Changing behaviours among consumers could have deep impact on companies through 2024
How does the consumer products sector respond to the new financial realities faced by their customers? To find out, AlixPartners conducted an in-depth consumer priorities study, The Critical Consumer 2024, across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. More than 10,000 shoppers from France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, UAE and the UK, were […]
UK consumers could be forced to sacrifice British Grown quality if soft fruit industry doesn’t get help
Just when the industry was looking to recover from the pandemic, we’ve been plunged into an even greater state of crisis triggered by a number of factors. Increased production costs linked to soaring energy tariffs and the rate of inflation peaking at 11.1% in October 2022 (a figure that is even higher in agriculture, anything […]
Income tracker, spending boost by UK consumers hints to more positive signs for retailers
According to the latest Income Tracker from retailer Asda, consumers in the UK saw an increase in spending power over the four weeks ending in 2023, a positive sign heading through the beginning of the new year. In fact, the latest figures from December are the best they’ve been since September 2021, when the COVID-19 […]
Price cuts on 4 fresh produce items keep Aldi ahead of competitors again
Matching Aldi on price continues to be a challenge for opposing retailers, especially when Aldi keeps setting the bar lower. The discount supermarket chain recently announced more reductions to staple items, putting rivals on their heels again. They weren’t significant but enough to put a surprise devoted customers and put uneasiness in leaders at other […]
Lessons learned: Can US consumer trends offer insight into how to grow sales of fresh produce worldwide?
Inflation hit consumers hard in 2022, with year-over-year prices across total food and beverages growing a sky-high 12.5% by end of year. But, when it comes to produce, consumers have not responded based on price-impact alone. Shoppers are undoubtedly being more price-conscious in their food purchase habits, but convenience and quality remain key factors driving […]
Consumer spending power increases, but Asda tracker shows cost concerns still high
Although spending power has increased and inflation decreased, new insight from Asda shows that shoppers are still struggling with affordability. The rising cost of food and other items actually means that the amount customers can spend per week fell by £3 from March to August. That data point offsets somewhat upbeat news and is among […]
UK growers forced to chop down apple trees because of lack of profits
After years of struggling with an increasingly challenging market, unpredictable climate, inflation, and lack of labour, some apple growers in England are seeing no profit and cutting down apple orchards. This is the case for the southeast county of Kent “Garden of England,” where a family-owned apple farm that has been producing since 1882 will […]
Waitrose cuts already-reduced items, including produce, to help struggling shoppers
As new data from Kantar revealed the struggles of British consumers to fight off inflation, Waitrose joined its competitors in slashing prices, including reducing items that were already on sale. Putting what it says is a £100m investment to “lower prices on hundreds of everyday favourite products,” Waitrose has trimmed some items by a further […]