Exclusive: London-based Peckwater Brands swallows competitor to become largest virtual food brand in Europe January 24, 2023 Peckwater Brands has acquired its chief competitor eatclever, making it the largest provider of virtual food outlets in Europe. The acquisition has seen Peckwater scooping brands like taste&soul, KoChi and Chicos from its health food-focused competitor, expanding its reach into Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the process. The terms and price of the deal are [...]
Chapel Down shows English wine still has its fizz with bumper results January 23, 2023 The world is waking up to sparkling wine from England, new results from flagship brand Chapel Down suggest. A new trading update from the Kent-based wine producer reports a 164 per cent increase in exports, indicating a growing market for English sparkling wine overseas. Domestic revenues paint a similarly rosy picture, with off-trade sparkling wine [...]
KERB: How London street food giant behind Seven Dials Market aims to make Berlin taste better January 23, 2023 The London street food favourite behind Seven Dials Market, KERB, is expanding via a venue in Berlin’s famous Potsdamer Platz. German foodies will be able to indulge their palates across a two-story street food market which is set to open in the Sony Centre by next year. The market will showcase 12 independent food vendors [...]
Cocktail of costs: How inflation is expected to squeeze spirit-maker Diageo’s sales and profit despite Christmas boost January 20, 2023 Spirits giant Diageo is expected to report a slowdown in sales and profits next week as consumer spending steadies. However, analysts have predicted that the Johnnie Walker and Baileys maker could deliver a resilient showing when it reveals its half-year update to shareholders on Thursday, January 26. A consensus of analysts have predicted that the [...]
Having your cake and eating it! Three lucky winners receive sweet treats in City A.M. competition January 19, 2023 Three lucky City workers received yummy cakes from award-winning London bakery Cutter and Squidge after teaming up with City A.M. The special delivery to three Square Mile workers took place after this paper ran a competition in response to comments by the boss of the food regulator about cakes. And we take these things very personally. [...]
No gravy train: Bisto-maker Premier to cut 300 jobs despite strong festive sales January 19, 2023 Leading British manufacturer Premier Foods’ grocery business has gone from strength-to-strength over the Christmas period, as it looks to close a loss-making factory costing 300 jobs. The company, the maker or famous brands including Mr Kipling, Ambrosia, Custard and Angel Delight, cashed in on festive purchasing despite the cost of living crisis, with sales up [...]
Diageo buys Don Papa Rum as drinks maker continues drive to re-stock drinks cabinet with premium brands January 17, 2023 Alcohol giant Diageo has swooped in for super-premium brand Don Papa Rum for £230m. The London-listed drinks company is putting up the cash with a possible £157m consideration through to 2028, subject to performance. The maker of Jack Walker whisky said the dark rum brand had annual growth of 18 per cent in Europe and [...]
Marks and Spencer shells out £480m as it revamps UK stores in bid to become leading ‘omnichannel’ retailer January 16, 2023 Marks and Spencer (M&S) is to plough nearly £0.5bn into an accelerated UK-wide investment drive which will result in 20 new larger and improved stores across the UK in the next financial year. The retailer also aims to create over 3,400 new jobs whilst providing shoppers with a “seamless” customer experience. M&S said it was [...]
Where to celebrate Burns Night in London: Bars and restaurants serving haggis and drams January 13, 2023 Burns Night, the birthday of the great Scottish bard Robert Burns is one of the highlights of the London restaurant scene, with venues across the capital laying on special spreads and keeping the city’s bagpipe community in work. Expect a lots of readings of the tongue-twisting Address to a Haggis as well as the consumption [...]
Marks & Spencer’s top 10 festive favourites: slow-cooked turkey, shortbread snow globes, light-up gin and shapewear to hold it in! January 12, 2023 Marks and Spencer saw a record Christmas trade during the latest festive period, with a record £80m sales alone on 23 December, the last Friday before Christmas. Incoming CEO Stuart Machin can also take comfort in a 7.2 per cent rise in the clothing and home category to £3.6bn. But it was the retailer’s Christmas [...]