Focus on Barbecue: 28 March

By Rob Brown (rob_j_a_brown@hotmail.com)

Publishing: 28 March 2026

Advertising deadline: 13 March 2026

Submissions deadline: 6 March 2026

Print, digital and sponsorship opportunities

Beef prices have reached unprecedented levels, with inflation hitting a record 27.4% at the end of last year. Meanwhile, consumers continue to watch their spending. So, as barbecue season approaches, how will costs reshape the barbecue’s core product – the beef burger? How are producers and retailers responding?

King of the grill

What effect will soaring mince prices have on beef burgers?

Will punters opt to buy fewer of them, choose cheaper options such as chicken – or go even more premium, splashing out on lamb burgers?

How are brands enticing customers to spend on an increasingly expensive product?

Which qualities of beef burgers are they promoting – taste, health benefits, etc.?

What effects have rising prices had on in-store promotions and marketing?

Which condiments and spices are Brits using to jazz up their barbecues?

Are there likely to be more midweek barbecues this year?

Plant based products and fish

How are plant based meats – and burgers in particular – positioned ahead of this year’s barbecue season?

What about other veggie grill items, such as halloumi?

How great an effect will rising meat prices have on the plant based category?

What about continued wariness of UPFs?

Where does fish fit in among grilled options?

Innovations

We will profile four new products or ranges. We need launch date, rsp, and a hi-res picture of each.