Michael Najjar

✨ Food Matters Live 2024 - Manchester ✨ Over the past two days, I attended Food Matters Live, a great event that shed light on the key challenges in making food and beverage production more sustainable. 1. Regenerative agriculture 🚜 was the central topic of many discussions, but one thing became clear: there’s no agreed-upon definition yet. 2. Real change starts within farming communities 🧑‍🌾. They don't want someone on a suit telling them how to produce. Farmers inspire other farmers when they demonstrate that adopting practices to boost biodiversity and reduce carbon footprint can also improve profitability. 3. Connecting corporations with local producers and committing to targets🎯 like the Science Based Targets initiative are critical steps for driving industry-wide change. However, while companies are capable of monitor and mitigate internal emissions (Scope 1 & 2), scaling Scope 3 emissions tracking remains a challenge. Collaborating with external software providers is proving to be a key solution. A huge thank you to the organisation and the leaders driving the sustainable transition in our industry, for sharing their insights!

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The deposit return scheme (DRS) is currently set to go live in the UK from October 2025, which means drink brands will have to adapt to this new system. This poses a huge opportunity for brands to explore post mix as a cost-effective alternative, which when used with refillable bottles, removes the requirement for single use plastics thereby streamlining processes and reducing expenses in alignment with the Deposit Return Scheme's goals. Post mix drinks continue to revolutionise the way in which drinks are served, did you know the advantages of serving them are huge? Read more about the benefits of post mix: https://hubs.li/Q02G9hvh0 #BeverageIndustry #Innovation #Sustainability #DepositReturnScheme #WeBringFlavourToLife

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The deposit return scheme (DRS) is currently set to go live in the UK from October 2025, which means drink brands will have to adapt to this new system. This poses a huge opportunity for brands to explore post mix as a cost-effective alternative, which when used with refillable bottles, removes the requirement for single use plastics thereby streamlining processes and reducing expenses in alignment with the Deposit Return Scheme's goals. Post mix drinks continue to revolutionise the way in which drinks are served, did you know the advantages of serving them are huge? Read more about the benefits of post mix: https://hubs.li/Q02TC7th0 #BeverageIndustry #Innovation #Sustainability #DepositReturnScheme #WeBringFlavourToLife

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Waitrose & Partners Latest Moves: What You Need to Know 🛒✨ Before it’s too late⏰, I wanted to share some key updates about Waitrose & Partners. They’ve been making some bold moves lately, so I thought I’d bring you up to speed. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about posh food!🍽️ Here are their three key strategic developments: 🟩 New Brand Platform: Waitrose launched "BrandsNew at Waitrose," investing £2 million to bring innovative products to their shelves. Led by Oliver Chadwyck-Healey’s team, this initiative will feature unique FMCG brands. 🟩 Expansion: Waitrose is opening 100 new convenience stores, making quick shops more convenient! 🟩 Cheaper Premium Products: Waitrose is investing £10 million to lower the price of 250 products. I’m personally excited about the innovative products being added to their shelves and seeing more people try these premium offerings. It’s great to see how Waitrose is evolving and expanding! Which of these updates excites you the most? I came across these updates from the John Lewis Partnership website and The Grocer, and thought you’d find them interesting too.

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𝐀 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 🍹 3.40% 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘒 𝘉𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 There's been a healthy growing demand for beverages in the UK which could signal that this is a good time for brands to get into developing new products and expand their existing product lines. 60% 𝘛𝘰𝘱-𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥'𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘒 New and small entrants in the industry may have difficulty entering the market to gain a foothold. This means that new brands must focus on differentiating themselves significantly through their product offerings, marketing strategies, and competitive pricing. 1.8𝘹 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩-𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 Consumers are also seen to have an increasing interest towards health beverages, seeing a 1.8x increase in search volume in the last year alone. What are the overall implications of these data? ✅ Market Opportunities The combination of market growth and rising demand for health-centric products presents significant opportunities for innovation and expansion within the beverage industry. Companies that can effectively tap into the health trend while maintaining quality and taste are likely to succeed. ✅ Competitive Dynamics The strong market presence of the top brands suggests that smaller brands need to adopt creative strategies to compete. Differentiation through product innovation, branding, and targeted marketing will be crucial. ✅ Consumer Behaviour Understanding and responding to consumer preferences, particularly the shift towards health-centric beverages, will be key. Companies that align their product offerings with these trends can enhance customer loyalty and increase market share. Enjoyed this short report? You can get the full report, for free, when you click this link —> https://lnkd.in/gXHEk8UW Share your thoughts below or dive deeper into the beverage market trends with a comprehensive market insights report from &facts. Generate your market insights report now on the &facts platform #BeverageMarket #MarketTrends #HealthBeverages #Innovation #MarketInsights

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One message changed everything: "Hi Edin, hope you're having a good week. I wanted to reach out to get our functional drinks brand MUUSH into your eye line...." That one casual DM turned into something special. We Amplify recognised the potential to scale Muush ltd into a category leader. I met Matthew Martin and Dan D'Souza here on LinkedIn. After 4 weeks of learning and fine-tuning, we are now ready. One day -> two investor presentations arranged. Why? Because Muush ltd ticks all the boxes. 1. Founders -> serial entrepreneurs with two exits. 2. Problem -> Non-alcohol spirits are complicated, and soft drinks are often sugary or full of additives. 2. Market -> Nootropic drinks, set to grow at a 14.6% CAGR and reach $14 billion by 2030 4. Solution ->Muush ltd combine fruits, roots, and functional mushrooms with low sugar and added nutrients, making them deliciously healthy. Send me a DM for a full deck. This opportunity will not be available for too long (*EIS and SEIS eligible). --- F&B founders, if you are looking to raise funding or/and scale your business, reach out here: https://lnkd.in/eh5a5_P8

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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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🍸 "Diageo warns on 'extraordinary' consumer environment after sales drop"🍸 One of the world's biggest drinks makers has reported its first drop in global sales since 2020 and claims that the "challenging consumer environment" will persist through to June 2025. In this difficult climate it is incredibly important to have a clear DTC strategy to provide more direct connections to customers, create personalised experiences and give consumers greater access to a wider variety of products, including limited editions and specialty items that might not be available in local stores. Inviqa's latest DTC Ecommerce Report for 2024 benchmarked 10 Alcohol and Non-Alcohol brands' UK sites (including Diageo's thebar.com) across a variety of areas, including their strengths in adding value, content utilisation, accessibility and SEO. Spoiler alert: the top performing brand was actually a non-alcoholic spirits brand 😮 😮 The time has never been more important for a strategic, customer-centric approach to DTC commerce. I'll link the full report in the comments, give it a read (with your tipple of choice...) and let me know your thoughts 😍 Happy Drinking!! 🍾 🍷 🍸 🍹 🍺

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𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 🌍 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁 🌍 The UK organic market has grown by 5.2% in 2024, with a growing number of shoppers prioritising sustainable and eco-friendly food options. 🌿 Brands like Honest Burger and Sainsbury’s are stepping up with innovative approaches to regenerative agriculture and agroforestry, reflecting this shift. → Honest Burgers Ltd restaurant has abandoned its innovative model of buying entire cow carcasses and is re-focusing its support for regenerative beef farming. → Sainsbury's launches agroforestry initiative as it celebrates 20-year partnership with the Woodland Trust And not to forget a shout out to the work to reestablish woodland on Western Isles crofts, funded by the profits from the community windfarm 🌳 But let's stay vigilant 🔎 overselling "regen" initiatives can undermine genuine progress 🌾 ✘ Sustainability requires more than just a label. Read more of the latest climate-smart headlines in The Edit (members only). If anything caught your eye, we'd love to talk it through. Or if you think you'd benefit from a membership, get in touch 🤝 #RegenerativeAgriculture #Sustainability #OrganicGrowth #Agroforestry #EthicalFarming #GreenEconomy

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Molson Coors to Invest £100m in UK Brewery and Beverage Network Molson Coors Beverage Company has unveiled ambitious plans to inject over £100 million into its UK brewery and beverage infrastructure over the next five years. This significant investment aims to enhance capabilities, increase efficiencies and support the company's growth in the UK market. Fraser Thomson, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Western Europe at Molson Coors, emphasised the strategic nature of this investment, by stating that: “This plan is an investment in our future, giving our people and brands the tools to fulfil our potential in the UK market while making strong progress against our sustainability targets". Key components of this investment include upgrading brewing capacity and packaging capabilities at Molson Coors' major UK facilities, notably the breweries in Burton-on-Trent and Tadcaster. The Burton brewery will benefit from a new 24-tonne high-speed can filler, capable of filling an impressive 120,000 cans per hour. Moreover, the packaging keg lines at Tadcaster and Aspall Cyder House will also undergo enhancements. Molson Coors is also directing resources towards Sharp's Brewery in Cornwall, supporting new and existing ale brands such as Doom Bar, Solar Wave Hazy and Twin Coast. This builds on previous investments, including a recent £13 million expansion at the Aspall Cyder House and a £21 million investment in a new canning line in Burton. Molson Coors' focus on upgrading its facilities reflects its commitment to meeting market demands and advancing sustainability goals. Furthermore, the company's growth in the UK market is highlighted by the success of its brands, particularly Madrí Excepcional. Thomson described Madrí Excepcional as “the country’s fastest-growing major beer brand in both volume and value sales” in late 2023, reinforcing the need for expanded brewing and packaging capacity. In sum, this substantial investment by Molson Coors is not only about modernising its infrastructure but also about empowering its workforce and ensuring environmental responsibility. Thomson added: “This is a landmark moment in our history as we evolve to meet the demands of our growing portfolio and bring new innovations in the years ahead, while continuing to reduce the impact our business has on the environment”.

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Day 15 of trying to build the biggest saké brand in the world...Shima Drinks. ⛵ Batten down the hatches, Alice Fisher writes the headline “Saké Takes The UK by Storm as Japan’s National Drink Goes Mainstream” in The Guardian. 🍶 But wait, there’s more. “Saké Anyone? More Britons are Savouring its Subtle Charms” proclaims Emma Yeomans of The Times. 🎞 What an absolute Blockbuster (yes, they’re still out there) weekend for the category. Yet, no mention of the ol’ Shima Drinks 💣 These articles hit us like a bombshell - to help build this category, we need to be part of the conversation. This is key in our mission of demystifying saké. 💰 We don’t have the budget to keep a #PR Agency on retainer, so we are going to have to take matters into our own hands. And what arthritic hands they will be once we are finished. We’re putting together a longlist of drinks #journalists to start flinging samples to. 🍜 Shima saké spritzes are available at Ocado Retail Ltd and Sainsbury's, 2 of the top 10 retailers in the U.K. We’re available at the likes of Marugame Udon Europe, and KANADA YA! These are all the kind of places where consumers first begin their journey into saké. ✏ If you’re wordsmith, or know one, and fancy getting your hands on a box, just let us know below. If you exclusively cover Amateur Go-Karting, maybe not... #PR #Journalism #Media #Communicatiosn

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46% OF BRITS ARE NOW TRYING TO EAT LESS MEAT! 🙅‍♀️🥓 Independent research conducted by HarrisX suggests a declining demand for meat amongst British consumers. In addition to flexitarians, over 30% of the population are open to eating plant-based meats. with the data suggesting significant headroom for growth, these 'open omnivores' now represent the greatest opportunity for the sector. 🌱💪 The challenge according to Indy Kaur? We need to break the cultural norm... Highlighting the nutritional benefits of a diet rich in plants and wholefoods: 🥦 High fibre 🌮 Low cholesterol 🥜 Diverse proteins 🍄 Vitamins and minerals Are you surprised by this data? 😲👇 #plantbased #meatfree #sustainablefoods

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Have you seen our latest beer category report? The beer market is showing varied performance across its key sectors. Mainstream beer, the largest segment, is under notable pressure. However, craft beer is thriving, especially with the impressive contributions from Scottish breweries. Dive into the latest insights and trends in our detailed report here: https://bit.ly/3TUQS1k"

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As consumers continue to demand more transparency regarding the origin of food and its production methods, the UK government’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has initiated a consultation on reviewing food labelling standards, with a focus on backing British farming.   This initiative aims to empower consumers to make more informed choices about the products they purchase by ensuring labels provide clear insights into food’s provenance and processing techniques.   Find out more in Packaging Gateway.   #FoodIndustry #FoodManufacturing #FoodOrigin #Labels #Manufacturing

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The latest FDF State of the Industry Report highlights critical challenges and trends in the UK food and drink sector. With a 9.2% rise in production costs and a 30% drop in investment since 2019, manufacturers face immense pressure. Businesses must prioritize cost-cutting and efficiency to thrive. Investing in innovation and restructuring operations are essential steps to mitigate these challenges and build a resilient future. www.palletearth.com #movingtheworldintelligently

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