Food & Drink in Focus: Food & Drink in Focus: Christmas Trading, Health Megatrends & Avoiding the Reset Reflex
In this episode of Food & Drink in Focus, Rob Iles and David Wilkinson explore what’s really shaping the UK food and drink market as leaders look ahead.
They touch briefly on Christmas retail performance before focusing on the bigger shifts now influencing consumer behaviour – including the rise of health-led innovation, from fibre-maxing and high-protein to gut health and minimal-ingredient ranges. Using real in-store examples, they discuss why M&S is setting the pace in turning complex health trends into clear, compelling propositions.
The conversation also explores the growing impact of GLP-1 appetite-suppressing drugs, HFSS regulation and AI-driven shopping, and what this convergence means for how people plan, choose and consume food.
Crucially, the episode challenges the overused idea of a New Year “reset”. Instead, Rob introduces the case for recalibration – helping CEOs and leadership teams cut through the noise, dial up what really matters, and maintain strategic clarity without losing momentum or direction.
A valuable listen for food and drink leaders navigating health transformation, value pressure and shifting consumer expectations.
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