Vince Bamford
The Grocer
Vince is fmcg editor at The Grocer and covers news of developments in food, drink, entertainment, health & beauty and toys. Contact him with details of new product launches, other innovations and advertising campaigns.
Stories by this contributor.
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Focus On Free-From
27 Jun 2009
Without the attempts made by seventh-century Chinese Buddhist monks to liven up their diet, the free-from market as we know it today probably wouldn’t exist. It was they, legend has it, who first discovered gluten. When not practising the moves that would one day make Jackie Chan a rich man, the monks conducted experiments with wheat flour, discovering that kneading dough in cold water extracted a gummy mass primarily made up of gluten.Of course, you don’t have to suffer from a di
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Suppliers link up to protect credentials of UK rapeseed oil
18 Jul 2009
Rapeseed oil suppliers have formed an organisation to protect and promote the quality of the home-grown premium product. Grown and extracted by an estimated 30 suppliers in the UK, cold-pressed rapeseed oil is sold as a premium oil that...
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Focus On Winter Remedies
24 Oct 2009
Swine flu spent the summer grabbing headlines and scaring the population silly. Bad news – unless you are a purveyor of winter remedies, sales of which are up 13% by value and 9% by volume. Vince Bamford reportsLet’s not beat about the bush: the swine flu outbreak is great news for those who make and sell winter remedies. If health experts’ predictions are correct then a lot of people are going to get sick this winter – and businesses will turn a si
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Focus On Winter Remedies: Coughs and sneezes spread... um... sales Subscription
24 Oct 2009
Let's not beat about the bush: the swine flu outbreak is great news for those who make and sell winter remedies.
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Focus On Pasta & Pasta Sauces
07 Nov 2009
Pasta’s convenience, value for money and versatility have made it a recession-busting favourite during family mealtimes – despite hefty commodity-driven price rises over the past year. Vince Bamford reportsPasta is one of the great recession success stories. Volume sales have risen 5% year-on-year despite price rises driving the category’s value up 16.1% [TNS 52w/e 9 August 2009].And although there seems to have been some trading down – a greater i
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Focus On Pasta & Pasta Sauces: Watching the pennes Subscription
07 Nov 2009
Pasta is one of the great recession success stories. Volume sales have risen 5% year-on-year despite price rises driving the category's value up 16.1% [TNS 52w/e 9 August 2009]. And although there seems to have been some trading down a...
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Focus On Hot Desserts
12 Dec 2009
Obesity problem? What obesity problem? Families are filling up on traditional puddings and microwaveable twin pots as comfort eating, coupled with eating in, heat up the hot desserts market, says Vince BamfordIt’s grim out there. Swine flu, floods and recession. No wonder consumers are staying inside and seeking solace in hot desserts.A lot of solace. Value sales in the overall hot-served chilled desserts market have leapt 11.4% to £150m over
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Focus On Hot Desserts: Big helpings all round Subscription
12 Dec 2009
Obesity problem? What obesity problem? Families are filling up on traditional puddings and microwaveable twin pots as comfort eating, coupled with eating in, heat up the hot desserts market, says Vince Bamford
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Focus On Impulse
16 Jan 2010
Impulse continues to struggle as consumers cut down or stock up on their favourites, but thanks to meal deals homemade sarnies have been forgotten and soft drinks are powering ahead, says Vince BamfordThe packed lunch. It looks harmless enough.But as well as being pilloried this week in a report that found 99 out of 100 children’s lunchboxes full of crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks, it’s also been responsible for causing considerable pain
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Focus On Impulse: Hooked on meal deals Subscription
16 Jan 2010
The packed lunch. It looks harmless enough. But as well as being pilloried this week in a report that found 99 out of 100…
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Focus On Fairtrade
20 Feb 2010
Fairtrade sales have rocketed in value and volume in the past year. And with big names such as Dairy Milk now on board, it’s no wonder. Vince Bamford reportsWill 2010 go down as the year Fairtrade hit the mainstream? I should cocoa!The biggest influence on the fortunes of the market for Fairtrade food and drink over the past 12 months has been the adoption of the Fairtrade mark by major chocolate brands such as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Kit Kat and, most
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Focus On Microwaveable Foods
27 Feb 2010
Scratch cooking is cost-effective, but microwave meals are convenient. And shoppers aren’t about to give them up just because times are hard. Vince Bamford reportsTalk to someone who makes cooking sauces and they’ll tell you we’re all dusting off the ovenware and eating more home-cooked meals as a family. Listen to someone in the hot snacks market, however, and you’ll hear that the convenience of the microwave is king and that family members a
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Focus On Microwaveable Foods: Rise of the micro snack Subscription
27 Feb 2010
Scratch cooking is cost-effective, but microwave meals are convenient. And shoppers aren’t about to give them up just because times are hard. Vince Bamford reports
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Focus On Free-From
26 Jun 2010
The success of gluten-free fresh bread Genius has prompted a sea change in the category, heralding a shift from long-life to fresh products, says Vince BamfordIt sounds ridiculous to credit a single product with improving the fortunes of an entire category. But in the case of free-from, it may just be true.Last May, Genius gluten-free fresh bread arrived on the scene, prompting a host of other brands to follow suit with their own fresh breads
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Focus On Free-From: Free-from brings home the bread Subscription
26 Jun 2010
The success of gluten-free fresh bread Genius has prompted a sea change in the category, heralding a shift from long-life to fresh products, says Vince Bamford
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Focus On Batteries
28 Aug 2010
A 150% hike in sales of Duracell rechargeable batteries through the grocery channel has taken a heavy toll on the take-up of its rivals’ products, reports Vince BamfordLess is more – in the case of rechargeable batteries, at least.Supermarkets have been rationalising their fixtures, pulling out smaller brands and devoting increasing amounts of shelf space to Duracell, resulting in a whopping 149.5% uplift in value sales, according to the late
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Focus On Batteries: Seizing power Subscription
28 Aug 2010
A 150% hike in sales of Duracell rechargeable batteries through the grocery channel has taken a heavy toll on the take-up of its rivals’ products, reports Vince Bamford
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Focus On Confectionery: Market not so sweet on sugar Subscription
02 Oct 2010
Lack of NPD may have dented sweet sales, but natural products, round-pound deals and sharing bags are ensuring the market doesn’t sour, writes Vince Bamford
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Game on Subscription
04 Dec 2010
Since 2008 the multiples have snatched at least £70m in sales from video game retailers. Now, with specialists against the wall, supermarkets are adding pre-owned games to their arsenal to take on online sites. Vince Bamford reports
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Focus On Fairtrade: Sweeter times for Fairtrade Subscription
12 Feb 2011
Fairtrade continues to buck recessionary trends, as shoppers with a heart opt for ethical alternatives – not least when they’re buying chocolate and wine. Vince Bamford reports
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Focus On Fairtrade
12 Feb 2011
Fairtrade continues to buck recessionary trends, as shoppers with a heart opt for ethical alternatives – not least when they’re buying chocolate and wine. Vince Bamford reportsThe doom-mongers said shoppers would ditch Fairtrade when the financial going got tough.How wrong they were. Sales of sugar and confectionery have driven a 46.1% year-on-year value growth in the category as a result of Tate & Lyle sugar switching to Fairtrade last F
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Focus On Pizza: Category raises its game Subscription
26 Feb 2011
Innovation, tiering and World Cup promotions have helped own-label pizza steal a lead on its rivals – but brands won’t give up their slice of the market without a fight, says Vince Bamford
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Focus On Pizza
26 Feb 2011
Innovation, tiering and World Cup promotions have helped own-label pizza steal a lead on its rivals – but brands won’t give up their slice of the market without a fight, says Vince Bamford
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Life on Mars: own goals ‘give brand 70s image’
11 Mar 2011
Mars has crashed 20 places down the list of Britain's 100 biggest brands despite pumping millions into a World Cup tie-up and slashing the fat content of bars. Sales of the 79-year-old brand have slumped 14.2% a £17m fall in value while...
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Persil washing-up liquid is back with a fruity look
12 Mar 2011
Persil washing-up-liquid which was axed by Unilever 14 months ago is being resurrected this month with a new look and formula. In November 2009 the range was the highest-profile victim of Unilever's strategy to reduce its number of...
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Coconut water tipped to become £100m category
19 Mar 2011
Product launches and increased distribution have reinforced coconut water's position as a product to watch in 2011, say industry observers. In the same week that coconut water brand Vita Coco was rolled out to 250 Tescos across the UK,...
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Unilever: ‘expecting great things’ from its chilled cooking oil
19 Mar 2011
Unilever is hoping to inject a bit of cool into the cooking oil category with Flora Cuisine, the UK's first major chilled oil launch. The oil, which is rolling out now, is made from a blend of linseed, rapeseed and sunflower oils and...
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Walkers hails Crinkles launch as ‘biggest in five years’
21 Mar 2011
Walkers is launching a range of crinkle-cut crisps next month, in a move the PepsiCo brand claimed was the biggest category launch of the past five years.
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Persil revamp targets 30min washing cycles
28 Mar 2011
Laundry detergents that work at low temperatures? Pah. Unilever reckons it has gone one better with a revamped Persil Small & Mighty that promises short washing cycles as well as a 30C wash. The concentrated format has been...
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Hovis rolls out Union Jack loaf packaging
25 Mar 2011
Hovis is to roll out a Union Jack pack design to highlight its use of flour milled from British wheat. From the end of March, the brand's Soft White range will carry bold Union Jack packaging and the tagline '100% British Wheat'. The new...
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Walkers is accused of ‘cloning’ rival brands with Crinkles launch
26 Mar 2011
The launch of a crinkle-cut range by Walkers has prompted a claim that the brand “clones” rival crisp products. Walkers is to roll out Walkers Crinkles in April, a move it claimed would be the biggest category launch of the past five…
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Hot Topic: Sticking a female-friendly tag on a beer could limit its potential
02 Apr 2011
Back in the 90s, there was much talk of making pubs female-friendly. Publicans were urged to put flowers on tables, ensure pubs were well lit, and encourage the lads propping up the bar to put their shirts on.
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Special relationship brings US favourites to shelves of Asda
04 Apr 2011
Asda’s drive to bring US products to UK shelves continued this week with the roll-out of RC Cola. Regular and diet Royal Crown Cola launched in the US in 1905 is available nationwide in two-litre bottles (rsp: £1.28) and six-can packs…
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Could DIY cigarettes prove a £2bn market in the making? Subscription
02 Apr 2011
Is Imperial Tobacco fighting the illicit trade in tobacco with Make Your Own cigarettes, as it claims, or has it spotted a nice little earner, asks Vince Bamford
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Unilever intensifies conditioner rivalry with Comfort Bright
02 Apr 2011
The neck-and-neck battle for pole position in the laundry conditioner market intensified this week as Comfort launched a product that it said would revolutionise the category.Comfort owner Unilever has rolled out Comfort Bright Whites…
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Rowntree’s steps on to Haribo’s share bag turf
02 Apr 2011
Rowntree's is muscling into traditional Haribo territory with the launch of sharing bags of jellies, sours and foams.Aimed at young families, Very Berry Jellies, Sour Faces and Jelly Aliens are rolling out at the end of the month. They...
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Promo Dynamic: Cracking Easter egg offers hit shelves earlier than ever Subscription
09 Apr 2011
Brands are doing their best to make the shopping seasons longer, while bogof is making its mark – especially at Tesco. Vince Bamford reports
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First PG Tips. Now there’s a rice that uses a pyramid bag
09 Apr 2011
Birds Eye has taken a leaf out of a well-known tea brand's book by launching a microwaveable frozen rice that's cooked in a pyramid shaped bag.Rolling out this month, the Rice Fusions range of rice and vegetable dishes cooks in three...
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Airtight secret to ambient ready meals that keep for a year
09 Apr 2011
A range of ambient ready meals that has a 12-month shelf life, uses no artificial colourings or preservatives and in many cases is gluten-free and halal is looking for further retail listings. But despite also ticking boxes when it comes...
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Mars and Cadbury unveil latest NPD in fight for bite-size
08 Apr 2011
Mars and Cadbury have both unveiled products targeted at the growing demand for bite-size chocolate treats. In a first for the Cadbury Dairy Milk brand in the UK, Chocos will offer consumers 11 round pieces of chocolate in a roll-pack...
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NHS removes false babyfood advice as The Grocer wades in
18 Apr 2011
Health chiefs panicked into incorrectly advising parents not to give infants rice-based babyfood following media "scaremongering" over a Swedish report this week but after The Grocer alerted them, it has rectified the error.
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Is Innocent planning a posher Pot Noodle?
18 Apr 2011
Innocent is keeping a lid on its NPD plans but The Grocer understands it is working on a "completely new" posh Pot Noodle-style product to launch in September.
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Investment in Aero takes it into biscuits
15 Apr 2011
Aero is being moved into the biscuits category for the first time as part of Nestlé's major push for the brand. On shelf from 25 April, the new product is sold in multipacks of seven bars of Aero chocolate mixed with round pieces of...
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Aquafresh makes a splash at Cineworld with oral care promo
16 Apr 2011
GlaxoSmithKline has struck a deal with cinema chain Cineworld to screen a 10-minute show promoting Aquafresh kids toothpastes. Under the sponsorship agreement, which runs from this month until the end of the year, the 10-minute show will…
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Cruzcampo aims to get drinkers sharing their beer like wine
16 Apr 2011
Brits are being encouraged to treat beer more like wine by switching to larger bottles for sharing with friends. Distributor The Morgenrot Group is ramping up activity around Spanish beer Cruzcampo after securing exclusive rights to...
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Big Ears and The Body in tug-of-love over Crinkles
27 Apr 2011
Supermodel Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson stars alongside Gary Lineker in the new advert for Walkers Crinkles. The ad will debut tonight (27 April) during the Real Madrid- Barcelona Champions League semi-final on ITV.
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Nestlé recalls Milkybar Buttons
27 Apr 2011
Stores have been told to clear a range of Milkybar Buttons products from shelves after a consumer found a piece of rubber in a pack. Nestlé issued a recall order this week and has established that the rubber came from a production line belt at one of its manufacturing facilities.
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All About Food takes La Tasca sauces to UK dining room tables
30 Apr 2011
All About Food is targeting what it describes as the "untapped" market for Spanish cooking sauces with its latest restaurant link-up. The company, which produces Pizza Express, Nando's and Wagamama grocery products, is to launch a...
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Could Pockets be the best thing since sliced bread?
30 Apr 2011
Kingsmill is aiming for a slice of the growing breads of the world market by offering alternatives to standard sandwich bread.Among the new products the brand is rolling out on 2 May are pre-cut pitta style ‘pockets’. Kingsmill Pockets…
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The wine world’s great secret heads for London
30 Apr 2011
The profile of Lebanese wines "one of the wine world's great secrets," according to one Master of Wine is set to be boosted by its debut appearance at the London International Wine Fair. Generic body, Wines of Lebanon, will be attending...
