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FDF report: 90% of suppliers concerned over Sainsda merger Subscription
The FDF’s formal submission to the CMA’s probe into the deal claims it would have ‘disastrous impact’ on innovation…
Nando’s grocery sales more than triple amid global expansion Subscription
Nando’s grocery sales more than tripled over the past year amid significant investment to expand the chicken condiment brand globally.
City News: Sainsbury’s shares sink following CMA legal challenge Subscription
Sainsbury’s this week reassured shareholders its legal challenge to the Competition & Markets Authority had not dented its “confidence” its mega-merger with Asda will go ahead, but nervous shareholders had other ideas.
White Rabbit Pizza Co secures £750k cash boost from angel investors Subscription
Gluten-free startup White Rabbit Pizza Co has secured a £750k cash injection to underpin its expansion plans.
Planet Organic back in growth before private equity buyout Subscription
Planet Organic moved back into the black in the run-up to its PE buyout earlier this year.
Graze sales slide despite in-store growth as sales process continues Subscription
Sales dived 5.2% at healthy snacking brand Graze last year, despite a strong performance from its retail arm.
Deliveroo grows UK rider workforce by two thirds this year Subscription
The rise had been driven by growth in orders and expansion into new parts of the UK…
Tesco brings back Festive Five 29p fresh food promotion Subscription
Festive Five was launched by Tesco boss Dave Lewis in his first Christmas as CEO, in 2014
Bestway posts £267k loss after Conviviality Retail purchase Subscription
Bestway Retail MD David Robinson said the losses were not as severe as expected
Berry sales boom in year of extremes for fruit & veg
Brits splashed out an extra £100m on blueberries, strawberries and raspberries in 2018
Poundworld founder Chris Edwards hires for new chain Subscription
Edwards plans to open first of 100 ‘OneBelow’ branches in February
Low and no-alcohol wine sales drop despite moderation trend Subscription
Sales of low and no-alcohol wine fell £3.4m to £70.2m over the past 12 months
Ocado looking for fifth UK CFC Subscription
Average orders per week grew 13.1% to 320,000 in the fourth quarter…
Entry opens for The Grocer’s New Products Awards 2019
To be eligible, products must be introduced or developed between 1 January 2018 and 28 February 2019
City snapshot: Graze sales slide as buyout nears Subscription
Sales dived 5.2% at healthy snacking brand Graze last year as the search for a buyer continues into the New Year. Plus, British American Tobacco makes a raft of staffing changes, Dole Food Company sells European salad businesses to BAMA International and all the rest of the latest news from the City.
Media Bites 14 Dec: Sainsbury's/Asda, UK high street. Ocado Subscription
The Competition and Markets Authority is delaying publishing its initial findings on the merger of Sainsbury’s and Asda from early next month to early February
Booths to sell food through Dobbies Garden Centres Subscription
The scheme comes as part of the upmarket grocer’s strategy to cultivate new markets
Morrisons adds discount produce box to cut food waste
The Too Good to Waste boxes are set to go on sale this week at £1
Poundland planning to 'reboot' store design Subscription
Retail director Austin Cooke likened the planned reboot to Aldi’s Project Fresh
JJ Food Service sales pass £200m - but profits decline Subscription
The company saw pre-tax profits plunge from £6.1m to £3.7m
Campylobacter levels in supermarket chicken decline
Quarterly tests reveal improvements in the presence of the bug
Bidfood identifies key culinary trends for 2019
The wholesaler has launched a new guide for caterers this week
Former Tulip MD Jose Peralta joins Patisserie Valerie
Peralta was MD of pork processor Tulip Food Company (UK) and senior VP of parent company Danish Crown from October 2016
Ocado retail sales up 12% in fourth quarter Subscription
Ocado has grown its retail revenues by 12% in the fourth quarter, driven by a double-digit increase in order numbers.
Media Bites 13 Dec: Sainsbury's/Asda, Pernod Ricard, British American Tobacco Subscription
“Sainsbury’s hit by Asda deal doubts” is the headline in the The Times after the pair launched a legal challenge against the CMA’s investigation timetable.
Miranda Hart voices ad in £1.5m Hula Hoops Puft push Subscription
Meanwhile, KP Nuts has launched a festive promotional drive with support for Save the Children
General Mills to bring Lärabar healthier snack to UK Subscription
Lärabar’s fruit and nut-based SKUs will be ‘the first 100% vegan’ brand launch for General Mills in the UK, says the supplier
Potato processors to feel impact of heatwave until next summer
The total tonnage fell to 4.9 million tonnes, compared to the five-year average of 5.6 million tonnes
CMA warns of delay risk to Sainsbury's-Asda merger probe Subscription
The CMA’s response came after Sainsbury’s and Asda revealed they would lodge an application to the Competition Appeal Tribunal
Aldi swaps polystyrene pizza discs for recycled cardboard
The move applies to all Aldi pizza products and will remove a claimed 180 tonnes of plastic from circulation annually
Poundland posts strong growth in fourth quarter Subscription
Poundland’s growth was driven primarily by the introduction of Pep&Co clothing outlets in 300 branches
Little Tummy claims UK first with HPP babyfood service Subscription
Prices will start at £25 for a weekly meal plan, with meals delivered in insulation boxes made with recycled paper
Waitrose to trial robots to farm food
The upmarket grocer is to use the robots in the wheat fields in a three-year trial from February
Diver Tom Daley to headline British Lion egg campaign
British Lion is gearing up for a £1m marketing campaign, set to debut next year
insight
As profit margins shrink, what's going wrong in liquid milk? Subscription
Müller Milk and Ingredients CEO Patrick Müller this week warned the sector had reached a “tipping point” in terms of profitability
Upheaval, disruption and scandal: 2018 had everything
In an up-and-down year, the triumph of The Grocer’s Waste Not Want Not food waste campaign is our highlight
How the perception of 'premium' food and drink is constantly evolving
As own label catches up, ‘premium’ means more than a high price or fancy packaging, says Joanna Parman, commercial business partner at Nielsen
Top Campaigns 2018: the ads we loved this year Subscription
From Elton John in a rap battle, to superhero cheeses and an orange alpaca, here are 50 of the best fmcg adverts from the past year
Has Amazon disrupted advertising too? Subscription
How the digital retailer is standing out in an advertising landscape that still relies on TV
Food and drink must continue using the power of pressure in 2019 Subscription
This year has seen how pressure on suppliers and retailers can have positive results for health and the environment
How the Tesco fraud case improved supplier relations Subscription
While the SFO’s case against two Tesco executives has been thrown out, the financial scandal has changed relations between…
Small companies can use big data to add a personal touch
Big data provides, throughout the retail value chain, abundant information that can be a significant help in decision-making
Brands are let down by recycling infrastructure in the war on packaging waste Subscription
I think we should celebrate the brands and retailers hitting the over 80% mark for recycled materials in their festive choc boxes
Low and non-alcoholic booze: should we believe the hype? Subscription
Non-alcoholic booze is conquering Britain, if you believe the headlines. But are we really becoming a nation of teetotallers? Or have retailers and suppliers overplayed the trend as they chase higher margins? We take a deep dive into the no & low craze - and ask if it’s here to stay…
How flexitarianism and clean eating shaped food & drink habits in 2018
Superfoods and sports nutrition are gaining ground, while tobacco and sugary soft drinks are falling out of favour, The Grocer’s Top Products survey has revealed
What fmcg can learn from the pharmaceuticals industry on labelling
The claim that packaging is too small for sufficient information is not a defence, says Julie Vargas, head of technology for grocery at Avery Dennison
Meat producers don’t have to go vegan to do better Subscription
From its links to climate change to health and welfare, meat consumption has been one of the big stories of 2018
The most-loved NPD from our Instagram this year
Here’s what has got food fans double-tapping on our Instagram account this year
Five of the fastest growing challenger brands in alcohol
The most-loved NPD from our Instagram this year
10 of the fastest growing grocery challenger brands
How flexitarianism and clean eating shaped food & drink habits in 2018
New plant-based food and drink hitting shelves for Veganuary 2019
Iceland introduces 'world's first supermarket ice rink'
Poundland trials 'Secret Santa' aisle with gift-wrapped range
Former Tulip MD Jose Peralta joins Patisserie Valerie
Why we should resist the diet diktats of the nanny state
Justin King returns to M&S as non-executive director
Inexperienced and ignorant buyers are choking the life from suppliers
Plastic ban 'could do more harm than good' to environment
Advertising groups react to Sadiq Khan's HFSS ad ban on London transport
Back Brexit deal to prevent food chaos, urge retail leaders
Sainsbury's stocks edible crickets in UK supermarket first
UKWA urges members to push MPs to back Brexit deal
Meat producers don’t have to go vegan to do better
Businesses are backing May’s Brexit deal – but will MPs follow suit?
Morrisons slammed for Welsh lamb PGI labelling error
