saw volume growth in the first quarter, saw demand drop. The total value of retail frozen food sales climbed 20% to £326.5m, boosted by price inflation. Rupert Ashby, Chief Executive of the British Frozen Food Fede...

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,  5th December 2022 Tesco’s Chief Executive has highlighted that many of its customers are switching from fresh food to frozen goods in an attempt to reduce their grocery bills. In an interview with the BBC, Ken Murphy said some shoppers were also swapping pricier red meat for cheaper white protein to save money. He added that people were using its handheld barcode scanners more when shopping to avoid being “embarrassed” at the tills. Murphy told the BBC that shoppers were “managing their budgets much more tightly” and had changed their behaviour by “trading down” to cheaper food and own label products. Other examples he listed included seeking out cheaper frozen meat and vegetables instead of fresh produce, batch-cooking meals and cutting back on eating out. The Tesco boss said its hand-held barcode scanners allowed people to “keep to a specific budget” by being able to keep an eye on the running total, instead of being “worried about being embarrassed at the till” i...

 Namnews,  23rd November 2022 The frozen food industry is “perfectly placed” to help consumers and foodservice operators offset some of the effects of the cost of living crisis, according to Ian Stone, President and Chairman of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). Speaking at the Federation’s Annual Luncheon in London yesterday, Stone highlighted that prolonged shelf-life, reduced wastage and competitive pricing mean frozen food can help families and foodservice operators cope with the pressures of double-digit food inflation. “I believe that we, the frozen food industry, are perfectly placed to be part of the solution, not the problem. But only if we act as one and be stronger together,” said Stone. “Surely, we can garner the newfound enthusiasm for frozen food gained during the pandemic. An enthusiasm that saw retail sales increasing by £1bn and sales of freezers rise by nearly 50%.” He added: “For the consumer, we must constantly strive to offer the highest quality, b...

Source: Pret A Manger Pret A Manger has extended its Pret-at-home frozen range with almond croissants and smoothies. Rolling out to Tesco stores nationwide, the croissants, Sweet Greens smoothie and Berries & Cherries smoothie will join the croissants, granolas and coffee already sold at retail. Pret made its  grocery retail debut  in March 2021 with packs of frozen croissants as part of a transformation plan designed to widen the reach of the brand. The company said customers had since been demanding an at-home almond croissant. Sold in a four pack, they can be baked from frozen in 16 minutes and will be available in 350 Tesco stores. Berries & Cherries and Sweet Greens smoothies, which are rolling out to more than 600 Tesco shops, are sold in packs containing five portions of pre frozen fruit. Consumers need to blend the fruit portion with apple juice to produce the smoothie. “Last year we launched our first ever frozen croissants range, with customers calling them ‘...

  Supermarket chain Sainsbury's is opening a pop-up store to resemble an 'inspirational freezer' showcasing innovative ways to reduce food waste through freezing - Sainsfreeze. The new walk-in freezer concept store will show customers how to freeze unexpected foods, saving surplus food going to waste and helping people save money. The pop-up store opens in London's Boxpark Shoreditch this week, from 27-28th September. Looking like a regular Sainsbury's from the outside, the interior will greet customers with frozen groceries that would usually be bought fresh - shelves of fruit and veg, dairy, meat, fish and baked goods. What's more, all this will be being given away for free. Foods normally found on each aisle will be frozen in innovative ways to help save space and keep food for longer, thus reducing food waste. From mixing wilting herbs with oil or water and freezing into ice cube trays – perfect for throwing straight into soups and stews - to portioning minc...

Access the report here:  https://issuu.com/bfff/docs/frozen_food_report_2022_-_single_page

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%. W...

Namnews, 15th December 2021 New research from Birds Eye has revealed some of the key trends and challenges that convenience retailers face within the frozen food category. The survey of 200 independent retailers, undertaken in partnership with analysts at KAM Media, confirms how demand for frozen food has continued to increase during the pandemic. 34% of retailers said they have seen increased shopper demand for frozen products over the last 12 months, with 25% of retailers intending to invest further in the frozen category during 2022 – a growth of 6% compared with last year’s survey results. The study also explored the potential barriers to expansion that many retailers face, with 39% of respondents citing insufficient space for additional freezers as the biggest challenge to growing frozen sales in their store. A large number of retailers were also found to be missing out on new consumer trends and shopper demands, with 23% sticking with the products they’ve always stocked. “2021 ha...

Namnews, 26th November 2021 The frozen food industry has a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to grow sales and help cut carbon emissions, according to Ian Stone, president and chair of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). In an address to 700 business leaders at the Federation’s Annual Luncheon in London yesterday, Stone said British consumers had “fallen in love with frozen food” during the pandemic and that this, combined with heightened interest in environmental issues, has created the perfect platform from which frozen can continue to grow. Stone urged his peers to seize the opportunity, saying: “Consumers have discovered what we have always known; frozen foods are easy to store and cook, with little wastage. Quality and taste are fantastic and there is a wide range of menu choices. It means we have seen nearly £1bn added to the value of retail sales above that of 2019. “We need to seize this pivotal moment. In retail, we must continue to innovate with product; deliver healthi...

  21st October 2021, Namnews SPAR UK is launching a number of new frozen own label products to capitalise on the recent strong growth in the category. The five new SPAR products rolling out from 25 October are frozen Curly Fries (£1.50), Potato Wedges (£1.00), Corn on the Cob (£1.35), Raspberries (£2), and Blueberries (£2). Dave Wright, SPAR UK Brand Manager, said: “With consumers trust in the quality of our SPAR Brand lines, the increase in sales in SPAR stores is predicted to continue as shoppers look for value and look to reduce their food waste. “We will look to capitalise on this switch of shopping habits by bringing added interest to the range with these five new product lines.” The new frozen products will be supported in-store with POS as well as featuring on the symbol group’s digital channels.

Namnews, 19th October 2021 Whilst demand remains buoyant, frozen food sales growth is slowing as consumers return to pre-pandemic shopping habits. Kantar data published by the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) shows that frozen sales over the year to 5 September 2021 are nearly £900m higher than the same pre-pandemic period in 2019. However, with the reopening of hospitality and shoppers reverting to smaller basket sizes and more frequent shopping trips, frozen sales have declined, a trend reflected across the whole of the grocery market. Over the 12-weeks ended 5 September, total grocery sales were down 2.7%, fresh and chilled sales were down 1.2% and frozen fell by 3.6%. Across the nine frozen categories monitored seven remain in value and volume growth with meat and poultry and frozen vegetables seeing small value declines. Richard Harrow, Chief Executive of the BFFF, commented: “The latest figures are to be expected, as consumers start to eat out again and make more regular sho...

Namnews, 2nd September 2021 Iceland has added around 250 new lines to its frozen food offer, including several brand exclusives. A trading manager for the retailer is quoted by trade magazine The Grocer as saying it was its “biggest-ever frozen new product launch”. The new lines include 19 developed with fast-food chain Ed’s Easy Diner. The exclusive branded range includes items such as Burgers, Chilli Dogs, Pancakes, and Pizza. The frozen food chain has also linked up with Italian restaurant Piccolino for a new pizza and pasta range. Other new lines include Cathedral City ready meals such as Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Cauliflower Cheese. There are also Mary Berry desserts, Butterkist ice cream sticks, and McCoy’s frozen potato shapes. These are all being rolled out alongside new own-label products in Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores and online from this week. Iceland’s Trading Director Andrew Staniland wrote on his LinkedIn page this week: “Iceland Foods and The Food Warehouse all set fo...

©Mighty Plants Having recently received funding from Dismatrix Group, the venture capital firm run by  Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni  and Miray Zaki;  Mighty Plants , the UK producer of dairy-free avocado ice cream brand  Fravocado , launches what it claims to be the UK’s first and only online frozen plant-based food supermarket. “We want to give you food flexibility – frozen food lasts longer and reduces waste – which is great for your wallet and the planet.” Mighty Plants is an online ‘frozen aisle’ where consumers can shop for multiple sustainable frozen products in the comfort of their home and have them delivered to their door. It offers delicious dairy-free ice cream, allergen-free frozen food,  vegan ready meals , and plant-based meat alternatives from brands that aim to replace meat in our food system. Fravocado © MightyPlants A niche in the market Delivering frozen food requires special packaging, and the service is costly, say the founders Rebecca ...

Namnews, 27th May 2021 Free-from innovations could help maintain the long-term growth of the frozen food market. This is according to the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), which said its recent industry awards highlighted that companies are increasingly developing high-quality frozen free-from products. For the second year running, the BFFF Retail Product of the Year went to a free-from product: in 2019, Yorica’s Double Chocolate Cookie 14 Allergen Free Frozen Dessert took the title, and now Crown Foods No Duck Chinese Selection product holds the accolade. Richard Harrow, BFFF Chief Executive, said: “Although lockdown has undoubtedly given frozen a sales boost, it has also introduced the category to younger consumers who are looking to improve their own health and that of the environment. “I’m confident the quality of frozen free-from, plant-based and meat-free products has helped attract this new generation of frozen shoppers who will drive continued growth post-pandemic.” As wel...

Namnews, 21st April 2021 Frozen food sales continue to go from strength to strength, adding another £930m in sales, according to the latest Kantar figures released by the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). The data for the 52-week period ending 21 March, reveal frozen has continued to outperform the overall grocery market, increasing by 14.4% in value and 11.5% in volume. This is compared to 11.5% in value and 7.9% in volume for total grocery. The frozen category also outperformed the fresh and chilled category in value growth. The strong sales performance continues the trend first seen a year ago when shoppers spent an extra £131m on frozen food in the four weeks ahead of the first lockdown. Richard Harrow, BFFF chief executive, commented: “It’s encouraging to see a continuation of the success we saw in 2020. It’s evidence of a growing awareness of frozen food’s role in helping reduce food waste and the introduction of frozen to a younger demographic who want freshness, quality an...

  www.shelflife.ie Consumers have been turning to the frozen food category in their droves in recent months, as they’ve been enjoying its unique convenient, healthy and long-lasting credentials. This has been good news for sales, writes Julia O’Reilly Many consumers have found themselves regularly gravitating towards the frozen aisle during the past year. And for good reason. For consumers seeking healthy, long-lasting, convenient foods at a good price, the category has plenty to offer. Indeed, frozen food has benefitted greatly from consumers looking to stretch the impact of their trip to the grocery store. In the early months of lockdown in particular, many consumers looked to stock up on long-expiry products. In fact, Nielsen data for the four-week period to 17 May 2020, showed sales within  frozen food surge...