News and Trends

As COVID-19 cases rise in many parts of the world, especially Europe, the travel industry may be set for another period of disruption as winter encroaches and traveler sentiment worsens. Uncertainty in recent days has mounted further as the new Omicron variant has spread quickly, leading to many countries reimposing COVID restrictions. The situation is particularly ambiguous as recent months had produced  stronger levels of hotel performance  with vaccination progress leading to buoyed demand, reduced restrictions and the reopening of many international borders. In November 2021, STR undertook a new online survey using its  Traveler Panel –an engaged audience of travel consumers–to examine the fortunes of the industry at this uncertain time. The research gathered the views of nearly 1,500 global travelers. Seasonality and winter chills due to COVID-19 Seasonality is likely one factor behind negative propensity to travel as consumers said they were less likely to travel do...

Namnews, 3rd December 2021 A new report from TWC has highlighted the importance of entertaining at home, a legacy of the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Almost 7 in 10 consumers said that they have entertained friends at home in the last month and/or they plan to do so in the next month. This equates to more people entertaining at home than the percentage that have met friends/family in a pub, implying a significant opportunity for both retail and foodservice operators and suppliers to create products to target this in-home occasion. The report shows that four months after the full lockdown ended in July 2021, 83% of the nation had visited a hospitality establishment in the last month – which is higher than the proportion saying that they had visited a supermarket, at 80%. So, despite some caution amongst older generations, penetration has returned to pubs, bars and restaurants. However, what may not have returned is the same level of frequency and spend as pre-pandemic, aligning with the ...

Namnews, 2nd December 2021 M&S Food is set to begin trials of an app that allows users to enter a product and then be guided by an on-screen augmented reality path to its shelf location. According to trade magazine The Grocer, the tool is due to be tested by staff at the M&S Food Hall in the Westfield Shopping Centre. The app shows markers and points to a product on a shelf when the user holds up their smartphone. When held down, a compass points which way the user should walk. The tool, which has been developed by AR startup Dent Reality, can also calculate the optimum route between items when the user enters a full shopping list. The system, which is expected to become a feature of the main M&S app, could be made available for public use early in the new year if trials go well. Speaking to The Grocer, Dent Reality co-founder Andrew Hart said: “They want to improve their customer experience, surface recommendations and recipes, and bring all the things they do online, to t...

Namnews, 1st December 2021 Tesco has unveiled its new ‘Media and Insights’ platform that aims to provide suppliers and advertising agencies access to the wealth of customer data it collects through its Clubcard and in-store activities. The move will also support plans for another round of range simplification at the supermarket group to ensure its offer meets the latest consumer needs. The closed-loop platform is powered by Tesco’s customer data science unit dunnhumby. It is designed to provide brands with proper insight to drive more “interactive, two-way relationships with customers” and help them create “stronger connections” to enhance loyalty for both suppliers and Tesco. Using data from its 20 million-plus Clubcard holders and dunnhumby’s analytical expertise, Tesco’s sees the Media and Insight platform as a way to share actionable, bespoke insight with brands to improve engagement and develop more effective propositions. Tesco highlighted the Media opportunities, with its weekly...

Namnews, 30th November 2021 Morrisons has established two new subsidiaries in Ireland but has yet to confirm what they will be used for. According to the Irish Independent newspaper, the supermarket chain doesn’t have any immediate plans to enter the Irish retail market. However, the report suggested that the new units could be used to help it overcome supply or financing issues related to Brexit. The retailer recently formed both Wm Morrison (Ireland) and Safeway Grocery (Ireland). The directors of the new Irish arms are listed as Jonathan Burke, the group’s corporate secretary, and James Badger, its online and wholesale director. Formation documentation states that the two firms are involved in the sale of food, beverages and tobacco. The place of business for both subsidiaries is a co-working office space in Dublin city centre, which also provides virtual office space. The newspaper stated that while setting up the two subsidiaries may be related to Brexit, it’s unclear what adminis...

Namnews, 30th November 2021 Tesco Ireland has announced the acquisition of ten Joyce’s Supermarkets stores based in Galway. The stores currently operate under the Joyce family’s independent brand. Subject to approval by local competition authorities, they will be rebranded as Tesco stores throughout 2022, with existing staff being invited to remain with the business. Tesco stated that it would be engaging with suppliers to the Joyce’s business to “identify and develop opportunities”. Tesco first entered the Irish market in 1997 and the deal marks its first significant investment for a portfolio of supermarkets in Ireland during that time. Financial details were not disclosed. Tesco currently controls 21.3% of the Irish market from 151 stores, including five in Galway. The retailer’s local CEO Kari Daniels stated that the move was part of the company’s strategic ambition to “bring its quality and value to more customers”. He added: “I am really pleased that we’ve reached an agreement wi...

Award-winning pastry chef  Dominique Ansel  is set to bring his creative culinary talents to Caesars Palace Las Vegas with the opening of Dominique Ansel Las Vegas, set to open next summer. "I'm thrilled to be heading out West and opening a new shop in  Las Vegas  at Caesars Palace next year. We've known the Caesars team for several years and truly believe that we're aligned in quality and creativity to bring something special to visitors and locals alike," said  Dominique Ansel . "We're quite conservative in where we choose to grow and open our shops, and at the end of the day, it's all about the team you build. There's so much talent in  Las Vegas  and we're excited to be amongst some of the best. As with all our shops, we'll be developing brand new items inspired by our new home and limited-edition exclusives just for  Las Vegas , so expect some delicious surprises." Chef Dominique is responsible for creating some of the most famou...