Proof 8 Partners with Raer’s Jackton Distillery
Jackton Distillery in Scotland has adopted Proof 8's blockchain‑backed platform to secure its cask inventory with digital deeds linked to QR codes. The immutable records provide clear provenance, ownership and location data, addressing rising cask‑investment fraud concerns. Implementation slashed cask‑management admin time by more than 75%, shrinking a full‑day task to under an hour, and reduced HMRC reporting from roughly six hours to one hour per month. The move positions Jackton to attract global buyers seeking transparent, trustworthy investments.
Stoli Vodka Ups Presence in French Retail
Stoli Group’s flagship vodka has partnered with French distributor Slaur Sardet to enter the grocery channel, debuting in 600 stores across the country. The rollout covers 500 E Leclerc and 100 Super U locations, with a recommended retail price of $21 per...
Nestlé Slashes 450 Jobs Sparking Union Backlash
Nestlé announced it will cut more than 450 jobs across its UK operations, with the bulk of layoffs expected at the York factory and the Gatwick headquarters. The cuts are the first wave of a global restructuring plan that aims...
Queen Drummer Roger Taylor Breaks Into Wine Business with Rosé
Queen drummer Roger Taylor has entered the wine market with Cuvée Rock n’ Roll rosé, a Provençal blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Cinsault. The wine retails for £18 (about $23) and is positioned as an affordable, mainstream rosé rather than a luxury...
Jägermeister Opens €17.6m Barrel Storage Site
Mast‑Jägermeister has finished a €17.6 million (≈US$20.6 million) barrel‑storage project in Kamenz, Saxony. The 5,000‑square‑foot facility can hold up to 225 additional barrels, expanding the brand’s production capacity. Built primarily from timber and equipped with photovoltaic panels and rain‑water management, the site...
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global Closes with Highest Attendance Ever
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global concluded its 32nd edition in Barcelona with a record 35,500 attendees, the highest in the event’s history. The show featured 2,290 exhibitors from 85 countries across 52,980 sqm, generating an estimated $153 million economic impact for the...
Prices for Atlantic Salmon From Norway Continue Their Steady Decline Into Week 17
Norwegian Atlantic salmon prices kept falling into Week 17, with whole fresh salmon averaging NOK 78.07 ($8.29) per kilogram on 19 April. Export volumes rose by almost 2 million kg week‑over‑week, while the global average export price for all salmon categories slipped to NOK 84.07 ($8.93)...
No Clicks Given: How to Get AI to Recommend Your Restaurant
The restaurant discovery landscape has shifted to AI‑generated answers, pushing traditional SEO links out of view. Google now delivers a concise paragraph that recommends eateries, creating a zero‑click environment. This change has birthed Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), which focuses on...
Tequila Centinela Expands US Reach
Tequila Centenela has signed a distribution agreement with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) to bring its high‑land tequila to retailers, bars and restaurants across Florida and Texas. The move comes as the global tequila market, valued at about $6.5 billion in...
Discus Lands $900k to Expand Export Opportunities
Discus, the trade association for U.S. distilled spirits, has secured a $900,000 grant from the USDA’s American First Trade Promotion Program for 2026‑27. The award adds to earlier USDA funding, bringing total federal support to over $1.9 million, and will fund...
Chile’s Salmon Industry Declares “Clear Signs of Sustained Recovery” With Q1 Growth
Chile’s salmon sector reported a 20.7% jump in Q1 2026 exports, reaching 251,413 metric tons. Export value rose 9.3% year‑over‑year to $1.9 billion, driven by higher volumes rather than price increases. The United States remained the top market, while China’s imports...
Motel Mezcal Refocuses Distribution in Singapore
Oaxacan mezcal producer Motel Mezcal has named Singapore‑based Cool Potions its exclusive importer and distributor. The deal follows the brand’s 2025 launch across six Asia‑Pacific markets and aims to boost its presence in the region. Motel Mezcal, made from 100%...
How Much Does One Hectare Cost to Buy Around the World?
Knight Frank’s latest Wealth Report shows vineyard values are climbing, not declining, with the most prized terroirs—Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy—commanding up to $1.9 million per hectare. Italy’s Piedmont Barolo tops the global price chart at $2.7 million per hectare, while Australia’s Barossa...
‘Show the Price of a Pint’: Transparency Push Gains Traction in Westminster
Early Day Motion 3002, tabled by MPs Peter Lamb and Jim Shannon, calls for pubs and bars to display drink prices clearly at the point of order. The motion highlights that a pint now costs between £6 and £8.50 (approximately...
Himchanmaru Repositions Korean Health Food Brand Globally
Himchanmaru, a Korean health‑food maker known for liquid extracts from snail and chicken feet, is overhauling its brand to appeal to overseas markets. The firm is highlighting Korea’s tonic‑food heritage while showcasing patented extraction technology at upcoming trade shows. A...
TRIP Expands Night-Time Portfolio with CBD-Free Sleep Range
TRIP has introduced a dual sleep‑supplement line, Dream Blend, featuring plant‑based gummies and a powder that are free of CBD. The formulations combine magnesium, chamomile, valerian root and other botanicals, and each purchase comes with a three‑month premium Calm app...
Zomato Adjusts Pricing Clause After Pushback
Zomato has removed a contract clause that penalised restaurants for offering lower in‑house prices than those listed on its app. The clause, which could fine eateries up to three times the price differential, was never enforced but faced strong opposition...
Stonegate Completes 160 Pub Development Schemes
Stonegate Group’s Pub Partners division completed 160 development schemes in the first half of its financial year, part of a £40 million full‑year investment pipeline aimed at modernising interiors, exteriors and outdoor trading spaces. The upgrades have driven higher sales, with...
A2 Milk Wins Copycat Case in Australia Court
The A2 Milk Company won a Federal Court trademark lawsuit against rival infant formula maker Care A2 Plus, which used the “Care A2+” brand. The court concluded that the “A2/A2+” branding is likely to mislead consumers into believing a connection...
Brand New: News From Nestle, TaoKaeNoi, SAMBAZON and More Big Names
Nestlé says filtered coffee will outpace espresso in APAC as consumers chase cleaner flavors, positioning the segment as the next major trend. Thai snack maker TaoKaeNoi has signed Chinese celebrity Chen Zheyuan as global ambassador to accelerate its sea‑weed snack...
DRS Operator Confirms 20p Returnable Deposit for Drinks Containers
Exchange for Change, the not‑for‑profit operator of the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), has confirmed a flat 20p (≈ $0.25) deposit on all eligible single‑use PET, steel and aluminium drink containers ranging from 150 ml to 3 L. The scheme, slated to launch...
Anzac or Tim Tam: Who Runs Australia’s $3.8bn Biscuit Aisle?
Australia’s biscuit aisle, worth about AU$3.8 bn (≈ US$2.5 bn), is still led by Arnott’s, which commands roughly 55‑60% of the market. Growth is now split between value‑oriented products that act as cheap indulgences and premium, bakery‑style offerings that command higher margins. Tim Tam...
Exclusive: Australian Plant Proteins Enters Retail with ‘Nothing Else’ to Meet Clean-Label Demand
Australian Plant Proteins, rescued from insolvency, has launched the direct‑to‑consumer brand Nothing Else, offering single‑ingredient fava bean and yellow pea protein isolates produced in‑house with a solvent‑free process. Each 30 g scoop delivers 25‑26 g of complete plant protein and retails for...
‘Landmark Shift’: Organic Sector Welcomes Government Review of Regulations
The Australian federal government announced it will work with the organic sector to review the nation’s labeling rules, a move hailed as a “landmark shift” by industry body Australian Organic Limited (AOL). AOL argues the current system lacks a clear...
Whole Foods Market Opens Liverpool Street Store as Part of London Growth Plan
Whole Foods Market opened a 3,315‑square‑foot store at 4b‑5 Blomfield Street, Liverpool Street, targeting commuters and City workers with a grab‑and‑go format. The shop offers fresh produce, ready‑to‑eat meals, bakery items and self‑serve coffee. The launch is the first of six...
UDL Makes Debut in High-Strength RTD Segment
Australian premix brand UDL entered the high‑strength ready‑to‑drink market with the Double Crush 8% line, offering 375 ml cans at 8% ABV. The launch includes three fruit‑flavored variants—Orange & Mango, Guava & Lime, and Pineapple & Passionfruit—priced at roughly US$22 for a 4‑pack and US$125 for a...
India’s Praj Industries Opens AI-Enabled Precision Fermentation Lab, Signs Government MoU
Indian biotech firm Praj Industries has opened an AI‑enabled Advanced Precision Fermentation Lab at its Pune R&D centre, Praj Matrix. The facility focuses on large‑scale precision fermentation to boost efficiency, cut carbon emissions and reduce scale‑up risk for pharma, food,...
Functional Beverage Market Seeing Growing Interest in Relaxation, Stress-Relief Ingredients
Stress management is becoming a primary driver of innovation in the functional‑beverage sector. A recent Ohio State University survey found 45% of U.S. adults feel stressed weekly and 16% daily, prompting consumers to seek non‑drowsy, clean‑label drinks that promote calm...
Lucci Lambrusco
Ashley Graham and co‑founder Danny Epstein introduced Lucci, a dry sparkling red Lambrusco, on April 24, 2026. The wine is crafted with a fifth‑generation winemaker in Emilia‑Romagna and offers bright berry flavors with an 11% ABV. Priced at $19.99 for...
Best of Australian Culture At Adelaide Central Market
Adelaide Central Market has been ranked third worldwide in AllClear’s top‑20 food markets, based on nearly 400,000 traveler reviews. The market earned a 94.2% four‑ or five‑star rating, outpacing iconic venues in Valencia, Paris and New York. A record‑breaking Gather Round...
Jubilant in Talks to Sell India Rights of Dunkin' To Its US Owner Inspire
Jubilant FoodWorks (JFL) is negotiating with Inspire Brands to sell its India franchise rights for Dunkin' as the current agreement ends in December. Inspire, which owns Dunkin' globally, plans to pass the rights to another local partner to revive the...
25+ Civil Society Groups Call on European Supermarkets to Rebalance Plant and Animal Food Sales
A coalition of more than 25 health, environmental and consumer groups from 12 European nations is launching the “Plant‑Rich Europe” declaration, urging major supermarkets to shift their product mix toward plant‑rich diets. The groups cite the Eat‑Lancet Planetary Health Diet...
Organic Outpaces the Market: Global Sales Hit Record Highs as U.S. Crosses $76 Billion
Organic food and beverage sales reached a record €145 billion ($156.9 billion) in 2024, a 5% year‑over‑year increase that outpaces the conventional market. The United States remains the largest organic market, generating €60.4 billion ($65.4 billion) in retail sales, while Europe leads in per‑capita...
Burger King Offers Every Fast Food Franchisee in Japan ¥40 Mil to Jump Ship and Join Them
Burger King is accelerating its Japan expansion, growing from 77 to 352 stores and targeting 600 locations by 2028 after Goldman Sachs acquired the chain for roughly $506 million. To speed conversion, BK is offering up to ¥40 million (about $260,000) to...
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Opens New Location in Celina, Texas
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe opened a new restaurant at 3515 South Preston Road in Celina, Texas, featuring a drive‑thru. The site is run by Jesse Murphy, who also operates a McKinney location, and partners with Arkansas‑based operators Allen and Brittany Wills....
Tandoori Pizza Opens Three New California Locations
Tandoori Pizza announced the grand opening of three new restaurants in Foster City, Pleasanton and Pittsburg, California. The outlets will serve the chain’s full signature menu, including its flagship Tandoori Chicken Pizza and a range of fusion pasta and side...
Sweet Protein: Pentasweet Breaks Ground on $76m Precision Fermentation Facility for Brazzein
Lithuanian biotech startup Pentasweet has broken ground on a €65 million ($76 million) precision‑fermentation facility in Vilnius that will produce commercial quantities of brazzein, a natural sweet protein up to 2,000 times sweeter than sugar. Phase I will establish core production capacity by early 2027,...
Stoner's Pizza Joint Opens Four New Locations, Expands Into Kansas and Tennessee
Stoner's Pizza Joint announced the opening of four new restaurants, taking its total to more than 60 locations across the United States. The new sites in Wichita, Kansas; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Hinesville, Georgia; and Roswell, Georgia mark the brand’s first forays...
When Is A Glass Of Beer Like A Cup Of Tea?
Miller Lite has teamed up with gymnast‑actress Livvy Dunne for a "Legendary Moments" campaign that blends social‑media video content with real‑world experiences. The partnership debuted a limited‑edition Miller Tea Time set—a $75 kit featuring a custom tea kettle that pours...
Marco's Pizza Signs Three&Unit Development Agreement in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Marco's Pizza has signed a three‑unit development agreement with entrepreneur Yiris Hallal’s Hall Foods LLC to open its first New Mexico location in Las Cruces in July 2026. The Hallal family, seasoned in technology and retail, will manage the rollout,...
Maker’s Mark’s Just Dropped a New Star Hill Farm Bottle, and It’s a Wheat Whiskey Worth Seeking Out
Maker’s Mark has released the 2026 edition of its Star Hill Farm wheat whiskey, the brand’s second estate‑certified expression. The small‑batch spirit blends 100% malted wheat with a 70/30 wheat‑barley mash, bottled at 58.2% ABV and aged seven to eight years in...
Guzman Y Gomez Cooks up Plan for Agentic Kitchens
Guzman y Gomez is deploying HP‑supplied kitchen display units with on‑site neural processors across its 225 Australian restaurants, beginning in May. The hardware will run agentic AI algorithms that balance order flow between two production lines, fine‑tuning line openings to the minute....
McDonald’s Wants You to Know It Has Protein on the Menu
McDonald’s is highlighting protein on its existing menu, adding callouts for 17 items such as the 30‑gram McCrispy Strips and the 22‑gram McDouble. The push taps into a surge in consumer interest driven by health trends, GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs, and...
Making a Menu that Works Hard to Boost Profitability
At the Restaurant Leadership Conference, CMOs from WOWorks, Paris Baguette and Sonny’s BBQ shared menu strategies to boost profitability. They emphasized simplifying items, cross‑utilizing ingredients, and creating value through experience and speed. Limited‑time protein plates proved demand‑driven pricing works, while...
CRN Backs New House Supplement Registry Bill
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has endorsed Rep. Maxine Dexter’s House version of the Dietary Supplement Listing Act, a bill that would create a federal registry of supplement labels. The legislation mirrors a similar Senate proposal, indicating growing bipartisan...
Simon Kim Unveils Three Dining Concepts at 550 Madison in Midtown
Simon Kim’s Gracious Hospitality Management is debuting three distinct dining concepts—Bar Chimera, a multi‑bar lounge; a new Midtown outpost of his Michelin‑starred Korean steakhouse Cote; and the upcoming Sushi Yoshitake sushi bar—within the iconic 550 Madison building. Bar Chimera features a martini, whiskey, and wine...
Top Value Meals You Can Purchase for $5 - $10 at Fast Food Chains
Fast‑food chains are rolling out $5‑$10 value meals to attract price‑sensitive diners amid rising inflation. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell and Dunkin’ each offer bundled combos that pair proteins, sides and drinks at budget‑friendly prices. These promotions aim...
Indie Grocers Say New Grocery Code Is Already Reshaping Supplier Relations
The Canada Grocery Code of Conduct became effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and independent grocers say it is already reshaping supplier relationships. The voluntary code creates a dispute‑resolution framework that treats small retailers the same as large chains, fostering transparency on...
GLP-1 Drugs and the Rise of the Health-Conscious Shopper – Placer.ai Blog
Around 12.5% of Americans now use GLP‑1 medications for weight loss, prompting measurable shifts in retail and dining behavior. Fresh‑format grocery chains such as Trader Joe’s and Sprouts have captured increasing foot traffic, while healthier dining concepts—including smoothie, juice, and frozen‑yogurt...
Make Time Wellness Expands Product Line and Retail with Launch in Target Stores
Make Time Wellness, the women’s brain‑health supplement brand founded by Emma Heming Willis and Helen Christoni, is launching its products in select Target stores nationwide this April. The rollout follows the introduction of three new formulas—Menopause & Brain Health, NAD+ & Rhodiola,...