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Business News Wales
3 hours ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Successful New Products Start with a Brief
New products are the lifeblood of the food industry. 'New' is one of the best on pack messages to encourage shoppers to buy. Successful new products have kick-started and transformed food businesses. But if you watch Channel 4's Grand Designs, you probably know what happens when a house build starts and the plan is a bit vague, the budget isn't confirmed and there doesn't appear to be an architect involved. It usually ends up with ad hoc decisions, lots of tears, a massive overspend and the family living in a caravan for much longer than they wanted. Apart from the caravan, the consequences of starting a product development project without a brief are probably similar. During my career I've being involved in launching more than 1,000 new products including own label ranges at Tesco, branded products at McVitie's and supporting client businesses to launch their products. The larger companies have very structured and robust new product development (NPD) processes, which usually start with a very comprehensive product brief. At Tesco this was one of my responsibilities and in my group, with suppliers' support we would launch around 350 new products a year. Despite having NPD briefs, I've been involved in a number of NPD failures. A brief is no guarantee of a successful product launch, but the absence of one significantly increases the likelihood of failure. Bringing new products to market can be time consuming and costly. This sounds harsh, but it is irresponsible to start an NPD project without a formal and robust brief. The real benefit of a brief is that writing it ensures that some thought has been given to the purpose and requirements of the product. A brief helps to clarify thinking, to bring colleagues from different functions together and hopefully avoid costly mid-project changes. At ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre we use a comprehensive, seven-page NPD briefing document. This contains sections and questions to ensure adequate thought and research is put into writing the brief. It's better to agree requirements such as maximum retail price and allergens to avoid at the briefing stage rather than after the recipe has been signed off. We run workshops to support clients to complete NPD briefs and below are some of the suggestions from the workshop: Market and consumer insights- include a summary of market and consumer insights that have informed the new product idea. Define the proposition- include reasons why both the consumer and trade partner would want to buy this new product. What's different and what's better than competitors' products? include reasons why both the consumer and trade partner would want to buy this new product. What's different and what's better than competitors' products? Team effort- involve all relevant colleagues to contribute to the brief. They will feel more invested in the project and their expertise will make the brief better. For example, if the sales team require a 50% trade margin to gain listings, this should be built into the product costings from day one. involve all relevant colleagues to contribute to the brief. They will feel more invested in the project and their expertise will make the brief better. For example, if the sales team require a 50% trade margin to gain listings, this should be built into the product costings from day one. Set clear benchmarks- there are likely to be some mandatory requirements for the product to have a chance of succeeding. This could be out-scoring competitors on key sensory measures, meeting internal margin requirements, having a minimum shelf life etc. there are likely to be some mandatory requirements for the product to have a chance of succeeding. This could be out-scoring competitors on key sensory measures, meeting internal margin requirements, having a minimum shelf life etc. Be realistic- this is particularly important when setting time scales and financials. Very few NPD projects could be launched earlier than they are and even fewer deliver better margins than expected. In my experience, costs and timings rarely improve during the course of a product development project. this is particularly important when setting time scales and financials. Very few NPD projects could be launched earlier than they are and even fewer deliver better margins than expected. In my experience, costs and timings rarely improve during the course of a product development project. Focus on the details- a good brief will focus minds and avoid the mid project changes that often delay launches and cost money. For example, specifying in the brief that Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) is required may seem trivial nine months before launch, but a late request for SRP can reduce margins, change pallet configurations, result in a poorly designed solution and delay the launch. a good brief will focus minds and avoid the mid project changes that often delay launches and cost money. For example, specifying in the brief that Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) is required may seem trivial nine months before launch, but a late request for SRP can reduce margins, change pallet configurations, result in a poorly designed solution and delay the launch. Director level buy-in- having senior colleagues approve an NPD brief is important. This can also help to avoid senior colleagues interfering during the development process. having senior colleagues approve an NPD brief is important. This can also help to avoid senior colleagues interfering during the development process. Minimise changes to the brief- although changes to a brief are almost inevitable, if a senior colleague has to sign off amendments it will encourage colleagues to get it right at the first attempt. During the process it is essential to refer to the current (and original) version of the brief. This avoids mission creep and the proposed new 'six pack of organic sourdough rolls for £2.50' becoming 'a four pack of white burger rolls for £2.90'. Through the Welsh Government's HELIX Programme, we're running a series of New Product Development workshops for Welsh food and drink manufacturers in June and July. More details are available here: Training and events – ZERO2FIVE
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
The best supermarket BBQ food revealed in blind taste test including burgers and bangers
From burger buns to veggie sausages, we share the best places to get your BBQ grub this weekend LICENCE TO GRILL The best supermarket BBQ food revealed in blind taste test including burgers and bangers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE best supermarket BBQ food has been revealed in a blind taste test. BBC Good Food has published the results of its Good Food Summer Taste Awards 2025. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The best BBQ food for summer 2025 has been revealed A panel of experts blind-tasted more than 140 products submitted by 12 UK supermarkets across 16 categories. All packaging is removed and the products are prepared by a home economist according to packet instructions. This is to ensure the judging is fair and unbiased. Bargain retailer Aldi won three awards, scooping best vegan sausages, BBQ meat hero, and best sharing bread. Its Specially Selected Ultimate No-Pork Sausages, were crowned the best on the market and cost £2.49. Lidl also came out on top after its antipasti platter, vegan burger, sausage rolls and quiche won were crowned the best in each category. The German discounter and the Co-op both won four awards, the most compared to any other supermarket. The member owned supermarket was a favourite for brioche buns, coleslaw and vegetarian picnic pastry. Tesco was crowned the tastiest store to pick up sausages, with its Fire Pit 7 Jumbo Cheesy BBQ Pork trumping other contenders. The UK's biggest supermarket and Sainsbury's were named joint winners for the best place to pick up burgers. I have the easiest and safest way to clean your BBQ grill - after a few wipes, it will be ready to cook again Meanwhile posh retailer Waitrose scooped the best award for hummus, while veggie burgers. Lulu Grimes, managing editor of Good Food, said: 'It's fantastic to see so much variety and quality in this year's entries from all the supermarkets. "The winning products really reflect the way people want to eat over the summer – with bold, punchy flavours and time-saving options, so you can spend more time outside enjoying the sunshine.' Full list of taste test winners Best Sausages Tesco Fire Pit 7 Jumbo Cheesy BBQ Pork Sausages (£4.75/595g) Best Vegan Sausages Aldi Specially Selected Ultimate No-Pork Sausages (£2.49/270g) Best Burger Buns Co-op Irresistible Soft & Buttery Brioche Buns (£1.95/4 pack) Best Burgers (Joint Winners) Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus Burgers (£4.25/pack of 2) Tesco Finest Wild Garlic Beef Burgers (£4.50/pack of 2) Best Veggie Burgers Waitrose Vegetarian Aubergine & Feta Burgers (£2.95/pack of 2) Best Vegan Burgers Lidl Vemondo Vegan Burgers (£1.89/250g) Best Meat or Fish Kebab Morrisons The Best Tandoori Chicken King Kebab Best BBQ Hero for Entertaining (Meat or Fish) Aldi Specially Selected Coronation Chicken King Kebab (£5.49) Best BBQ Hero for Entertaining (Fish or Seafood) Tesco Fire Pit Mango Coconut & Lime Fish Skewers (£3.75/6 skewers) Best Coleslaw Co-op Irresistible Deliciously Rich Coleslaw (£1.95/300g) Best Sausage Roll (Joint Winners) Co-op Irresistible Perfectly Seasoned Ploughman's Sausage Rolls (£3.50/4 pack) Lidl Chef Select Sausage Rolls (£1.69/360g) Best Vegetarian Picnic Pastry Co-op Irresistible West Country Cheddar & Habanero Chilli Jam Pinwheels (£3.50/88g) Best Picnic Centrepiece Lidl Deluxe Quiche – Maple Bacon (£2.99) Best Sharing Bread Aldi Rosemary & Rock Salt Sharing Focaccia (£1.99/220g) Best Antipasti Platter Waitrose No.1 Italian Grazing Platter (£10/380g) Best Hummus Waitrose No.1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous (£2.75/170g)
South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Tesco apologises for Lionesses display in Cardiff store
The UEFA Women's Euros kicks off on July 2 in Switzerland, with both Wales and England qualifying for the tournament. They have even been drawn in the same group (Group D) and will face off against each other on Sunday, July 13. So when a large Lucozade archway appeared in a Tesco store in Cardiff with the England Lionesses all over it, Welsh fans weren't happy. Hi @asda, do you care to explain why you are strongly pushing for support of the Lionesses in your Cardiff stores? Not only have @FAW_Womens qualified for the tournament, they are in England's group and direct rivals! This is deeply offensive, read the room.@FAWales — Rich 🏴🇪🇺 (@BluebirdRichie) June 19, 2025 Tesco's England display labelled "offensive" and "disgraceful" by Welsh fans Tesco has received considerable backlash from the Welsh public following the erection of the display, which gives people the chance to win a meet and greet with the Lionesses. The display has been labelled as "offensive" and "disgraceful" on social media. One Welsh fan, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "Do you care to explain why you are strongly pushing for support of the Lionesses in your Cardiff stores? "Not only have @FAW_Womens qualified for the tournament, they are in England's group and direct rivals! "This is deeply offensive, read the room." Wales and England have both been drawn in Group D for the upcoming UEFA Women's Euros. (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire) Another added: "@Tesco Must be lovely for our Welsh women footballers, walking in Tesco and seeing the England women's team. Disgraceful." While a third person commented: "This is so, so bad. In the capital city of Wales, and they're promoting England at the Euros. "As mentioned in the tweet, they're in the same group as us and our direct rivals. Honking." Even FAW Chief Executive, Noel Mooney, had something to say about the display. Also posting on X, he said: "We are @Cymru .. why is this in our capital??" RECOMMENDED READING: Tesco apologises for Lionesses display Tesco has now come out and apologised for the Lionesses display in its Cardiff stores. A spokesperson said: "We're sorry this happened. "We wish both the Welsh and English teams good luck in the upcoming Euros and know many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations in the tournament.'
Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Tesco says sorry after running ‘meet the Lionesses' campaign... in Wales
Tesco has apologised for displaying a 'meet the Lionesses' advertising stand in a Cardiff store, which customers described as 'deeply offensive'. Wales's women's team will take part in their first ever major tournament at this summer's Euro 2025 and have been drawn in the same group as England. Shoppers in Cardiff were outraged by a Lucozade display that offered the chance for fans to meet the Lionesses, whom Wales play on July 13. Noel Mooney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) was one of several people to share their anger on social media, posting on X: 'We are Cymru.' One shopper called on the supermarket to 'read the room' while another said: 'Must be lovely for our Welsh women footballers, walking in Tesco and seeing the England women's team. Disgraceful.' Tesco admitted the display had been put up by mistake and that it has since been removed. A spokesperson said: 'We're sorry this happened. We wish both the Welsh and English teams the best of luck in the upcoming Euros and know that many of our colleagues and customers will be proudly supporting their home nations throughout the tournament.' Players describe shirt row as 'extremely disappointing' It comes after Telegraph Sport reported that Welsh players were disappointed that fans were unable to personalise their away shirts for the Euros. The FAW unveiled a new away shirt earlier this year but supporters are unable to personalise the mint-green jersey – made by longstanding kit supplier Adidas – with a name and number, which has angered fans and members of the team. A current member of the Wales squad, who wished to remain anonymous, told Telegraph Sport: 'It's extremely disappointing that, as we prepare for the Euros, as we make history, we still can't get access to names on the back of our shirts. We've said for years, visibility is key and it is impossible for us to be in this history-making moment and actively choose against visibility.' In a statement, the FAW said: 'The Football Association of Wales want every fan to have the opportunity to personalise their Cymru shirt with the name and number that they desire. The FAW is in regular dialogue with Adidas and JD to find a resolution for personalisation on the WEC 2025 away shirt ahead of Euro 2025 this summer.'
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Outrage at major food change for popular Sainsbury's food
Sainsbury's has increased the price for the second time in less than a year - and customers are not happy Sainsbury's has increased the price of its popular lunchtime meal deal for the second time in less than a year – sparking fury from customers and even its own staff. The cost of the classic combo – a main, side and drink – has jumped from £3.75 to £3.95, taking it perilously close to the £4 mark. The 20p rise follows a previous hike in July 2024, when the price was increased from £3.50. Outraged shoppers have taken to social media to voice their frustration. One wrote: "Sainsbury's meal deal gone up to £3.90 – we are in the end times." Another said: "This is not a drill – Sainsbury's meal deals have been upped again and are £3.95: it was £3.75 before today." A third posted: "Why TF was my Sainsbury's meal deal £3.95 – should we all just give up?" Even Sainsbury's staff said they weren't warned of the change. One worker wrote on Reddit: "Wow, saw that the meal deal has gone up to £3.95. Did anyone else know beforehand or did my managers fail to inform us this was happening?" Another added: "Honestly I just tend not to eat at work any more. Eating's too expensive." The rise makes Sainsbury's regular meal deal more expensive than rival supermarket Tesco, which charges £3.60 for Clubcard holders, and Morrisons, whose loyalty card members pay the same. The premium £5 meal deal, offering sushi and poke bowls, remains unchanged since its launch in 2022. However, there's now a £7 "super-premium" tier available in some stores. A spokesperson for Sainsbury's defended the change, saying: 'Sainsbury's continues to offer one of the best value meal deals around. We've also recently introduced a range of new products just in time for summer, including our best-seller Picnic Triple Sandwich and build-your-own salad options. 'This means anyone who shops with us can choose from an affordable selection of over 150 mains, 300 snacks and 400 drinks.' While Sainsbury's has not given an official reason for the increase, the supermarket is continuing to expand its food-to-go offering as part of a wider push to boost sales. The retailer has also added 35 new items to the deal, hoping the new options – from salads to picnic boxes – will justify the steeper price tag. But some shoppers remain unconvinced. One joked: 'Had to do a double take when I saw the price increase,' while another said the supermarket was 'sneaking the price up' - something the supermarket says is not true. The move comes at a time when Brits are already feeling the pinch, with food prices still high and inflation fears mounting. A recent report by the Food and Drink Federation found consumers are scaling back spending on convenience items like meal deals. Tesco hiked its Clubcard meal deal price from £3.40 to £3.60 last year. Co-op charges £3.50 for members, while Waitrose is the most expensive at £5 across the board. Despite the latest increase, Sainsbury's is hoping its Aldi Price Match initiative – now covering over 800 items – will help soften the blow for shoppers facing rising costs on all fronts.
