This newly created role reflects Allwyn’s renewed focus on accelerating performance in its retail channel by ensuring growth, innovation, and execution remain tightly connected. All this while championing the vital role retailers play at the heart of communities across the UK’s high streets.

Bridget will take over from Jenny Blogg, Operations Director, who will leave the business in early spring to pursue an external opportunity.

Bringing over 25 years’ experience as a consumer-focused leader, Bridget is renowned for redefining customer experiences and pushing the boundaries of retail innovation. Her impressive career spans senior executive and board-level roles across Food, Clothing, Home, Telecoms, Technology, and Social Media, including positions at Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, O2, BT Group, and most recently Snap.

With a passion for consumer engagement and a proven track record of driving digital transformation and omnichannel strategies, Bridget will spearhead initiatives to create relevant growth opportunities and strengthen partnerships with National Lottery retailers across the UK. These efforts will be central to the ongoing transformation of The National Lottery, which will gather momentum in 2026, enabling Allwyn to offer more engaging ways to play and raise even more money for Good Causes.

Reporting into Bridget in new roles will be Alison Acquaye-Acford (Retail Revenue & Customer Director), James Dunbar (Retail Strategy & Operations Director) and Emma Hubbard (Head of Retail Delivery).

Andria Vidler, CEO of Allwyn UK said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Bridget to Allwyn. Her extensive experience in retail innovation and digital transformation will be instrumental as we continue to transform this wonderful British institution and deliver even more for National Lottery Good Causes.

“Bridget’s leadership will help us provide an exceptional service to our 43,500 retail partners and millions of National Lottery players across the UK.

“We’d like to wish Jenny every success in her future endeavours and thank her for her significant contribution to Allwyn and The National Lottery during her time with us.”

Bridget Lea added: “I’m excited to join Allwyn at such a pivotal time for The National Lottery. Retailers play a vital role in communities nationwide, and I look forward to working with our partners to create modern, engaging experiences that delight players and support the ongoing transformation of The National Lottery.”

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While people visited stores less often than in 2024, they bought more each time, adding an extra £71 million to the market. Meanwhile, sales reached a record £4.44 billion in December as shoppers treated themselves over the festive period.

New data from Worldpanel by Numerator also shows that grocery inflation now stands at 6.2%, up from 4.82% last month.

Shoppers celebrated in style this Christmas, with Monday 22^nd December proving the busiest day in stores as households stocked up for the big day. In the run-up to Christmas, an extra £30.4 million was spent on alcohol, pastries, chocolate, savoury snacks and soft drinks.

Business Development Director at Worldpanel by Numerator, Emer Healy said promotions played a bigger role than ever.

“Shoppers in Northern Ireland saw a boost in typical Christmas fare and a combined £6.7 million was spent on Champagne, turkey, Brussels sprouts and parsnips as many tucked into a traditional Christmas dinner,” said Emer.

“Branded goods continued to perform well, with spending up £72.3 million, a 3% year-on-year increase, lifting their value share to 55% as shoppers turned to brands they know and trust. Own-label ranges also grew, up 0.9%, with an extra £16 million spent, taking their share to 42.7% of the market by value.

“Promotions played a bigger role than ever, with discounted items now accounting for 25.6% of value sales, a new record in Northern Ireland. In total, shoppers spent over £1.1 billion on promotions.”

Meanwhile, Tesco remains Northern Ireland’s largest grocer, growing its market share to 38.4%, its highest level on record, up 8.5% on last year. This growth came from both new shoppers and bigger baskets, adding £104 million to its performance.

Sainsbury’s follows with a 17.1% share, up 4.5% year-on-year, boosted by new shopper recruitment worth £26.2 million.

Asda holds a 14.9% value share this period, while Lidl increased its share to 9.5%, up 6.2%. Lidl welcomed new shoppers and saw existing customers buying more per trip, contributing an uplift of £15.6 million.

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According to new data, footfall in Belfast decreased by 2.8% (year-on-year), down from +1.1% in November, while shopping centre footfall also decreased, by 1.9% last month, down from +4.1% in November.

The latest statistics from Northern Ireland Retail Consortium and Sensormatic’s footfall monitor, shows that footfall across the region decreased by 1.7% in December, down from +2.7% the previous month, with the overall total NI footfall for 2025 down 0.5% compared to 2024.

Director of NIRC, Neil Johnston said the numbers of shoppers who were out and about prior to Christmas were disappointing.

“Trading continues to be tough. Consumers may be holding back given the economic uncertainty and hopefully they will be out in force in the sales throughout January,” he said.

“Across the UK as a whole, footfall was down by 2.9% this December compared to last. In Northern Ireland, the figure was less downbeat and down by 1.7% in December – having edged up 2.7% in November.

“The general decline in shopper footfall witnessed over the past year continues despite the best efforts of retailers and it is essential that those in power in Stormont and in our local councils consider what they can do to help retailers inject more vibrancy into our high street and other retail hubs.”

Meanwhile, Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions noted December marked the ninth negative month in the last year for Northern Ireland.

“Shopper traffic was down -1.7% year-on-year, bringing the golden quarter to a modest -0.5%, although this was better than the wide UK at -2.2%,” he said.

“Retail hasn’t necessarily got harder; it’s just become less forgiving – from shifting consumer demand to rising cost-bases across labour and business rate reform. This means retailers must break the cycle where cost-cutting impedes investment in the capabilities and services needed for sustainable growth.

“Yet, despite the challenges, there are still pockets of demand to be tapped. Shopper traffic rallied outside traditional peak days, showing festive buying patterns are changing – and those who adapt quickly will be best placed to capture these new opportunities.”

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Interim Chief Economic Adviser, Jenny Haydock stated on 8^th January that the CMA had accepted the fast-track reference request made by ABF, Hovis Group Limited and Endless LLP, having concluded that the conditions to accept a fast-track reference request had been met.

As a result, the CMA made a reference to its chair for the constitution of a group under Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 in order that the group may investigate and report, within a period ending on 24^th June 2026, on the following questions: whether arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation; and if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services.

In a previous update made before Christmas, the CMA revealed that its deadline for announcing its decision whether to refer the merger for a phase 2 investigation was 19^th February 2026.

Responding to the CMA’s December announcement, a spokesperson for ABF said they would continue to work closely with the CMA to ensure the case is run as efficiently as possible and to “demonstrate why this transaction will help to create a more sustainable competitor that is better able to invest, innovate and deliver for customers”.

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In an update just before Christmas, the CMA revealed that its deadline for announcing its decision whether to refer the merger for a phase 2 investigation is 19^th February 2026.

“The Competition and Market Authority hereby gives notice pursuant to section 96(2A) of the Enterprise Act 2002 that the merger notice provided by Associated British Foods plc, Hovis Group Limited and Endless LLP in relation to the anticipated acquisition by ABF (via its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, ABF Grain Products Limited) of Hovis, meets the requirements of section 96(2) of the Act,” stated the announcement.

The initial period defined in section 34ZA(3) of the Act in relation to the Transaction commenced on 22^nd December 2025.

The first step of the CMA’s information-gathering process – an invitation to comment time period – concluded in early October, with the next stage including the launch of its formal investigation into the transaction.

It was announced last summer that Hovis Group would be bought over by ABF, with the proposed acquisition hailed as a “significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient bakery operation in the UK”.

In a statement, ABF said the acquisition would combine the production and distribution activities of the two businesses, driving significant costs synergies and efficiencies, to create a profitable UK bread business that is sustainable over the long-term.

Responding to the CMA’s December announcement, a spokesperson for ABF said: “This formal step is an important milestone and follows ABF working constructively with the CMA to outline the challenges and changes taking place in the UK’s bakery sector.

“ABF will continue to work closely with the CMA to ensure this case is run as efficiently as possible and to demonstrate why this transaction will help to create a more sustainable competitor that is better able to invest, innovate and deliver for customers.”

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