From the driest January on record; how additional import red tape will stifle our artisan offer; to the latest in tasty online morsels and what we’re getting excited about here in the Sharp office; this is your monthly round-up.
Driest January (drink-wise)
Could this be the driest January on record? We’re talking alcohol consumption not rainfall! Alcohol Change UK reported 100,000 downloads of its Dry January App that tracks the financial impact of giving up alcohol.
The Guardian reported that “Drinks sales in pubs and bars have plunged. Rising numbers of people are drinking low or no-alcohol. And new data indicates that even older people are joining teens and twentysomethings by giving up booze.”
Traditional pubs need to take stock and adapt their offer to capitalise on the Dry January opportunity by stocking more and better when it comes to “lo-no” options. And there’s certainly plenty out there to choose from.
We’re loving: Alcohol-free bar Torstig, which is Danish for Thirsty, launched with its first London pop up. Run by a husband-and-wife duo and inspired by Denmark’s alcohol-free drinks scene, Torstig served up delicious mocktails full of premium ingredients to tempt the tastebuds without the hangover.
Championing small producers and retailers
The Guild of Fine Food, which represents 12,000 independent food and drink retailers and suppliers, has raised concerns over new Brexit border checks for imported goods, which it says will stop European suppliers of foods like meats and cheeses from supplying the UK’s delis and specialist food shops.
In an article in The Guardian, John Farrand, managing director at the Guild of Fine Food commented, “I’m worried that we are going to end up buying and selling only mass-produced products. Are we going to see the end of smaller, more interesting products, which are ultimately better for the planet?”
We can’t wait for… IFE & HRC 25th to 27th March
Set to be the first major food and hospitality industry event of 2024, IFE, HRC & The Pub Show are combined in an extravaganza that brings together a host of food and drink, and hospitality big-hitters under one roof at Excel.
Sharp Bites will be reporting live from the middle of all the action, as the SHARP team hosts a stand in the all-new business services section. Show attendees can book a 15 minute ‘Your Recipe for Success’ conversation with one of our team to discuss any PR pain points and walk away with practical advice. Or simply come and find us on stand H70 and say hi.
Good food, delivered
The online food delivery sector has experienced unprecedented growth since the pandemic and continues to go from strength to strength. Hot off the press is the news that renowned British craft sauce brand Sauce Shop is serving up a tasty new delivery concept from 22 February. Tenders & Wings by Sauce Shop® is its first venture into delivery-only operations, capitalising on the burgeoning UK foodservice delivery sector. We can’t wait to dip in!
