The Grocer

NEW 🍰 Free-from Waitrose has expanded its FreeFrom lineup with 12 new products 🔗 See what's new here: https://lnkd.in/dps3Tr9W

Three of the UK's biggest supermarkets are shunning X, with Sainsbury's’s and Asda joining Tesco in only posting to reply to customers. Explanations range from monitoring ‘developments’ on the platform to seeing stronger engagement on other #social media channels. A spokesperson for Ocado Retail – also among those to have ceased posting – told The Grocer: “We are staying close to developments on X. For the moment we aren’t actively pushing marketing messages on the platform.” How the UK’s biggest three supermarkets have backed away from X 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gyhy_vnE #socialmedia #elonmusk

Kellanova’s profits soar ahead of Mars takeover Operating profits surged 62% to $532m in Q4 2024, driven by cost-cutting and productivity gains, as it prepares for a $36bn takeover by Mars. CEO Steve Cahillane credited a growth-oriented portfolio for the strong results Kellanova’s UK investment includes a £75m expansion of its north Wales site, set to become Europe’s largest cereal factory by 2026 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dNkVx-7M #Kellanova #Mars #BusinessNews #FoodIndustry #Investment

Meat producer Cranswick insists its proposed ‘megafarm’ in Norfolk meets all environmental regulations despite thousands of objections 🐔 The redevelopment would house 714,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs, aiming to boost UK self-sufficiency in poultry and pork. Critics, including NGOs Feedback Global and Sustain, claim the farm could raise borough-wide emissions by 6% and breach climate targets 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eCAs9ZhR #Cranswick #Megafarm #Sustainability #Farming #Environment

Diageo warned US #tariffs could slash profits by $200m (£161m), endangering its post-Covid recovery The drinks giant removed its 5%-7% sales growth target, citing potential 10% profit losses if tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports proceed. Despite an extension of Trump’s 30-day tariff reprieve, Diageo’s shares dropped 5% post-earnings CEO Debra Crew remains under pressure as younger consumers shift drinking habits and weight-loss drugs impact alcohol sales 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebcpa7aS #Diageo #Tariffs #AlcoholIndustry #Guinness #MarketNews

Dairy prices have soared since the start of 2025, with butter, milk, and cream seeing double-digit hikes due to reduced milk production The Grocer’s analysis found butter prices up by as much as 60%, with Arla Foods’ Anchor and Lurpak products among the hardest hit Industry experts cite adverse weather and tight global milk supplies as key drivers. Even dairy drinks have been affected, with Starbucks iced coffee prices rising over 100% in some cases 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efhzHH9B #DairyInflation #FoodPrices #MilkShortage #RetailNews #CostOfLiving

Barn egg shortages expected after major #birdflu outbreak 🐔 A major avian flu outbreak at Oaklands Farm Eggs in Shropshire has led to the culling of 1.6 million birds - nearly half the UK’s barn egg flock. The British Free Range Egg Producers Association warns that this will likely cause retail shortages of barn eggs and price increases Experts fear further outbreaks before the high-risk flu season ends in spring, increasing concerns across the sector. The British Egg Industry Council estimates a one-third reduction in barn egg supply but reassures that the national flock remains larger than in previous years 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eJKk_QFw #EggShortage #AvianFlu #FoodSupply #UKFarming #RetailNews

Port of Dover officials seized a staggering 25 tonnes of illegal meat in January - triple the amount from last year It comes amid warnings that weak post #Brexit border controls are failing to protect the UK from #biosecurity threats 🛃🍖  Lucy Manzano, chief of the Dover Port Health Authority, told MPs that the illegal imports DPHA intercepted were “the tip of the iceberg” as Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had not allocated enough funding 🔗 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eFMQ47SS Are the UK’s border controls better or worse since Brexit? 💬  #FoodSafety #BorderControls #Meat #SupplyChain

Balancing innovation with operational resilience while managing increasing consumer expectations is all in a day’s work for fmcg and retail’s digital leaders. But what exactly is keeping them up at night? At LIVE 2025: Retail Week x The Grocer we will have Arslan Sharif, chief digital and technology officer, PizzaExpress, Jacapo Mor, director of digital at Holland & Barrett and Paula Bobbett, chief digital officer, Boots UK on stage debating the challenges, opportunities and strategic priorities. Including - AI, the budget, cybersecurity and data governance Book your tickets today to be there next week: https://bit.ly/3Zrhri3 #RWGLIVE25

Driscoll's Nick Allen has been appointed as the new chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council Allen will join the egg trade body on 7 April 2025 and take over from acting chief executive Mark Williams, who will resume his role as chairman “We are confident that under his leadership, the British Egg Industry Council will go from strength to strength,” said Williams 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/epEsf2PS