News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
New research from Ahold Delhaize reveals a striking gap between intention and action, highlighting the role retailers, manufacturers and policymakers can play in making healthier choices more affordable, accessible and achievable
Supermarkets command a sizeable share of Britain’s £2.7bn sweet bakery market, but Nestlé Professional says confused ranges and lacklustre presentation are leaving growth on the table
From protein targets to dietary restrictions, shoppers can now describe what they need and get a shortlist of snacks in return but the effect on sales is still unclear
New EU-funded research reveals how vague claims, hidden sponsorships and emotive content can mislead consumers – and where producers risk crossing the line
From daycaps and zebrastriping to global flavours and gut health, here’s what’s driving food and drink’s most influential generation
Consumers increasingly use AI to compare food and beverage products and find deals, though most remain reluctant to let AI agents reorder groceries or complete purchases
As chiliheads and flavor-seeking consumers gravitate toward sweet heat and bolder sensory experiences, CPG brands are introducing spicy collaborations and limited-edition products
Inflation, deal-seeking and an increasingly crowded seasonal calendar are reshaping how families shop, while nutrition guidance adds another consideration for food and beverage brands
UK consumers are increasingly preparing food at home for on-the-go occasions, according to the latest research from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).
Starbucks’ famed Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) is now turning up in biscuits, bars, pancakes, yoghurt and tortilla chips
From chicken-and-waffle cookies to huckleberry potato gummies, brands are using limited runs to make seasonal launches feel unmissable
From beer-flavoured crackers to slate-cave cheddar, cheese brands are finding new ways to win over snackers
High protein is here to stay while consumers seek fresh, whole foods as part of their healthier snack routine
From lunchboxes to lattes, the world’s most familiar flavour is turning up in some unexpected places
The traditional three-meal day falls from favour as consumers choose spontaneous snacking
Beyond traditional indulgent treats and wellness-focused products lies a growing opportunity for brands: functional snacking staples
A strengthening El Niño is expected to drive the next wave of food inflation, leaving manufacturers with a narrowing window to protect margins before higher costs work their way through global supply chains
This summer’s frozen launches are answering an industry-wide call for convenience that doesn’t compromise on quality
New survey data suggests Americans are exhausted by wellness culture – and the refrigerated aisle’s latest launches are betting on flavour over optimisation
Convenience, wellness and cultural identity are reshaping what people eat, driving five global food trends influencing brands today
America’s biggest birthday party is inspiring a summer of patriotic flavours, nostalgic treats and celebratory packaging
Chinese consumers are among the most discerning in the world, and guilt-free indulgence is leading local innovation trends. Here are four ways food firms can capitalise
From pizza-flavoured protein bars in the US to matcha cookies in the UK, brands are blurring the boundaries between indulgence, functionality and convenience
From Bakewell Tarts and football cupcakes to pie pop-ups and potato buns, brands are serving up a distinctly British mix of nostalgia, innovation and indulgence this season.
Social commerce and agentic AI are colliding to create a new commerce paradigm – and NielsenIQ says manufacturers and retailers need to get ahead of it now
New data from Placer.ai reveals shifting shopper dynamics among the top four big-box chains – and what it means for CPG brands navigating an increasingly consolidated retail landscape
From Dubai chocolate and pistachio ice cream to peanut butter chilli crisp, nuts are powering some of 2026’s biggest food trends
From snack cafés to immersive retail and branded restaurants, food and drink companies are turning physical experiences into a new form of marketing.
Smaller appetites, clean label cravings and the internet obsession with crunch are turning freeze-dried snacks into one of the hottest categories in global food
The food sector aims to target consumer by geography and by demographic, giving them the flavours they want
With Scotland’s HFSS restrictions arriving in October, food manufacturers are under mounting pressure to reformulate products without sacrificing taste, texture or brand identity
Up the food chain
Why European bakery brands keep getting the US wrong and what it really takes to compete
In this edition of Japan Focus, we dive into Glico’s strategy for growth in the snack category, modernising amazake for consumers, tea innovations, and more
Brands are reformulating everyday foods with more protein, fibre and functional ingredients as consumers look to support strength, digestion and long-term wellbeing through daily eating habits
Cottage cheese is being reinvented through new formats, younger consumers and rising global demand – and brands are only just getting started
Food companies are becoming some of the clearest observers of the economic fallout from the Iran conflict as fuel volatility, inflation fears and changing spending habits begin reshaping behaviour across the supermarket aisle
At the recent American Bakers Association Convention (ABA), industry leaders made one thing clear – in a volatile market, credibility, collaboration and consumer connection will decide who thrives
Delta’s decision to scrap complimentary snacks and drinks on hundreds of flights is exposing a bigger shift across global aviation.
What was once the easiest thing to grab is now one of the hardest formats to execute well and one of the most commercially important to get right
TikTok-led demand for products like ube and pistachio is straining global supply
US grocery shelves are getting a patriotic makeover this summer as food manufacturers launch limited-edition products
Following its first foray into hospitality in Madrid, PepsiCo is doubling down in Shanghai to test just how far a snack brand can stretch
From sell-out chocolates to viral condiments and nostalgic collabs, cult favourites are scaling up and forcing the industry to rethink how loyalty is built
FBIF 2026
In an era where consumers are bombarded with new products at every turn and purchasing decisions are increasingly influenced by technology, is brand loyalty no longer a thing? There is hope yet, says Kraft Heinz
The 103-year-old magazine’s latest picks highlight companies on the move, but some of the forces genuinely reshaping food in 2026 sit beyond that shortlist
From fibre-packed grains to protein-loaded snacks and low-sugar treats, ‘better-for-you’ is getting more targeted and far less boring
Smart insight is driving innovation to the next level, whether it’s how to better tap into GLP-1 nutrition or the rise of frozen snacks, manufacturers are getting clever
Beef for breakfast, ketchup in a smoothie, crisps that taste like a battery – brands have spent the past year testing how far they can push consumers, and in some cases, finding they’ll go further than expected
UK-based CBD drinks brand TRIP has expanded its night-time offering with the launch of new Dream Gummies and Dream Powder, formulated without the brand’s flagship ingredient.
They promise transparency and storytelling, but new research suggests QR codes are currently doing far more selling than informing