This annual DFC event looks at trends for the coming year within the food and drinks sectors.  The 2023 event had a strong panel of speakers which included  Barra McFeely from Tesco, Mark Anderson from Gather & Gather and  A Consumer Trend presentation from Bord Bia.

Key Learnings from Mark Anderson

• The plant-based revolution is mainstream, supporting local, independent and community-based businesses will be vital.
• Coffee culture continues to grow with new arrivals like sticky dalgona coffee.
• “Delivery only” cloud kitchens with no physical presence are making their impact felt.

Key Learnings from Barra McFeely

• We are becoming less social and more inwardly focused than in 2019 e.g. more TV dinners +5%, more in front of computers +25%.
• Convenience foods is the big growth area.
• Taste in increasingly important.
• Private label purchasing is on the rise.
• Local sourcing and sustainability are dominating.

Key Learnings from Bord Bia

• Almost a third of customers define themselves as just surviving.
• Customers are paying particular attention to the “essentials”.
• Brands can demonstrate their essential status in five key ways:
  • Brand consistency and cut through.
  • Food with social value.
  • Product versatility.
  • Frugal sustainability.
  • Reassuring signs of quality.