latest news
P&G reports sluggish growth in first quarter Subscription
Procter & Gamble got off to a slow start in its new financial year as sales came in below expectations as sluggish growth continued to plague global consumer goods giants.
BrewDog returns to crowd for fifth time to raise £10m Subscription
BrewDog is again turning to its ‘equity punks’ to raise up to £50m in its fifth crowd campaign
Food plant audits need a rethink
I was one of the commentators on the 2 Sisters video footage obtained by the ITV/Guardian newspaper investigation
Reckitt restructure baffles City analysts Subscription
A surprise radical restructure at Reckitt Benckiser left analysts scratching their heads this week
Bestway in running for Costcutter contract while still eyeing Nisa deal Subscription
Costcutter-owner Bibby Line Group has lowered its expectations recently, but the two parties are still thought to be some distance apart
Britvic launches posh squash ranges aimed at adults
The Fruit Creations and Cordials lineups fall below the threshold of next April’s sugar levy of 5g per 100ml (after dilution)
David Shaw leaves Genius to become MD at Good Hemp
Good Hemp has appointed Genius Gluten Free commercial director David Shaw as its new MD
Quorn capitalises on meat-free popularity with revenue jump Subscription
Quorn is back in double-digit growth as demand for meat-free alternatives continues to boom in the UK and overseas…
Harrods sales pass £2bn as tourists make most of weak pound Subscription
Harrods expects capital expenditure to continue to increase over the coming years
UK winning war on sugar as industry responds on health Subscription
The war on sugar is working, exclusive analysis by The Grocer reveals
Kitchup in £100k crowdfunding bid Subscription
Food tech startup Kitchup has launched a £100,000 crowdfunding campaign to fund expansion and development of its technology
Iceland refashions its booze for Christmas Subscription
Iceland is making a concerted play to boost its share of the alcohol market with an influx of new own-label drinks
Sue Garfitt promoted to Alpro VP of customer development
Alpro UK & Ireland commercial director Sue Garfitt has been promoted to the role of vice president of customer development…
Smarties offers up orange-only packs to mark 80th anniversary
The 150g pack was “one of our most requested” said the supplier
Poultry sales bounce back despite 2 Sisters scandal Subscription
The poultry giant suspended production at a plant on 1 October following allegations of food safety violations
City snapshot: Metro sales slow in final quarter Subscription
Sales slowed in the final quarter for German retailer Metro as like-for-like growth fell back in its wholesale stores and its Real hypermarkets. Plus, DX Group shakes up leadership team as it reports another £80m-plus loss forthe year.
Media Bites 20 October: Unilever, Nestlé, Pernod Ricard, M&S Subscription
Unilever’s third quarter trading update was the big fmcg news of the day as the papers dissected how the consumer goods giant was performing after fighting off an unwanted takeover bid from Kraft Heinz earlier this year.
Indie Bay eyes major supermarket listings for pretzel snacks Subscription
Indie Bay’s Pretzel Bites rolled into Whole Foods Market this week
Booze industry bodies: no-deal Brexit 'unacceptable' Subscription
UK and EU trade organisations have called for continued flow of goods post-Brexit
Tesco battles food waste with green satsumas and clementines
Te move was prompted by recent high temperatures in Spain where the fruit are grown, which has caused their skins to turn
Major suppliers pulled over failure to back Courtauld 2025
The government has written to 10 of the UK’s biggest food suppliers urging them to do more to reduce food waste
Malcolm Burns made senior VP & international MD at Amplify Subscription
As interim international MD since June, Burns has created and begun executing a performance improvement plan
Germany's Fuchs Group spices up portfolio with acquisition of Bart Ingredients Subscription
Bart Ingredients has been acquired by Germany’s largest spice producer for an undisclosed fee.
Soft drinks industry attacks study into impact of sugar levy Subscription
Researchers will study both the public health and economic impact of the levy
Moy Park reaches milestone of 150,000 meals to FareShare
Poultry giant reached milestone this month, having contributed more than 68 tonnes of fresh chicken that would otherwise have gone to waste
Seachill targets more listings at mults after Hilton buyout Subscription
Hilton confirmed it had agreed to buy Icelandic Seachill from parent Icelandic Group on 18 October in an £84m deal
Sainsbury's attracts criticism for top-of-shelf stocking move Subscription
Supermarket said using top shelves provided better availability and drove “operational efficiencies in store”
Happiour food and drink promotions app acquired by MyVoucherCodes
The app creates exclusive, real-time geo-located offers to drive local footfall and sales
AF Blakemore hails "good solid result" of 1.4% sales increase Subscription
The Spar wholesaler said it recorded sales of £1.3bn for the 53 weeks to 30 April
Dairy UK warns no deal on Brexit could be 'detrimental' Subscription
New chairman Paul Vernon warns a hard Brexit that sees UK resort to WTO regulations could affect industry ‘extremely negatively’
James Hall & Co launches first online Christmas catalogue Subscription
Christmas Convenience will offer the same range of products as its print catalogue
Brighton Gin adds 'stocking filler' 350ml half-bottles Subscription
The half-bottles would provide an “entry level super-premium craft gin for new gin converts”…
Butter price hikes pile pressure on biscuit and fudge makers Subscription
Wholesale butter prices were up 73% year on year last month
Poll
In the wake of the Brexit negotiations to date, which best describes your position?
insight
What's the most efficient store size?
Recent years have seen sales efficiencies fall for the big four due to increased competition and spend polarisation
The whey forward: protein report 2017 Video Subscription
Brits are chowing down on 2.2% more protein than they did back in 2013. Now big brands are muscling in
The Apprenticeship Levy: not passing the test so far? Subscription
In April, the government kicked off the Apprenticeship Levy with the lofty aim of creating a new generation of apprentices
Heavy summer rains hit pumpkin quality Subscription
UK growers have warned that a wetter than usual summer has had a significant impact on pumpkin quality for the 2017 harvest
Higher demand pushes up price of cocoa beans Subscription
Cocoa bean prices have risen due to higher demand following a period of low prices
UK beef prices pushed up by weak pound and fewer slaughterings Subscription
UK beef prices have risen due to a drop in cattle slaughterings and a weaker pound…
From farm to food waste: the pre-farmgate fight
Retailers take most of the heat on food waste, but down on the farm the levels of loss are much higher
Food waste efforts wasted without Courtauld collaboration
The battle against food waste, sadly, will not be won unless the industry collaborates
Farm Africa's project making Kenyan farmers smile Video
Farm Africa’s Growing Futures project is helping young farmers to carve a career out of the land
The first cut isn’t always the deepest. Sometimes it’s the following ones that prove fatal Subscription
The latest news of job cuts at Sainsbury’s was perhaps to be expected after similar announcements from Tesco and Asda, but will they really deliver cost savings for the mults?
Jacopo Cordero di Vonzo, Remeo Gelato, on sailing and mice
They put us into groups and asked us to create stories around irrelevant products. It was very strange…
Asda gets into the Halloween spirit with dance party Video
Asda is once again the UK mult that makes the most effort for Halloween
Restaurant takes a stand on smartphones
A restaurant in Singapore is seeking to encourage real conversation by introducing smartphone lockers…
Round pound deadline provides Pat with an opportunity
Few will be more accustomed than your Pat to the PR fripperies of my competitors…
David Shaw leaves Genius to become MD at Good Hemp
Time to shape up? How food & drink to go can get healthier
10 packaging innovations of 2017
Bacardi to launch premium Cuatro rum
From farm to food waste: the pre-farmgate fight
Arla launches Protein Milk containing 30% more than standard
Amazon doubles number of brands available via Dash buttons
Britvic launches posh squash ranges aimed at adults
M&S opens first Wasabi sushi counter
Apprenticeship Levy blamed for decline in new starters
Urgent action is needed to protect coconut water's success
Sainsbury's attracts criticism for top-of-shelf stocking move
The Co-op adds swathe of wine SKUs in data-inspired refresh
Dairy UK warns no deal on Brexit could be 'detrimental'
Revealed: Why Brits are falling back in love with the cuppa
Grocery suppliers must take urgent action on diversity
Diversity doesn’t stop with gender… but it’s a good start
Warburtons debuts ‘Pride & Breadjudice’ ad starring Peter Kay
Winners of Top New Talent awards 2017 chosen
