All Innovation & Trends articles
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Event NewsMCA launches all-new Innovation Conference
The Innovation Conference 2025 will debut on 9 October at London’s Ham Yard Hotel, leading operators and innovators to explore the real-world impact of innovation across food, drink, digital and operations
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Analysis & InsightFood as a recession indicator: comfort, aspiration and status in tough times
Buoyed by the advent of social media, food is no longer viewed as just a means of sustenance, but an embodiment of consumer moods, and an indicator of lifestyle and cultural shifts. Lumina Intelligence’s Liv Warren explores how the sector can tap into current trends
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Analysis & InsightHow the M&S viral strawberry sandwich could kickstart a sweet sando trend
Fast-growing sandwich brand Sandwich Sandwich is looking at jumping on the Japanese fruit sando trend, as retail and food-to-go crossovers gain traction
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NewsWagamama launches major new brand campaign
‘Food is Life’ builds on the brand’s belief that food is more than fuel with the new campaign celebrating the everyday moments when food brings people together
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NewsWagamama partners with Grind on premium coffee offering
The restaurant group will be offering Grind’s signature blends at all 165 sites and has launched a range of sweet treats to tap into new occasions
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NewsJust Eat expands automation with drone deliveries and AI
The food delivery platform is advancing its automation strategy with drone-operated deliveries and an AI-powered ordering assistant
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OpinionMenu planning – are we playing a broken record?
It’s flexibility, creativity and speed of change that can have the largest impact on bottom line when it comes to menu planning, David Read, founder and chairman of Prestige Purchasing writes in MCA
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Analysis & InsightIs meat really making a comeback?
MCA delves into reports suggesting a surprise swing back to growth in meat consumption, particularly among health-conscious younger people, but finds a more complex, nuanced picture in the data
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Analysis & InsightViral food trends – it’s mostly a question of opportunity
From viral pistachio milk chocolate bars, to Irish-Chinese spice bags, the drivers of social media success can be tricky to unpick, but there are often learnings to take away, Tom Gatehouse of Egg Soldiers suggests
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InterviewsSandwich Sandwich: ‘We want to make lunchtime exciting again’
Co-owner Joshua Kleiner shares his plans to shake up London’s lunch scene, as the Bristol-based business lands in the capital to showcase its deep-filled, stacked sandwiches
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NewsBuzzworks: ‘Scope to reach 50+ sites in Scotland’
A continued focus on interesting buildings in unusual locations could see Buzzworks Holdings reach more than 50 sites, MD Kenny Blair told MCA’s Pub Conference
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Analysis & InsightPlant-based diners increasingly value led
Psychographic data collected by Lumina Intelligence shows that plant-based consumers are putting an increased emphasis on value compared to last year
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NewsEl Pastor sources ‘cartel-free’ avocados
The Harts Group brand now sources its avocados from Avocargo, a company which imports sustainable and ethical avocados from Jalisco and Michoacan in Mexico to the UK
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InterviewsDeliveroo: ‘We don’t obsess about our competitors’
Chief business officer Carlo Mocci tells MCA that the current market conditions have led to a “substantial slowdown” in the growth of dark kitchen model Deliveroo Editions, but the company still sees plenty of headroom for growth
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InterviewsAlan Yau: People don’t want to work 40+ hours anymore
The Wagamama founder speaks to MCA about post-Covid working patterns, revisiting his 33-year-old idea of a Chinese QSR chain, and why the generic concept of the restaurateur is dead
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NewsPandemic dining preferences here to stay
Deloitte’s Future of Restaurants Survey suggests the rise of “ultimate convenience” and a move towards user-friendly digital experiences is here to stay
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Analysis & InsightCompetitive socialising continues to rise
The number of transactions at competitive socialising venues are up 9% in March 2023 vs October 2022, with sales up 5%, according to CACI
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Analysis & InsightDifferentiated pub offer key to boosting sales
From family-friendly events and outdoor cooking to sports and entertainment, Lumina Intelligence’s senior insight manager Katherine Prowse looks at the creative thinking on display in the pub sector
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Analysis & InsightFood to go: What’s inspiring spring/summer NPD
MCA explores the trends influencing the new spring/summer launches from the UK’s leading food to go brands and how they stack up against competition from the grocery retailers.
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Analysis & InsightPret’s spring refresh relies on both health and indulgence
As two competing trends take over the sector, the food-to-go brand has unveiled a range of new items that cater to changing consumer needs following a pandemic and cost of living crisis