James Walton news, comment and analysis
James Walton is chief economist at IGD and an expert in food supply and inflation trends.
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NewsPackaging tax driving food inflation and worse to come, says Bank of England
In its Monetary Policy Report for August, the bank says the introduction of EPR is one of the reasons UK food inflation is outstripping that seen in the EU
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NewsSpending review: food and farming offer ‘cautious’ welcome
Defra was handed a £2.7 billion annual settlement, however, questions remain over how the money will be spent
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Comment & OpinionBudget pressures are here. Food needs a long-term strategy
Short-term fixes like workforce reductions are already underway, says James Walton, chief economist at IGD
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NewsFood businesses shouldn’t expect growth in 2025 amid Trump tariffs and inflation, IGD says
The IGD report said the potential for ‘stagflation’ in 2025 was high
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NewsCity snapshot: UK food inflation hits seven-month high of 2%
The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) forecast last week that food inflation could go up to 4.9% next year, driven primarily by higher costs for businesses due to measures in the government’s budget.
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NewsFood and drink inflation could rise to 5% next year warns IGD
A report by the IGD claims businesses will face “significant financial challenges” in 2025, as they grapple with cost pressures
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NewsEPR scheme base fees unveiled by Defra
Following months of calls from industry, Defra has finally unveiled its estimates of costs for producers under the EPR scheme
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Comment & OpinionA thriving food system must be central to Labour government policy
Food system leaders need to engage actively to ensure government policy focus remains on us, says James Walton, chief economist at the IGD
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NewsLabour more focused on food industry than Tories, claims IGD report
The ‘New government, new direction?’ report says Starmer will bring in policies to tackle the “everyday” economy
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Comment & OpinionAs inflation eases, businesses must rise to the volume challenge
Businesses across the food and drink system share a common aim: they need to get volume moving, says James Walton, chief economist at IGD
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Analysis & FeaturesWhat more supermarkets could do to help shoppers in tough times
The crisis has plunged 13 million people into food insecurity. Supermarkets and food manufacturers are looking to respond, but there are question marks over whether they’re doing enough
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Analysis & FeaturesHow supermarket loyalty schemes are aiming to trump inflation
New-look loyalty schemes have embraced everything from gamification to charity donations. How are these helping the mults retain custom amid price rises?
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Comment & OpinionHow inflation threatens fmcg businesses – and more – in 2022
The latest pressures on price threaten to undermine progress in other important areas, says James Walton, chief economist at IGD
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Category ReportLeaps and bounds: home baking category report 2021
Home bakers are hopping on the frog cake craze as social media fuels huge category growth. Will it last?
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Comment & OpinionHow food and drink spending will change in the Covid recovery phase
A new IGD report suggests there are grounds for optimism amid the uncertainty
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Analysis & FeaturesThe Grocer’s Top Products 2019: Brand on the run?
Each year we analyse over 100 grocery categories to find out which brands come out on top and who’s struggling
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Analysis & FeaturesNFU Conference 2019: what's in store for British farming?
Here is our round-up of key issues the conference thrashed out
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NewsFoodservice growth pushes UK wholesale close to £30bn figure
Wholesale sector forecast to reach £31.3bn by 2021
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NewsConvenience store meal shop time 'half that of supermarkets'
The average shop in a convenience store takes 25 minutes versus an average of 46 minutes across other grocery channels
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Analysis & FeaturesHow do independent retailers view Brexit?
The first immediate post-Brexit related issue c-stores are likely to come across is an increasingly cautious and budget-conscious customer