Archive of all category reports
Most recent first...
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Category Report
Kids’ lunch trends 2024: Obesity unpacked?
Childhood obesity peaked in lockdown. Today, it remains above pre-pandemic levels. So do our packed lunches need to change?
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Category Report
Lunch trends 2024: Why lunch is going places
As food-to-go options get more adventurous, brands are looking to broaden the horizons of lunchboxes, too. Who’s winning?
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Category Report
Does Buy British stand a chance for supermarket fresh produce?
Can government intervention secure the UK’s fresh produce production? What can be done do to turn around the decline?
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Category Report
Sauces & condiments trends 2024: Posh restaurants tap into Asian trend
Posh restaurants are launching table sauces to tap the UK’s Asian food craze. How are the market’s established players responding?
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Category Report
Cheese trends 2024: Battle of the heavyweights
The big cheese brands are back in growth and fighting for consumer attention. Who will win, and where does this leave smaller producers?
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Category Report
Energy drinks trends 2024: Can Red Bull outrun Monster?
Energy drinks brands are racing ahead, with flavour innovation, festival appearances and keen pricing broadening their appeal
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Category Report
Energy products trends 2024: Can challengers go the distance?
Can deals with influencers such as ultra-runner and ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook help challenger energy brands go the distance?
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Category Report
Oil trends 2024: Has oil hit its peak?
As mass shortages in the olive business send prices through the roof, how are shoppers and brands coping with £15 rsps?
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Category Report
Rice, pulses & noodles trends 2024: Oodles of noodles
Convenience, affordability and a growing appetite for Asian food are driving gains for noodles. How are suppliers capitalising?
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Category Report
Butters & spreads trends 2024: The rise of posh butter
With chef-made butters going viral on social media, can the craze for premium penetrate retail? And how is the butter renaissance affecting spreads?
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Category Report
Meet the fast and furious gum challengers
Tyson Fury’s Furocity is one of a wave of fast-growing brands looking to challenge the gum heavyweights. Can they succeed?
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Category Report
Confectionery trends 2024: The sourer the better
What’s behind the latest sour craze in sugar confectionery – and can it buoy a category struggling due to HFSS and cost pressures?
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Category Report
Own label trends 2024: Time for a spring clean?
Own label innovation is looking dusty, experts argue, as lower prices take priority over excitement. Is it time to take risks again?
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Category Report
Bread trends 2024: White bread becomes UPF villain
Sliced white bread has become the symbol of the growing ultra-processed foods debate. What impact has that had on sales? And how are brands fighting back?
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Category Report
Snacking trends 2024: Brands fighting UPF allegations
As concerns about ultra-processed food change shopper habits, snacking brands are underlining their better-for-you credentials
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Category Report
Healthier snacking trends 2024: What nuts and seeds needs
Whitworths is lobbying the government to add dried fruit, nuts & seeds to 5 a day guidance but consumer education is also needed
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Category Report
Soft drinks trends 2024: Soda’s new stars
Soft drinks aisles are increasingly crowded, as a host of smaller brands jostle for space. Who are the challengers?
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Category Report
Soft drinks trends 2024: Does big soda need another makeover?
As volumes sales fall, brands are turning to new looks, limited edition flavours and healthier reformulations to recover momentum
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Category Report
Crisps, nuts & bagged snacks trends 2024: How spicy flavours are dominating
Spicy flavours are taking off in bagged snacks. So, how big can this fiery trend get? And is there still room for traditional tastes?
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Category Report
Yoghurt trends 2024: Can adult pouches revive the category?
Yoghurt brands are banking on pouches to drive sales. But can the new format revive the category?