Carlsberg has reported a decline in its third-quarter volumes, reflecting the challenges of a difficult consumer environment and adverse weather conditions.The Danish brewer, renowned for its lager and other beverages, has experienced a slight drop in organic volume by 0.2%. Despite these challenges, global organic sales growth saw a modest increase of 1.3%.One of the hardest-hit segments in Carlsberg’s portfolio was its premium beer category, which saw a 0.5% decrease in organic volumes. However, there is a silver lining as the company observed a substantial growth of 6% in its alcohol-free brews and a 4% increase in soft drinks. This…
Author: Dave Antrobus
Poundland’s innovative new loyalty app, developed by mobile experts Apadmi, has quickly become a hit.The app soared to the top of the Apple and Google Play stores within 24 hours of its national launch.More than 500,000 users have signed up, attracted by personalised offers and interactive features.Developed after extensive trials, the app aims to enhance customer engagement and shopping frequency.Positive feedback from early users highlights the app’s appeal, particularly its gamification elements.The launch of Poundland’s new loyalty app, created by Apadmi, marks a significant milestone in retail engagement. Within just 24 hours, the app climbed to the top of both…
Sainsbury’s has launched its much-anticipated 2024 Christmas advertisement featuring the beloved character the BFG from Roald Dahl’s stories, aiming to bring a touch of magic to the festive season.The advertisement debuted across social media platforms and major British television channels, including ITV, Channel 4, and Sky. The opening scene captures the iconic ‘snozzcumber’ being sliced by the BFG, who whimsically inquires, “Hey Sainsbury’s, how can we make this Christmas a bit more… phizz-whizzing?”As the story unfolds, the BFG finds himself in a Sainsbury’s car park, greeted by an employee named Sophie, a real-life store colleague. Together, they embark on a…
In the wake of the latest Budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, significant changes loom for the grocery industry.The new economic policies revealed in the Budget include increases in national insurance, modifications to the soft drinks levy, and hikes on tobacco and vape taxes. Businesses are now pondering the implications of these changes, particularly in the realm of business rates. From 2026/27, the government plans to lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties permanently, adjusting the rate relief from 75% to 40% and freezing the small business multiplier for 2025/26.Opinions across the industry are diverse. Co-op’s Chief Executive,…
Red Star Brands appoints MadeBrave as its lead creative partner in the UK.MadeBrave to launch a campaign in January 2025 for Four Loko’s new flavour.Campaign will cover outdoor, social media, and in-store activities in Scotland and North of England.Four Loko is a top RTD brand in the UK with strong retail presence.Partnership aims to leverage Four Loko’s brand platform ‘Fuelling you from four to four’ to engage UK audiences.Red Star Brands has taken a significant step by appointing MadeBrave as their lead creative partner within the United Kingdom. This appointment marks the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering…
In a move to transform brand engagement, the John Lewis Partnership has introduced a new Insights Platform.The John Lewis Partnership, which owns Waitrose, has collaborated with Dunnhumby, a customer science data firm, to create a platform that significantly enhances the way brands connect with shoppers. This initiative follows a successful pilot earlier this year and promises to deliver a “more tailored and rewarding” shopping experience, thereby boosting sales for various brands involved.By leveraging artificial intelligence, the platform provides brands with actionable insights into their performance and their product category’s overall market standing. This enables brands to gain a better understanding…
Chancellor Rachel Reeves today outlined significant economic shifts in the UK Budget, impacting wages and several tax domains.The government has introduced notable changes to the national financial landscape, including increases in national insurance contributions by employers. Simultaneously, there is a noticeable shift in taxation, with hikes in farm inheritance duty, the soft drinks levy, tobacco, and vaping products.Significantly, the National Living Wage for those aged over 21 will increase by 6.7%, adjusting to £12.21 per hour, affecting sectors such as grocery retail. For younger workers aged 18 to 20, the increase is 16.3%, raising their hourly pay to £10.00. These…
In a significant economic update, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the UK Budget, highlighting a series of fiscal changes that include a notable increase in the National Living Wage alongside adjustments in various tax sectors.The Chancellor unveiled that the National Living Wage will be raised by 6.7%, bringing it to £12.21 per hour for individuals over 21 years of age. For those aged between 18 to 20 years, wages will increase by 16.3% to £10.00 per hour. This policy aims to bolster income for UK workers and is anticipated to have a substantial impact on the grocery retail sector.Simultaneously, the Budget…
Steven Frayne, previously known as Dynamo, makes a spectacular return in a new Sky Christmas Special, bringing magic back to his roots.The special witnesses Frayne’s journey across the UK, showcasing magic on the streets and rediscovering everyday heroes.Frayne’s performance builds to a breathtaking finale, pushing the boundaries of magic to its extreme limits.The show is a product of collaboration featuring co-producers and executive producers, adding diverse creative input.Scheduled to air on Sky Max and NOW, this special promises to be a captivating festive highlight.Steven Frayne, the esteemed magician once known as Dynamo, is making a remarkable comeback this Christmas season.…
In a significant fiscal development, the UK’s largest supermarkets are anticipated to incur an escalated £200 million in National Insurance contributions. This change comes as the Chancellor unveils a budget proposal today, outlining an increase in employer National Insurance contributions by two percentage points.Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons, the major supermarket chains in the UK, are expected to be substantially impacted by this tax adjustment. An analyst suggests that Tesco alone, with its approximately 300,000 UK employees, could see an increase of £75 million in its National Insurance expenses.Expressing concern over these changes, Stuart Machin, M&S chief executive, has cautioned…