Seasonal Flavours: The Key to Butchery Success

Understanding the Changing Butchery Landscape

At IFI, we recognise that the butchery landscape is evolving, along with the expectations of today’s consumers. The way people shop, cook and dine at home has changed dramatically in recent years. Research shows that over 80% of meals are now prepared and enjoyed at home, as shoppers seek restaurant-quality experiences without leaving their kitchens. To help butchers meet this demand, IFI focuses on seasonal flavours, inspiring customers with trend-led products that bring freshness and excitement to the counter year-round.

Within in-home cooking, we see shoppers becoming more adventurous, a trend that is expected to influence ready meals as well. Going forward, consumers will seek variety, exploring world cuisines and new flavours in their meal choices.

AHDB, Ready Meals Remain a Staple as Consumers Crave Convenience, 30 May 2025

Why IFI Focuses on Seasonal Flavours

At IFI, we’ve taken a strategic approach centred on seasonal flavours to help butchers stay relevant, inspire customers and drive repeat visits throughout the year.

Backed by Data and Market Insight

This approach is grounded in in-depth market research and industry data, revealing that consumers are becoming more adventurous in their cooking. According to AHDB insights (May 2025), home cooks are increasingly exploring world cuisines and new flavour profiles – a trend that extends to how they shop at the butcher’s counter.

By offering seasonal products that blend familiarity with creativity, butchers can meet evolving tastes while maintaining the trust and reassurance customers expect.

What Butchers Gain from Seasonal Flavours

Our research and partnerships with butchers nationwide show that a seasonal flavour strategy offers tangible benefits:

• Increased Counter Appeal – Fresh, limited-edition flavours bring excitement to the counter, encouraging repeat visits and higher basket spend.
• Ease and Versatility – Our seasonal sauces and marinades make it simple for butchers to transform core cuts into flavour-driven dishes that resonate with customer trends.
• Customer Engagement – Seasonal ranges provide a reason for customers to return, plan ahead, and explore something new – while still trusting the quality and expertise of their local butcher.
• Sales Growth – By aligning product innovation with seasonal demand, butchers can create compelling reasons for purchase that go beyond the everyday shop.

Autumn Winter 25/26: Key Seasonal Recipes and Products

Each season, IFI develops new on-trend flavours designed to inspire creativity and elevate everyday cuts. This winter, our team has introduced several must-have seasonal flavours.

Each recipe has been tested in IFI’s demonstration kitchen to ensure ease of preparation, visual appeal, and customer impact, allowing butchers to deliver both novelty and comfort in one bite.

Driving Innovation at the Counter

Seasonal offerings give butchers the tools to refresh their counters, engage new customers, and create excitement throughout the year. These innovations encourage repeat custom, increase basket value, and keep counters visually dynamic and trend-led.

At IFI, we collaborate closely with butchers across the UK to bring data-driven insight and creativity into every product launch. Seasonal flavours aren’t just about trends, they’re a proven strategy for deepening customer loyalty and ensuring the butcher’s counter remains a vital part of the modern home-cooking experience.

Partner with IFI

At IFI, our mission is simple – to help butchers thrive in an increasingly flavour-driven market. By integrating seasonal flavours into your offering, you can stay ahead of consumer trends, increase sales and enhance your reputation as a destination for both quality and inspiration.