The Pick List: Recent Episodes
The Pick List
It's the season finale and Julia is joined by Kevin Yu, founder and CEO of SideChef, a home-cooking platform and provider of shoppable recipes.
They talk about the role of recipe inspiration as a driver of sales in grocery, making it easier for consumers to figure out what's for dinner and how recipe and meal planning habits are changing due to the cost-of-living crisis. Plus, they discuss how recipes can encourage people to waste less and adopt more sustainable food habits, the evolving role of QR codes in ecommerce packaging and lessons for grocery from the video games industry.
Articles discussed by Kevin and Julia:
How Grocers Are Managing the Large-Scale Problem of Food Waste | Progressive Grocer
I Feed My Family Of Five For $100 A Week — Here's What A Week Of Groceries & Meals Looks Like For Us | Buzzfeed
The True Value of Pairing QR Codes With E-Commerce Packaging | Inc.
Julia is joined by Vishal Patel, co-founder of Sollasa, an up-and-coming spirits brand developed specifically to go with Indian food. Vishal is also investment director at Distill Ventures.
He talks to Julia about the growth in low and no alcohol options and what's behind young people moderating their drinking, his journey with Sollasa and why he’s pursuing a food-first strategy for his brand, how to justify the price of lower-alcohol options vis-à-vis full-strength drinks - and the ongoing challenge of how to increase diversity and inclusion in the drinks industry.
Articles discussed by Vishal and Julia:
UK low-and-no value to hit £450m | The Spirits Business
Gen Z for zero tolerance: why British youth are turning off booze | The Observer
Opening the door: how is the whisky world tackling diversity and inclusion? | Whisky Magazine
Julia is joined by Ronen Givon, CEO of REKKI, the mobile ordering app for chefs.
Ronen created REKKI after spending 10 years running restaurants in London (he was one of the founders of Hummus Bros), where he saw first hand how little grasp many chefs have on their food costs.
He talks to Julia about how to make independent restaurants profitable, which ingredients are trending on his platform (and what's getting harder to source), the changing cultural role of restaurants - and why 'menu engineering' shouldn't be a dirty word.
Articles discussed by Ronen and Julia:
UK’s star chefs get creative to keep menu prices down | The Observer
Cancelled flight? Shoddy clothing? Disappointing meal? Blame skimpflation, the hidden curse of 2022 | The Guardian
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen restaurant review: ‘The Damascus chef in Soho’ | The Sunday Times
Julia is joined by Ann Perkins, founder and MD of healthy snacking brand Perkier.
Ann shares why she's passionate about moving the health debate on from calories, her take on the opportunities and challenges arising from the cost-of-living crisis and HFSS and how to navigate the dangers of greenwashing. Plus, how to use social media listening to inform the NPD process.
Articles discussed by Ann and Julia:
Last chance to give views on controversial menu calorie count plans | STV News
What is greenwashing? | Business News Daily
Why we should be using social media to inform NPD | The Grocer
Julia is joined by George Dymond, chief executive officer of Planet Organic.
They talk about George's quest to 'right-size' Planet Organic and expand its store estate, including outside London, and how he is modernising its supply chain. Plus, George reflects on how the cost-of-living crisis is likely to affect the organic sector and Planet Organic specifically, the flight to value along with a flight to quality, the importance of bringing fun to healthy eating - and why he is drawn to industry topics that are complex and don't come with easy answers.
Articles discussed by George and Julia:
How organic food can navigate the cost-of-living crisis | Food Navigator
‘Clean’ eating gets complicated by new climate research | Supply Chain Brain
The snacks putting fun back into food | FT
Julia is joined by Cashain David, founder of up-and-coming rum brand Kromanti Distillery & Blending House.
Cashain talks to Julia about why he started a rum brand after living most of his life as a teetotaler, the importance of recentering the narrative around rum, moving the category beyond tropes of pirates and parties on the beach, and the need a more diverse and authentic range of stories about its history and heritage. Plus, he shares how he approached defining his company's values - and the opportunities he sees in the low&no alcohol sector.
Articles discussed by Cashain and Julia:
Decolonizing the whitewashed world of Caribbean rum | liquor.com
Everything you need to know about company values | Inc.
UK sales of low-alcohol and no-alcohol beers almost double in 5 years | FT
Julia is joined by Louise Hoste, managing director of Spar UK.
They talk about the convenience sector during and after Covid, adjusting ranges to serve new convenience shopper missions, opportunities around home delivery, the challenges of HFSS and the cost-of-living crisis and lessons from the fashion industry on circularity.
Plus, Louise shares how the pandemic changed her as a business leader and why she's so impressed with the convenience sector in the Netherlands.
Articles discussed by Louise and Julia
Cost of living crunch hits UK consumers hard | FT
ASOS launches Thrift+ resale pilot, takes deeper dive with second circular collection | Fashion Network
World’s first raspberry picking robot cracks the toughest nut: soft fruit | The Guardian
Julia is joined by Barry Clogan, chief product officer at Wynshop and former head of international grocery online at Tesco.
They talk about online grocery after Covid (what does the drop-off in post-lockdown really tell us?), the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on online shopping behaviour, the importance of acquiring the right online customers and what the recent challenges in the rapid delivery sector tell us about the future of quick commerce.
Articles discussed in this episode:
Instacart files confidentially for IPO | Grocery Dive
Jiffy to halt grocery operation and become dedicated software company | Charged Retail
Co-op to bring back ‘walking deliveries’ and reverse march of time | The Times
The Pick List is back for season 6 and Julia is joined by Chris White, MD and founder of creative agency This Way Up.
They talk about how design can help brands communicate their health credentials, the impact of the delay on HFSS regulations on health-focused brands, the fast-changing design language of the plant-based category, the opportunities and pitfalls for brands around purpose, and more.
Articles discussed in this episode:
What are consumers looking for in plant-based products? | New Food Magazine
Why is it important to have a defined purpose? | The Drum
The woolliest words in business | The Economist
Julia is joined by Pev Manners, managing director of Belvoir Farm, the brand of cordials, sparkling drinks and botanical sodas.
From its beginnings on farm in the early 80s, Belvoir Farm has grown rapidly and continues to launch innovative NPD while staying true to its values on sustainability and quality ingredients. More recently, the brand has been pushing into the ‘no and low’ sector and ramping up its efforts in exports markets, so Pev shares what opportunities he sees in these areas and what’s next for the Belvoir brand in 2022.
Plus, he talks about why he’s happy Belvoir stuck with sugar and didn’t switch to artificial sweeteners and how his business is navigating the current difficult trading conditions, including cost inflation and supply chain disruption.
Articles discussed by Pev and Julia:
Sustainable sourcing: the challenges | Food Manufacture
The great grocery punch-up: Britain’s Biggest Brands 2022 | The Grocer
The truth about artificial sweeteners – and what they really do to your body | The Telegraph
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Shirine Khoury-Haq to take the reins at Co-op | The Times
Iceland reverts to palm oil ‘with regret’ as Ukraine war hits food prices | The Guardian
Inflation starting to drive grocery behaviour as pandemic loosens hold on Brits | Kantar
Asda like-for-likes down 2.9% in quarter four of 2021 against tough comparatives | The Grocer
Asda faces legal wrangle with Waitrose after investing £45m in budget range | The Guardian
Sainsbury's urged to up pay to match cost of living | BBC News
Cost of living crisis sees family vegetable consumption fall | The Grocer
Julia is joined by Jane McKay, founder of Astute Ideas, a consultancy that works with food and drink startups and SMEs. Now based in Bristol, Jane spent 10 years in the US, where she co-founded an award-winning spice company called Zen of Slow Cooking.
She talks to Julia about the fantastic growth many food & drink startups experienced during the pandemic and how to maintain growth now that we’re facing a cost-of-living crisis. Plus, she shares what UK brands tend to get wrong about expanding into the US, the implications of the HFSS crackdown for challenger brands, her passion for the B Corp movement - and why she’s so excited about the ‘no and low’ sector.
Articles discussed by Jane and Julia:
Pandemic delivers rich pickings for niche food start-ups | FT
The Gondola End is dead. Long live the Power Aisle | The Grocer
What is a B Corp drinks brand and why should you care? | Drinks Retailing
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Spring statement: Tax, fuel duty and NI cuts in Rishi Sunak's mini-budget amid forecast of biggest disposable income drop on record | Sky News
HFSS legislation could be delayed to beat inflation | The Grocer
Asda launches Just Essentials range in major pricing overhaul | The Grocer
Food bank users declining potatoes as cooking costs too high, says Iceland boss | The Guardian
McColl’s boss Miller exits as rescue talks progress | Retail Week
Nestlé bows to pressure and quits Russia | The Times
Free-range eggs no longer available in UK due to bird flu | BBC News
McVitie’s launches non-HFSS version of Rich Tea biscuits | The Grocer
Julia is joined by Spencer Price, co-founder and CEO of Halla, a US-based tech startup working to bring greater personalisation to online grocery shopping. Spencer talks about Halla’s plans for international expansion and the opportunities he sees in the UK, the challenges of product discovery in online grocery and how retailers can get much smarter about substitutions.
Plus, they chat about the “Amazonification of Whole Foods”, balancing personalisation with privacy concerns – and jellied eels.
Articles discussed by Spencer and Julia:
Here Comes the Full Amazonification of Whole Foods | New York Times
Raspberries for cauliflower? The bizarre world of online grocery store substitutions | WSJ
Gen Z have never eaten jellied eel? Let’s give it a try | The Times
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Food and drink bosses call for legislation ‘pause’ while they focus on Ukraine crisis | The Grocer
Restaurant and leisure groups warn Ukraine war will push costs higher | FT
Farmers warn Ukraine war will hit UK food prices | BBC News
Ocado reports sales fall as shoppers resume pre-Covid buying habits | The Guardian
Three-quarters of meal deal snacks ‘dangerously’ HFSS, research shows | The Grocer
Iceland’s first Swift c-store in London teams up with Uber Eats
Starbucks is looking for a new boss | The Times
Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy to step down | The Grocer
Julia is joined by Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, a startup that's developed technology to help brands and retailers tag and trace their plastic packaging.
Alice shares her perspective on the problems with our current recycling system and the lack of data on what happens with packaging once the product has been consumed. Plus, she talks to Julia about what to expect from Deposit Return Schemes, Extended Producer Responsibility and the new UN plastic waste treaty - and why the QR code is finally having its moment in the sun.
Articles discussed by Alice and Julia:
Global plastics lifecycle ‘far from circular’, OECD says | letsrecycle.com
World leaders agree to draw up ‘historic’ treaty on plastic pollution | FT
Will Coinbase’s Super Bowl ad really change the landscape of TV QR codes? | The Drum
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Marks and Spencer chief to step down | FT
War in Ukraine: McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Starbucks halt Russian sales | BBC News
Unilever commits to annual nutritional report | Food Dive
Irish dairy and beef farmers urged to grow crops amid Ukraine shortage fears | The Guardian
Greggs to increase price of sausage rolls despite record sales of £1.23bn | The Times
Asda adds 100 greengrocers to stores as Issa brothers revamp fresh offer | The Grocer
Waitrose and Aldi to stop selling disposable barbecues | The Guardian
Morrisons launches salad refill box rental scheme to reduce plastic | The Grocer
Julia is joined by Angelica Camacho-González, trade specialist at ProColombia UK. Angelica helps Colombian food producers understand the UK market and make the most of export opportunities here.
Colombia is well known as an exporter of bananas and coffee, but there is so much more to the country and its food sector. Angelica talks about the growth in Colombian avocados and efforts to bring new exotic fruit and added-value food products to the UK market. Plus, she shares her perspective on how the country is responding to the threat of climate change and what its trading relations have been like with the UK post-Brexit.
Articles discussed by Angelica and Julia:
Consumer demand for sustainably sourced products sees Fairtrade sales boom | Confectionery News
Scrap produce packaging, says WRAP | Fruitnet
Risks to global supply chains rising as climate change worsens, IPCC warns | FT
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Tesco launches relief operation to help refugees fleeing Ukraine | The Grocer
Halewood to move production of J.J Whitley vodka from Russia to UK | The Grocer
Sainsbury’s to close 200 cafes putting 2,000 jobs at risk | BBC News
Grocery prices in UK rise at fastest rate in eight years, data shows | The Guardian
Supermarket sweep: Lidl’s market share pips Co-Op | The Times
Convenience store giant McColl's scrambles to stave off collapse | Sky News
Tesco to stop selling baby wipes that contain plastic in first for UK supermarkets | The Guardian
Cosmic Crisp makes European entry | Fruitnet
Julia is joined by Tom Gill, head of sustainability at agri-food consultancy Promar International. Tom is an expert in sustainability and environmental footprinting who works with major retailers and agri-food companies on carbon footprinting and sustainability strategy.
He talks to Julia about the challenges and opportunities around carbon, the different environmental labelling schemes that are coming to market and the dangers of zombie data when making sustainability claims.
Articles discussed by Tom and Julia:
PepsiCo squares up to supply chain emissions challenge | FT
New environmental labelling system unveiled | Food Navigator
Fashion firms using ‘zombie data’ to mislead on sustainability claims | edie
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
‘Completely contradictory’: NFU leader attacks UK farming policy | The Guardian
WRAP urges end to plastic packaging for fresh food | MRW
Morrisons ditches plastic packaging for fresh milk | Food Manufacture
Innocent Drink’s ‘greenwashing’ advert found misleading, rules ASA | Resource
Kraft Heinz launches global plant-based joint venture | The Grocer
Thousands of Asda lorry drivers ready to strike after rejecting pay deal | The Guardian
Tesco and Gorillas extend rapid delivery partnership to Manchester | The Grocer
Investors have a big appetite for Gousto | The Times
Julia is joined by Darren Nickels, retail technology operations director at Henderson Technology. An expert in retail tech and convenience retail, Darren shares his view on the big trends shaping the convenience sector in the wake of Covid, from hybrid working to rapid delivery and checkout-less shopping, and how tech is helping independent retailers adapt to new shopping habits.
Articles discussed by Darren and Julia:
Amazon and Getir home delivery threat | Better Retailing
City workers lead the way in the week we went back to the office | The Times
Why the convenience market is betting big on its future | The Grocer
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
UK inflation forecast to hit 8% in April amid cost of living crisis | The Guardian
Customers must pay price as costs soar, says Kraft Heinz | The Times
Waitrose loyalty scheme revamp will give deeper savings and personalised offers | Retail Gazette
Leon launches points-based loyalty app | The Grocer
Poundland moves into fresh food | BBC News
M&S to raise minimum pay to £10 an hour and offer free health checks | The Guardian
Defra to launch supply chain probe into UK pig crisis | The Guardian
Tilda makes a play in dairy alternatives with ‘naturally sweet’ rice milk drink | The Grocer
Julia is joined by Hannah McCollum, founder of the ChicP brand of hummus and veggie bites and a campaigner on food waste.
Hannah talks to Julia about how working in the catering and events industry as a private chef left her appalled at the levels of food waste she saw. She explains how this experience inspired her to create ChicP, her top tips for encouraging consumers to waste less, and the challenges of creating change and making your voice heard on food waste and sustainable packaging when you’re a small brand.
Articles discussed by Hannah and Julia:
Food waste: are you throwing your money in the bin? | The Guardian
Corporations’ Ambitions to Curb Plastic Vs. What They are Actually Doing | Waste 360
Global Supply Chains Must Get Smart—and Sustainable | Wired
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Amazon designated a grocer by CMA in regulatory crackdown | FT
Asda makes cheapest food pledge after pressure from Jack Monroe | The Guardian
'Growth and resilience': Organic market breaks £3bn mark for first time | Business Green
Co-op Food CEO Jo Whitfield to take career break | The Grocer
Walkers calls time on crisp packet recycling scheme | The Grocer
Jeremy Clarkson backs farmers protesting against Oxfordshire county council’s bid to ban meat | The Times
Skinny spud latte to go? Potato milk hits UK supermarket shelves | The Guardian
Julia is joined by Jack Scott, co-founder of Dash Water. Having just secured a fresh round of investment and appointed a new chairman, Jack shares what’s next for Dash and why DTC is a key focus for the brand. Plus, he talks about how his farming background inspired a passion for fighting food waste and why Dash has started adding its carbon footprint to cans. Jack also shares some great tips and tricks for holding your own in a category dominated by big suppliers and getting cut-through with buyers.
Articles discussed by Jack and Julia:
Wrap launches new industry partnership to tackle household food waste | The Grocer
Supermarkets ‘harder than ever’ to deal with report challenger brands | The Grocer
Supermarkets are powerless to prevent food price inflation but the how and the where has enormous repercussions | The Grocer
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Food bills to rise by around £180 a year, shoppers warned | The Independent
Government in talks with industry leaders on major new approach to obesity strategy | The Grocer
Junk food ad ban facing possible year-long delay | The Grocer
Tesco to shut down its Jack's discount stores | BBC News
KP Snacks hit by ransomware attack with retailers warned of crisps and nuts shortage | Sky News
School food targeted in ‘levelling up’ agenda | Footprint Media
UK beer and meat producers breathe sigh of relief after CO2 deal is struck | The Guardian
Marks & Spencer and Aldi call truce in Colin the Caterpillar cake war | The Guardian
Pret a Manger increases price of coffee subscription by 25pc | The Telegraph
Julia is joined by Rich Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms.
Rich is known for his passion for sustainability and recently created a carbon-neutral cheddar for Lidl’s own-label range. He has also just launched his own carbon-neutral cheddar brand, Ivy’s Reserve.
He talks to Julia about consumer appetite for products with carbon and other sustainability claims, the importance of robust accreditation and certification, and creating a sustainable dairy industry that’s fit for the future. Plus, he shares his take on the cost-of-living crisis and Jack Monroe’s ground-breaking campaign highlighting the impact of soaring food prices on the poorest households.
Articles discussed in this episode:
Cost of neutralising carbon emissions soars as demand escalates | The FT
Tory rejection of windfall tax on energy firms ‘beggars belief’, says Ed Miliband | The Guardian
Hungry Brits will 'starve to death' as food and energy prices soar, Jack Monroe warns | The Mirror
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Cost-of-living crisis: Jack Monroe hails ONS update of inflation calculations | The Guardian
Unilever to cut 1,500 jobs in management shake-up | FT
CD&R denies headhunting for David Potts successor | The Grocer
Ocado steps up robot wars with new ‘pick and pack’ machines | The Times
Sainsbury's and John Lewis ask shoppers and staff to keep wearing masks | BBC News
Oatly ads banned over 'misleading' environmental claims | BBC News
Tesco sells caulis at 49p after glut | FPJ
Asda is selling engagement rings for £1 for Valentine’s Day
Julia is joined by Jason Geary, master baker and executive director at Geary’s Bakeries and the Jason behind the ‘Jason’s Sourdough’ brand.
He tells Julia why he’s on a mission to change the way Brits think about bread and make great-quality bread (particularly sourdough) accessible to more people. Plus, he shares how taking inspiration from the craft beer boom helped him open retail buyers’ eyes to the opportunity in craft bread, NPD trends for 2022, tapping into the gut health trend and how he’s navigating soaring wheat prices and other cost challenges within his business.
Articles discussed by Jason and Julia:
Wheat prices at nine-year high as bakers warn of price increases | The Grocer
Craft bakery has been resilient and tenacious | British Baker
How to make really good bread | New York Times
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Covid: Sainsbury's asks staff to delay Christmas parties | BBC News
Tesco depot staff suspend pre-Christmas pay strikes | BBC News
Asda facing strike threat as Tesco battles to prevent Xmas walkout disruption | Sky News
Cost of Christmas dinner jumps 3% as turkey, pudding and sprout prices rise | The Guardian
Booths owners take dividend after hanging on to business rates relief | The Times
Heck in talks with Ivy Farm over lab-grown meat tie-up | The Grocer
FSA launches consultation on 'may contain' packaging | Food Manufacture
Marks & Spencer launches ‘world first data science and AI academy’ in grocery | The Grocer
Julia is joined by Olly Kohn, one of the founders of The Jolly Hog brand of bacon and sausages.
Olly is also a former professional rugby player who used to play for Harlequins. He tells Julia how and why he transitioned from a career in rugby to running a food brand with his two brothers and how his experience as a professional sportsman shaped his attitude towards risk-taking and learning in public.
Plus, he shares how The Jolly Hog has coped in the face of supply chain disruption, why he’s sad about the demise of the Great British Caff, how he used to approach food and nutrition during his rugby years – and what’s next for his brand.
Articles discussed by Olly and Julia:
It’s Brexmas! From turkeys to alcohol, how will shortages affect Christmas? | The Observer
‘Greasy spoon’ cafes close doors as today’s diners shun fry-ups | The Observer
How I fuel: Joe Marler, Anthony Watson & Harry Randall | Red Bull
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Asda charters cargo ship with festive items amid supply chain crisis | The Guardian
Lidl promotes Ryan McDonnell to UK CEO | City AM
Morrisons ditches soya for insects in chicken feed to hatch carbon neutral eggs | FT
Waitrose ramps up Scottish presence after tie-up with Edinburgh retail institution | The Scotsman
Sainsbury’s aims to raise £3m to tackle food poverty this Christmas | The Grocer
Marks & Spencer trialling augmented reality wayfinding app at Westfield Food Hall | The Grocer
Pret a Manger launches new loyalty scheme Pret Perks | The Grocer
New support for UK's world-leading agri-food and drink industry | gov.uk
Ad regulator clears Tesco’s Christmas campaign after 5,000 complaints | Evening Standard
Learn more about the show and get in touch at thepicklist.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, subscribe and leave a review.
Julia is joined by Helen Burgess, founder and director of Little Cooks Co, a monthly recipe box for kids.
Helen used to work in government as a senior civil servant, including at the Cabinet Office and Number 10, but has long been passionate about food and nutrition. She is a registered nutritionist and founded Little Cooks Co because she wanted to do her bit to get children excited about healthy, nutritious food and develop key cooking skills.
She talks to Julia about her concerns about ultraprocessed foods, government short-termism around food strategy and how to empower children to make good food choices. Plus, she shares a few tips and tricks from her days in government for how to make yourself heard by policymakers.
Articles discussed by Helen and Julia:
NHS to set up 15 special clinics in England for severely obese children | The Guardian
Urgent need to reduce children’s ultraprocessed food consumption | Technology Networks
Children eat meat unknowingly—perhaps in violation of a bias against animals as a food source | Anthropocene Magazine
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Asda confirms Stuart Rose as chairman | The Times
Sustainable shopping: Asda begins selling beer on tap in new supermarket refill zone scheme | The i
George at Asda unveils pre-loved Gucci collaboration | Drapers
Food & drink industry launches roadmap to tackle sustainable water crisis | The Grocer
Rapid delivery service Getir to buy UK rival Weezy | The Guardian
Princes launches platform to collaborate with retailers on NPD | The Grocer
Tesco taps RangeMe product sourcing platform | Retail Tech Innovation Hub
Sales of eco-friendly pet food soar as owners become aware of impact | The Guardian
Co-op to run live ad on ITV to spotlight Community Fridges | The Drum
Julia is joined by Laura Harnett, founder and CEO of Seep, a brand of sustainable, plastic-free household essentials.
Laura started her career as a buyer at Compass Group; she then worked as a consultant for many years as well as at retailers including Selfridges. She decided to launch Seep after getting annoyed with the lack of plastic-free options in the household essentials aisle. Because, as Laura explains, while eco-friendly cleaning products are a growing market, there still aren’t many options if you want to buy essentials like cleaning cloths and sponges or scourers.
Laura is on a mission to change that. She talks to Julia about how we can re-engage consumers on plastic after Covid, how she’s approaching carbon offsetting for her brand, what it’s like to be publicly challenged by consumers on your sustainability claims – and how she feels about Black Friday promotions as a sustainable brand.
Articles discussed by Laura and Julia:
About 26,000 tonnes of plastic Covid waste pollutes world’s oceans | The Guardian
What is carbon offsetting? The new advances explained | The Times
Consumers want Black Friday 2021 to be greener | Boston Consulting Group
Links to the big food and grocery stories of the week:
M&S to provide sandwiches and hot food for Costa Coffee | The Guardian
Amazon’s cashierless tech will power Sainsbury market in London | Bloomberg
Mr Kipling goes in search of a sweet spot across the Pond | The Times
Oatly shares turn sour after it counts cost of supply chain and production problems | Sky News
Greggs suffers vegan sausage roll shortage as bakery becomes latest victim of supply chain crisis | The i
Redefine Meat brings 3D printed vegan cuts to restaurants | FT
Morrisons pays tribute to key workers with ‘Farmer Christmas’ festive ad | The Grocer
Tesco Christmas ad: 1,500 complain over Santa with Covid vaccine passport | The Guardian
Julia is joined by Paul Hargreaves, founder and CEO of Cotswold Fayre, a wholesaler of speciality and fine foods.
Paul is passionate about business with purpose. He is the author of a book on how to create a better world through purpose-driven business, called Forces for Good, and recently published a second book about compassionate leadership, called the Fourth Bottom Line.
His own company is a certified B Corp, and Paul shares how having a clear, common purpose across the business has made a big difference during tough times.
He also talks to Julia about the pitfalls of greenwashing and purpose-washing (and how to avoid them) and why he believes we need to ask tougher questions of big corporations and challenge our Capitalist system’s addiction to growth at all cost.
Articles discussed by Paul and Julia:
Capitalism is killing the planet – it’s time to stop buying into our own destruction | The Guardian
Seven ways to spot businesses greenwashing | BBC News
Small businesses get more green – but is the customer convinced? | Forbes
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Grocery price rises turn up heat on British consumers | Reuters
M&S does not expect Christmas supply shortages, CEO Steve Rowe says | The Grocer
After acquiring Dija and Fancy, instant grocery startup Gopuff launches in the UK en route to European expansion | TechCrunch
Shoppers ready for greener life — but only if price is right | The Times
Morrisons hopes cow seaweed diet will cut methane | BBC News
Quaker Oats falls victim to supply issues after PepsiCo IT upgrade | The Grocer
Marcus Rashford stars in Aldi’s Christmas advert with the return of Kevin the Carrot | The Independent
Learn more about the show and get in touch at thepicklist.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, subscribe and leave a review.
Julia is joined by Laura Ryan, chief executive of Lavenpark, founder and global chair of Meat Business Women and co-founder of Global Meat Alliance.
An experienced marketeer and business strategist with deep knowledge of the meat industry, Laura shares her take on the prospect of carbon taxes on meat, how the sector is coping with labour challenges, supply chain disruption and soaring inflation and how processors and retailers are preparing for the Christmas trading season.
With the meat sector facing growing scrutiny from policymakers, Laura also talks about why she expects retailers and processors to recruit more senior execs and CEOs with a policy background in the future.
As regular listeners will know, Laura used to host The Pick List with Julia before having to step back from presenting duties earlier this year. She shares what she’s been working on in recent months, how she became involved in the meat sector in the first place and why she’s passionate about championing women in the industry.
Articles discussed by Laura and Julia:
Meat taxes will make British farmers go greener, says George Eustice | The Telegraph
What’s keeping your retail CEO up at night | Forbes
M&S to roll out opticians service | KAMCity
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Sainsbury's says supply issues won't hit Christmas | BBC News
Staff shortages see UK meat carcasses sent to EU for butchering | BBC News
Supermarket Iceland pledges to become ‘plastic neutral’ from 2022 | Evening Standard
Coca-Cola to fully acquire Gatorade rival BodyArmor for $5.6 bln | Reuters
UK Dairy Roadmap unveils net zero climate ambition | Dairy Reporter
Amazon’s seventh Just Walk Out store to open over the road from Tesco’s GetGo | The Grocer
Pilgrim’s poaches ex-Sainsbury’s agricultural head | Grocery Gazette
Asda introduces ‘quieter hour’ to help customers with hidden disabilities | Retail Gazette
‘Christmas dinner in a can’ promises answer to supermarket shortages | The Guardian
Learn more about the show and get in touch at thepicklist.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, subscribe and leave a review.
Julia is joined by Caroline Drummond, an expert in sustainable food and farming and chief executive of LEAF.
Ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, they talk about food and farming’s role in our collective health and wellbeing, how to reconnect our increasingly urbanised population back to farming and why it’s important not to forget that food can be fun as we look to engage consumers with sustainability.
Plus, they discuss how the debate on ultraprocessed foods has made its way into the consumer media and unpick the latest trends highlighted in the Waitrose food and drink report, including the rise of ‘climatarian’ eating.
Articles discussed by Caroline and Julia:
A local focus | RSA journal
Mind what you eat | Good Housekeeping
Waitrose Food and Drink Report 2021-22
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Budget 2021: Beer and prosecco duty cuts - new alcohol taxes explained | Sky News
UK-France fishing reprisals threaten full post-Brexit trade war | The Guardian
Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts: ‘there will be plenty of food’ this Christmas | The Grocer
Sainsbury’s brings forward net zero pledge to 2035 ahead of Cop26 summit | The Independent
The Co-op joins the Cop26 conversation with playful name change | The Drum
Tesco joins forces with Gorillas delivery app | City AM
Morrisons goes private to mark end of buyout saga | The Times
Bottoms up – the Great British dinner party is back! | The Telegraph
Report calls out ‘health halos’ on HFSS products aimed at teens | Food Navigator
'Edible' stock cube made from pea protein to be trialled by Gousto | Packaging Europe
Learn more about the show and get in touch at thepicklist.co.uk
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Julia is joined by Adam Sopher, co-founder and director of gourmet popcorn brand Joe & Seph’s.
They talk about healthy snacking and what it’s like being an indulgent brand in the era of HFSS, the growing importance of DTC to the business and how its unique operational model makes it possible to produce an 80-strong range of flavours.
They also discuss the ongoing supply chain crisis, soaring container costs and how cost inflation is affecting SMEs.
Plus, Adam talks about the brand’s latest brand tie-up – a dry martini popcorn for the new James Bond film – and how collaborations can help brands reach new consumer groups, what he expects from this year’s festive season and why he loves tech in fmcg and is excited about Tesco’s new checkout-free store.
Click here to register for the DTC masterclass mentioned by Julia.
Articles discussed by Adam and Julia:
Christmas shoppers start earlier but half don’t think we’ll have a normal celebration | The Drum
The rise of permissible indulgence and frozen snacking | Mintel
In pictures: Tesco’s GetGo checkout-free shopping experience | The Grocer
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
Tesco tech play: Supermarket giant launches checkout-free GetGo store in London | Evening Standard
Farmers could be ‘put out of business’ by New Zealand free trade deal, says NFU | politics.co.uk
UK’s net zero plan “devoid of urgency” on food | The Grocer
Morrisons shareholders wave through £7bn takeover | The Guardian
PG Tips and Cornetto maker Unilever warns prices will rise | BBC News
Asda recruiting 15,000 temporary Christmas staff | The Grocer
M&S and Boots launch plans to hire 17,000 temp jobs - as Amazon offers £3,000 signing-on bonuses | Sky News
$1bn Gorillas fundraising shows appetite for growth in rapid grocery delivery sector | Sky News
Pret a Manger 'moves into new territory' with Express format | Big Hospitality
Lindt challenges Cadbury with first hot chocolate launch | The Grocer
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Julia is joined by Nathan Ward, business unit director at Kantar. As head of the Usage Foods service at Kantar, Nathan is laser-focused on understanding the ‘why’ behind shopper trends. He talks to Julia about which lockdown trends are proving sticky, how the ‘big return to work’ is affecting shopping and eating habits and what to expect from Christmas at a time when shoppers are more polarised economically than they’ve been in a long time.
Plus, they discuss what’s been driving the rise of plant-based, how ‘less but better’ is playing out in the meat category and how food price inflation is set to shape the power dynamics in the UK grocery retail sector.
Articles discussed by Nathan and Julia:
Britons cut meat-eating by 17%, but must double that to hit target | The Guardian
Frozen turkeys in high demand as Christmas shopping starts early | The Guardian
Kraft Heinz says people must get used to higher food prices | BBC News
Links to the big food and grocery retail stories this week:
PM appoints former Tesco boss Dave Lewis as supply chain adviser | City AM
Felixstowe port congestion slows down supermarket imports | The Grocer
Brexit: Most NI checks on British goods to be scrapped | BBC News
Britain's chicken king says the 20-year binge on cheap food is over | Reuters
Aldi knocks 30% off prices for ‘packaging imperfections’ in food waste bid | The Grocer
Just Eat Takeaway.com breaks through one billion orders mark | The Times
Shoppers make fewer supermarket trips to save petrol amid fuel crisis | The Independent
Soil Association Certification joins Amazon climate initiative | The Grocer
Gary Barlow launches organic wine range from Spain | The Drinks Business
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Julia is joined by Jemima Bird, founder and CEO of Hello Finch. A self-described “greengrocer from Barnsley who became an accidental marketeer”, Jemima is an experienced CMO and brand strategist whose career has included stints at Co-op, Asda, Musgrave Retail Partners, Moss Bros and more.
Jemima is one of those people who always have an interesting take on what’s happening in the market and pick up on trends long before others. Right now, she is particularly focused on trends in the ready-to-drink cocktail market. She talks to Julia about why the RTD sector is so fast-growing and dynamic, how it’s changed during and after lockdown, the impact of RTDs on the out-of-home market, the key cocktail trends to have on your radar for 2022 – and why it’s so challenging to create a decent cocktail in a can.
Plus, she talks to Julia about her passion for vending and why she believes in the importance of resisting algorithms, breaking out of your media bubble and avoiding rabbit holes.
Articles discussed with Jemima and Julia:
Why RTDs Will Boom in 2021 and Beyond | Beverage Dynamics
Stir craze: how the negroni became the cocktail of 2021 | The Guardian
Atomic Brands introduces Monaco Classic Mai Tai RTD cocktail
As pubs pack out, drinks companies worry about an abstemious youth | FT
Links to the big food and grocery stories of the week:
CD&R wins $10 bln auction for UK supermarket Morrisons | Reuters
Grocer Gold Awards 2021: The Grocer of the Year | The Grocer
Ocado teams up with Wayve to trial driverless deliveries | The Times
Project launched to tackle greenwashing in food and drink sectors | Environment Agency
Pig cull underway as PM dismisses concerns of pork sector | The Grocer
French fishermen threaten to block exports to UK in run-up to Christmas | LBC
World food prices hit 10-year peak | Reuters
Amazon opens first UK non-food store | BBC News
Cadbury to launch vegan Dairy Milk alternative called Plant Bar | The Guardian
Nestle expands vegan options with plant-based egg and shrimp substitutes | Sky News
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Julia is joined by Annabel Makin-Jones, a fifth-generation Yorkshire farmer and founder of Annabel’s Deliciously British as well as Tame and Wild drinks.
Annabel is passionate about farming, the countryside and British produce. She talks to Julia about the impact of labour shortages on her business, the challenges of the current growing season and why she believes more needs to be done to support British farming.
Plus, she shares her take on export opportunities for British produce, the impact of wonky fruit and veg on consumer attitudes, the role of brands in fresh produce and why she thinks farmers and growers need to become better at marketing.
Articles discussed by Annabel and Julia:
‘The anxiety is off the scale’: UK farm sector worried by labour shortages | The Guardian
We must back British farming 365 days a year | Politics Home
New study reveals demand for branded produce | Fresh Fruit Portal
Links to the big food and grocery stories of the week:
Fuel crisis: Shoppers warned of Christmas nightmare | The Times
Tesco lets UK-Spain train take the strain to counter trucker crisis | Reuters
Morrisons takeover battle set to be decided via one-day auction | The Times
EU HGV drivers granted temporary visas unlikely to hit UK roads until mid-November | The Grocer
Deliveroo launches ‘Hop’ rapid grocery service with Morrisons | FT
Morrisons axing store picking from 50 branches as online demand eases | The Grocer
England to ease regulations on gene editing in agricultural research | Reuters
Heinz and Campbell Soup among worst companies for unsustainable palm oil, WWF report says | The Independent
‘The whole system is rotten’: life inside Europe’s meat industry | The Guardian
Soaring pea costs set to hit plant-based meat producers | FT
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Julia is joined by Falu Shah, founder of the Howdah brand of Indian snacks.
Having grown up in Mumbai, Falu wanted to bring authentic Indian flavours to the UK snacking aisle and show Brits there’s more to Indian snacks than Bombay Mix. Her brand is now listed in Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Selfridges and scores of independent retailers.
Falu talks to Julia about the rise of the at-home bar snack, why Howdah has partnered with craft beer and coffee subscription companies to tap new snacking occasions and how she’s been affected by the supply chain crisis.
Falu is also very purpose-driven and wants her brand to give back. That's why she’s struck a partnership with a major Indian charity to provide one free school lunch to a child in India for every bag of Howdah sold. Falu explains why she’s so passionate about sustainable giving, the importance of making charity partnerships transparent and easy to understand for consumers and why education in particular is an issue that’s close to her heart.
To learn more about Akshaya Patra, the charity working with Howdah and delivering school lunches to children in need in India, visit akshayapatra.org
Articles discussed by Falu and Julia:
A lost generation: India’s COVID crisis reverses decades of progress for children | LA Times
Food shortages could be permanent, warns industry body | BBC News
UK CMOs expect DTC to account for 30% of sales in 5 years | The Drum
Links to the big food and grocery stories of the week: Gas price crisis: Food firms face huge price rise for carbon dioxide | BBC News
Almost 100,000 pigs backlogged on farms as CO2 shortages compound impact of labour crisis | The Grocer
Tesco, Amazon and McDonald's warn of Christmas disruption due to HGV driver crisis | ITV News
Aldi to open store with no checkout in London | The Daily Telegraph
Asda partners with Wayve for autonomous van trial | Retail Week
Morrisons serves up deal to supply pubs as takeover auction looms | The Sunday Times
M&S makes venture capital investment in digital push | FT
How green is your food? Eco-labels can change the way we eat, study shows | The Guardian
Premier Foods claims first with Saxa sprays for managing salt intake | The Grocer
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The Pick List is back for season 4, with a slightly tweaked format and an exciting lineup of guests.
Julia’s first guest of the season is Jake Karia, founder and MD of Food Attraction, a food manufacturing business based in Leicester and creator of the Jake & Nayn’s brand.
With more than 20 years in the food industry and a business spanning foodservice, retail, contract manufacturing and branded food-to-go, Jake is an entrepreneur with a fascinating perspective on food and grocery retail.
He talks to Julia about his journey from estate agent to food manufacturer, how he’s steered his business through Covid, why he stepped up investment in his brand just as the pandemic hit (and why that turned out to be a very good move), how he’s been affected by the current supply chain crisis and cost inflation, how retailers can better support entrepreneurs and challenger brands, and more.
Articles discussed by Jake and Julia:
Food prices: ‘Tsunami’ of hikes on the way for consumers as suppliers pass on costs | The Grocer
Algebra: the maths working to solve the UK’s supply chain crisis | The Observer
Gopuff Supports Underrepresented Entrepreneurs With Accelerator Program | Progressive Grocer
Links to the big food and grocery stories of the week:
Co-op partners with Amazon to offer grocery delivery to Prime members | The Grocer
Deliveroo teams up with Amazon Prime | The Times
Tesco and Loop to offer popular brands with in-store reusable packaging trial | Packaging News
Zero waste: Morrisons to trial new recycling push in six stores | Business Green
John Lewis and Waitrose owner hires thousands more temporary workers ahead of Christmas | Sky News
All Sainsbury’s stores to stay shut on Boxing Day as a ‘thank you’ to staf | The Guardian
Tony’s Chocolonely launches Choco Changer own-label brand with Ald | The Grocer
European Frozen Food Giant Nomad Eyes Move Into Lab-Grown Fish | Bloomberg
Grocery sales indicate the end of the ‘big shop’ as commuters return to the office | Retail Week
Michael Gove put in charge of ‘fixing’ Britain’s food supply chains | The Times
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It's the finale of season 3 of The Pick List and Laura and Julia are joined by Andy Napthine, group marketing director at Cranswick. They chat about corned beef becoming popular with younger shoppers, Justin King’s backing of the Snappy Shopper app and why ‘picky teas’ are having a moment.
Plus, they discuss a US recipe website’s decision to stop publishing new beef recipes, and why hospitality businesses are struggling to recruit staff post-Covid.
Articles discussed in this episode:
'Covid inflation hits consumers as task force advises on home working' | The Times
‘Corned beef sales soar thanks to resurgence with millennials’ | The Grocer
‘Epicurious stopped publishing beef recipes to encourage sustainable cooking’ | Eater
‘Justin King backs Snappy Shopper app with ‘significant’ investment’ | The Grocer
‘The new staples’ | Courier
‘Where have all the waiters gone?’ | Mail Online
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Julia and Laura are joined by Sam Akinluyi, co-founder of ADD Psalt, a new not-for-profit innovation accelerator to drive growth of Black-owned fmcg brands.
They discuss how retailers can boost diversity not just in the workplace but also on shelf, lessons from US retailers Sephora and Target on supporting Black-owned brands and the importance of providing early advice and support to food entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups.
Plus, they chat about the new supermarket pop-up at the Design Museum, ghost kitchens going B2B and the caterpillar cake showdown between M&S and Aldi.
To find out more about ADD Psalt’s accelerator programme, visit addpsalt.com
Articles discussed in this episode:
'Sephora plans to double down on Black-owned brands' | Forbes
'Camille Walala creates pop-up Supermarket food store at the Design Museum | Dezeen
'New Asda owners snap up fast food chain Leon' | The Guardian
‘Target pledges to spend $2bn+ with Black-owned businesses by 2025’ | Retail Touchpoints
‘To increase margins, ghost kitchens are going b-to-b’ | Modern Retail
‘M&S hits back at Aldi's Cuthbert the Caterpillar cake revival’ | BBC News
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Laura and Julia are joined by Hannah Leese, partner at agricultural law firm Roythornes Solicitors. They discuss the rise of on-pack sustainability scores and eco labelling, Tesco’s partnership with Mrs Hinch, Amazon’s new Aplenty private-label brand and the why the food world has gone crazy for mushrooms.
Articles discussed in this episode:
'Are local and digital shopping habits here to stay post-Covid?' | Food Navigator
‘Amazon unveils Aplenty, its newest private label food brand’ | Grocery Dive
‘Mrs Hinch reveals her full Tesco homeware range’ | The Sun
‘Eco-Score’s European expansion: Lidl and Colruyt adopt environmental footprint labelling’ | Food Navigator
‘How mushrooms took over food, wellness, and (of course) drugs’ | Vox
‘Tesco ad campaign urges customers to support pubs hit by lockdown’ | The Grocer
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Julia and Laura are joined by Gaz Booth, co-founder of Holy Moly Dips. They chat about how the pros and cons of DTC for challenger brands, convenience stores getting into delivery and a ketchup shortage in the US.
Plus, they discuss the reopening of non-essential retail and how retailers can square excitement with safety, and what the rise of weight loss app Noom might mean for the food industry.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘How convenience stores have upped their online shopping game’ | The Grocer
‘The new shortage: ketchup can’t catch up’ | WSJ
‘John Lewis, Ikea, Primark unveil store reopening plans’ | Retail Gazette
‘Aldi set to donate up to 400,000 meals to charities over Easter school holidays’ | Retail Times
‘Weight loss app Noom was ready for its pandemic moment’ | Quartz
‘Tesco links with SimplyCook for ‘Let’s Cook’ in-store meal kits’ | The Grocer
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Laura and Julia are joined from Los Angeles by Bill Bean, EVP of research at Shopper Intelligence. They chat about US shopper trends and how the pandemic has affected buying behaviour in the US, why marketeers need to pay closer attention to ‘baby boomers’ and Mars’ new Lovebug range of insect-based catfood.
Plus, they discuss celebrity ghost kitchens, how Covid has changed consumer attitudes to food waste and whether grocery delivery is on its way to becoming a utility.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘A tale of two generations’ | The Robin Report
‘Will grocery delivery become the next utility?’ | The Spoon
‘Research shows that UK grocery shopping habits have changed to combat food waste’ | AgriLand
‘Why business startups are booming’ | Christian Science Monitor
‘Influencers are infiltrating ghost kitchens, with the help of Planet Hollywood’s founder’ | Modern Retail
‘Mars Petcare launches Lovebug dry catfood range made from insects’ | The Grocer
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Julia and Laura are joined by Chris Dee, former CEO of Booths and director of food and home at Harrods and now an online startup founder, NED, chair and advisor.
They chat about Mondelez’s eye-catching £200m acquisition of Grenade and what it tells us about the healthy snacking, protein and low-sugar trends, Kraft Heinz’s new strategy and quest to become “cleaner and greener” and James Timpson’s latest column for the Sunday Times about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Plus, Chris shares his take on the pandemic and which shopper changes are here to stay, what he looks for in a startup or challenger brand – and why he hates robots.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Cadbury-owner Mondelez takes £200m bite of healthy snack-maker Grenade’ | Sky News
‘Change of menu: Kraft Heinz bets on old brands to win new consumers’ | FT
‘Meet my secret weapon: a director of happiness’ | The Sunday Times
‘Meet the new breed of work from home chefs’ | The Observer
‘This Mars bar rover will chase you around a store and tempt you to buy candy’ | Gizmodo
'I’ll buy five items and only keep one of them' | BBC News
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Julia and Laura are joined by Jack Hamilton, CEO of Mash Direct. They talk about the rise of personalisation and consumer-to-manufacturer production, Iceland’s new Swift convenience format and Pret’s new retail range in Tesco.
Plus, they discuss how the pandemic has disrupted meal patterns, the potential of NFTs in the food industry and how direct-to-consumer selling has given Mash Direct new insights into shopper behaviour.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘How to know what consumers want’ | The Economist
‘Iceland goes upmarket with new fresh food chain’ | The Telegraph
‘Amazon’s next target: your local chemist’ | The Sunday Times
‘There’s no real reason to eat three meals a day’ | The Atlantic
‘Could food companies cash in on NFTs?’ | The Spoon
‘Pret a Manger strikes a deal to sell baked treats in Tesco stores’ | Retail Gazette
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Laura and Julia are joined by Michaela Hazzledine, head of category and customer insight at Finnebrogue Artisan.
They discuss this week’s International Women’s Day and how food manufacturers are making progress on gender diversity, recent media coverage of ‘peganism’, aka a diet that combines aspects of paleo eating and veganism, and why Tesco is selling muddy spuds to reduce food waste.
Plus, they chat about how seaweed could help reduce cows’ methane emissions and Unilever’s decision to crack down on the word ‘normal’ on beauty products (and whether we can expect to see similar moves in food).
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
To find out more about the mentorship programme for women Laura mentioned on the show, go to meatbusinesswomen.org
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Why Peganism could be the next big food trend’ | Metro
‘Feeding cows seaweed could solve the big bovine burp problem’ | Wired UK
‘Muddy spuds back on the shelves to help chip away at waste’ | The Sunday Times
‘New ‘Freshness Timer’ Label To Help Reduce Food Waste’ | NAM News
‘Unilever drops word 'normal' from beauty products’ | BBC News
‘Diageo leads way for women in leadership in food processing’ | Food Manufacture
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Julia and Laura are joined by Barbara Bray MBE, a food safety and nutrition consultant and founder of Alo Solutions.
They talk about Sainsbury’s new slogan, Wrap’s inaugural food waste action week and what the latest Kantar figures tell us about discounters vs supermarkets and the importance of online.
Plus, they discuss food poverty and making the case for a legal right to food, Ocado’s new mini warehouses and an innovative Dutch supermarket app called Crisp.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Calls to make access to food a legal right’ | The i
‘Dead-cat distractions & sticky slogans’ | Mediatel News
‘Aldi and Lidl lose out as UK online grocery sales hit new heights’ | The Guardian
‘Ocado raises capacity to reach larger swath of UK’ | FT
‘Dutch supermarket app Crisp raises €30m’ | Sifted
‘Food Waste Action Week: Leading food brands, universities and councils support inaugural climate campaign’ | The i
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Laura and Julia are joined by Monisha Singh, shopper marketing manager at Kepak. They discuss the latest Home Bargains results and how variety discounters are becoming food destinations, lessons for the meat industry from the no & low alcohol boom and Aldi being voted supermarket of the year by Which?.
Plus, they chat about the future of duty-free shopping and why clothes from Tesco and Sainsbury’s are making waves on TikTok.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles discussed in this episode:
Another Strong Year For Home Bargains; Maintains Ambitious Store Target | NAM News
Can a gin-free cocktail really raise our spirits? | The Observer
Aldi named supermarket of the year by Which? | The Independent
Tesco and Sainsbury's clothes are trending on TikTok | Glamour
Duty-free retail is finding new ways to grow | The Economist
John Lewis to close more stores | The Sunday Times
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Laura and Julia are joined by Lowri Tan, CEO of Little Tummy. They talk about the key takeaways from Mel Smith’s City Food Lecture, including how data-driven tech can help with meal planning, shareholder pressure on Tesco over the obesity crisis and the race to offer 10-minute grocery delivery.
Plus, they chat about fermentation in the context of alternative proteins and that infamous Weetabix tweet featuring Heinz baked beans.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Tesco under fire for lack of action on obesity crisis’ | Financial Times
‘Groceries in 10 minutes: the next delivery battleground’ | The Times
‘Coca-Cola company trials first paper bottle’ | BBC News
‘Food shoppers ‘unlikely to revert to pre-crisis shopping habits’, says Ocado | Food Navigator
‘This cream cheese doesn’t have any milk—just lots of Fusarium strain flavolapis’ | Fast Company
‘Weetabix sales surge following baked beans social media post’ | The Grocer
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Julia and Laura are joined by Tom Richardson, a former supermarket category director and now commercial director of Warrendale Wagyu.
They chat about key shopper trends for 2021, post-Brexit import struggles and a new ‘meat by mail’ service launched by a former HelloFresh exec.
Plus, they discuss calls for an online sales tax and a new animal welfare app trialled by Waitrose.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Three key trends that will influence grocery shopping habits in 2021’ | The Grocer
‘UK importers brace for 'disaster' as new Brexit customs checks loom’ | The Guardian
‘Tesco calls for Amazon and online rivals to be hit by 1% sales tax’ | The Independent
‘DNA samples to be used to ensure cattle traceability’ | Farmers Weekly
‘HelloFresh co-founder launches Well Seasoned, a new meat-by-mail service’ | The Spoon
‘UK food retailer Waitrose unveils new mobile animal welfare app’ | The Pig Site
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Laura and Julia are joined by Emily Daw, who is part of the strategic and corporate development team at Bakkavor Group.
They discuss Unilever’s ‘nano factory’ trial, the latest Kantar grocery stats and PepsiCo’s eye-catching new joint venture with Beyond Meat.
Plus, they talk about how to make insect protein palatable to UK consumers and why the online shopping boom as caused a cardboard shortage.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Unilever trials portable travel factories’ | Food Manufacture
‘British lockdowns drive acceleration in grocery sales growth’ | Reuters
‘UK shoppers balance new year’s good intentions with life in lockdown’ | Kantar
‘Your wine delivery’s delayed — Amazon has all the cardboard boxes’ | Sunday Times
‘Grubs up! Mealworms are on the menu – but are we ready for them?’ | The Guardian
‘This startup has invented an ice cream with fat you can’t absorb’ | Sifted
‘PepsiCo and Beyond Meat launch ‘win-win’ Planet Partnership joint venture’ | The Grocer
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The Pick List is back for season 3! Julia and Laura are joined by Donal Denvir, GB general manager for Bord Bia.
They chat about trade disruption in the wake of Brexit, soaring bread prices in Ireland, the fate of the ready meals category post-Covid and whether supermarkets are doing enough to cut plastic.
Plus, they discuss why Brits don’t seem to value UK-grown food as much and why major advertisers have pulled out of SuperBowl advertising this year.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Consumers facing 9% increase in cost of bread’ | Irish Times
‘It would be feast, not famine, if we learnt to love our own food’ |The Sunday Times
‘UK supermarkets not doing enough to cut plastic use, says report’ | The Guardian
Has Covid finished off ready meals? | The Grocer
‘Lazy Britons aren’t the reason for the UK’s migrant workforce’ | FT
‘Pandemic prompts Super Bowl ad rethink in US’ | BBC News
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Laura and Julia are joined by John Giles, divisional director at Promar International. They chat about Brexit brinkmanship and the impact on food and drink, the evolution of the recipe box model and Asda’s Christmas shopping safety measures.
Plus, they discuss an innovative employee influencer programme at Walmart and what the UK food industry can learn from how Chile markets its cherries in China.
Check out Laura’s new website for her Lavenpark consultancy business and Julia’s weekly newsletter, The Trim, which has just been recognised by Sifted.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Billions in no-deal Brexit help for farmers and factories’ | The Sunday Telegraph
‘Meal kits face competition from the microwave’ | Wall Street Journal
‘Asda beefs up anti-Covid security for Christmas’ | BBC News
‘Even more Chilean cherries for 2020/21’ | Fruitnet
‘Inside Walmart’s growing army of employee TikTokers’ | Modern Retail
‘One Stop partners with Deliveroo offering delivery from 200 stores’ | Charged
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Julia and Laura are joined by Bryan Roberts, retail analyst and founder of Shopfloor Insights. They chat about Bryan’s experience working on the Tesco shopfloor during the pandemic, why (some) supermarkets are paying back their business rates relief, the biggest trends from the latest Waitrose food and drink trends report and why we’re running low on ginger.
Plus, they discuss a new DTC concept from Kraft Heinz on the Continent, the retail proposition at Gridserve’s new e-forecourt in Essex and what’s next for Harrods.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Asda joins rivals to pay back Covid rates relief’ | BBC News
‘Kraft Heinz to deliver meals all over Europe’ | Retail Detail
‘Kraft Heinz gaat in Europa maaltijden aan huis bezorgen’ | FD
‘Waitrose Food and Drink Report unveils unique trends among shoppers due to COVID’ | Produce Business
‘UK’s first all-electric car charging forecourt opens in Essex’ | The Guardian
‘Harrods boss Michael Ward: ‘It’ll take us years to rebuild’ | The Times
‘Home bakers snap up ginger stocks amid global shortage’ | The Times
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Laura and Julia are joined by Claire Handley, head of marketing UK for ingredients maker Moguntia. They chat about Covid cooking fatigue and the rise of convenience foods during lockdown 2.0, why Brits are embracing kimchi and Thanksgiving, and Singapore’s landmark decision to allow lab-grown meat to go on sale.
Plus, they discuss Unilever’s trial of a four-day working week and Sainsbury’s virtual queuing app.
Article discussed in this episode:
‘Thanksgiving embraced as Britons find any excuse to celebrate’ | The Times
‘Singapore grants world’s first approval to lab-grown meat’ | FT
‘Britons were the lockdown bingers of Europe, finds study’ | The Guardian
‘Kimchi proves an unstoppable trend as exports to UK fly’ | The Grocer
‘Unilever is experimenting with a 4-day workweek’ | Fortune
‘Sainsbury’s and Asda push rollout of virtual queueing systems’ | The Grocer
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This week, Julia and Laura are joined by Simon Day, head of marketing at Winterbotham Darby. They talk about Simon’s first-hand experience of using TikTok and why the platform remains underused by the food industry, the latest food trends forecast from Whole Foods (‘epic breakfast everyday’ is a firm favourite) and Morrisons’ new Market Kitchen concept.
Plus, they chat about what’s next for the desk lunch and how founder-led businesses can get comfortable with money while keeping their authenticity.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Camden Town Brewery faces identity challenge following full AB InBev integration’ | The Grocer
‘Whole Foods reveals top 10 food trends for 2021’ | Food Navigator
‘Consumers Christmas shopping earlier and planning smaller gatherings’ | The Grocer
‘American expat reveals the six things that make the UK BETTER than the US in a hilarious TikTok video’ | Mail Online
‘The happy future of the sad desk lunch’ | Quartz
‘Morrisons unveils latest Market Kitchen outlet’ | NAM News
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Laura and Julia are joined by Asia Walker, regional marketing manager for Alliance Group NZ. They chat about how grocery brands can appeal to younger shoppers, trade disruption in the face of Covid and Brexit, Pret moving into takeaway dinners and lockdown 2.0 trends.
Plus, they discuss why video games could be the next retail frontier.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Christmas grocery delivery slots are full – but it’s not the only channel for shoppers’ | The Grocer
‘Brands struggling to get a handle on woke capitalism’ | The Times
‘Felixstowe Port in 'chaos' as Christmas and Brexit loom’ | BBC News
‘Pret a Manger breaks into takeaway dinner market’ | The Grocer
‘Why video games are the next retail frontier’ | Modern Retail
‘6 opportunities for brands to tap into lockdown 2.0’ | NAM News
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Laura and Julia are joined by Bruce Drinkwater, chairman and founder of branding consultancy StormBrands. They chat about McPlant, the new plant-based range from McDonald’s, Nestlé’s acquisition of Mindful Chef and the boom in recipe boxes and Aldi’s expansion of its click and collect trial.
Plus, they discuss an innovative vertical farming trial that involves growing animal feed in vertical systems, and the demise of the supermarket deli counter.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Aldi UK to ramp-up click and collect trial’ | Reuters
‘McDonald’s unveils McPlant line, which includes meatless patty co-created by Beyond Meat’ | CNBC
‘Independent shops hit out at high street chains trading during lockdown’ | The Guardian
‘Nestlé buys Mindful Chef to bulk up direct-to-consumer portfolio’ | The Grocer
‘This vertical farm is growing food—but it’s for cows’ | Fast Company
‘Sainsbury’s to permanently close in-store counters and 420 Argos stores’ | The Grocer
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This week, Laura and Julia are joined by Rod Addy, editor of Food Manufacture. They discuss Burger King’s eye-catching ad campaign calling on shoppers to eat at McDonald’s, Walmart’s decision to stop using inventory robots and what shopping lists reveal about supermarket buying habits.
Plus, they chat about US election-themed cocktails (piña colada is a favourite) and why chocolate sales are soaring.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Burger King is asking people to eat at McDonald’s during lockdown’ | Manchester Evening News
‘The secret life of shopping lists’ | LinkedIn
‘Walmart drops inventory robots from its stores’ | BBC
‘Five classic American cocktails to drink your way through election day’ | The Guardian
‘Reinforcing food waste or fighting it?’ | Sifted
‘Chocolate sales soar as UK shoppers comfort eat at home amid Covid’ | The Guardian
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It’s a rare solo episode for Laura and Julia this week. They chat about lab-grown meat and how soon it’s likely to be commercially viable, restrictions on supermarkets in Wales and Asda’s sustainable store trial.
Plus, they discuss the rise of Twitch as a marketing platform for brands and the latest food trend predictions for 2021.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Lab-grown meat is scaling like the internet’ | The Spoon
‘Grocers in Wales have “discretion” over ban on selling non-essential items’ | Retail Gazette
‘Are ‘kidfluencers’ making our kids fat?’ | The New York Times
‘How significant is Asda’s sustainable store trial in Middleton?’ | The Grocer
‘Twitch emerges as rising platform for beauty brands’ | Glossy
‘Top five global trends that will shape the food industry in 2021’ | Businesswire
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Laura and Julia are joined by Sophie Throup, head of agriculture, fisheries and sustainable sourcing at Morrisons.
They chat about how supermarkets are preparing for this year’s Christmas trading period, why ‘online associate’ could be the retail job of the future and an innovative ‘wet farming’ trial that aims to protect peat and produce some nice gin in the process.
Plus, they talk about the rise of influencer culture in food and grocery and why more and more Brits are developing a serious taste for takeaways – including at breakfast.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Planting under way on ‘wet farming’ trial to protect peat in climate fight’ | Express and Star
‘Online associate is the retail job of the future’ | Bloomberg
‘Jingling tills won’t solve a tricky midwinter for supermarkets’ | The Sunday Times
‘Takeaways surge during pandemic’ | The Times
‘Innova identifies top 10 food and beverage trends to accelerate innovation in 2021’ | PR Newswire
‘Does naming a thing help you understand it?’ | The Economist
‘I’m sick of influencers asking for free cake’ | BBC
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Julia and Laura are joined by Huw Llewellyn-Waters, director at MBS Group. They discuss diversity and inclusion in food and grocery, whether automated stores really are about to go mainstream and Octopus Ventures' growing focus on consumer businesses.
Plus, they chat about an intriguing clothes recycling initiative by H&M and celebrate two Co-op employees' recognition in the birthday honours.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Two Co-op employees recognised in birthday honours for services during pandemic’ | The Grocer
‘Automated stores are heading for the high street’ | The Sunday Times
‘Karen Betts: the diplomat with a passion for whisky’ | The Grocer
‘Octopus Ventures to focus more on consumer startups’ | Sifted
‘Flies lead the way to a greener future’ | Financial Times
‘H&M to launch high-tech “Looop” system instore which will shred old clothes and create new ones in real time’ | Charged
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This week, Julia and Laura are joined by Mary Johnson, market access manager at Meat & Livestock Australia. They chat about UK-EU trade talks and the implications for British and Australian sheepmeat producers, what’s next for UK supermarkets in light of the sale of Asda as well an interesting new partnership that will allow Danone North America to capture the environmental impact of its ingredients.
Plus, they talk about Tesco’s eye-catching new target to increase plant-based meat sales by 300% and M&S’s decision to cut soya out of its milk production to fight deforestation.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘UK landowners warn of lamb surplus after no-deal Brexit’ | Politico
‘I saved my pub money on lockdown to build a mighty salmon empire’ | Wired
‘Welcome to the supermarket of the future’ | The Sunday Times
‘M&S cuts soya from production of milk to curb deforestation’ | The Guardian
‘Danone North America Implements Latis To Determine Ingredient Sustainability’ | The Spoon
‘Tesco pledges 300% plant-based sales hike by 2025 in sustainability drive’ | The Grocer
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Laura and Julia are joined by Josie Morris, MD of packaging company Woolcool.
They chat about Christmas food trends and the rise of ‘Mini-mas’, as predicted by M&S a French startup that’s trying to revolutionise workplace snacking; and why US retailers have started putting together ‘pandemic pallets’ to prepare for coming Covid waves.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Five trends that will shape Christmas 2020 according to Marks & Spencer’ | The Grocer
‘Totem: A new twist in the food delivery space’ | Sifted
‘How can brands and retailers utilise the reimagined vending machine’ | The Grocer
‘Second Covid-19 wave could be 'knockout punch' for UK high street’ | The Guardian
‘Back British Farming campaign builds as trade talks continue’ | Farmers Weekly
‘Martha Stewart sees high potential for Boomer CBD opportunity’ | Glossy
'Pandemic Pallets filled with stockpiled items are reportedly gaining popularity at grocery stores ahead of the winter months’ | Business Insider
You can sign up to the webinar on plant-based that Julia is hosting here.
To find out more about Digital Shelf Cast, the new podcast on ecommerce Julia is hosting, click here.
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Julia and Laura are joined by Ged Futter of The Retail Mind. Ged’s a former Asda buyer who now works with suppliers to help them get the most out of their negotiations and relationships with retailers.
They discuss supermarket ‘air rights’, adding theatre to stores with vertical farming and a pioneering initiative involving chefs running school kitchens.
Plus, they chat about the race to redesign sugar and Amazon’s bid to go premium with its invitation-only, high-end fashion portal.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Vertical farming firm Infarm raises $170m in funding round’ | FoodBev Media
‘Asda bidder has an eye on reaching for the sky’ | The Times
‘John Lewis and Waitrose to roll out joint loyalty scheme’ | The Grocer
John Lewis boss Sharon White knowingly kills off slogan | The Sunday Times
‘The restaurant chefs transforming school meals | The Observer’
‘The race to redesign sugar’ | New Yorker
‘Amazon launches Luxury Stores to separate the hoi polloi from the haute couture’
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The Pick List is back for season 2! This week, Laura and Julia are joined by Murray King, a dairy entrepreneur from New Zealand and self-confessed ‘farmer who is easily bored’.
They discuss new research on Gen Z’s attitudes to lab-grown meat, PepsiCo’s new Driftwell drink, which promises to aid sleep and relaxation, and an innovative ingredients initiative looking to kick-start a new Māori-led export sector. (To learn more about the Te Taiau approach to land management and the environment, also check out this video: https://youtu.be/EV9OmshOF0c)
Plus, they chat about how a new generation of smart fridges can help in the fight against food waste – and why fresh oranges are having a moment.
Articles discussed in this episode:
‘Bioactives initiative creates export sector opportunity’ | New Zealand Food Technology News
‘PepsiCo wants to help the caffeinated masses get better sleep with its new relaxation drink’ | Fast Company
‘PepsiCo to launch drink to aid sleep as consumers struggle with stress’ | CNBC
‘7 ways the pandemic has changed how we shop for food’ | New York Times
‘Gen Z not ready to eat lab-grown meat’ | Food Navigator
‘Future foods are not made of plants — they are made of air’ | Sifted
‘The consumer food waste innovation report’ | The Spoon
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Julia and Laura are joined by Tessa Stuart, a self-proclaimed ‘shopper stalker’ who interviews hundreds of food shoppers a year, right there as they are buying in supermarkets.
They discuss Amazon Fresh’s aggressive expansion plans for the UK (including that eye-catching move to offer free grocery delivery), why violence against shop workers has got worse during the pandemic and why so many fmcg giants – including Heinz and PepsiCo – are now selling direct to consumers.
Plus, they chat about a heartrending account of how coronavirus has devastated winemakers in the Alsace region of France – and why the German city of Cologne plans to become an ‘edible city’.
To learn more about Julia’s ‘open office hours’ in August and book a 30-minute chat, go here.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
‘Amazon plans big expansion of UK online grocery service’ | The Guardian
‘Of wine, hand sanitiser and heartbreak’ | New York Times
‘Is violence against UK shopworkers getting worse in the pandemic?’ | The Grocer
‘The world’s leading brands jump on the direct-selling bandwagon’ | The Economist
‘Cologne’s edible city plan is a roadmap for cultivating local food ecologies’ | Mold
‘Sausage maker shifts to compostable packaging’ | Food Manufacture
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Laura and Julia discuss Morrisons’ move to a four-day working week for staff at their HQ, Tesco’s innovative refillable packaging trial with Loop, the future of click & collect in the wake of Covid and a landmark UK project to create animal feed from air (well, sort of).
Plus, they chat about what lessons corporate op ed writers can draw from James Timpson’s latest Sunday Times column – and discover why the cake meme that’s been making the rounds on the internet is so irresistible.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
‘Tipping point: can the pandemic reignite grocery click & collect?’ | The Grocer
‘Huge Morrisons shake-up means four-day working week for 1,500 head office staff’ | Yorkshire Post
‘The UK Launches Nine Ag and Food Tech Projects, Including ‘Air Protein’ Consortium Called REACT-FIRST’ | The Spoon
‘Tesco supports online refillable container scheme’ | NAM News
‘Why It’s Unsettling That Anything Could Be Cake, According to Science’ | Smithsonian Magazine
‘In a world of uncertainty for SMEs, kindness is key’ | James Timpson
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Julia and Laura are joined by Cat Gazzoli, founder of the Piccolo brand of food for babies and toddlers. They chat about what ‘back to school’ ranges and promotions will look like this autumn and why Cat thinks it’s time UK grocery retailers started offering dedicated kids food aisles, why polenta has emerged as the new on-trend carb and why Diageo chose Johnnie Walker to debut its innovative new paper bottle.
Plus, they talk about what the future holds for Nespresso in light of packaging waste concerns and growing competition from cheaper competitors, why frozen food sales continue to grow in the wake of the pandemic – and how the outbreak has taught us that ‘food is glue’.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
In Egypt, volunteers make meals with love for virus patients | New York Times
How Nespresso’s coffee revolution got ground down | The Guardian
Frozen sales continue to surge as sector outperforms fresh and chilled | Food Navigator
Bunker food: why I reached for my Nonna’s polenta recipe | FT Magazine
Once a reliable event, back-to-school shopping is about to dramatically change | Modern Retail
Diageo to launch Johnnie Walker whisky in paper bottles in 2021 | Reuters
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Julia and Laura are joined by Adam Bedford, NFU regional director for the North East of England. They discuss why supermarket profits have been less than super despite the coronavirus sales boom, what the rise in remote working means for office lunch specialists such as Pret a Manger and what the UK can learn from Singapore's push for vertical farming.
Plus, they chat about an innovative social platform that allows workers to campaign for better working conditions and what the grocery store of the future might look like.
You can find Julia's report on the circular economy post-Covid here.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
‘Supermarkets expect flat profits despite a rise in sales’ | FT
‘Organise, a platform for worker rights, raises £570K seed funding led by Ada Ventures | TechCrunch
‘Who died for your dinner?’ | Buzzfeed
‘How have UK supermarkets fared in Oxfam’s latest human rights rankings?’ | The Grocer
‘Pret a Manger to close 30 stores and could cut more than 1,000 jobs’ | The Guardian
‘Pret a Manger: city worker’s favourite lunch stop on the brink’ | The Sunday Times
‘The rise of the rooftop farmer’ | The Economist
‘British workers try their hand at an unfamiliar job: berry picking’ | The New York Times
‘The future of grocery stores’ | Forbes
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Laura and Julia discuss how consumer attitudes to buying fresh produce online have changed in the wake of coronavirus, what the rise of dark kitchens means for restaurants and why some of the world’s biggest fmcg advertisers have pulled the plug on their social media ad campaigns.
Plus, they chat about what post-Covid range rationalisation means for consumer choice and why scientists are trying to grow chilli peppers in space.
You can find out more about the online grocery webinar Julia is hosting and register here.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
‘Soren Bjorn says online grocery shopping is here to stay’| Quartz
‘Why the American consumer has fewer choices – maybe for good’ | Wall Street Journal
‘Our ghost kitchen future’ | The New Yorker
‘Coronavirus: consumers buy local’ | Food Manufacture
‘Up next for the astronaut’s diet: space peppers’ | The Spoon
‘Starbucks suspends social media ads over hate speech’ | BBC News
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Julia and Laura are joined by Julia Kessler, co-founder of soft drinks brand Nix&Kix. They chat about the continuing controversy over the use of terms such as ‘milk’ for plant-based alternatives, how the UK food supply chain coped during Covid-19, Morrisons’ move into hot takeaway food, the role of AWS in Amazon’s global empire and Ahold Delhaize’s first human rights report.
Plus, Julia shares her experience of running a small fmcg brand during the coronavirus outbreak and why she thinks the crisis has created a greater sense of community within the industry.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
Why alt milk isn’t milk according to the EU | The Vegan Review
From panic buying to food banks: how Britain fed itself in the first phase of coronavirus | The Observer
Ahold Delhaize releases first human rights report | Supermarket News
Reopened pubs in England may require drinkers to check in | The Guardian
Can Amazon keep growing like a youthful startup? | The Economist
Morrisons becomes first supermarket to sell hot café takeaways | The Independent
WATCH: BBC Two documentary on Keeping Britain Fed, as mentioned by Laura
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Laura and Julia are joined by Vince Bamford, editor of British Baker. They chat about the rise of hyper-local shopping in the wake of Covid-19, how Harrods has changed its iconic department store as it reopens after lockdown, hatching ducklings from eggs bought in Waitrose and an eye-catching new retail concept that's being trialled by Dr Oetker in Germany. Plus, Vince shares his experience of reporting on the bakery sector during the coronavirus crisis and what it's been like to be asked about flour all the time.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
Coronavirus has shown us a solution to the food climate crisis | Wired
Coronavirus: Five ways shopping will be different from now on | BBC
Harrods reopens after lockdown with a 72-hour quarantine for rejected dresses and a ban on makeovers | The Sunday Times
How a woman managed to hatch ducks from eggs bought in Waitrose | iNews
Purina claims first with Pro Plan allergen-reducing catfood | The Grocer
Dr Oetker: Gastro-Konzept für den Handel startet | food-service.de
VIDEO: Dr Oetker's iconic 'Frau Renate' ad campaign from 1950s Germany
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Julia and Laura discuss a fascinating account of how livestreamers are driving product sales in China (P&G are among the big brand owners to get involved), what’s next for Iceland now that Malcolm Walker and Tarsem Dhaliwal have taken control and how an ingenious silk coating could help prevent food waste. Plus, they chat about the outlook for the UK foodservice sector between now and 2025 and explore the hidden history of chilli powder.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
The world’s livestream queen can sell anything | Bloomberg Businessweek
Live-streaming helped China’s farmers survive the pandemic. It’s here to stay | MIT Technology Review
Foodservice back to normal by 2025 | Fresh Produce Journal
MIT startup wraps food in silk for better shelf life | MIT News
Sir Malcolm Walker finally gets his hands on Iceland | The Times
The politics of the spice rack: chili powder | New Statesman
Shopper confidence remains low; trust in the food industry still high | NAM News
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Laura and Julia talk about Nestlé’s new tie-up with Deliveroo, why European retailers are at risk of falling behind the US and China on ecommerce, how tech could help pubs reopen post-Covid, the future of plant-based seafood alternatives and how punters in Germany and Malaysia have had to adapt while eating out in the age of social distancing.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
Coronavirus: UK farmers face brutal test ahead of Brexit | Financial Times
Julie Ashfield on how Aldi has stayed calm amid the coronavirus | The Grocer
Here’s how pubs can finally reopen | Wired UK
Gloves, masks and red tape: what it's like to eat out in a pandemic | The Guardian
Nestlé launches snack delivery service in UK with Deliveroo | FoodBev Media
European retailers are falling behind in the “new normal” | Sifted
Vegan seafood: The next plant-based meat trend? | BBC Worklife
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Laura and Julia are joined by Richard Tufton, national sales manager for grass-fed beef at Meyer Natural Foods. They chat about how the coronavirus outbreak has affected meat sales and shopper behaviour in the US, get his first-hand experience of Walmart’s kerbside grocery pick-up service and discuss some fascinating research from New Zealand on how store design might need to adapt in the wake of the pandemic.
A big thank-you to Shopper Intelligence for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
Trump floats halt to US cattle imports as pandemic hurts ranchers | New York Times
Coronavirus has turned retail therapy into retail anxiety – keeping customers calm will be key to carrying on | The Conversation
Farewell for now to a golden age of drinking | The Economist
America is cooking and meat sales are up | IRI Growth Insights
Walmart’s US boss expects coronavirus to alter shopping permanently | Wall Street Journal
‘People were like animals!’ How supermarket staff watched the coronavirus crisis unfold | The Guardian
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Laura and Julia chat about the challenges faced by high-footfall foodservice outlets in the wake of the pandemic, unpick Cargill’s latest global consumer survey, discuss Ahold Delhaize’s new robot competition – and consider whether collagen latte should be added to the Greggs menu.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
With unease baked in, keep Greggs in oven | The Times
10 ways coronavirus will impact future supermarket and restaurant design | The Grocer
Coronavirus: Is this the pub of the future for enjoying a post-lockdown pint? | Sky News
Ahold Delhaize launches cleaning bot challenge to find a robot floor scrubber | The Spoon
Consumers crave a ‘better understanding of the story behind the food,’ Cargill survey finds | SeafoodSource
Beauty gets into the grocery business | Glossy
Aldi starts trialling grocery delivery service with Deliveroo | NamNews
Yet another boost for Amazon as Aldi finally gets online | The Grocer
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This week, Julia and Laura are joined by Lydia Stratton, head of commercial development at RSPCA Assured. They chat about supply chain disruption in the wake of coronavirus, how the hospitality sector can adapt to the ‘new normal’ and what the new John Lewis/Waitrose report on Britain in lockdown tells us about how shopping habits have changed post-Covid.
Articles mentions in this episode:
A long way to go | Foodservice Footprint
Hotels to bin buffets and pull plug on spas as Covid-19 lockdown eases | The Times
The coronavirus crisis will lead to catastrophic hunger | The New Yorker
Morrisons rolls out “Speedy Shopping” lanes for small basket shops | Retail Gazette
Covid-19: Lidl launches chatbox to inform customers of best times to shop | Essential Retail
Three ways supermarkets can overhaul supply chains to thrive in the ‘new normal’ | The Grocer
Britain through the lockdown | John Lewis Partnership
From coffee filters to safety masks, in a hurry | The New York Times
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Laura and Julia discuss the ongoing crisis in the US meat industry, what’s next for single-use plastic and how one farsighted exercise helped Tesco prepare for the coronavirus outbreak.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
One meat plant. One thousand infections | The Daily by The New York Times
How Tesco's 'doomsday exercise' helped it cope with the coronavirus | The Guardian
Most climate and agriculture research has focused on crops, not the people who pick them | Anthropocene
You’ve got mail…finally. The pandemic is jamming up the world’s post | Wall Street Journal
As cases of coronavirus grow, what about cases of Corona beer? | The Economist
Could coronavirus be the last straw for recycled plastic? | The Grocer
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Laura and Julia talk about how the coronavirus crisis is affecting UK high streets, whether buying your groceries online really is more carbon-friendly than going to store and the candy-selling influencers teaching kids how to get better at selling sweets at school.
Articles mentioned in this episode
What to know about coronavirus meat shortages | Time
Lockdown drives frozen food sales up 28% in UK | Food Navigator
Frozen, fresh or canned: what’s more nutritious? | BBC Future
Jeff Bezos says ordering groceries is better for the planet. Is he right? | Grist
How coronavirus has changed the way we shop…forever | The Telegraph
YouTube’s candy king is running a sugary online cartel | Wired UK
Oasis and Warehouse store closures claim fashion victims on high street | The Times
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Welcome to The Pick List, the new podcast for curious food industry minds. Your hosts, Julia Glotz and Laura Ryan, explain how the lockdown inspired The Pick List and what to expect from each episode.