Max Rees

To showcase your free from Drinks to those who will rely upon being able to find them this Christmas, enter the Free From Christmas Awards - Drinks category entry open until midnight Sunday 29th Sept! Benefits of entering Unique – we are the only UK award dedicated to free from food and drink, and as such we are a ‘go to’ for the free from & allergic consumer. Value – every entry gets its time in the spotlight with our panels of expert judges. Standout – our logo resonates with consumers, it helps them identify safe, quality products and outstrips other mainstream awards as a trusted certification Feedback – receive valuable insights on your entry, plus observations and insights on the wider category in which the product was entered. Communication – we support entrants across our social platforms which have a combined following of over 20K. Community – join other like-minded and energetic free from professionals. Confidence – entering our awards displays a belief in a product which increases consumer confidence and trust in your brand. https://lnkd.in/g9kyJsZz

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🌟🤝 FDF Calls for Action: A United Future for Food & Drink 🍽️🇬🇧 The Food and Drink Federation's recent call for government collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the UK's food sector. With challenges from supply chain disruptions to regulatory changes, a unified approach has never been more vital. 🚀 Strategic Focus Areas: Supply Chain Resilience: Enhancing robustness against global shocks is critical. The FDF advocates for governmental support to diversify sources and optimize logistics. Regulatory Adaptability: As standards evolve, especially post-Brexit, the industry seeks a regulatory framework that supports innovation while ensuring safety. Sustainability Initiatives: With a pressing need for eco-friendly practices, the FDF pushes for policies that aid in achieving sustainability goals, reducing waste, and promoting a circular economy. Workforce Development: Combatting talent shortages and skill gaps is essential for future growth, highlighting the need for investments in training and development. 🌍 Opportunities for Industry Leaders: This initiative opens several opportunities: Engage in Advocacy: Take an active role in policy discussions to help shape supportive industry measures. Prioritize Sustainability: Align business operations with environmental goals to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Invest in People: Enhance workforce capabilities to navigate future challenges effectively. Build Strong Networks: Foster partnerships that enhance industry resilience and drive innovation. 🔍 Looking Forward: The FDF’s proactive stance is a call to action for building a resilient, sustainable, and innovative food and drink industry. It's time to collaborate and drive change, ensuring the sector not only meets current challenges but sets the standard for global industry practices. Let’s work together to advocate for supportive policies and drive positive change, shaping a thriving future for our industry. 🌟🚀 #FoodIndustryLeadership #SustainabilityInAction #InnovativeCollaboration #FutureOfFood #FDF

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The UK's world foods market saw a growth spurt of 7.7% in 2022. Dive into our exclusive chat with Golden Acre Foods | B Corp about the nation's evolving culinary diversity https://lnkd.in/eemYETHT #WorldFoodMarket #foodtrends #worldfoods #ukfoodtrends

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Consumers are driven by desire 🫶 Plenty to take away from Day 1 of B Lab UK’s Louder than Words festival here in Oxford, but there was one message that stuck today, and that came in different forms from both the legendary Mary Portas , as well as Rosie Brown from COOK Trading Ltd. Of course we must all continue to spend time looking at our supply chains, sourcing better, more sustainable ingredients, from more diverse suppliers and having an impact that way. But isn’t it just as important to focus our collaborative efforts on the demand side? How can we get customers to WANT the things that are better for people and planet? And how can we help make it easier for them to choose them? Yes the data suggests that consumers will be actively put off a product or brand doing the wrong thing, but let’s not assume people prioritise that in their purchasing decisions above all else. They value doing right by people and planet highly, but they are also strongly driven by desire… From merchandising differently to help nudge consumers, to designing a product people just realllllly want, there were plenty of good ideas, and it was a good reminder that to achieve any impact at all, the product itself has to be winning, and your customers have to love it ❤️ Helpfully this justifies how many hours I spend at the Good & Proper Tea | B Corp™ tasting table 🥄🤓

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The latest data for the UK low & no alcohol market is game-changing! While the UK's overall alcohol market is facing a decline, the low/no segment is absolutely 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜! 🚀 According to the yesterdays IWSR report: 📈 No/low-alcohol volumes grew by 47% from 2022 to 2023! 𝗬𝗲𝘀 - 𝟰𝟳%!! 🔮 Forecasted +19% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. 💷 Adding £800m in value by 2028. As the UK's largest low & no retailer, DRYDRINKER LTD is excited to confirm that we are seeing the same trends with a 30% YoY growth this year. In a recent survey of our customers, the number one motivation for drinking low & no alcohol was to live a healthier lifestyle - and I don't see this motivation changing anytime soon! 🍻 Link to article in the comments.

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💫 A big development for grocery packaging in the UK 💫 The tldr on last week’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) announcement and what it means for reusable packaging: 📣 DEFRA announced ‘illustrative’ fees last week 📈 2 to 3+ increase of current tax burdens paid by producers  ⏭ First payments in 2025 🌶 Modulated (eco) fees in 2026 will mean proportionally higher payments for more impactful packaging categories / materials. 💫 Great news for reuse: the biggest step in a packaging revolution, with DEFRA planning a 2025 framework for incentivising reuse, levelling the playing field between single-use and reuse. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ej2KTbYn And please dive in policy folk to correct any detail you think is missing / out of line here! There's not been much reflection on this here (on Linkedin) and it would be good to hear more views.

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Fighting harder than ever to maintain sales through current accounts? You are not alone! Continuing the GRIPPING serialisation of the latest Kindred survey of over 200 independent drinks brands by CGA by NIQ. The Duppy Share we're investing deeper than ever before in our off-trade partners in order to maintain last year's volume. The value-for-money hunting UK consumer is now buying over 75% of their spirits on-promo (vs 55% LY), meaning more investment than ever to maintain volume. On-trade is slightly different - Duppy's strength is in high volume large venue indies, where we can afford to over invest in epic experiences. Recent wins in Lucky Voice Group, Bubba Oasis | Bubba Hospitality Group, Troxy, The Clockwork Rose, Heartbreaker’s Gentlemen’s Club & Restaurant, Wing Kingz and Natty's Jerk all great examples of deep support and strong high volume opportunities. Expecting to see the market correct itself somewhat through 2025, as our multi-national competitors reduce their overfunding to deliver their sales numbers and the trade reduce their expectations of an indie sector that keeps saying NO to "opportunities" to showcase our brands in front of new audiences for ridiculous fees, and refuse to invest in accounts that aren't driving a profit or significant growth.

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A very good article by Adam Leyland from The Grocer on Carlsberg Group bid to buy Britvic plc and the potential coming together of a leading alcohol and soft-drinks company. The next few weeks will tell if Carlsberg is successful in it's quest to acquire Britvic, but it does open the question will the beverages industry now see other similar moves in this approach to M&A activity? Will other leading beer companies look to follow the lead set by Carlsberg? Would a leading spirits company look to acquire a softdrinks company with a strong mixer and tonic range? For any beverages company, strategic and long-term growth is all about winning "share of throat" through having a strong and varied portfolio of brands and products to meet consumer needs across different occasions and need states. M&A activity offers the potential to do this quicker than through organic growth. Interesting times ahead! #alcohol #softdrinks #categoryblurring #occasions #beverages #Carlsberg #britvic Carol Dunne Gwyneth Kelly David Deeley Brian Short Sheelagh Pentony Lars Jensen Paul Villis Gilles Halotel Mark Allen Jerry O'Keeffe Ian Chesworth Sergio Saavedra Rodríguez Birgit Schaaf Erika Minaguchi Jean-Philippe Delforge Bourcard Nesin John Craven Joshua Schall, MBA Farrah Gilsenan Marc LEJEUNE Erlon Pereira Alison Wilkinson Declan Stack Mark Gallo Xavier Herrera Francois Sonneville Kristof König Jean Noel Ortal Magdalena Edyta Przewoźnik Barbara Lezzer Alison Van Houten David Walsh Stephen Rannekleiv

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💼 Budget & The Food Industry: Navigating New Challenges and Opportunities 🌍 The latest Budget has sparked diverse reactions within the food and drink sector. As we look ahead, it’s clear that financial policies impact our industry at every level—from production costs to consumer prices. But how can we turn these changes into opportunities for growth and resilience? What the Industry is Watching Closely: Inflation & Operating Costs 📉 – Rising costs remain a significant challenge. With inflation affecting everything from raw ingredients to packaging, businesses need innovative cost-management strategies without sacrificing quality. Workforce Development 👥 – Funding for workforce upskilling and recruitment is essential. In a competitive labour market, the Budget’s approach to workforce development can determine how well we attract and retain talent, especially for roles requiring specific skills in areas like manufacturing and logistics. Sustainability Incentives 🌱 – Sustainability remains central, and any incentives for green innovation could be transformative. But are there enough resources allocated to help smaller brands transition to sustainable practices? As leaders in food, we’re tasked not only with adapting to policy shifts but also with finding ways to thrive. This is a time to advocate for fair, forward-looking policies that support industry resilience, growth, and sustainability. 💡 How is your business navigating these changes, and what policies would most benefit our sector? #FoodIndustry #SustainableGrowth #BudgetImpact #FutureOfFood #MeyrickConsulting

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Our annual Britvic plc Soft Drinks Review was released yesterday, and as a category it’s always so interesting to see the changing consumer behaviours that shape our brands. Our report found that: ·       Category sales in grocery and convenience stores have grown, demonstrating the dedication and ingenuity of manufacturers and retailers as well as the wide range of roles soft drinks are playing in people's lives. We have witnessed the soft drink category expand rapidly at forecourts, where sales have grown by 9.9% on volumes up 1.6%.  ·       There is a rise in people using forecourts for a wider range of purposes, like top-up shopping and on-the-go treats. All this presents significant opportunities for soft drinks, the channel’s bestselling food and drink category.  ·       Retailers increasingly recognise that the soft drinks they stock help determine people’s choice of store. As such, Britvic is a trusted manufacturer that aims to support retailers in meeting those needs, with launches of various flavours through our rotational Tango Editions series, offering various formats, and health-conscious options to help retailers offer their customers everything they need.  You can read more about how the category is continuing to accelerate on our website:  https://lnkd.in/eBaTNyPT

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Great news, but i'd love to know your thoughts, These results show an almost 29% reduction in added sugar consumption for chikdrem and 40% in adults. However, there's lurks a bigger risk: many have switched to artificially sweetened drinks, which are linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, gut disorders, and more. Producing more low-sugar options that are well-formulated, offering flavour without compromising health is the way forward, but big manufacturing needs to be all over this with better formulations and no get out of jail card for being hit with sugar tax by just replacing one 'bad' ingredient for another more fatal ingredient. Stevia glycosides and sucralose, are widely used as sugar substitutes in these low calorie /zero sugar drinks. While they help reduce calorie intake, they come with potential health risks: Stevia Glycosides: Digestive Issues: Can cause bloating, nausea, and diarrhea in some individuals. Blood Sugar Impact: Despite being non-caloric, studies suggest they negatively affect insulin and glucose levels. Gut Health: negatively affects gut microbiota, leading to digestive disorders. Metabolic Effects: Some studies link it to altered glucose and insulin responses, potentially increasing diabetes risk. Heat Instability: When heated,(pasteurised) it can break down into potentially harmful compounds. Our soft drinks are laced with these harmful sweeteners. do we solved one problem but created a bigger one. Overall, great results but it raises concern for what was the solution.. what are yout thoughts? . #Health #Nutrition #Wellness #PublicHealth

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Splitting the £50m 'G' Investment... As a huge Guinness fan (and apart from my beloved CHANCE Clean Cider, it’s my favourite non-alcoholic brand), I’ve been closely following my old employer's Diageo recent moves this year. So far, they’ve invested a massive £50m into sponsoring the Premier League, launched their 00 liquid with a lot of fanfare, and even started testing draft systems in select London venues. It's clear that they’re serious about making waves in the non-alcoholic space. But this is a real game-changer... their £50m investment into 00 production at St. James’s Gate – that's a big statement. It's some serious craic! I've heard some whispers that where both 00 and full-strength options are available, the sales split is nearly 50/50 of sales! 😧 My gut feeling is that as consumers increasingly elongate their drinking sessions or mix and match between 00 and full-strength options, Guinness can be a perfect pint to support these trends. I think huge win for the category and really speaks to the shift in consumer behaviour, It’s only a great thing for the industry. 📈 I can’t help but wonder how long it’ll take before we start seeing those iconic Guinness tap lenses, with a touch of that signature blue 00, popping up across the country! Have you split a 00 G yet? #chancecider #lowandno #lowandnocider #drinksindustry  #nonalc #npd #ontrade #founder #investment #startup  #insight #consumer #customer #npdlaunch #culture #tradeevent #tradeshow #00 #guinness #diageo #guinness00 #non&lowshow #support #weeklyreview #grateful

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Poll Insights: Key Executive Roles in Driving Industry Innovation Last week, we asked our network which executive role is most crucial for driving innovation in response to changing consumer trends within the food and ingredients sector. The results are insightful and reflect the strategic priorities that are top of mind for industry leaders. Here’s how the votes were cast: Chief Innovation Officer: 44% Marketing Director: 32% Product Development Lead: 19% Chief Sustainability Officer: 5% Analysis of Results: The Chief Innovation Officer emerged as the clear leader, chosen by nearly half of the respondents. This highlights the growing recognition of the need for dedicated leadership focused squarely on innovation as a driving force for adapting to and capitalizing on new consumer trends. The Marketing Director also received a significant portion of the vote, underscoring the importance of market-driven strategies and the role of marketing in communicating innovative product benefits to consumers. Interestingly, while the Product Development Lead plays a direct role in creating new products, it seems the strategic influence of innovation and marketing leadership is viewed as even more crucial in steering companies through evolving market landscapes. The Chief Sustainability Officer received the fewest votes, suggesting that while sustainability is important, it may currently be seen as a less direct driver of innovation in response to consumer trends in our sector. Strategic Takeaways: These results suggest a strong emphasis on roles that can navigate rapidly changing market dynamics and consumer preferences, highlighting the necessity for strategic vision and effective market engagement in leadership positions. Thank you to everyone who participated. As we continue to adapt and innovate, let’s keep the conversation going. What strategies have you found effective in integrating these key roles into your business operations? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss further!

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What’s the “Funding Gap”? At Mission Ventures, we’re convinced a significant gap exists for UK Food and Drink SMEs (and in particular, healthier challenger brands). It’s defined as: ‘…the difference between the amount of financing small businesses need and the amount they can obtain’. I’d like to gain your perspective on this; What is the funding gap according to you and more importantly, what are the best mechanisms to address it? Please complete this survey: https://lnkd.in/edc5-UuB It won’t take you more than 5 mins. Promise.

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Sales of non alcoholic beer 🍺 in the UK 🇬🇧 , surged in 2023, showing the highest level of growth globally, largely due to post-Brexit reforms in alcohol duties. Brewers capitalised on new tax rates, launching or reformulating products under 3.5% ABV to benefit from reduced charges. Sales doubled from 650,000 hectolitres in 2022 to nearly 1.3 million in 2023, according to data firm IWSR The UK market's growth was double that of Venezuela, the next-strongest performer, while Romania and Japan ranked joint third. The UK has risen to become the eighth-largest market globally for low-alcohol beer, up from 13th in 2022 #alcoholfree #zeroalchol #beer Lars Jensen Paul Villis Carol Dunne Gwyneth Kelly Jean-Philippe Delforge Daragh Cuskelly Alison Wilkinson Erika Minaguchi Liz Williams Will Keating Francois Sonneville

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I’m a huge advocate of sustainability in the UK drinks industry. We are making significant strides towards sustainability, driven by the ambitious targets set by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) for 2025. These targets focus on reducing CO2 emissions, promoting efficient water use, building a circular economy for packaging, and reducing food waste Both small and large companies are playing pivotal roles in this green revolution. #DripWater by YouTube sensation Big Zuu is a prime example of a small company making a big impact. Launched in 2023, Drip Water has quickly gained traction with its canned natural mineral water, emphasizing that "water isn’t boring" The brand’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of recyclable packaging and its efforts to promote a lifestyle that values environmental consciousness. #CanoWater, another innovative small company, has been at the forefront of sustainable packaging. Their resealable cans are designed to reduce plastic waste, and the company actively promotes recycling and environmental awareness. On the larger scale, Diageo are leading the charge with comprehensive sustainability initiatives. Diageo has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its direct operations by 2030 and is investing in renewable energy and water stewardship. My old employer William Grants #DiscardedSpirits is another notable mention, transforming waste into premium spirits. Their innovative approach includes using banana peel and cascara (coffee cherry husk) to create unique, sustainable products. And in my favourite category the mighty Two Drifters Distillery in Devon is setting a benchmark with its carbon-negative rum. The distillery uses 100% renewable energy and offsets more CO2 than it produces, making it a leader in sustainable alcohol production. These companies, along with others in the industry, are working towards FDF’s 2025 targets and setting new standards for sustainability. Their efforts are a testament to the industry’s commitment to a greener future, showcasing that sustainability and business success can go hand in hand. As we move towards 2025, the UK drinks industry continues to innovate and inspire, proving that a sustainable future is not just a goal but a reality in the making. I’m hoping that by 2030 we will have completely transformed the sustainability landscape for our industry in the UK and be setting the standards for the world to follow. #SustainableDrinks #EcoFriendly #GreenBusiness #CircularEconomy #ZeroWaste #ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy #SustainablePackaging #WaterConservation #SustainableLiving #GreenInnovation #EcoConscious #SustainableBrands #EnvironmentalImpact

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Mars Wrigley + Kellanova = SNACKING GIANT As a former employee of both companies I can see how this proposed merger could be a huge success. Both companies are people driven organisations, employing some amazing talent, whose every day actions are guided by some very similar principles. Both companies have created some powerhouse brands, that lead in their respective categories and play an important role in customer’s lives and their every day occasions. Both take a clear stance on sustainability, social responsibility, packaging waste and renewable energy. Both share very similar target audiences, key customers and share a lot of baskets together. With many mergers & acquisitions the term ‘economies of scales’, or worse yet ‘synergies’ are bandied around. Frequently you will see expected annual cost saving forecasts reported. Not in this case. There is unlikely to be huge saving to be had from a confectionery company buying a crisps and snacks manufacturer. Yes, there will be some from shared ingredients. But I think this is a lot more than just a ‘synergies’ acquisition. Mars and Kellanova share customers, share occasions and share similar missions. I think this merger (if it goes ahead) will focus more on satisfying shared customer needs, missions and journeys and on capitalising on each other’s strengths to better satisfy future demand. Exciting times. #Mars #Kellanova #merger #digitalcommerce #ecommerce #cpg #cpgindustry #fmcg #fmcgindustry #grocery #snacking #retail #food https://lnkd.in/eMzRkP4s

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💥 Huel FY24 revenue hits £214m! 💥 It's our 9th year of trading, here are some highlights from the last year: ⭐ Our FY24 (July year-end) revenue hit £214m. 9 years of growing 🚀 ⭐ We passed the 400 million mark - that's the number of servings we've sold since launch 🥣 ⭐ Growth in profitability with EBITDA margin reaching 8% as we control costs and scale ⭐️ We’re proud to be part of Morgan Stanley's 1GT fund – a partnership focused on removing 1 gigaton of CO₂ emissions by 2050. ⭐ Carried on innovating with product launches like our high protein Black Edition ready to drink meals and our Daily A-Z Vitamins drink 🥤 ⭐ Our retail presence continued to multiply and we now sell in over 25,000 stores 🛍️ ⭐️ Our new manufacturing facility in the UK is live ✅ More control and built to scale 🏭 We now have over 300 people working at Huel across 5 offices, a factory and 3 different countries. The list of improvements I think we can make is long. However, I also think we get a lot right and that comes from the attitude of our team. So, a massive thank you to the team for believing in themselves and believing in me 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Our customers give us praise for when we do things well but also take time out of their days to give us feedback when we can do better. Thank you for making this happen ❤️ What’s coming up next? We're motivated by playing our part in some of the biggest issues in society today: poor nutrition, obesity, food waste, greenhouse gas emissions...we'll keep being an option to give people healthy, plant-rich diets with a wide range of products across different retail channels and different countries 💪 Anything else we should be doing? #huel #hueligan #growth #results #nutrition #convenience #sustainability

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