France: Organic retailer Biocoop plots major store expansion
Bicoop, the leading French organic retailer, has announced major expansion plans, bidding to increase its overall store count by 160 by 2029. The investment comes on the back of growth in the first half of 2025 which saw the retailer increase sales to more than €1.8 billion (S2.1 billion). The expansion plans would take the Biocoop network […]
UK: Kraft Heinz expands into pulse-based ready meals
The UK division of US-based food multinational Kraft Heinz is expanding into a new category with the launch of pulse-based ready meals sold in pouches. The new product line, which can apparently be microwaved in just 90 seconds, are described as a response to rising demand for convenient, nutritious and flavourful meals. The lineup comprises Chilli […]
Tradeshow Look Ahead: Anna Canal, Alimentaria 2026
Gama spoke to Anna Canal, director, ahead of the latest edition of Alimentaria. What are your expectations for Alimentaria 2026? Alimentaria is the leading food, beverage, and gastronomy platform in Spain and one of the main international benchmarks for the sector. The synergies generated by the joint celebration of Alimentaria and Hostelco for this next edition […]
Priya Chopra, Director of Strategy
Union Coop
Gama spoke to Priya Chopra, Director of Strategy, Union Coop. What key trends do you expect to shape food and drink innovation in the United Arab Emirates in 2025 / 26? Food and drink innovation in the UAE is being driven by agritech, with vertical farming and smart agriculture improving local food security. Long-shelf-life meals […]
UK: Lidl announces £435 million warehousing investment
Lidl, the leading German discount retailer, has announced it has invested £435 million ($589 million) in warehousing operations in the UK to support plans to grow its network to 1,000 stores. At the company’s Belvedere site in London, the company has invested £285 million ($386 million) across two buildings, boosting capacity to 800,000 sq ft. The upgrade […]
Tradeshow Look Ahead: Jan Philipp Hartmann, Anuga 2025
Gama spoke to Jan Philipp Hartmann, Director, ahead of the latest edition of Anuga. What are your expectations for this edition of Anuga? Anuga 2025 will once again be the world’s most important platform for the food and beverage industry. From 4 to 8 October 2025, Cologne will be the global centre of the food […]
Toddler purees get a brain boost with ‘breast milk’ formulation
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 28th August 2025: The power of food and drink to enhance cognitive function – as part of a broader trend for ‘super-human’ health benefits – has piqued consumer interest in recent years. This month’s Innovation Insight explores how these claims are increasingly entering the infant food and drink space, […]
Gut feelings spearheading functional innovation
Insight by Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 22nd July 2025: Consumer concern about the impacts of dietary choices on digestive health is sparking a notable rise in food and non-alcoholic drink launches that boast ‘gut-friendly’ benefits, the latest insights from Gama Compass reveal. The findings reflect a growing consumer perception of food and drink as central to overall health […]
France: Ferrara in talks to acquire CPK Group
Ferrara, a subsidiary of confectionery giant Ferrero, has announced it has entered into exclusive discussions to acquire CPK Group, a French manufacturer and distributor of sweets and chocolates, from investment firm Eurazeo. The deal, to be transacted via a European holding company of Ferrara, would aim to combine CPK’s strong position in the European confectionery market […]
Italy: New Princes Group buys Kraft Heinz baby food business
New Princes Group, the diversified food company formed on Newlat’s acquisition of Princes last year, has announced the acquisition of the Italian baby food business of Kraft Heinz for €120 million ($140 million), according to a report in Grocery Gazette. As a result of the acquisition, New Princes Group will add a range of new brands to it portfolio, […]