"Pandemic-related uptick in trading results has been felt across all brands and sectors; however, independent retail operators have gained traction in the market in a year where consumers have stayed at home and increased their local grocery consumption"

"In a market where online grocery provision is less mature than in other European countries, it is the domestic operators with the confidence to grow, whilst the international brands take stock and rationalise"

"With a significant pandemic-related improvement in trading results across all major foodstore operators, there has perhaps surprisingly been little acquisition activity from the top 10 retailer operators"

"Changes in consumer habits and the advancement of new technologies have led to one of the greatest transformations in the food sector"

"Pure players are rising their markets share as they compete on price and convenience. New technologies are leading to the emergence of new concepts and players"

"Today’s customers expect more from physical stores. One important opportunity arising from this moment is for retailers to rethink their approach to the customer experience in-store"

"Rising volume of online orders is forcing foodstore operators to rethink their property strategies and to rebalance their retail and warehousing space accordingly"

"The resilience of the groceries sector and the stability of income is attracting rising investor interest"