Are you aligned with retailers’ new priorities? 👀
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
The same goes for retailer priorities. From changing HFSS rules to fresh price strategies. If you don’t look up from your spreadsheets every now and then, you risk being out of touch and missing chances to add real value.
Read on to get up to speed and keep your retailer conversations sharp.
Here’s what’s changed in the last few months, and what’s still shaping the market.
What’s changed:
1. The government plans to reverse HFSS regulations🚦
The government wants to scrap the 2022 restrictions on high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) feature space.
Retailers and brands had already made changes to layouts and products to stay compliant, but now the focus is shifting. The NHS’ 10-year obesity plan puts pressure on supermarkets to promote healthier food or face fines.
M&S and Asda have raised concerns about added costs and red tape. But if the plan goes ahead, expect more changes to layouts, promotions and loyalty schemes to steer shoppers towards healthier choices.
If your brand has strong health credentials, this could be your moment. Category teams can lead the way by rethinking space, pricing and product mix.
2. Asda doubles down on price cuts đź›’
Asda kicked off the year by vowing to be the UK’s cheapest supermarket. They’ve now set a target to be 5 to 10% cheaper.
They have relaunched Rollback with long-term price cuts and a clearer EDLP offer. It’s a bold move to win back shoppers on a budget.
3. Morrisons sharpens price perception 🔍
Morrisons wants to look cheaper to shoppers. Their focus is on simpler promotions, single price point offers, and big value family packs.
What’s stayed the same:
Sustainability is still a priority 🌱
Tesco plans to halve food waste by 2030. Sainsbury’s is targeting Net Zero by the same year. Retailers haven’t taken their eye off the green goals.
Shopper marketing is still big business 🤑
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda are using more branded bays and in-store screens. It’s a smart way to engage shoppers and bring in media spend.
Convenience and online still matter 🖱️
Tesco, Co-op and Waitrose are growing their convenience store networks. Online gets plenty of love too, with Tesco, Ocado and Sainsbury’s boosting eComm and faster delivery. Rapid delivery partnerships are also on the rise.
So what does this mean for you?
Retailer priorities are shifting. If your plans haven’t moved with them, you could be missing a trick. From pricing and promos to health targets and space, there are fresh ways to add value and stay relevant.
✅ Check out the recently updated Retailer Insight Report for the latest on what each retailer cares about right now. You’ll get a one-pager on each of the key grocers, perfect for prepping your next meeting.
✏️ Then read our guide on tailoring your pitch to turn those insights into action.
Need a hand ahead of your next buyer meeting? Or just want to chat something through?
July 2025