All articles by Rob Brown – Page 2
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Analysis & Features
Baby & infant products 2023: Babyfood’s leading five brands falter
The category has mustered value growth of just 2% on volumes down 6.1%
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Analysis & Features
Confectionery - sugar 2023: HFSS rules keep candy on its toes
Not only have confectioners faced the same supply chain challenges and cost pressures as everyone else, they’ve also had to get to grips with the ban on HFSS lines in impulse fixtures
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Analysis & Features
Biscuits & cakes 2023: Brands lose out as biscuit NPD slows
Convincing people to buy brands in a cost of living crisis is the very definition of a tough sell. That’s proven in sales of branded biscuits
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Analysis & Features
Confectionery - chocolate 2023: Choc treats are out, but gifting is in
Chocolate has had a bitter pill to swallow: HFSS regulation, which has banned treats from prominent display areas in store
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Category Report
Is booch about to boom?
Chinese fermented tea and ‘elixir of life’ kombucha is on the up as Brits cut back on booze and retailers eye healthier soft drinks
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Category Report
Are 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Oatly is racing an old US milk truck to poke fun at outdated dairy habits.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
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Analysis & Features
One 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?
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Reports
What 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
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Category Report
Worth 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
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Category Report
Benefits 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
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Category Report
Have 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
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Category Report
A 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
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Analysis & Features
Seven 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
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Category Report
Is 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
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Reports
How UK supermarkets scared trick or treaters in 2022
Asda’s controversial contribution to seasonal scares last year was arguably too terrifying
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Reports
The 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
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Category Report
How 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?
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Analysis & Features
What 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?
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Reports
Why more lunches for kids include sandwiches
UK children have tucked into 308.4 million packed lunches in the past year
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Reports
What’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”