Cost of living: First easing of grocery inflation for 21 months but Christmas dinner costs surge 9%
Grocery inflation eased for the first time in 21 months in November, according to closely-watched industry data showing that the cost of a traditional Christmas dinner will still be around 9% up on 2021. Kantar Worldpanel said its main grocery inflation figures offered a hint of hope ahead as the annual rate softened to 14.6% last month from a record 14.7% in October. The report charted a 30% rise in parsnip costs, with potatoes up 20%. However, carrot costs were 7% down with brussels sprouts 3% lower.
Source: news.sky.com
New Zealand: Here's what you need to know about Christmas supermarket shopping this year
At New World and Pak’n Save, a Foodstuffs spokesperson said berries, tomatoes, avocados, and cucumbers all featured in the top 10 most-sold produce items last Christmas across the North and South Island. While cherries have been slow to hit shelves this year, there should be a strong supply in the coming weeks.
Source: stuff.co.nz
UK: Sainsbury's is selling Christmas Dinner for less than £4 per person
The under £4 per person festive roast, which feeds six, includes British turkey for the main event, complemented with roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, carrots, sage and onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, sprouts and parsnips - as well as pudding.
Source: examinerlive.co.uk
UK grocery shopping behaviour is changing
UK grocers played a pivotal role during the pandemic. Pressure on production and distribution of food during this period was extreme, but the service to shoppers was still considered excellent. Shoppers were, generally, able to get what they needed. According to the latest Shopper Research Data from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) - presented by Susan Barratt, its Chief Executive Officer and one of Cold Chain Live’s keynote speakers - demand for food and drink at retail rose 12% during the pandemic, whilst out-of-home food options (restaurants, pubs) collapsed.
Source: globalcoldchainnews.com
UK: Innocent set to cut 5% of naturally occurring sugars from its drinks by 2025
Innocent Drinks is set to cut 5% of naturally occurring sugars from its drinks by 2025, in a commitment to ensuring the fruit-based smoothies are as healthy as possible. The leading smoothie brand is already “well on the way” to hitting the target, after successfully lowering naturally occurring sugars by 2.4% in all its drinks by the end of 2021.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
France: Carrefour and Goggo Network join forces to create the future of autonomous delivery
Carrefour and Goggo Network are trialling a Mobile Drive service that involves using a completely autonomous delivery vehicle. It will operate on public roads, both in heavy traffic and in normal conditions (covering 15 km at up to 70 km/h) - a first in France.
Source: carrefour.com
UK: Aldi's Kevin The Carrot joins Cameo!
Following the footsteps of Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan, musician Chaka Khan and actor James Buckley, fans can root for the nation’s highly adored carrot as Kevin joins celebrity video sharing website, Cameo.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Holland: Strikers at De Bijenkorf ask customers’ solidarity
Social tensions are going through the roof at Selfridges‘ Dutch subsidiary De Bijenkorf, with an eighth day of a wave of strikes culminating in the trade unions actively asking consumers to stop buying.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Food will cost families more than $16,000 in 2023: Report
Canadians won’t see relief at the checkout in 2023. Food prices are forecast to increase 5% to 7% next year, according to the 13th edition of Canada’s Food Price Report from Dalhousie University, University of Guelph, University of British Columbia and University of Saskatchewan. By category, vegetables are forecast to see the highest price increase (6% to 8%), but no section of the grocery store is safe from hikes. Prices in bakery, dairy and meat will all see a rise of 5% to 7%, while seafood comes in 4% to 6% and fruit at 3% to 5%.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: FreshDirect reveals top 5 food trends for 2023
FreshDirect, the online grocery shopping innovator, announced its top food trends picks for 2023. FreshDirect’s top trends for 2023 include: Just Do It…Yourself; A Nod to Nostalgia; Loyalty to Local; The Conscious and Caring Consumer; Lots of Love for Private Labels.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Uber Freight and Aurora expand pilot to autonomously haul goods for 2022 holiday season
Uber Freight, a leading logistics platform and partner for shippers and carriers, and Aurora Innovation, a leading autonomous vehicle company, have announced the expansion of their autonomous pilot with a new commercial lane between Fort Worth and El Paso. The 600-mile lane across Texas launched in October and is supporting Uber Freight customers as they prepare for the 2022 holiday season.
Source: businesswire.com
US: This grocery chain is using AI to cut food waste
Like the grocery lists many shoppers carry, stores have their own lists to ensure a fresh stock of produce. But just like we sometimes let heads of lettuce rot in our fridge's veggie drawer, grocery stores produce a lot of food waste. In the U.S., supermarkets are responsible for 10% of all food waste. However, the increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is helping prevent food waste and, consequently, feeding more people. Afresh, a San Francisco startup, is using machine learning and other AI technology to forecast the needs of grocery stores. Stores like Cub, owned by the largest publicly traded grocery wholesaler in the U.S., United Natural Foods, are implementing Afresh's Fresh Operating System in grocery stores across the U.S.
Source: thomasnet.com
Plant-based foods still hot: Report
Interest in plant-based foods continues to gain momentum, primarily driven by concerns around health, according to research from Kroger’s 84.51° research arm and the Plant Based Foods Institute. The research included a sales data review, dubbed the Plant-Based Foods Migration Analysis, and a consumer survey.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Hannaford registered dietitian program celebrates 20th Anniversary
Hannaford Supermarkets’ registered dietitian program is celebrating 20 years of helping customers make healthy choices. Since its introduction in 2002, the program has become a mainstay for shoppers both in-store and online.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Flashfood grows its presence in NYC
Flashfood is looking to save more food from being wasted as it expands its partnership with Stop & Shop in New York City. The program, which connects consumers with discounted food nearing its best by date, will now be available at several of the grocer’s locations throughout Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Source: progressivegrocer.com