Weekly Digest #14
03.11.2025
Welcome to The Fork’s Lens
Every week, we serve up a quick, flavourful dose of what’s cooking at the intersection of food, drink, and entrepreneurship.
Expect:
🍴 Sharp founder insights
📊 Bite-sized industry trends
🛠 Tools & tips to level up
🔥 Events & openings worth your time
For those of you building food brands, launching products, or just hungry for what’s next – this one’s for you.
Bangkok, Berries & Boost
📨 Weekly #14: Bangkok, Berries & Boost
🍴 What’s Up?
The UK grocery world is finally catching its breath; food-price inflation is easing, baskets are stabilising, and retailers are getting creative instead of desperate – think: clever promos, zero-waste hacks, and local-brand glow-ups. Meanwhile, restaurants are turning up the charm (and the candles).
🔥 UK Roundup
Shop prices dip for the first time since spring
The British Retail Consortium reported a monthly fall in shop prices in October — the first decline since March — driven largely by a drop in food prices. This moderation gives retailers a bit of breathing room as they enter the heavy promotional season.
Source: BRC / ReutersAldi launches ‘colleague shops’ to tackle food waste
Aldi has opened staff-only outlet shops across its 11 UK regional distribution centres, allowing colleagues to buy perfectly edible food that can’t be sold in stores (short-dated or packaging-damaged). The initiative aims to reduce waste while supporting staff on tight budgets.
Source: The Grocer / Company releasePrinces Group IPO lands at the bottom of the price range
Princes Group made its long-awaited London debut this week, pricing shares at the bottom of the expected range. Despite muted sentiment, the food and drink manufacturer raised around £600 million, marking one of the largest UK food IPOs of the year.
Financial TimesOatly reports its first profitable quarter
Plant-based pioneer Oatly announced its first-ever quarterly profit, buoyed by cost-cutting, improved supply efficiency, and steady growth across Europe. The milestone comes as the alt-dairy category stabilizes after several challenging years.
Company release / BloombergTesco Whoosh expands to full-basket shopping
Tesco’s rapid delivery service, Whoosh, has rolled out a “full-basket” option, allowing customers to shop their complete weekly grocery lists without size and weight limitations made possible with the larger delivery vehicles of delivery partner Stuart. The move strengthens Tesco’s position in the fast-delivery segment dominated by Gopuff and Deliveroo Hop.
Source: The Grocer
🌍 Global News Worth Noting
Fruitist raises $150M, joins the blueberry billionaires club 🫐
Fruitist secured $150 million in equity funding at a valuation above $1 billion, led by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Aliment Capital, Ray Dalio, and Steve Kaplan. The global jumbo-blueberry producer now spans 40 countries and 12,000 retail doors, generating roughly $400 million in annual sales. The capital will accelerate product innovation and global distribution.
CNBCVita Coco stays strong, defies beverage slowdown 🥥
Coconut-water leader Vita Coco (NASDAQ: COCO) reported 37 % YoY growth in Q3 net sales to $182 million, maintaining 38 % gross margin and outperforming EBITDA expectations. The company forecasts FY net sales of $580–595 million, driven by sustained demand for functional hydration.
Company filing / Vita Coco
🍔 What’s On Our Eat List
Speedboat Bar – Thai-Chinese comfort food with Bangkok-nightlife energy.
📍 Notting Hill / Soho
🔗 Book via SevenRoomsHenri by Jackson Boxer – European / Parisian-inspired bistro with creative flair.
📍 Covent Garden (Henrietta Street)
🔗 Book a Table at HenriLegado – Contemporary Spanish plates and natural wines in a sleek Shoreditch setting.
📍 Shoreditch
🔗 Make a Reservation at LegadoAce Pizza – Detroit-style deep-dish pies and craft beer in a relaxed East London hangout.
📍 Victoria Park
🔗 Book or Click & Collect
💭 The Fork & The Flame
“Trends fade, flavour sticks.”
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About Forks & Founders
We believe bold food brands deserve bold support. That’s why we’ve built a collective of seasoned foodies, retail rebels, creative storytellers, and numbers nerds – people who’ve been in the kitchen, the boardroom, and the shop floor. We jump in where you need us most, helping you turn big ideas into bites people can’t stop talking about. Because building a food brand isn’t just business – it’s passion, flavour, and a little bit of chaos. We’re here to make sure it’s the good kind.
