Calorie labels on menus and food packets encourage people to choose healthier options but only to the tune of 11 calories – the same as a single Pringle crisp, according to a new study from universities including Oxford, Cambridge and UCL (Guardian). The labels led to a 1.8% reduction in calories selected and 6% fall in calories consumed (Daily Mail).
British retail sales unexpectedly contracted in December by 0.3%, confounding analysts and adding to concerns over the UK economy’s performance at the end of last year (Financial Times).
European discounter Pepco Group said on Thursday that the performance of its struggling Poundland business in Britain deteriorated in the Christmas quarter. Underlying revenue fell 7.3% (Reuters).
Deliveroo took 43.1 million orders in the UK and Ireland in the final three months of last year – 5% more than a year earlier. And the total cost of baskets plus delivery fees jumped 9% to £1.2bn (Daily Mail).
The Financial Conduct Authority is considering a formal proposal to increase Britain’s £100 contactless spending limit as part of a response to the prime minister’s order for regulators to tear down barriers to economic growth (Sky News).
Demand for butter and whole milk is soaring as concerns about ultra-processed foods prompt shoppers to shun low-fat alternatives (Telegraph).
A £3m, state-of-the-art laboratory to test new foods and drinks is due to open early this year. Called Gastronomica, it is being developed at Colworth Science Park, Bedfordshire - home to one of Unilever’s Global Research & Development Centres (BBC).
Young’s pub chain plans to increase prices between 3% and 3.5% because of the increased cost of National Insurance contributions paid by employers, which comes into effect from April, says Simon Dodd, the business’ chief executive (Telegraph). This would add 20p to the cost of typical pint of beer in London – taking it to £6.50 (Daily Mail).
The future of Pizza Hut’s restaurants in Britain has been salvaged, after the business was sold out of insolvency proceedings to the brand’s main partner in Denmark and Sweden (Sky News).
“From toilet paper rolls to snacks, shrinkflation is the sneaky tactic is affecting many things we buy”, writes The Guardian. Its video “looks into how companies hide shrinkflation and what you can do about it”.
Retail is among the many industries ”already looking to artificial intelligence to improve productivity”, according to The Guardian.
US financier Mellody Hobson is stepping down from the board of Starbucks months after leading an effort to replace its former chief executive during a tumultuous time for the world’s largest coffee shop chain (Financial Times). Hobson previously served as the chairwoman of Starbucks from March 2021 to September 2024 (Reuters).
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