Welcome to the November-December issue of Grocery Trader. Take-home grocery sales rose by 5.2% in the 12 weeks to 30 October 2022 according to the latest figures from Kantar, the fastest rate of market growth since April 2021. Four-week grocery price inflation has also hit another record high since Kantar began tracking prices in this way in 2008, now sitting at 14.7%. Own label sales have jumped again by 10.3% over the latest four weeks, as shoppers adopt different strategies to manage their budgets.
READ THE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER ISSUE HERE
Asda has opened its first standalone ‘Asda Express’ convenience store bringing Asda value and great products to more local communities across the UK. The store has opened in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, creating 17 new jobs in the local community. A second Asda Express store will open at Tottenham Hale next month, following by 30 sites next year, creating circa 500 new jobs.
In recent years, vapes and e- cigarettes have become immensely popular and helped with cessation of smoking. According to the ONS, about 6.5% of the total UK population, which equates to 3.3 million people, are regular vapers. Cigarette smoking has reduced to under 13% from 19% in the last ten years. According to the WHO, millions of individuals suffer from the devastating consequences of tobacco use, which is responsible for over 8 million deaths annually.
The Dole Sunshine Company provides consumers with healthy, affordable, and tasty fruit snacks in convenient formats. It is on a journey to evolve from a packaged fruit company to a nutrition and wellbeing brand and currently provides UK consumers with an entire product range containing 100% real fruit, found in all major multiple grocers. Andrew Bradshaw, UK Sales Director at Dole Sunshine Company, tells our Supplier Spotlight page about the category, latest NPD, and why packaged fruit is a great option for consumers during this cost of living crisis.
Lauren Meadows is Brand Manager for St Pierre UK, having taken on the role in October 2020. Prior to joining St Pierre Groupe, Meadows held a range of roles – both retailer and supplier side – covering planning and shopper activation for household names including Iceland, Kellogg’s and Co-Op Food. She tells our Meet the Marketer page what are the biggest trends in the bakery market and how St Pierre is building consumer awareness and loyalty.
We wish all our readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.
Enjoy reading the issue.
George Simpson
Group Editor
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