All articles by Rob Brown
-
Category Report
Batteries trends 2024: Attention to safety
From foul-tasting coatings to warning dyes, battery makers are paying great attention to making their products safe for children
-
Category Report
Cold brew trends 2024: Full of beans
RTD iced coffee has enjoyed another growth spurt. Yet some of the giants have suffered a volume decline in the past year. Why?
-
Category Report
Hot beverage trends 2024: How the wellness ‘mega-trend’ hit UK cuppas
The wellness ‘mega-trend’ has landed in the nation’s cuppas, as brands add fruits, herbs, mushrooms and more to hot beverages
-
Category Report
Breakfast trends 2024: Why brekkie is going places
As on-the-go breakfasts take off, supermarkets are going toe to toe with foodservice players. Who’s winning in the convenience era?
-
Category Report
Ready to drink trends 2024: Hard seltzer goes soft
The forecast hard seltzer craze hasn’t materialised in the UK, prompting brands to rethink their strategies. Does the future instead lie in canned cocktails?
-
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?
-
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?
-
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
-
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?
-
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
-
Analysis & Features
Workouts, sugar and snacking: 10 charts explaining UK attitudes to protein shakes
Why are consumers buying protein shakes? And how can retailers cash in on protein’s pulling power?
-
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
-
Category Report
Personal care & beauty trends 2024: Brands fight the ‘dupe’ boom
Beauty brands are losing out to lower priced ‘dupes’ and own label. How can they salvage sales?
-
Category Report
Low & No trends 2024: Is alcohol-free the new cool?
Alcohol-free is continuing its upward climb with marketing aimed at trendy, young consumers
-
Category Report
BBQ trends 2024: Can world food put the bang back in BBQ?
Ahead of summer’s big sporting events, spiced-up, world-inspired BBQ ranges are hitting the aisles to tempt adventure-seeking Brits
-
Category Report
Snack bars trends 2024: Will fibre become the ‘new protein’?
Amid growing public attention on gut health and its link to brain function, will fibre be the ‘new protein’ in the snacking world?
-
Category Report
Frozen trends 2024: Morrisons and Iceland face off
Using exclusive product launches and eye-catching PoS activity at freezers, supermarkets are fighting hard for shoppers’ attention
-
Category Report
Ice cream trends 2024: A cone for every season
With unpredictable summers, suppliers are vying to make frozen dairy a year-round treat with the help of TV ads and trendy NPD
-
Category Report
Easter & spring trends 2024: The rise of the mega-egg
Brands and retailers are super-sizing Easter eggs for this year’s festivities – at a higher price per kilo than smaller treats. Why?
-
Category Report
Jams, spreads & honey trends 2024: Who’s put the buzz back into honey?
Honey has turned in the strongest growth in spreads, as brands beat own label with a mix of NPD, larger packs and featured space promotions