News and Trends

Source: Gail’s Bakery The Brown Slab (Dark Sourdough) Gail’s Bakery is rolling out a quartet of new or improved loaves packed with a variety of healthy grains and flours sourced from regenerative farms. As with its  previous bread reformulations  from earlier this year that were aimed at improving flavour and nutrition, the brand has updated two of its traditional recipes by increasing the number of grains to include emmer, spelt, rye, and barley in addition to wheat flour. The San Francisco Sourdough and the Focaccia have both been redeveloped, while The Brown Slab (Dark Sourdough) and the Hazelnut & Walnut Sourdough are newcomers to the Gail’s artisanal bread offering. These will be available from Wednesday (11 September) at all 143 Gail’s outlets, which includes its new in-store takeaway bakery at Waitrose Canary Wharf, as well as in its branded fixtures at 64 Waitrose stores. Gail’s is  targeting 35 new locations across the UK  this year, whilst trying to for...

Source: Getty Images / Thai Liang Lim Gail’s is in the press again due to its use of day-old pastries to make almond croissants, but the issue highlights the challenges bakers are facing in educating shoppers and demonstrating value, says  British Baker  editor Amy North. Gail’s has been having a tough couple of weeks – first residents of Walthamstow started a petition to keep the ‘large-scale bakery chain’ from opening in the area and now it’s being criticised for charging more for almond croissants made from day-old pastries. The media circus around the latter started after a user on X, formerly Twitter, posted a comment stating: “Unsure whether to be impressed or horrified that someone has come up with a concept to capitalise yellow sticker goods to make more profit,” after finding out that its almond croissants cost more than a plain one. The Gail’s website currently lists an almond croissant at £3.80 and a plain one at £2.65, with a Chocolate & Almond Croissant listed...

Source: Gail’s / Waitrose Gail’s Bakery has extended its partnership with Waitrose in a move that will see branded fixtures rolling out in 64 of the retailer’s stores. As part of this, Waitrose is doubling the range of Gail’s sourdough loaves and other baked goods it stocks, adding new lines from crackers to baguettes, bagels, and muffins. Waitrose has been stocking Gail’s bread since 2010 and currently sells its baked goods in 95 stores across the UK as well as online. The latest move follows a trial in three Waitrose shops at the end of last year. “The Gail’s brand is really loved by our customers, so I’m delighted that we’re rolling out this bigger range and dedicated areas,” said Aileen Kell, Waitrose bread buyer. “Like us Gail’s are passionate about sustainability when it comes to using high quality ingredients, packaging, and recycling so they make a great partner for us as we grow our baked goods business.” Dan Barrett, managing director of grocery & wholesale at Gail’s, add...

 Namnews,  30th November 2022 Waitrose is trialling dedicated Gail’s fixtures in the bakery departments of three stores. The supermarket already sells a limited selection of some of the bakery chain’s bread in several stores across the UK. According to trade publication The Grocer, Waitrose shops in Berkhamsted, Bloomsbury and Richmond now contain a dedicated Gail’s bay to “further elevate” the offering. The report stated that the fixtures could potentially roll out to other Waitrose stores if successful. The retailer’s Commercial Director Charlotte di Cello told The Grocer: “We’ve been very choiceful about who we want to partner and work with to make sure we’re offering the best proposition we possibly can to customers.”

rpbi-openings.co.uk, 28 June 2022 Bakery chain Gail’s has secured a new site on Zenoria Street, off Lordship Lane in East Dulwich, SE22. Gails have taken a new year lease on the 2,874 sq ft warehouse building located at 1 Zenoria Street, formerly occupied by Brick House Bakery and Cafe, in what will be one of their largest sites to date. Gail’s has been on the expansion trail recently with numerous new openings both inside and outside of London. Louie Gazdar of DCL acted for the Landlord. Stephen Fixman of Forty Group acted for Gail’s.