The UK technology and online grocery group Ocado could cut up to 1,000 jobs, or 5% of its workforce, as part of a cost-cutting drive.  First reported by The Sunday Times, the supermarket revealed that it would largely be cutting roles across its technology and office teams, including legal, finance and human resources.  It cited a difficult year for its automated warehouse business…

Private labels are seeing continued growth in the EU and the UK, according to Circana’s latest report.  Tracking France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK, the insight provider found that private labels now account for 42% of all consumer packaged goods (CPG) value sales.  This statistic rises to 44% in supermarkets, where the shops act as the most influential channel for private…

Data from Worldpanel has shown that one in ten shoppers purchased a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine in the supermarket over the past month.  In figures to 30 November, the insight provider revealed that one in five UK households said they were struggling financially. However, at the same time, spending on ‘pick-me-up products’ continued to rise.  As…

We are thrilled to announce the supermarket shortlist for our Drinks Retailing Awards 2026 – the annual list of the most forward-thinking and resilient players in drinks-focused FMCG. Two months out from our annual gala dinner, we can now reveal the businesses which have risen to the top in our multiples category and are which now in the running to receive one of…

Grocery price inflation slowed to 4.7% last month, according to the latest data from Worldpanel.  This happened as more consumers bought items on deals, with just under 30% of grocery spending going on promoted products.  Overall, take-home sales at grocers grew by 3.2% over the four weeks to November versus the same time last year, and spending on deals grew by 9.4%. …

UK households are striving to be healthier, leading to a drop in BWS sales but growth in low & no sales, according to NIQ data released today.  The consumer intelligence firm found that sales for beer, wine and spirits were the weakest of any supermarket supercategory in the four weeks ending 4 October.  Within this, unit sales declined by 2.6% and value…

Sales of Champagne and sparkling wines grew by 9% in UK supermarkets in the four weeks to 13 July, according to Wordpanel, the insight company previously known as Kantar.  Elsewhere, in the same period, kombucha saw growth, with sales almost doubling over the same four weeks compared to 2024.  Likewise, the low & no alcohol category continued to…