SPOTLIGHT
joy
Sharing the
Philip Durham is UK Business Unit Director at Atlante, a leading Italian food distributor. He talks about its enduring quality and how 2026 offers many reasons for optimism. What trends are impacting consumers, retailers and manufacturers? These tend to fall into two categories: short-lived spikes and enduring, meaningful change. Fashionable spikes, like Dubai chocolate or bubble tea, are fun but fleeting. More important are the lasting shifts they reveal in how people shop, cook and eat. Five main forces are shaping the market today: 1. Value for money remains central. Consumers will pay more only when quality, provenance and innovation justify it. 2. Convenience drives choice. From quick family recipes to on-the-go commuter favourites, ease and quality rule. Retailers expect ready-to-use, low-waste formats that simplify life without sacrificing flavour. 3. Premiumisation continues. As shoppers crave small luxuries, retailers offering restaurant-quality foods at a
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fraction of eating-out costs will win. 4. East–West fusion is expanding as Middle Eastern and Asian flavours inspire creative blends such as harissa arrabbiata and shawarma lasagne. 5. The GLP-1 effect will shape product demand as appetite-suppressant drugs gain popularity. Today’s trends are lasting and reflect how people want to live: practical, health-conscious and joyful in terms of what they eat. Italian food in the UK seems to be on a real high. Would you agree? Absolutely. It has never been more loved or relevant here because it aligns perfectly with what people want to eat: simple, natural and straightforward food. A 500g bag of pasta costs around 70p, feeds a family of four, and is rich in protein and carbohydrates. The same goes for the humble tinned tomato, which is pure, versatile and nutritious. It is no surprise that the UK retail pasta market has grown from 190 to 204 million tonnes in the past three years. Alongside nutrition, Italian food also masters convenience. With just pasta, tomatoes, olive oil and cheese, you can make something indulgent in minutes. Italian food endures because it evolves, meeting every major consumer driver: value, convenience, quality and creativity. It is full of possibility and will always have a place at the British table.
Let’s talk business partnerships – and who you would like to work with next. We often describe Atlante as a multiplug adaptor connecting every element, so that power flows seamlessly across the system. Producers, retailers, logistics experts and creative partners bring their own strengths, and our role is to ensure it all fits and works smoothly. Producers are our first connection. Many are long-standing Italian family businesses that have perfected their products over generations. We help them navigate the UK retail system while preserving their identity. Customers form the next connection. Sainsbury’s remains our longest partnership and has been central to building one of the strongest Italian ranges in retail. We are expanding into foodservice and wholesale, prioritising quality, reliability and innovation. Partners complete the circuit. Logistics providers, agencies and specialists in packaging, compliance and insight turn plans into results, acting as an extension of the Atlante team. Looking ahead, we aim to add more connections: new retailers, channels, and young, disruptive food brands. www.pizzapastamagazine.co.uk 17/12/2025 15:57