DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 2 . 2018

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. FESTIVE SPENDING REVIEW

At first glance, 2017 was a good Christmas for food retail – in fact Nielsen said it was the best Christmas for 6 years. However, ‘real’ sales growth struggled; price inflation (3.7%) was the main driver behind growth of 3.8% (12 weeks to 1st Jan-Kantar), with flat volume sales reflecting almost 10% lower footfall than the previous December (Ipsos). Consumer confidence remains vulnerable to currency-led price inflation and stretched incomes. While food largely held its own (extra £1bn spent), non-food was squeezed as shoppers prioritised premium label luxury food. In hospitality, transactions were down but spending was up 4% in 6 weeks run-up to Christmas(Visa); with drinks-led establishments faring better than casual dining.

2. THE ALWAYS-ON ECONOMY

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas this week was all about connectivity whether it’s smart home (and car) networks, voice activation or the ultimate intelligent automated lifestyle where seamless shopping becomes a reality. We also read about Pizza Hut teaming up with Toyota to deliver a fully autonomous, driverless concept called the ‘e-Palette’ which aims to be on the streets both cooking and delivering Pizza Hut products by 2020. This comes on the back of other delivery initiatives in 2017 - including ordering through Alexa-powered devices, mobile delivery tracking, and a trial for beer and wine deliveries.

3. BITCOIN BUCKETS

Digital currencies are a hot topic at the moment and KFC Canada has joined in the debate, temporarily rebranding its $20 Bucket the 0.0041 Bitcoin Bucket. The tongue-in-cheek campaign refers to a bucket of tenders and says it’s “still just $20 in regular people money”. Find out more about the Colonel’s Crypto-chicken-currency here >>

4. NEW YORK PIZZA ADDS STEAK

New York Pizza in the Netherlands has added two new limited edition pizzas to its menu.  The new Steak Pizza features real steak strips, mozzarella, red onion, spring onions and a chipotle drizzle. The second is an all cheese affair – the Cheesy Camembert Pizza is comprised of crème fraîche, mozzarella, Camembert, Parmesan cheese, goats cheese and spring onions. For those interested in the Horecava trade show which took place this week in Amsterdam, click here for some photos >>

5. NUTRITIOUS PERSONAL SHOPPING

Personalisation was a major theme in 2017 and the appetite for tailored diet and nutrition options is not going anywhere according to Leatherhead Food Research (Grocer). Its research shows almost a third of adults (2,000 surveyed) are interested in personalised meals, such as these 15 meal delivery services available in Ireland >> Meanwhile Waitrose is trialling a bespoke nutritionist service - the £95 package includes a health questionnaire, private consultation, follow-up appointment, personalised diet and lifestyle plan, as well as a starter pack of Waitrose food and recipes. A nutritionist will also walk the customer around the store, providing one-to-one advice on healthy products tailored to their needs.

6. REALLY GOOD FROZEN PIZZA

The Real Good Food Co. in LA clearly hasn’t heard the news ‘carbs are back’ in 2018. It has introduced a range of frozen pizzas based on a parmesan chicken crust targeting fitness buffs, diabetics and others looking to follow a lower-carbohydrate diet. The pizzas are grain-free, gluten-free and low sugar and offer 25g of protein. They comes in 2 sizes and 3 ‘all day’ varieties: Three Cheese, Pepperoni and Supreme (Sausage, Pepperoni and Veggies) varieties as well as breakfast versions featuring Bacon, Pepperoni or Sausage.

7. BRING ON THE BURRITOS 

The versatility of the burrito is one to watch in 2018, according to Olive magazine. We’ve seen everything from Korean-Mexican to Sushi burritos in 2017, now consider a very British take on this new generation fast food favourite. From its stand at Street Food Union in Soho, Yorkshire Burrito offers Yorkies with slow-cooked meats, veggies and gravy (click here to watch action footage >>). We also like this take-home idea; US fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain Tijuana Flats has introduced a “Hardly Homemade Burrito Kit” available in-store and through UberEATS for 6 people incorporating choice of proteins, toppings beans, tortillas, and chips.

8. ABOKADO LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF UDON SOUPS

London-based healthy fast food chain Abokado has added some new hearty soups to its menu - Chargrilled Chicken, Coconut Chicken and Veggie Dumpling Udon Soup. Described as offering a balance of protein, carbs and veggie, Abokado joins high street competitor POD in targeting the health-conscious consumer this January. POD introduces 5 ‘Light & Leafy’ Vitality Bowls – described as ‘Hippie, Scandi, Mexican, Yogi, Protein Punch’ salad heroes.

9. FASHIONABLE MOUTHS TO FEED

This week an experiential restaurant opened in Florence, the Gucci Osteria. The new 6 room concept is overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura. No dish costs more than €30 including for example Gucci tortellini in parmesan sauce (€20), Gucci taka buns filled with pork belly ‘lacquered’ with balsamic and miso (€15), or Gucci tongue (€25). According to Harvard Business School, these potential customers are ‘brand tourists – someone who values the brand, dips their toe in once, but doesn’t pretend to be part of the club’.