‘Inflation is not just the scourge of Britain’ investor and entrepreneur John Stapleton unpicks the Autumn Statement

This article is by John Stapleton – an entrepreneur and investor

The Autumn Statement is being billed as Austerity Mark II – which it sort of is – but not for a while yet. Jeremy Hunt hopes his plan will stabilise the economy and above all, will be an effective weapon to curb inflation. He’s right to prioritise this ambition – the trouble is, at what cost?

Inflation is not just the scourge of Britain. Food inflation is a particularly good barometer as it is mercilessly transparent and immediate. Margins in the food industry are already quite slim and the supply base has little room to manoeuvre, resulting in prices being passed on more readily and rapidly (to retailers and to consumers) than in many other sectors.

Hardly a week goes by without staggering inflation figures emerging across a range of countries. In Germany, inflation has reached its highest level in thirty years. Food prices have risen 18.7% year on year. The US saw its consumer price index for food jump 11.2% in September, compared to a year ago. In Ireland, inflation rates hit record highs – up 12.4% with many staples increasing by 28%, year on year. This is eye-watering stuff.

Has Mondelez boosted health snacks portfolio with grenade?

John Stapleton, a food business entrepreneur who built up and sold UK brands New Covent Garden Soup Co. and Little Dish, says: “The deal makes all the sense in the world. Grenade is in the sports nutrition category for sure, but it’s actually not that healthy compared to other, admittedly smaller, brands, which are reasonably healthy. Therefore, I think Grenade can join the Cadbury/Mondelez stable without appearing that much out of place. The target audience is different – younger and more edgy – so that will work well.”

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Covid-19 and Brexit are the backdrop for what looks set to be a challenging year for this operating in the UK. Andy Coyne reports.

Coronavirus and SMEs: a survival plan

Food business entrepreneur John Stapleton, who built up and sold brands New Covent Garden Soup Co. and Little Dish, believes there are a number of steps SMEs can take to help them survive coronavirus.

The Guardian’s Confessions of a Small Business

John Stapleton, co-founder of New Covent Garden Soup Co and Little Dish, was the keynote speaker at the Confessions of a Small Business event.

In 1984, John Stapleton was 19 and, in his own words, a “nifty triple jumper”, training with the Irish national team and hoping to represent his country in the Los Angeles Olympics. But injury struck and Stapleton never made it. 
His coach told him that he had two options – waste time feeling sorry for himself, or start training for the next season. 

Stapleton, who was speaking at the Guardian’s Confessions of a Small Business seminar, went on to found the New Covent Garden soup company, which pioneered the idea of fresh, chilled ready-made soups, and Little Dish, which offers healthy ready meals for children.

HeForShe Campaign – We Are The City

John Stapleton is the ‘Authentic Entrepreneur’ with 30 years’ experience in pioneering new FMCG categories and establishing and growing successful consumer-led businesses in both the UK and the USA.

Reasons Angel Investors say No – NatWest Content Live

Standing in front of an angel investor can be daunting, and things will quickly fall apart if they don’t believe in you. Three UK angels tell us what makes them say “I’m out”.

John Stapleton, serial entrepreneur and angel who co-founded the New Covent Garden Soup Co: