Rob Brown
Rob Brown is a freelance journalist for The Grocer.
Category ReportAre the wheels falling off for plant-based?
Oatly is racing an old US milk truck to poke fun at outdated dairy habits. But sales data shows plant-based has its own challenges
Analysis and FeaturesOne year on: Have HFSS rules made any difference?
It’s been a year since the government brought in display restrictions on HFSS products. Now the sales data is in. So what has been the impact, and how uniform is compliance among retailers?
ReportsWhat would Labour do differently on HFSS?
Originally, the regulations included a ban on multibuy promotions such as bogofs and TV ads for junk food before 9pm
Category ReportWorth paying more for? Dairymen butter & spreads category report 2023
Lurpak has suffered a £9.5m loss as Brits trade down to cheaper lines – but Arla has plans to revive the number one butter brand
Category ReportBenefits of longer life: Dairymen milk category report 2023
Milk sales are suffering as shoppers cut back. Big brands are hoping longer-lasting UHT and filtered lines will drive up value
Category ReportHave Hancock’s HFSS rules hurt confectionery?
Sales of confectionery have fallen in the wake of October’s display restrictions. But they aren’t entirely responsible for that decline
Category ReportA crying shame for hipster coffee
Eye-watering price hikes are getting coffee shoppers in a tizz – and they’re being tempted away from trendy brands
Analysis and FeaturesSeven meat alternative brands that couldn’t stand the heat
It’s been a tough couple of years for meat-free brands, and it’s all come to a head in the last few months
Category ReportIs there still an appetite for plant-based meat?
Despite some high-profile exits from alt meat, a wealth of big brands remain ambitious – and smaller players are also aiming to make a mark
ReportsHow UK supermarkets scared trick or treaters in 2022
Asda’s controversial contribution to seasonal scares last year was arguably too terrifying
ReportsThe best retail tactics for a bewitching Halloween
Creating a spectacle in store has always been important at Halloween, but the introduction of HFSS rules last October has posed a challenge for retailers
Category ReportHow can Halloween be more sustainable?
Halloween is a horror show of single-use plastic and food waste. What are retailers and brands doing to be more eco-friendly?
Analysis and FeaturesWhat WHO aspartame ruling means for sugar-free soft drinks
Aspartame is classed as a ’possible cancer risk’. What does this mean for sales of leading soft drinks?
ReportsWhy more lunches for kids include sandwiches
UK children have tucked into 308.4 million packed lunches in the past year
ReportsWhat’s for the chop as Brits cut lunch spend?
Chicken korma, lasagne and the like “are likely to be the biggest beneficiary of cost-saving cooking measures”
Category ReportThe new business lunch: lunchbox category report 2023
As the cost of living crisis forces office workers to downtrade from the likes of Pret, an opportunity has arisen for premium grocery
ReportsHow fast food chains are aping the grocers in lunchtime battle
High street restaurants and fast food chains are adopting tactics straight out of the grocery playbook
ReportsHow flagging Rockstar is seeking a career revival
It must hurt being the only top 10 brand in decline when energy drinks have made an extra £218.2m in the past year
ReportsBoost pours jet fuel on Barr energy ambitions
Boost has built a booming business in the independent retail channel
ReportsHow does energy drink consumption change across age and sex?
Almost double the number of men drink energy drinks as women