NEWS University challenge


The UK’s first higher-level apprenticeship in food science and technology has launched at Nottingham Trent University. The apprenticeship – taught on day release basis over two and a half years – is aimed at professionals already in the food


manufacturing industry who want to develop their technical knowledge and skills. It has been combined with the


university’s foundation degree in food science and technology, meaning students will graduate with a dual award.


Comfort and convenience on top


TheUKconsumer is spendingmore money on the nation’s favourite comfort and convenience foods despite the ongoing increase in prices, reveals the recently published SnapshotReport, from SymphonyIRIGroup. The findings of the report


highlight that convenience, innovation, snacking, newtastes and health are amongst themain drivers of growthwhere it’s occurring. For example, ready meals grewby almost 11 per cent in volume over the past year, an extra £200million spent on convenience via these products alone. Convenience and comfort come


hand in hand, as the report puts Britain’s favouritemeals such as cottage pie,mashed potato, cumberland pie and shepherds pie as some of the nation’s top choices by value sales. Non-alcoholic cold drinks, such


as cola, energy drinks andmineral water, have performedwell. Sales of alcohol, such as lager and cider, benefitted fromtheRoyalWedding and theDiamond Jubilee. Unfortunately, these two national


events did not lead to the expected surge in sales of party food as this


sector did not showan increase but remained flat in comparisonwith last year. Aside fromfood and drinks, one


of the best performing sectors has been pet food,with growth coming fromthe dry sector (at 4.4 percent). Ladies toiletries have increased, as the report shows a rise in female toiletry gift sets being purchased, costing £17million, 9 percentmore nailmake-up at £9million and 6 percentmore lipmake-up at £5 million.Dry shampoo ismaking an impact, gaining £6million, up 19 percent in volume terms and there has been an emergence of a new sector in hair colour remover. Although there has been a value


growth for two thirds of the categories, half of this has been driven up purely by price increases. Two thirds of the 300 categories measured are showing annual volume decline at present. Prices for packaged groceries


have been rising in excess of 3 per cent sinceAugust 2011, reaching a peak of 5 percent inMarch 2012 and since falling to 3 per cent in July 2012. Packaged grocery prices are 8 percent higher than theywere in January 2010.


Tesco left in the shade


Two of the largest grocers in the UK have reported first half growth, butwhile Sainsbury’s is steaming ahead Tesco is struggling to recover real growth. Sainsbury’s has posted solid


growth for H1 of its 2012/13 financial year,with total sales up 4.1 per cent and like-for-likes up 1.9 per cent.Meanwhile, Tesco’s investment in recovering growth in its core UK business is showing signs of progresswith its first positive l-f-l sales growth (Q2 +0.1 per cent) in 18months. Sainsbury’s top linewas


bolstered by the strong performance of convenience stores and online sales, demonstrating the importance of amultichannel strategy as shopping habits change.


Heritage grains make a comeback


Datamonitor has launched a new ForeSights report on how consumers, packaged foods manufacturers and the environment can reap rewards from heritage grains that have been farmed for thousands of years. Ancient grains – or


heritage grains – were highly prevalent before modern farming methods introduced hybrids. More nutritious, better for the environment and often locally grown, heritage grains meet current consumer needs for grain- based products that are flavoursome, healthy and ethical. Tanvi Savara, Associate


Analyst at Datamonitor Consumer said: “There is a consumer backlash against mass-produced products with people increasingly questioning the credibility of processed foods and looking for greater transparency with regards to how and where products are manufactured and farmed.”


DIARY DATES


13-15 NOVEMBER Brau Beviale NUREMBERG, GERMANY


www.brau-beviale.de


The annual trade exhibition for the European beverage industry looking areas such as raw materials, energy and packaging.


13-14 NOVEMBER Pira Packaging Summit LONDON HILTON, PARK LANE, LONDON


www.pack-summit.com


An unmissable two-day event giving insight into the biggest issues facing packaging and the very best performers in the industry.


19-22 NOVEMBER Emballage PARIS, FRANCE


www.emballageweb.com


Biennial show covering every aspect of packaging production and filling.


20 & 21 NOVEMBER Plastics Caps and Closure Conference 2012 BRUSSELS


plasticscapsandclosures.com


Now in its ninth year, the annual conference will showcase major global trends, explore recent advances and discuss the latest innovations.


17-20MARCH 2013 IFE EXCEL, LONDON


www.ife.co.uk


IFE is the UKʼs largest food and drink trade event with the entire international food and drink community gathering to source new products, trade, and keep pace with industry trends.


FMCGNews.co.uk | FMCG News | 5


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