insight – Page 14
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Long reads
The Big Squeeze: OC&C 150 supplier rankings 2022
Britain’s biggest suppliers are already squeezed by soaring inflation. Now with tax rises and a recession on the way, it’s unlikely to get any easier
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Comment and Opinion
The Treasury takes the food sector for granted at its peril
The government is offering support on energy bills through winter, but in April, we will still need to bake, chill and freeze food, says FDF CEO Karen Betts
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Comment and Opinion
What could fall by the wayside in a pause on ‘all but necessary’ legislation?
If the call for a legislative pause is successful, it could involve a whole raft of major policies being suspended, or axed altogether
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Comment and Opinion
Why personal inflation metrics matter more than the official numbers
Attitudinal changes are more critical than ever to understand if our industry is to get in front of the realities at the checkout, says Kantar’s Chris Morley
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Analysis and Features
Dine-in deals compared: Supermarkets attempt to rival restaurants
Supermarkets are pushing an array of dine-in-for-two meal deals
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Comment and Opinion
How inflation is changing consumer behaviour – and what’s next
Results season has shone a light on how consumers, retailers and manufacturers are dealing with record inflation
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Comment and Opinion
Businesses must start compiling the evidence for further energy support
Any sector looking for support beyond April will need to make a compelling, evidence-based case, says Mary Starks, partner at Flint Global and former executive director of OfGem
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Comment and Opinion
Food stores are no longer a safe investment, but opportunities remain
Different assets and business models need to be understood if an investor is going to acquire successfully in the sector, says Richard Curry, head of retail and Martin Carey, head of commercial at Rapleys
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Comment and Opinion
Ocado’s Nigella partnership: misstep or genius move?
As the cost of living crisis bites, is it wise to appoint a multimillionaire daughter of a Tory Lord, who is known for her decadent recipes?
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Comment and Opinion
A cash-free society only benefits well-off shoppers and faceless financial companies
Independent merchants who want to support their local communities lose out in the switch to card-only payments, says Joanna Blythman, food journalist and author of Swallow This
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Comment and Opinion
Now Sunak is PM, more stormy waters lie ahead for industry
Anyone expecting lavish spending from the new PM is likely to be in for a shock
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Comment and Opinion
To communicate grocery price rises, honesty is the best policy
Retailers have to be open about price increases and offer credible explanations, says Heiner Evanschitzky, professor and chair of marketing at Alliance Manchester Business School
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Comment and Opinion
Understanding ‘imperfect inflation’ is key to rivalling the discounters
Analysing shopper behaviour is key to planning our next steps as an industry, says Steph Cullen, head of manufacturing at IRI
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Comment and Opinion
How to build business resilience in a challenging landscape
There are no easy answers, but there are important things to consider to ensure resilience, says Chris Stott, UK head of Food & Drink, KPMG
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Comment and Opinion
Labelling a frozen turkey as fresh is too dangerous a precedent to set
Despite compelling and understandable reasons for relaxing the rules, food safety must come first
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Analysis and Features
Waitrose’s plan to avoid bleeding sales during the cost of living crisis
Britain’s poshest supermarket is losing sales. What new tricks does it have up its sleeve? And will they be enough as shoppers trade down?
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Category Report
The rise of healthier treats: Cakes & biscuits category report 2022
The likes of McVitie’s and Mr Kipling have been rethinking recipes to comply with HFSS rules. Can they perk up flagging volumes?
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Comment and Opinion
SMEs are set to suffer most in winter of insolvencies
After struggling to deal with input cost inflation, businesses across food and drink now face expect to face interest rates rising to more than 5%
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Comment and Opinion
What next for food & drink now Jeremy Hunt is in charge of the economy?
Industry must watch Hunt very carefully indeed over the weeks and months to come, says Ian Wright, outgoing co-chair of the Food & Drink Sector Council
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Comment and Opinion
Why are shop floor staff struggling to pay bills while retailers make huge profits?
Retail workers are beginning to question whether they should accept low pay on the shop floor, says Nadine Houghton, national officer at GMB