As the financial crisis continues to bite, cash-strapped British consumers are turning to discount supermarkets such as German giant Aldi to cut the surge in the cost of living, industry analysts say. Britons, widely-known for their devoted predilection for big-selling supermarkets such as Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, have begun looking elsewhere due to the rising increase in food costs. And with the festive season just around the corner, discounters are moving upscale, introducing organic, value-added... ...Read more »

Chocolate is seen as a comfort food. During troubled times, consumers often turn to chocolate for comfort, but European shoppers are likely to carefully consider what they are buying this year, according to Rabobank Confectionery Analyst Maria Castroviejo. According to a recent UK survey, the best performing chocolate category in the first half of 2008 was chocolate tablets and the worst hit were boxed chocolates, indicating a trading down within the segment. “When chocolate is purchased for... ...Read more »