NEWS
21 MARCH 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
Simpler eating, fewer
shopping trips and less
snacking are some of the
consumers habits highlighted
by Kantar’s grocery data for
February 2025, with take-
home sales up by 3.6%.
As the five-year anniversa-
ry of the first Covid-19
lockdown approaches, Kantar
has been looking into how
consumers’ grocery habits
have evolved.
Sally Ball, head of retail at
Kantar, comments: “Back in
2020, we didn’t know just how
big an impact the Covid-19
pandemic would have on our
lives, but five years on we can
get a picture of its lingering
efects on consumers.
“We haven’t gone back to
old patterns and shopping
trips remain below pre-pan-
demic times. Households
made one less visit to the
supermarket in February
2025 than in 2020, while
online shopping appears to
have stuck, at 12.3% versus
8.6% in February 2020.
“One of the most interest-
ing changes has been a move
to simpler eating habits as we
look for convenient shortcuts
to make our lives easier.”
Kantar consumption data
also shows that people are
now using fewer diferent
ingredients when making
food, both at lunch and in the
evening.
Consumers shift to simpler eating
habits, less snacking: Kantar
Are you ready to rum-ble?
Are you ready to rum-ble?
Why you need to curate
Why you need to curate
your rum range
your rum range
Nick Gillett is
Co-founder and
Managing
Director of
successful spirits
distributor
Mangrove
Global, as well as an industry
expert and commentator. In his
column for this issue, Nick
Explains why rum is a great
category, but needs some
sifting for best sales
For 25 years those of us in the spirits
world have been waiting for “the rum
boom”. But as we patiently waited,
the category snuck up on us to
become one of the most successful of
all time. But what does that mean for
you? Well, it means that you need to
have at least a few well-chosen
bottles on your shelf to satisfy this
nation’s many rum-lovers. Here’s
where to start.
We’re expecting to see growth in
all subcategories of rum as well as
continued diversification in the form
of new, weird, and wonderful flavours.
Spiced rum is super popular right now
and continuing to grow, as are white,
golden and dark varieties.
Premiumisation in rum has also
taken hold, and at this end of the
market people are looking for
provenance and authenticity with
their producers. Caribbean rums fit
the bill nicely, with warm, tropical
tones imbued into the luscious
liquids crafted in the region’s many
islands. Consider adding a delicious
spiced to your range, as well as a nice
bottle or two from the Caribbean to
satisfy the premium purchase.
Remember the mixer – Rum and Coke
is an exceptional drink and easy to
bundle, as are other simple mixes like
Ginger Ale and even Soda. Be careful
with flavoured rums – especially the
synthetic ones with high sugar
content. I’m not convinced of
long-lasting popularity here. Above
all else – be bold and experiment a
little. You’d be surprised how willing
customers are to part with cash for a
truly lovely bottle of the stuff.
Delicious!
A leading retailers’ body
has raised concern that
Employment Rights Bill
risks punishing responsi-
ble businesses rather
than focusing on
unscrupulous employers.
According to amend-
ments tabled by the
government to its
flagship employment
legislation, all British
workers, including nearly a
million agency workers, will be
entitled to a contract which
reflects the hours they
regularly work.
Government said the
amendments will ofer
increased security for working
people to receive reasonable
notice of shifts and proportion-
ate pay when shifts are
cancelled, curtailed or moved
at short notice – whilst
retaining the necessary
flexibility for employers in how
they manage their workforces.
Responding to the tabled
amendments on the Employ-
ment Rights Bill, Helen
Dickinson, Chief Executive at
the British Retail Consortium,
said, “The BRC supports the
Government’s goal to ensure
improved employment
practices.
“We want a level playing
field for responsible business-
es, which means tackling
unscrupulous employers and
we support measures to crack
down on those who exploit
their workforce.
“The focus of the
Employment Rights
Bill should be on
unscrupulous employ-
ers who undermine
confidence in the
labour market. Instead,
the current regulations
risk punishing respon-
sible businesses who
provide employment.”
Calling the bill
“biggest upgrade to workers’
rights in a generation”, Deputy
Prime Minister Angela Rayner
said that for too long millions of
workers have had to face
insecure, low paid and irregular
work, while the economy is
blighted by low growth and low
productivity.
“We have been working
closely with businesses and
workers to progress this
landmark bill and deliver our
Plan for Change - unleashing
growth and making work pay
for everyone.”
BRC says good employers mean low-hanging fruit for enforcers
Employment Rights Bill ‘risks
Employment Rights Bill ‘risks
punishing responsible businesses’
punishing responsible businesses’
NEWS/COMMENT