I’ve always loved fried chicken. The crunch. The juice. The way it manages to be both comfort food and celebration depending on where you are and who you’re with. So, when H2O Publishing invited Nick and I to the inaugural Fried Chicken Championships at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, it was a done deal.
Since 5th January 2026, the UK food and beverage advertising market has fundamentally shifted. New restrictions on Less Healthy Food and drink (LHF) advertising are now in force, sitting alongside existing HFSS (High in Fat, Salt or Sugar) rules and long-standing protections for children. If you’re a food and beverage brand with LHF products, you’ve likely felt the headache.
Each quarter, Lumina Intelligence hosts the most insightful, deep dive into the hospitality sector, helping us prepare for the months ahead. In the wake of the budget, it was the perfect time to see what we have in store for 2026.
A couple of weeks ago saw the last of Lumina’s Quarterly 2025 briefings, packed full of data and what we can expect to see in the world of hospitality as we welcome in 2026. Following the highly insightful deep dive, our hosts took us on a festive foray around Spitalfields Market.
Last week, I had the pleasure of being invited to the Lumina Intelligence Food Concept Tour in London. We spent an inspiring afternoon exploring a range of diverse food outlets, sampling their innovative offerings and discovering what makes each concept unique. I was also fortunate to share this experience with the lovely Courtney, one of my colleagues, which made the day even more enjoyable.
Consumer desire may drive brand love, but shopper decisions drive revenue, and they don’t always belong to the same person.
For years, brands have obsessed over the consumer: the flavour fan, the brand loyalist, the category enthusiast. But shopper marketing lives in a different reality: the consumer and the shopper aren’t always the same person, and even when they are, they think differently at different moments.
I had the pleasure of attending the Arena Christmas Event with Susan, our MD, on December 1st – a brilliant way to kick off the festive season, especially as it was held at the stunning Mandarin Oriental Park Lane. Beyond the celebrations, it was an invaluable opportunity to gain key takeaways for the year ahead in our industry.
At this year’s Arena Christmas Event heavyweights from UK Hospitality, The Evolv Collection (previously D&D), Gather + Gather (contract caterers) and RedCat Independent Pubs assembled on the stage at the Mandarin Oriental for a compelling panel discussion. Given the recent budget there was a lot to discuss. Below are my key takeaways, the good, the bad and the ugly…
Simon Stenning has spent the last 18 years predicting the future of foodservice. His latest insights reveal an industry adapting fast to changing appetites, tighter wallets and a population that’s simultaneously more health-conscious and more indulgent than ever. Here’s what you need to know.
If you still think of Pinterest as the place for mood boards, DIY hacks, and dream home inspo, it’s time to shift your perspective. After joining the Pinterest Presents webinar, it’s obvious the platform is evolving fast, not just creatively, but commercially. Pinterest is stepping into a space where inspiration naturally becomes action, and where brands can reach people at the moment they’re making decisions about what to buy, wear, cook and try next.
At New Trade Media’s Partners in Success event, an insight was shared that immediately struck a chord with me. Their data confirmed something I’ve believed for 20+ years: <1% of convenience stores operate as true influencers in our sector.
As consumer lifestyles continue to evolve, one drinks trend has moved from niche wellness circles into the mainstream: CBD drinks.
Once found mainly in indie cafés and health-led concept stores, CBD beverages are now appearing in grocery chillers, workplace fridges, bars and premium hospitality settings. This shift shows a wider move towards mindful refreshment, functional ingredients and lifestyle-first wellbeing.
So what’s behind the rise of CBD drinks? And what can food & drink brands learn from the space?
Let’s just accept it. It’s a weird time to be alive.
It feels like only yesterday that I saw a man wearing a beekeeper’s mask and bright yellow marigolds while queuing at an off license. Was it really five years ago that Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby shared a tender embrace through a reinforced plastic shroud on live TV? Did Matt Hancock actually exist?
From Anti-Algorithm to the New Young, Mintel’s recent webinar on their consumer predictions for 2026 presented a slightly bleak outlook into our future as consumers.
It’s an era of digital mistrust and economic insecurity, but… what should brands be doing to connect?
I’ve summarised the three key trends Mintel are predicting for next year, and solutions to help brands tackle the challenges they’ll be faced with. Read More
If you still think in grocery aisles, Gen Z has already moved on.
Dentsu’s Generation Flex report, covered byThe Grocer this summer, shines a light on a generation that doesn’t see categories, only possibilities. For them, protein bars can be treats, bubble teas can be pick-me-ups and sustainability isn’t a choice – it’s a given.
Shopper marketing has always been about meeting people where they are. In 2025 that’s becoming more literal than ever. Smaller store formats, quick commerce and dark stores are reshaping the way we shop. For food and drink brands the battleground is no longer the aisle, it’s the last 100 metres before purchase.
As two avid Spurs fans, it was only right that Nick and I joined Arena’s latest sell-out ‘Behind the Scenes’ event at Tottenham Hotspur’s world-class stadium – a day that combined thought provoking talks with an insider tour of how elite venues are redefining hospitality.
After a morning packed with data and discussion at the Lumina Intelligence Q3 Food Strategy Forum, the afternoon was all about discovery. We swapped charts for cutlery and were whisked around Covent Garden on a Food Study Tour – a curated journey through some of London’s most exciting and innovative food and drink concepts.
Alvi and I had the pleasure of attending the Lumina Intelligence Q3 Food Strategy Forum, where industry experts shared the latest economic, consumer and innovation trends shaping the UK foodservice landscape. With perspectives ranging from macroeconomic pressures to Gen Z drinking habits, late-night dining to the future of school catering, the session offered plenty of food for thought. Here are our key takeouts…
