The Grocer
@thegrocer.bsky.social
Bible of the UK food and drink industry since 1862 🛒
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Food inflation edged back up to 4.9% in October, making it the largest driver of consumer price rises last month
Food inflation up to 4.9% despite first fall in CPI since March
Food inflation edged back up to 4.9% in October, making it the largest driver of consumer price rises last month
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Food inflation edged back up to 4.9% in October, making it the largest driver of consumer price rises last month
Deliveroo and new parent company DoorDash named as a tournament sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027
Deliveroo named as World Cup 2026 and 2027 sponsor
The sponsorship rights - as 'on-demand pick-up and delivery supporter' - cover the UK, France and Italy
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Deliveroo and new parent company DoorDash named as a tournament sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027
More than 100 businesses have written to Keir Starmer over #InheritanceTax
Urging him to “rethink planned changes to Inheritance Tax” ahead of the budget
Urging him to “rethink planned changes to Inheritance Tax” ahead of the budget
Inheritance Tax: More than 100 organisations sign NFU’s open letter to PM
The open letter has 107 signatories including major retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, M&S, and industry bodies including the NFU, Dairy UK and the British Egg Industry Council
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 7:07 PM
More than 100 businesses have written to Keir Starmer over #InheritanceTax
Urging him to “rethink planned changes to Inheritance Tax” ahead of the budget
Urging him to “rethink planned changes to Inheritance Tax” ahead of the budget
Three-paper series authored by 43 global experts urges new #UPF warning
It says the increase of #ultraprocessedfoods in diets worldwide presents an “urgent challenge” to health that demands “co-ordinated policies and advocacy action”
It says the increase of #ultraprocessedfoods in diets worldwide presents an “urgent challenge” to health that demands “co-ordinated policies and advocacy action”
Major scientific study calls for global action on UPFs
Papers published in The Lancet on Wednesday called for a 'co-ordinated global response' to protect policymaking from industry interference
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Three-paper series authored by 43 global experts urges new #UPF warning
It says the increase of #ultraprocessedfoods in diets worldwide presents an “urgent challenge” to health that demands “co-ordinated policies and advocacy action”
It says the increase of #ultraprocessedfoods in diets worldwide presents an “urgent challenge” to health that demands “co-ordinated policies and advocacy action”
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds today pledged to UK food leaders that growth is the government’s key priority for the sector
She attended an investment summit in London on the back of a poll showing a drastic fall in business confidence
She attended an investment summit in London on the back of a poll showing a drastic fall in business confidence
Defra promises food bosses growth policies to revive crashed confidence
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds will stress today that the government will back its words with action, with moves to slash red tape and industry costs
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds today pledged to UK food leaders that growth is the government’s key priority for the sector
She attended an investment summit in London on the back of a poll showing a drastic fall in business confidence
She attended an investment summit in London on the back of a poll showing a drastic fall in business confidence
WH Smith CEO Carl Cowling has resigned
It follows an independent investigation into a shock accounting error revealed costs will hit the company harder than expected
It follows an independent investigation into a shock accounting error revealed costs will hit the company harder than expected
WH Smith CEO falls on sword as accounting errors laid bare
Stepping down, Carl Cowling said he recognised the 'seriousness of the situation', adding it was 'only right' he resigned
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
WH Smith CEO Carl Cowling has resigned
It follows an independent investigation into a shock accounting error revealed costs will hit the company harder than expected
It follows an independent investigation into a shock accounting error revealed costs will hit the company harder than expected
Chancellor Rachel Reeves believed to be planning another major hike in the industry’s packaging taxes as a way to fill part of her budget black hole
New plastic tax raid plotted as Reeves looks to plug budget black hole
Sources say that they expect the UK's plastic packaging tax to be one of those in the Chancellor's crosshairs come next week's budget
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Chancellor Rachel Reeves believed to be planning another major hike in the industry’s packaging taxes as a way to fill part of her budget black hole
Asda is on the war path when it comes to price, last month it announced cuts to 956 ‘family favourite products’ 📉
But rivals were never going to take it lying down. So who's dropping the lowest?
But rivals were never going to take it lying down. So who's dropping the lowest?
Supermarket price wars: how are rivals answering Asda’s cuts?
Tesco has ramped up its pricing fightback against Asda, cutting 3,352 SKUs in a month as the supermarket giant defends its market share
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Asda is on the war path when it comes to price, last month it announced cuts to 956 ‘family favourite products’ 📉
But rivals were never going to take it lying down. So who's dropping the lowest?
But rivals were never going to take it lying down. So who's dropping the lowest?
Nestlé to invest £28m at its factory in Cumbria
It aims to grow its capacity to produce instant ‘frothy’ coffee sachets
It aims to grow its capacity to produce instant ‘frothy’ coffee sachets
Nestlé in £28m investment to boost instant coffee sachet capacity
Nestlé Dalston has been producing Nescafé Frothy Coffee products since 1962
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Nestlé to invest £28m at its factory in Cumbria
It aims to grow its capacity to produce instant ‘frothy’ coffee sachets
It aims to grow its capacity to produce instant ‘frothy’ coffee sachets
Health campaign groups urge government to extend incoming #HFSS advertising ban to out of home
It comes after a review found restrictions introduced by local councils were effective in reducing #obesity
It comes after a review found restrictions introduced by local councils were effective in reducing #obesity
Calls to extend junk food crackdown as review finds billboard ban ‘effective’
A report conducted by the Scottish government assessed the ban's effectiveness by looking at the existing evidence on policy implementation in the UK
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Premier Foods to invest £36m in its Worksop manufacturing site
It aims to bring production of its Loyd Grossman sauces in-house by 2028
It aims to bring production of its Loyd Grossman sauces in-house by 2028
Premier Foods spends £36m to bring Loyd Grossman sauces in-house
Capital investment is expected to be phased through to 2029
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Premier Foods to invest £36m in its Worksop manufacturing site
It aims to bring production of its Loyd Grossman sauces in-house by 2028
It aims to bring production of its Loyd Grossman sauces in-house by 2028
Growers warn a dry winter would be a “disaster” for next year’s crop
Grower groups have called for “urgent action” from the government
Grower groups have called for “urgent action” from the government
Growers brace for ‘disaster’ without proper winter rainfall
Grower groups have called for 'urgent action' from the government as the Environment Agency warned England will experience worse levels of drought next year should this winter be drier than normal
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Growers warn a dry winter would be a “disaster” for next year’s crop
Grower groups have called for “urgent action” from the government
Grower groups have called for “urgent action” from the government
AI phone order answering systems launch in UK restaurants
The AI agents are being trained on menus to record orders, suggests sides, and accept payments during calls
The AI agents are being trained on menus to record orders, suggests sides, and accept payments during calls
AI phone order agents roll out to UK restaurants
AI agents are being trained on restaurant menus to record orders, suggests sides, and accept payments during the call
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
AI phone order answering systems launch in UK restaurants
The AI agents are being trained on menus to record orders, suggests sides, and accept payments during calls
The AI agents are being trained on menus to record orders, suggests sides, and accept payments during calls
Self-pour wine bar chain and winery Vagabond Wines has launched direct-to-consumer operations
Self-pour wine bar chain Vagabond launches DTC online shop
Vagabond is offering nationwide next-day delivery of more than 50 exclusive SKUs
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Self-pour wine bar chain and winery Vagabond Wines has launched direct-to-consumer operations
Strawberries for Christmas? 🍓🎄
British strawberries will be available at Christmas for the first time thanks to recent advancements in growing tech
British strawberries will be available at Christmas for the first time thanks to recent advancements in growing tech
British strawberries available at Christmas for the first time
The Summer Berry Company has become the first to grow British strawberries at a commercial scale all year round, providing strawberries into retailers 365 days a year
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Strawberries for Christmas? 🍓🎄
British strawberries will be available at Christmas for the first time thanks to recent advancements in growing tech
British strawberries will be available at Christmas for the first time thanks to recent advancements in growing tech
Kroger to close three of its Ocado tech-powered CFCs in January
The decision will mean Ocado Group’s fee revenue next year will take a $50m hit
The decision will mean Ocado Group’s fee revenue next year will take a $50m hit
Ocado hit with ‘near knockout punch’ as Kroger announces CFC closures
Ocado's share price fell by more than 19% in the wake of the announcement by the US retail giant
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Kroger to close three of its Ocado tech-powered CFCs in January
The decision will mean Ocado Group’s fee revenue next year will take a $50m hit
The decision will mean Ocado Group’s fee revenue next year will take a $50m hit
Milkshake manufacturers plea to Rachel Reeves for changes to the #sugartax to only apply to added sugars
Sugar tax should only apply to ‘added sugar’, milkshake makers warn
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to remove the tax-based exemption for milk-based beverages under the Soft Drinks Industry Levy as a part of the budget later this month
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Milkshake manufacturers plea to Rachel Reeves for changes to the #sugartax to only apply to added sugars
EPR fraudsters have begun targeting food companies with fake demands for packaging tax bills
EPR fraud scam alert as food companies targeted by fake invoices
Companies have been approached with scam invoices for huge sums, purporting to be from the extended producer responsibility scheme's administrator, Pack UK
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
EPR fraudsters have begun targeting food companies with fake demands for packaging tax bills
Whole Foods Market to open a new store in central London
Whole Foods Market to open new store in Westminster
It comes eight months after the Amazon-owned premium organic supermarket opened its first UK store in over a decade
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Whole Foods Market to open a new store in central London
NEW 🧀 Cheese
Président to launch its first-ever truffle product
Creamy Brie with Truffles available in supermarkets from December for rsp: £2/105g
🔗 See where to get it here: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/lactalis-to-launch-president-creamy-brie-with-truffles-in-ocado/711985.article
Président to launch its first-ever truffle product
Creamy Brie with Truffles available in supermarkets from December for rsp: £2/105g
🔗 See where to get it here: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/lactalis-to-launch-president-creamy-brie-with-truffles-in-ocado/711985.article
November 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
NEW 🧀 Cheese
Président to launch its first-ever truffle product
Creamy Brie with Truffles available in supermarkets from December for rsp: £2/105g
🔗 See where to get it here: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/lactalis-to-launch-president-creamy-brie-with-truffles-in-ocado/711985.article
Président to launch its first-ever truffle product
Creamy Brie with Truffles available in supermarkets from December for rsp: £2/105g
🔗 See where to get it here: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/lactalis-to-launch-president-creamy-brie-with-truffles-in-ocado/711985.article
The European Commission has opened an investigation into Red Bull
There are allegations the drinks supplier suppressed sales of its “closest competitor” in a Europe-wide strategy
There are allegations the drinks supplier suppressed sales of its “closest competitor” in a Europe-wide strategy
Red Bull hit by European Commission competition probe
The probe will seek to discern whether Red Bull tried to influence shops to 'delist or disadvantage' energy drinks in formats larger than its own distinctive 250ml can
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The European Commission has opened an investigation into Red Bull
There are allegations the drinks supplier suppressed sales of its “closest competitor” in a Europe-wide strategy
There are allegations the drinks supplier suppressed sales of its “closest competitor” in a Europe-wide strategy
Greencore agrees to sell its chilled soups and sauces factory to Compleat Food Group
The deal helps clear the way for its Bakkavor merger early next year
The deal helps clear the way for its Bakkavor merger early next year
Compleat picks up Greencore soup factory in pre-merger sell-off
Greencore is selling the factory after the government raised concerns over its Bakkavor merger
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Greencore agrees to sell its chilled soups and sauces factory to Compleat Food Group
The deal helps clear the way for its Bakkavor merger early next year
The deal helps clear the way for its Bakkavor merger early next year
Superdrug has signed an exclusive deal with Just Eat
More than 8,000 health and beauty products will be available on the aggregator app
More than 8,000 health and beauty products will be available on the aggregator app
Superdrug forges exclusive deal with Just Eat in aggregator app debut
The retailer this year 'has been the most searched high street retailer on Just Eat yet to join the platform'
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Superdrug has signed an exclusive deal with Just Eat
More than 8,000 health and beauty products will be available on the aggregator app
More than 8,000 health and beauty products will be available on the aggregator app
New #AI-powered own-label manufacturing platform has launched in the UK
With funding from an investment group backed by Tesco
With funding from an investment group backed by Tesco
Tesco-backed own-label manufacturing platform Keychain launches in UK
Keychain enables retailers to 'design and produce their own-brand products from scratch' and tap a network of more than 2,000 local manufacturers
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:08 AM
New #AI-powered own-label manufacturing platform has launched in the UK
With funding from an investment group backed by Tesco
With funding from an investment group backed by Tesco
Chippindale Foods has teamed up with NFU Mutual to launch a bird flu insurance
The benefit arrangement will support its egg producers during challenging seasons
The benefit arrangement will support its egg producers during challenging seasons
Chippindale Foods launches bird flu insurance with NFU Mutual
Part of the Myton Food Group, the North Yorkshire-based brand will cover egg producers for 180 days of business interruption
www.thegrocer.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Chippindale Foods has teamed up with NFU Mutual to launch a bird flu insurance
The benefit arrangement will support its egg producers during challenging seasons
The benefit arrangement will support its egg producers during challenging seasons