Ed Devlin
Ed is The Grocer's finance editor
Contact info
- Mobile:
- 07936 685 375
- Email:
- ed.devlin@wrbm.com
NewsFiid relaunch positions ready meal brand for growth
The Irish business will roll out its ‘vibrant, bold, new visual identity’ across Ireland and the UK, alongside improved recipes across its full range of microwavable pouches
NewsClean Food Group secures £4.5m to scale sustainable oils factory
It follows the purchase of the factory and 12-acre site in Knowsley in September, which gave the company a fermentation capacity of one million litres
Analysis & FeaturesAfter ‘decisive step’ on food, what does Unilever do now?
Investors pushed for an exit from food – but shares have fallen since news broke. What does an HPC-focused Unilever look like?
NewsFootfall growth below expectations as Iran war weighs on confidence
Worries over the impact of the Middle East conflict on household budgets led to weaker retail footfall traffic than hoped for over the past month, new figures revealed this morning
NewsRebel Kitchen owner Nurture Brands sells juice factory to The Juice Smith
Nurture Brands has sold its juice factory to The Juice Smith as the group focuses on its best-selling coconut water brand Rebel Kitchen and Emily seaweed crisps
NewsHuel profits race 40% higher ahead of Danone €1bn takeover
Profits at Huel soared by 40% as the meal replacement brand continued to supercharge growth ahead of its €1bn takeover offer from Danone
NewsFroot Pops ready for growth with backing from Justin King and Giles Brook
Founded in 2024, Froot Pops is already stocked nationwide in Morrisons and available on Ocado, alongside Selfridges, GoPuff, Zapp and 200-plus independents
NewsElla’s Kitchen sales hit by BBC Panorama babyfood pouches investigation
Revenues at market leader Ella’s slipped by 5.6% to £81.3m in the year to 30 June 2025, newly filed accounts showed
NewsUnilever and McCormick investors bail as $44.8bn food deal agreed
Investors in Unilever and McCormick rushed for the exit after news of its $66bn (£49.8bn) food merger broke on Tuesday lunchtime
NewsLucky Saint stuck in the red despite soaring sales
Cumulative losses at Lucky Saint have shot past £20m despite rapidly growing sales as the alcohol-free beer innovator continued to burn through cash
NewsDistress risk at retailers high even before start of Iran war
The sector remains the most distressed in Europe, with levels of default risk in the first quarter of 2026 significantly higher than a year ago and its highest level since the global financial crisis, the latest Weil European Distress Index revealed
Analysis & FeaturesWould McCormick be a good fit for Unilever food brands?
McCormick’s approach has been described as ‘extraordinarily ambitious’. But experts believe it could benefit both parties
NewsPernod Ricard and Brown-Forman in talks over spirits merger
A deal would bring together a suite of premium alcohol brands, including Havana Club, Martell and Ballantine’s on the Pernod side and Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, El Jimador and The Glendronach within Brown-Forman portfolio
News‘Ripple of fear’ as consumers prepare to pull back on spending
It follows the dire update from the British Retail Consortium yesterday that consumer confidence had ‘collapsed’ as the war in the Middle East raised the prospect of higher inflation in the coming months
NewsApplied Nutrition finding routes into Middle East amid shipping disruption
Applied Nutrition is working hard to get its products to Middle Eastern retail partners by land and sea as severe disruption to shipping channels panicked investors in the sports performance group this week
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