All articles by Vince Bamford
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NewsFarm Shop & Deli Awards retailer of the year 2026 revealed
The Leamington Spa business was praised by judges for its work in the community and care of its employees
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Analysis & FeaturesWhy does the UK lag globally on food redistribution?
Distribution of surplus food is one of the topics in the spotlight at The UK Food & Drink Shows this month
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Analysis & FeaturesHow independent retailers can foster positive, inclusive staff cultures
The Staff Culture: Building a Team to Thrive panel at the UK Food & Drink Shows offers vital insight into building a strong team. Two panellists share their advice
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Category ReportWhat will be the next big thing in beer and cider?
Beer and cider could do with a shake-up. So, what are brands and retailers doing to inject excitement back into the category?
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Category ReportPunk in a funk: what next for IPA?
Punk’s not dead. But it is in a funk. No, we’re not referring to BrewDog going into administration this month before selling for £33m
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Category ReportLow & no cider outgrows beer
Thatchers is the fastest-growing brand in NIQ’s list of the top 10 bestselling low & no beers and ciders
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Category ReportThree quarters of drinkers say alcohol-free beer is too pricey
After years of consistent growth, low & no beer and cider is now worth just shy of £260m. But that’s, well, small beer compared with the £5.7bn alcoholic beer and cider category [NIQ]
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Category ReportCan beer put the ‘fun’ in functional?
Traditionally, beer is made with just four ingredients: water, malted barley (or other grains), hops and yeast
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Category ReportSmall Beer hails big gains as mid-strength brews gain ground
Supermarkets have invested heavily in low & no alcohol offers in recent years. The category has grown in value by 14.3% to £378.3m on volumes up 11.2% [NIQ]
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Category ReportCider brands big up craft cues
In this era of growing suspicion about the processes and ingredients used to produce food and drink, it’s perhaps no surprise lurid, saccharine-sweet fruit ciders are falling out of favour
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Category ReportIs fruit cider a waste of space?
Fruit flavours are tipped as the next big thing in beer but have lost their lustre in the cider category
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Category ReportLow & no alcohol sales surge beyond Dry Jan
You could be forgiven for thinking the low & no alcohol bubble had burst
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Category ReportIs 2026 the year for fruit beer?
The coming year will see a “huge” number of fruit lagers roll into the market, predicts Jesse Wilson, founder & CEO of fruit lager brand Jubel
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Category ReportWhy stout is back in the black and still growing
Not long ago, stout was the preserve of rugby fans and real ale aficionados. But, in less time than it takes for a pint of Guinness to settle, it’s become hot property
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Category ReportThe rise of ‘mission-led’ fixtures
Beer and cider are ever-evolving categories. That applies as much to the way products are merchandised as the drinks themselves
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Category ReportThe rise of premium and nostalgic pints
Booze brand directors could be excused for reaching for the bottle right now. That’s because sales data for many big-name beers and ciders doesn’t make for pleasant reading
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Analysis & FeaturesNPD rolling out at The UK Food & Drink Shows 2026
Just a few examples of products buyers will be able to see at the event in Birmingham
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Analysis & FeaturesA resilience masterclass for specialist retailers at UK Food & Drink Shows
The farm shop and deli market offers inspiring stories of retail success, as visitors to The UK Food & Drink Shows can learn
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Analysis & FeaturesThe two new features spotlighting innovation at the UK Food & Drink Shows
The Taste the Future competition and a dedicated area called Spotlight on Future Foods will highlight innovation with wellbeing and sustainability at its core
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NewsWinners of 2026 Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards revealed
Expert judges have this year given 94 products the coveted Gold award and recognised them as standout products driving excellence, innovation and growth