Retail news from Fresh Produce Journal
Important developments in the UK’s food retail arena, with a focus on fresh produce procurement, distribution, marketing, merchandising, and new product development.
Lidl GB revenue rises as shopper numbers grow
Discounter reports highest increase in shopper visits across the sector and strong growth in fresh produce
New retail venture for S Thorogood
Wholesale business aims to provide full service to retail and foodservice outlets
Aldi launches donation drive as food banks face ‘tough Christmas’
Discounter says around 80 per cent of food banks are reporting an increase in demand as Christmas approaches
Lidl’s five-year investment in British farming hits £21bn
Discounter says it has exceeded its original target by £6bn
Aldi to open 11 new stores before Christmas
Expansion will see the discounter open new stores in West Sussex, Hampshire and Greater London, among other locations
Del Monte launches range of dried fruit snacks
New apple crisps and sticks will be rolled out at self-checkouts in Tesco and Morrisons stores
London Zoo animals join 50th anniversary celebrations of New Covent Garden Market
Zoo animals enjoyed a celebratory breakfast of fresh veg to mark the market’s 50th anniversary
Sainsbury’s launches salad range from vertical farm GrowUp
Unbeleafable leaves are grown and packed in a controlled environment at GrowUp’s vertical farm in Kent
Grocery sales in October ‘biggest since March 2020’
Over three million households bought at least one pumpkin, Kantar figures show
Branston boosts Nemo potato production
Finding Nemo just got easier as potato producer Branston ups production of this hybrid variety
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Ocado Group appoints technology leader Adam Warby as new Chair
Ocado CEO Tim Steiner describes Warby’s appointment as an “important moment” in the company’s development
Farming industry dismay at new Labour Budget
NFU slams the Budget for threatening family farms and making food production more expensive
Lidl to open 10 new stores before Christmas as part of major UK expansion
The discounter is opening new stores in key locations such as Bristol, Devon and Birmingham
Lidl triples plant-based range following surge in consumer demand
Discounter expands ‘Vemondo Plant!’ range after 12 per cent hike in demand for plant-based products
Industry calls for caution after Wrap’s packaging ban plea
The fresh produce industry and UK supermarkets call for balanced approach to assessing plastic packaging use on fruit and veg
UK organic market registers green shoots of recovery
UK organic food and drink sales bounce back from cost-of-living crisis with growth exceeding non-organic sector, conference says
Shoppers increase spending ahead of Halloween and Christmas
The increase is likely due to retailers rolling out new ranges for the two seasonal events, according to retail analysts NIQ
Florette partners with nutritionist to boost awareness of women’s health
The salad brand aims to encourage more dialogue on women’s health, as one in six admit that men often aren’t involved in the conversations
BerryWorld launches new blueberry packs to promote breast cancer awareness
Exclusively available at Ocado Retail, BerryWorld has teamed up with breast cancer charity Coppafeel! for the launch
Tesco invests £4mn to provide fruit and veg for 400 schools
The UK retailer expects to see overall fruit and veg intake for pupils increase by 23 per cent, as it looks to improve healthy eating