DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 45| 2018

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. DOMINO’S DATING APP

Domino’s has announced a plan to launch a dating app. The app is designed to match Domino’s lovers over their favourite toppings. The idea is to simply swipe for your favourite pizza and the app will connect you to others who have similar tastes. This app has plans to launch in Netherlands before expanding. In Domino’s news Down Under, the company has also announced 30 new recipes which includes sides and desserts, that are to launch in Australian and New Zealand stores. Domino’s customers will also soon be able to order Domino’s largest pizza – a 30-inch sized pizza named the “Big One.”

2.  KEPAK’S ‘GOODE & TUCKER’ RANGE

In response to the growing demand for hot on-the-go items, Kepak has launched its new ‘Goode & Tucker’ range. This range is designed to cater to the most crucial food-to-go occasions like breakfast, lunch and snacking. The ‘Good & Tucker’ will include products like Bacon & Egg Breakfast Muffin, Cheeseburger, Chicken & Pesto Panini and Sweet Potato & Mozzarella Wrap.  The ‘plug and play’ hot convenience unit has been developed to respond to the consumer demand for quick, hot and trend-led food solutions. 

3.  CHRISTMAS ADS ARE HERE

The most festive time of the year is approaching which means Christmas ads are boosting the anticipation of the season. Tesco’s ad this year shows how different Christmas celebrations can be but ultimately concludes with however you celebrate, they can provide any Christmas dinner favourites. Similarly, M&S took a tour around the UK to ask consumers what their M&S Christmas favourite is with answers ranging from their moist turkey, crunchy brussels sprouts, and mince pies. Aldi released the first of a series of their Christmas ads with a teaser featuring their festive mascot, Kevin the Carrot. These ads are sure to make anyone hungry and ready for more holiday traditions. 

4.  GROCERS WORK WITH JUST EAT

Asda has teamed up with online ordering service, Just Eat, for pizza delivery in which customers place their order through the app, pizzas are prepared in Asda’s in-store diner, and then delivered to homes within a 2-mile radius. The pizza service is being trialled in 4 locations in Beeston, Wakefield, Livingston, and Leeds with plans to expand further if successful. Asda is competing on price with their deal of a 16-inch pizza for £6 with drinks, sides, and desserts offered as well. Morrison’s was the first grocer in the UK to partner with Just Eat to deliver their in-store Bombay Bites Express Indian takeaway in their Bradford Victoria location in March. 

5.  MEAL KITS ACROSS EUROPE

French meal solutions company, Sodebo, has introduced Pasta Cook, a pre-portioned gourmet meal kit concept of fresh pasta and a variety of prepared fillings such as ham, roast chicken, or salmon with grilled aubergine, tomatoes, or spinach for a balanced meal. Likewise, Gusto is trying to inspire UK consumers to invest a little more time on mealtimes. Gousto’s meal kits are designed to make families cook and eat nutritious home-cooked dinners. OECD research shows UK consumers spend 78 minutes dedicated to eating and drinking each day while the people of France, Greece, and Italy spend over two hours. The Netherlands, Sweden, and Ireland were found to spend the least time eating meals at 70 minutes a day. 

6.  UNDERSTANDING TEEN FOOD TRENDS

A new survey by Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) reveals what influences and appeals to the younger generation across the UK. The survey captured 1,000 12-18-year olds attitudes and scope of knowledge about the food industry. 89% of respondents reported social media to be of daily importance to them and mainly use Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube to interact and discover new things. Short videos and young TV chefs capture their attention when it comes to food. Three quarters of teens believe science and innovation will uphold sustainability in food production. Overall, teens would like to know more about where their food comes from and how it is produced.

7. RETAIL IN U.S. RESTAURANTS

Grocery and convenience stores are posing increasing competition to restaurants, with growth in ready meals and fast casual restaurants within the stores themselves. Several restaurant operators are fighting against those blurred lines by creating restaurant-retail mashups of their own. Fast casual sandwich, salad and pizza chain, Newk’s Eatery, has  launched its Express Market concept in 49 locations and plans to rollout to over 120 units. The Express market includes prepared proteins such as broiled shrimp, sliced chicken and flash-seared tuna as well as family-sized soup containers.  Newk’s Eatery and other restaurants have learned that customers who come in for lunch are likely to grab dinner on the way out. 

8. ROBOTIC PIZZA WARS

Zume Inc., the Californian robotic pizzeria startup, has just been recently valued at $2.25 billion by being in a process of receiving a $375 million investment from SoftBank Vision Fund. This investment will value the startup at around 1/5th the value of Domino’s in just three years. Zume uses robots to help prepare its pizzas and oven-equipped smart trucks to cook them while on its way to the customer’s home.  Zume is not the only company utilizing robotics. Pizza Hut has partnered with Toyota to create a zero-emissions delivery truck with an oven managed by robotic arms. Albertsons has partnered with Takeoff Technologies to use robots in packing and shipping online groceries. 

9. BIG PIG IN A BLANKET

As part of its new Christmas range, online food retailer MuscleFood.com has launched its biggest, heaviest and meatiest pig in blanket available in the UK. The giant pig in blanket is made with 1.2kgs of gluten-free sausage meat and wrapped in streaky bacon. It measures at a whopping 35cm in length and weighs 1.5kgs and serves about 10 people. To put this product into context, it contains the same amount of meat as 116 regular pigs in blankets. If you fancy taking on this beast, it will cost you £17.95. Click here to see this giant pig in blanket >>