NEWS IN REVIEW AUTUMN 2021
Vegan PizzaExpress
Pizza Express has announced the first “ Vegan PizzaExpress .” Pizza-
Express is turning up the heat ( without the meat ) for a vegan takeover in the capital with a new look pizzeria in Aldwych on The Strand exclusively serving plant-based goodness so pizza lovers can tuck into even more vegan flavours this autumn .
The opening is in celebration of PizzaExpress ’ s brand-new menu , which sees the biggest ever number of new vegan additions , including exclusive new vegan versions of the most famous PizzaExpress favourites .
The pizzeria brand worked for just over a year perfecting and developing an exclusive vegan pepperoni . Five classic PizzaExpress recipes are being introduced in vegan form – leaving diners spoilt for choice .
Jane Treasure , Food & Beverage Director at PizzaExpress , said : “ Every single one of our new vegan pizzas stays true to the unique flavours of the original versions . It took just over a year to develop an exclusive new vegan pepperoni ingredient with our partners Jack & Bry , working tirelessly with our tasting panels to perfect them — so our customers can enjoy the same mouth-watering flavour profiles as the originals , without any animal products .”
Shadi Halliwell , Chief Customer Officer at PizzaExpress , added : “ Our new vegan menu is so wide ranging and delicious that it deserves a pizzeria of its own – so that ’ s exactly what we did . “ Vegan PizzaExpress ” is our first restaurant that will serve our vegan menu exclusively and is a true showcase of these authentic flavours that we ’ ve been perfecting since 1965 . We ’ re thrilled to finally open the doors and can ’ t wait to welcome everyone from across London and beyond as they come to enjoy our wonderful new vegan menu .”
Deliveroo launches free delivery for Amazon Prime members .
Amazon Prime members in the UK and Ireland will be able to get free unlimited delivery through a fresh partnership with delivery platform Deliveroo .
All new and existing members of the online retailer ’ s speedy service will now be able to access a year ’ s Deliveroo Plus membership for free . Customers can use the offer on orders over £ 25 from restaurants and supermarkets .
“ Amazon is one of the most customer-focused and innovative companies in the world and we are excited to launch this offer for Prime members ,” Carlo Mocci , Deliveroo ’ s chief business officer for the region , said . “ Hungry foodies can now get amazing breakfasts , lunches , or late-night snacks — all delivered for free .”
The partnership comes after Amazon ’ s investment in the food delivery firm was given a green light by the competition watchdog last year .
Aldi has unveiled a new range of alcohol-free drinks ahead of the festive season , including a zero abv Prosecco imitation . Branded as
Zerozecco , the drink will be priced at £ 2.49 for a 70cl bottle . It joins Aldi ’ s existing range of no and low-alcohol products , including an alcohol free ‘ pilsner ’ and Alska Strawberry & Lime Cider 0.5 %.
The wellness drinks craze has expanded significantly in recent times . Prosecco label La Gioiosa launched an alcohol-free sparkling wine last year , as did Cava producer Vilarnau .
“ Creating our alcohol-free sparkling wine isn ’ t much different from making traditional Cava ,” explained Vilarnau ’ s winemaker Eva Plazas . “ After fermentation , the winery uses state-of-the-art rotary column technology to remove the alcohol and then adds some CO2 to create very fine and subtle bubbles .”
Earlier this year , the IWSR released a report supporting the widespread belief that global consumers are increasingly prioritising health and wellness when selecting their favourite drinks brand . According to the analyst ’ s No- and Low-Alcohol Strategic Study 2021 , sales of no / low alcoholic beverages will increase by 31 % in total volume by 2024 .
New data has revealed that the independent store market returned to growth in the first half of 2021 for the first time since 2017 .
Looking at new figures from the Local Data Company , a net addition of 804 stores meant there were more openings than closures after the sector was boosted by more people choosing to shop locally , a growing appetite for categories such as takeaway food and convenience stores , and consumers becoming increasingly concerned with the provenance of products , sustainability and supporting local businesses .
The Local Data Company said government support such as furlough , the moratorium on tenant evictions and business rates relief has also helped .
Growth was mainly driven by food retailers such as convenience stores , grocers and takeaway and cafe operators . In contrast , there was a significant reduction in the number of chain store units which saw a net loss of 5,251 in the six-month period . This was an improvement on the figure for the first half of 2020 , but still significantly higher than pre-pandemic losses .
JYSK saw its turnover grow to € 69.2 million in the UK and Ireland in the year ending August 2021 as sales climbed by 67 % year-on-year .
Looking at JYSK ’ s global performance , its turnover edged up 7 % to a record 32.6 billion DKK in the period . In the UK , online sales were particularly strong and accounted for 28.6 % of sales . In addition , the retailer welcomed over one million customers both online and in-store , which was a 29 % increase on the previous year .
JYSK is currently expanding internationally and opened four UK stores over the last twelve months .
Roni Tuominen , country manager for JYSK UK and Ireland , said “ The past twelve months have been challenging for everyone in the retail sector , but we are pleased that JYSK has grown so well as a brand in the UK market . I see this both as a result of customers spending more on home furnishing in general , and as a result of my colleagues across the market being quick to adapt to a new situation and focus more on online sales and click and collect .
08 Autumn 2021