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