The authoritative independent voice of the UK food industry

Supermarket sales on the rise, Kantar reveals

Nov 15, 2017

Kantar Worldpanel’s latest grocery market share figures for the 12 weeks to 5th November show that supermarket sales have increased in value by 3.2% year on year in the run up to Christmas. Fraser Mckevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel,...

Tesco takeover of Booker given provisional green light

Nov 14, 2017

The UK’s competition regulator has provisionally cleared Tesco’s £3.7bn takeover of Booker. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has stated that the deal could in fact increase competition in the wholesale market and mean reduced prices for consumers. CMA added...

Nisa votes ‘significantly’ in favour of Co-op acquisition

Nov 13, 2017

Nisa Retail has announced that its members have voted in favour of Co-op’s offer to buy 100% of the business for up to £137.5 million. A majority of 75.79% of Nisa’s members voted for the deal, as opposed to 24.1% who voted against. The offer requires clearance from...

Sainsbury’s unveils drop in profits despite growth in food

Nov 10, 2017

Sainsbury’s has seen underlying profit before tax drop by 9% to £251 million in its latest interim results for the 28 weeks to 23rd September, despite group sales jumping 17% to £16,310 million. According to the retailer, the fall in profits reflected “previously...

Weetabix appoints new head of technical

Nov 10, 2017

Weetabix Food Company has appointed John Petre as head of technical, succeeding John Pickles, head of R&D, and Keith Turnbull, head of quality, overseeing a team of 60 at the cereal brand. Petre will head up quality and compliance, as well as research and...

Hilton Food Group completes Icelandic Seachill acquisition

Nov 8, 2017

International meat packing business Hilton Food Group has announced the £80.8 million takeover of chilled UK fish processor Icelandic Group UK Limited (Seachill). Hilton had previously stated that the acquisition presents an “attractive growth opportunity and entry...

UK food suppliers expected to move supply chains out of the UK

Nov 7, 2017

Nearly two thirds of UK businesses, or 63%, including food businesses, expect to move their supply chain out of the UK as a result of Brexit, according to a survey from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). The figure marks a significant shift...