Food inflation soars to highest level on record Food inflation Food inflation has reached its highest level on record, with the sector predicting no stall in price increases throughout the year. Figures published in the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) shop price index show food inflation rose to 13.8 per cent in January, up from 13.3 per cent in December. This rise has pushed it above [...]
Cafe Koko: New Camden Pizza restaurant review restaurant review Arriving in the evening, you can see the warm orange glow of Koko before you see the building itself. Taking up an entire block, the recently renovated, 122-year-old music hall once again sits at the heart of Camden, having closed in 2020 following a fire. The £70m refurbishment includes an extensive private members’ area with [...]
Tesco’s management shake up places 2,100 jobs at risk Supermarkets Tesco is looking to reduce the number of managers in its large shops and close hot deli counters, placing up to 2,100 jobs at risk, the UK’s largest supermarket chain announced today. Tesco, which operates over 2,000 shops, will close its remaining hot deli counters in stores from February 26, having previously removed the majority [...]
Lidl to invest £4bn in British food businesses in a move it claims will provide its suppliers with ‘security’ and ‘certainty’ January 30, 2023 Lidl has revealed plans to invest £4bn into British food businesses this year, as it charges ahead with growth plans. Lidl GB, the British arm of the German retail group, said it would accelerate the spending plans it announced in 2019. Lidl GB had committed to a £15bn investment in the British food industry between [...]
A happy Burns week for whisky producer with new boss to build on growth January 24, 2023 Leading whisky producer The Artisanal Spirits Company has announced a shake-up in management as the company reports strong growth in 2022. Among the changes is managing director David Ridley, who is stepping down from his role after six years of constant revenue growth. Taking over the CEO position is Andrew Dane, who joined the company [...]
City Pub Group: Rail strikes cost us nearly £1m in lost sales January 24, 2023 The City Pub Group today reported a welcome boost in trading over the festive period, but said sales would have been even stronger if it weren’t for the rail strikes. The group, which operates 44 pubs across the south of England, including 15 in London, said sales for the last quarter of 2022 were 7.8 [...]
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 [...]