EU Court bars alcohol-free products from using the word ‘gin’

The EU’s Court of Justice has ruled that non-alcoholic drinks cannot be described or labelled as “gin”, confirming that the term is reserved exclusively for spirit drinks made from ethyl alcohol, flavoured with juniper, and containing at least 37.5% ABV.

The case centred on a German challenge to a product marketed as Virgin Gin Alkoholfrei. The manufacturer argued the name clearly signalled its alcohol-free status, but judges ruled that adding “non-alcoholic” does not make the use of “gin” permissible under EU law. The product can remain on sale, but only under a new name.

This follows the EU’s decision last month to prohibit the use of key “meaty” terms for describing plant-based versions of certain foods.

Shopping apps have evolved from just providing info to influencing purchases

Grocery-retail apps have shifted from being convenient add-ons to becoming core tools that shape modern shopping behaviour. Recent insights from NielsenIQ (NIQ) show that apps are increasingly central to how consumers plan, save, and purchase — a trend accelerated by ongoing economic uncertainty and rising living costs. In this environment, shoppers value transparency and control, and digital tools help them manage budgets more effectively.

Adoption continues to rise across Europe. NIQ’s Consumer Panel reports that around two-thirds of German households now use at least one retailer app, with coupon activation remaining the most popular function. These digital incentives are not merely promotional extras: they influence store choice, encourage larger basket sizes, and increase purchase frequency. Heavy app users generate significantly more “big trolley” shops than non-users.

However, competition for screen space is fierce. Consumers typically use multiple retailer apps, which means user experience and relevance are key differentiators. Fast loading times, intuitive navigation and reliable coupon redemption at checkout are consistently ranked as essential. Retailers with strong digital ecosystems — integrating loyalty, personalised offers and seamless in-store execution — tend to convert casual users into repeat shoppers.

Despite the surge in digital engagement, traditional printed brochures still play an important role, especially among older demographics. Younger shoppers, by contrast, increasingly prefer app-based flyers and digital circulars. This divergence makes age-specific communication strategies crucial.

With inflation expected to ease and FMCG price growth moderating, volume will become a primary growth driver. Well-designed apps, supported by relevant offers and frictionless redemption, will help retailers stimulate more frequent and larger shops.

French retailers and suppliers unite on Open Climat initiative

Nine leading French retailers – including E.Leclerc, Carrefour, Auchan, Les Mousquetaires, U, Casino, Lidl, and Metro– have formally joined the Open Climat platform, a shared system designed to collect and standardise suppliers’ product-level carbon data. The initiative, backed by the French Federation of Commerce and Distribution (FCD) and Perifem, received approval from the French Competition Authority at the end of October, clearing the way for a national roll-out.

For retailers and manufacturers alike, the focus is Scope 3 emissions, which account for more than 96% of the consumer sector’s climate impact. By pooling data through an independent third party, Open Climat aims to accelerate decarbonisation and ensure consistent, scientifically validated reporting across the industry. A formal Stakeholder Committee – bringing together key manufacturing federations such as ANIA, FEEF, Ilec and others – has been created to guarantee transparency, safeguard competitive neutrality and oversee platform governance.

Major manufacturers have already engaged, but the real challenge lies with SMEs, which often lack the resources to track carbon impacts in detail. Retailers argue that a shared platform reduces this burden and will ultimately support more sustainable sourcing decisions. Open Climat currently includes around 150 suppliers, with an ambition to reach 6,000.

There are platforms and initiatives in other European countries that resemble the idea behind Open Climat. For example, the BRC Mondra Coalition, which brings together leading UK retailers — including Tesco, Asda, M&S, Ocado Retail, and others — and manufacturers to adopt a unified standard for product-level carbon foot printing and to address Scope 3 emissions at scale. Mondra offers an automated life-cycle assessment (LCA) system that can footprint thousands of products fairly quickly.

Private label sales and shares surge across Europe

The private label share across 17 countries in Europe is growing according to data from NielsenIQ. The value share grew to 384bn€, or 38.7% of the market based on MAT W40 2025 (+0.28%pnt versus MAT W40 2024). NielsenIQ surveyed 17 markets for PLMA’s 2025 International Private Label Market update and noticed an increase for retail brands in 12 out of the 17 countries. 

European markets remain some of the biggest private label markets globally, 12 markets have a private label share position above 30%, and 8 markets are above 40% of Private Label share.

The highest growth countries in private label share are Spain (+1.1%pnt), Austria (+0.7%pnt), The Netherlands (+0.5%pnt), and Poland (+0.5%pnt). The country with the highest share across the 17 countries tracked is Switzerland. The share of Switzerland is 52.3%, which makes it the only country with a share higher than 50%.

Europe’s largest markets, Germany, United Kingdom and France, have a collective Private Label share of 40.3%, this share grew +0.2%pnt vs last year.

Spain and Portugal Private Label gained share with +1.0%pnt, the highest share growth is visible in Confectionary & Snacks which grew 1.7%pnt. In Spain and Portugal Pet Food (-1.0%pnt) is declining in share.

In Belgium and The Netherlands, the private label share increased by +0.2%pnt. The highest growing category was Health Care by 1.6%pnt. However, 6 categories continue to decline with Pet Food (-2.4%pnt), Home Care (-1.3%pnt) and Frozen Food (-0.8%pnt) taking the lead. 

In Eastern Europe the private label share is growing (+0.5%pnt), the highest growth in private label share is visible in Ambient Food, Perishable Food and Home Care.

For the Scandinavian countries there is a small increase in the Private label share (+0.03%pnt). The highest decline in private label share is seen in Pet Food (-1.3%pnt), Frozen Food (-0.4%pnt), and Home Care (-0.2%pnt). Regardless, growth is still seen in 5/11 categories with Health Care (+0.3%pnt) taking the lead.

According to NielsenIQ data, Confectionery & Snacks, Health Care and Paper Products are the top 3 categories of Private Label value share with an average of 34.5%, representing in total 136 billion euro across the 17 European countries tracked. Overall, the private label sales grew with 13.8 billion euros across the 17 European countries tracked.

Auchan to place supermarkets under Intermarché and Netto banners

French retailer Auchan has confirmed plans to place almost all its 300 supermarkets in France under the Intermarché and Netto banners, making Intermarché its largest franchise partner. This means Auchan will keep ownership of the stores and staff, but the shops will operate day-to-day as Intermarché or Netto supermarkets, following their commercial strategy, pricing, sourcing and store concepts. Effectively, these Auchan outlets will “become” Intermarché or Netto stores while still belonging to Auchan.

Subject to competition-authority approval, the transition is expected by late 2026. Auchan will create a separate legal entity to run the franchised stores, while Intermarché will take responsibility for product supply, merchandising standards and inventory management. According to Guillaume Darrasse, CEO of Auchan Retail, the move allows the supermarkets to “immediately benefit” from Intermarché’s strong price positioning—critical in France’s increasingly aggressive value-driven market.

For Intermarché owner group Les Mousquetaires, the move is striking because as a operating as a group of independent members, it does not practise franchising. But the agreement further expands its rapidly growing national footprint, following major acquisitions of Casino and Colruyt stores over the past two years. Intermarché president Thierry Cotillard described the arrangement as a “win-win”: Auchan gains a more competitive operating model for its mid-format stores, while Intermarché secures broader coverage in attractive catchments.

The restructuring is also part of a wider strategic partnership between the two groups, including a long-term purchasing alliance, Aura Retail, launched in 2024.

EU Parliament to ban plant-based items from using familiar meat names

The European Parliament has voted by a large majority to define “meat” as the edible parts of animals, a move that could see familiar terms such as “burger”, “sausage”, “steak” and “escalope” reserved exclusively for animal-derived products. The proposal forms part of a wider review of EU food labelling and agricultural marketing regulations and would, if implemented, prevent plant-based or cell-cultured alternatives from using words traditionally associated with meat.

The amendment, introduced by French MEP Céline Imart, follows ongoing debate about how plant-based foods should be presented to consumers. Supporters of the measure argue that restricting meat-related terms will protect clarity for consumers and fairness for livestock farmers, ensuring that products labelled as meat are unambiguously animal-based. They say the proposal is not directed against plant-based or vegetarian foods but is instead about ensuring transparent labelling and consistent use of established food terms across the European market.

Critics, however, question whether the restriction is necessary, suggesting that consumers are already able to distinguish between plant-based and meat products. Representatives of the plant-based sector argue that banning familiar descriptors could confuse rather than inform shoppers, since terms such as “veggie burger” or “vegan sausage” have become widely understood. Industry associations have also warned that the change could hinder growth in the rapidly expanding plant-based category, adding compliance and rebranding costs at a time when manufacturers and retailers are investing heavily in sustainability and innovation.

The vote marks an important step in the legislative process, but it is not yet the final word. The proposal will now return to a parliamentary committee for clarification before being examined by the European Commission and the Council. Further negotiation with Member States will follow before any law is formally adopted. For now, existing labelling practices remain permitted.

If approved, the regulation would harmonise labelling standards across the EU. While such harmonisation is often welcomed by manufacturers as it can reduce regulatory variation between countries, in this instance it could also mean less flexibility in marketing language and brand communication. Some commentators have noted that the EU approach contrasts with markets such as the UK, where plant-based products have continued to use meat-related terms without major regulatory challenge.

For retailers and manufacturers, the issue is more than semantic. The outcome could affect packaging design, marketing strategy, product positioning, and even cross-border trade. With the plant-based category continuing to expand and consumer interest in sustainable diets still strong, many companies will be watching closely to see how the final legislation takes shape.

One view of retail's future: From transactional to experiential

Retail is entering a new era defined by emotional relevance, data intelligence, and reimagined consumption experiences. According to futurologist Theresa Schleicher in her “Future Guide Retail,” the next phase of transformation for manufacturers and retailers will extend well beyond pricing and efficiency. It will revolve around meaning, community, and well-being—where technology, lifestyle, and health merge into everyday life.

Asian platforms such as Temu and Alibaba, both also selling food in Europe, are setting new standards for speed, variety, and interactivity, transforming from simple e-commerce portals into experimental ecosystems that combine logistics, entertainment, and product development. Schleicher sees them not merely as competitors, but as future laboratories redefining the relationship between brands, consumers, and retail itself. Their promise is not “everything cheaper,” but “everything closer”—closer to desires, culture, and lived experience.

For European grocery players, this shift means developing proximity-driven models that blend personalization, sustainability, and emotional engagement. Hyper-personalized loyalty programmes and gamified experiences are emerging as viable alternatives to traditional discounting. Schleicher envisions “surprise stores” and hybrid retail spaces that inspire through themed events, community cooking, influencer collaborations, and creative product worlds—turning consumption into a continuous journey of discovery.

Health and wellness are at the core of this redefinition. The category is evolving from niche to lifestyle, transforming stores into sensory, aesthetic spaces where nutrition, beauty, and well-being intersect. Functional foods, adaptogenic drinks, and smart snacks represent the next wave of FMCG innovation—products designed not only for sustenance but for mood, performance, and pleasure.

As Schleicher notes, the successful retailers of tomorrow will not just sell goods, but design experiences rooted in values, sustainability, and connection. In this landscape, the fusion of purpose, technology, and everyday emotion will determine who thrives in the marketplace of 2026 and beyond.

E.Leclerc moves into c-retail with bold expansion plan

French retail giant E.Leclerc is set to accelerate its expansion into the convenience store sector, marking a major shift from its traditional hypermarket model. Long associated with vast suburban outlets, the cooperative retailer is preparing to challenge Carrefour and Casino on their strongholds: France’s urban centres. The move underscores changing consumer habits, as shoppers increasingly favour local, quick-trip formats over large weekly shops.

According to press reports, E.Leclerc plans to open around 50 new convenience outlets by 2026, expanding its current network of roughly 100 stores. In total, 53 projects are already in the pipeline—15 under the E.Leclerc Express banner (each over 700 m²) and 25 smaller sites under that threshold.

For FMCG suppliers and retail partners, this strategic shift represents both opportunity and challenge. E.Leclerc’s smaller formats will demand agile logistics, tighter assortments and pricing models that preserve its strong value credentials. As the retailer explores “white zones” not yet covered by its network, it positions itself not only to capture new urban customers but also to strengthen loyalty across multiple channels—from hypermarkets to home delivery and convenience stores alike.

Home alone a growing market

Across Europe, the surge in demand for single-portion food and meals continues to reshape the FMCG and retail landscape. Just about 40 percent of European households are now single adults without children, making it, by far, the biggest type as well as the fastest growing type of household. In addition to these demographic changes, consumers are increasingly becoming time-poor, and shoppers are prioritising convenience, freshness, portion control and reduced food waste. These lifestyle shifts have created fertile ground for innovation in single-serve meals and packaging formats.

Historically many product launches have targeted families with children, since households of multiple people often demand larger pack sizes and more sharing. Retailers and manufacturers have long focused on these families as a core segment — product development, packaging and communications are tailored to the “parent budgeting, family dinner” frame. 

What is less discussed and targeted is the growing and future-facing segment of single-person households. These consumers have less storage space, and value convenience, speed and tailored portion sizes; they are less likely to buy large sharing packs or prepare elaborate meals. For manufacturers this means revisiting portion size innovation, tray formats, microwavable single-serve convenience and flexible packaging. For retailers it means adjusting assortment to include more individual-meal formats, ensuring shelf visibility for “just for me” solutions, aligning promotional strategies and own label ranges accordingly.

In observing this shift, meals and packs for those living solo is evolving from a convenience add-on to a mainstream growth engine for the European food industry — and targeting the one-person and small-household segment offers a clear and not yet fully-leveraged opportunity.

Lidl launches its first Europe-wide brand campaign; redefines 'value'

Lidl has unveiled its first continent-wide brand campaign, “Lidl. More to Value”, across all 31 European markets. The initiative redefines what “value” means for the discount retailer. Rather than focusing solely on low prices, Lidl highlights the broader values that resonate with modern consumers—quality, freshness, sustainability, and fairness. The campaign underscores Lidl’s commitment to responsible sourcing, employee growth, and supporting communities, while continuing to deliver affordability.

By unifying its message across Europe, Lidl aims to strengthen its emotional connection with customers and align its image with evolving consumer expectations. The retailer positions itself not just as a place to save money, but as a brand that shares its shoppers’ principles and everyday experiences. This marks a strategic shift for Lidl as it seeks to balance its reputation as a price leader with a growing emphasis on authenticity, purpose, and long-term customer trust.