Ed Devlin
Ed is The Grocer's finance editor
Contact info
- Mobile:
- 07936 685 375
- Email:
- ed.devlin@wrbm.com
NewsEx-Asda commercial boss joins Direct Produce Supplies as CEO
Former Asda commercial chief Kris Comerford has landed the CEO role at major fresh produce supplier Direct Produce Supplies
NewsFever-Tree profits hit by potential EPR levy impact
Fever-Tree made a £2.8m provision related to the EPR levy in case its legal challenge against the Environment Agency fails. The drinks group said it remained confident its on-trade 200ml bottles fell outside the scope of the scheme and should be exempt
Comment & OpinionWhy pricey Huel will be worth the money for new owner Danone
As well as being bang on-trend in terms of consumer demand for wellness, the acquisition is also in keeping with Danone’s focus on a health-led proposition
NewsDanone strikes agreement to acquire Huel
Danone said the acquisition would enhance its presence in functional nutrition and extend its portfolio into the fast-growing ‘complete nutrition’ space
NewsApplied Nutrition warns of disruption from Iran war
The London-listed company said disruption to shipping routes and purchasing activities would likely lead to reduced volumes in the region affected
NewsEnterprise Foods’ sudden collapse forces Co-op to step in with supplier support
The Scotland-headquartered group, which underwent a full rebrand as Localist – The Food Merchant in 2025, has appointed liquidators at Begbies Traynor to handle the winding-up of the company, which ceased trading on Wednesday.
NewsUnilever in talks with McCormick over food business mega-merger
Unilever said in a short statement to the London Stock Exchange this morning that it had received an inbound offer for its foods business and was in discussions with McCormick & Company
NewsVirgin Wines boss confident of growth momentum
Virgin Wines CEO Jay Wright is bullish about the online wine retailer’s prospects despite the consumer environment showing no signs of improving so far in 2026
Comment & OpinionUnilever wants out of food. But it’s a tricky road ahead
The direction of travel for Unilever towards homecare, beauty and personal care has only accelerated since former CFO Fernando Fernandez took the reins in early 2025
NewsTonic Health early investors get return
Supplements challenger Tonic Health has completed a £250k secondary share sale to give early backers a return on their investment
NewsUnilever food division would be worth €31bn
Unilever’s food division could be worth as much as €31bn (£26.8bn) if the CPG giant proceeds with plans to carve-out the unit containing the likes of Hellmann’s, Knorr and Pot Noodle as a standalone business, according to City analysts
NewsMission closes six-figure raise to back rapid growth
The business plans to put the latest funding into scaling customer acquisition and expanding product development, including growing its range of functional powdered superblend drinks, including recently launched Matcha Superblend and Sleep Superblend
NewsEagle Eye sinks into the red after contract loss
Grocery tech firm Eagle Eye has sunk to a first-half loss after losing a major contract in the US
NewsVirgin Wines double downs on investment strategy despite first-half loss
Pre-tax losses totalled £400k in the six months to 2 January, compared with a profit of £1.3m in the same period last year, while EBITDA declined from £1.6m to £200k year on year
NewsCMA warns firms it will act decisively against price gouging
In a letter responding to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, CMA CEO Sarah Cardell said the situation in the Middle East was driving up wholesale prices for core commodities and would inevitably put upward pressure on prices
NewsDomino’s Pizza Group shares rally despite falling profits
Shares in Domino’s Pizza Group staged a small recovery this week as the London-listed fast-food chain returned focus to its core business following a period of turmoil
NewsOddbox losses ramp up as it freezes prices to retain customers
Losses at food waste pioneer Oddbox have almost doubled as the wonky fruit & veg box seller froze its prices in an effort to retain customers
NewsJohn Lewis Partnership rewards staff with first bonus since 2022
Chairman Jason Tarry said the group’s multi-year plan to invest in customers and its brands was working, with shopper numbers increasing and record satisfaction scores
NewsM&A appetite remains strong after 2025 uplift, figures show
Transaction numbers rose 9% year on year, with total deals up from 169 in 2024 to 184. This growth signalled renewed confidence across the market as economic conditions began to stabilise, said BDO
NewsSpoon rolls out Wildfarmed co-branded regenerative granola and secures seven-figure funding
The innovation follows a shift to a vertically integrated model as the brand opened its first factory after securing a seven-figure investment of more than £1.5m