Author: Sam Allcock

Ocado announces another wave of price cuts, reaffirming its commitment to providing value to customers.Since June, over 630 products have seen price reductions, with the latest including prominent grocery and non-food items.This move follows a strong sales performance in 2022, particularly in popular grocery categories.The reductions form part of Ocado’s ‘Big Price Drop’, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction through competitive pricing.Ocado Retail CEO, Hannah Gibson, emphasises the company’s dedication to expanding the range of discounted products.Ocado has initiated a further reduction in prices across 330 additional items, marking its third such action since June. This effort now…

Waitrose’s recent initiative marks a significant leap in animal welfare for its Italian continental meats.The retailer has ensured its Parma ham, mortadella, and prosciutto are now produced without confinement.This advancement places Waitrose ahead of traditional practices where animal welfare standards were lower for continental meats compared to British ones.The collaboration with The Compleat Food Group has been pivotal, making Waitrose the first recipient of a Good Pig Award in Italy.With over 50% of continental meats now from higher welfare sources, consumer concerns about animal welfare are being addressed.Waitrose has made a pioneering move by ensuring that all its own-brand Italian…

This has taken a significant step by launching internationally in the Netherlands.The plant-based brand has partnered with Albert Heijn for its Dutch debut.Four popular products will be available in 430 stores starting 11 September.This aims to mirror its UK success in other European markets.The Netherlands boasts high per capita consumption of plant-based foods.In a strategic move, plant-based meat alternative brand This has announced its first international expansion into the Netherlands. The company has formed an exclusive partnership with the major Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn. This collaboration will see four of the brand’s key products available across 430 Albert Heijn…

UK meal deals face disruption as sandwich supplier workers plan to strike.Greencore employees protest over inadequate wage of £10.53 per hour.The upcoming strike is expected to last nearly a month, from 11 September to 9 October.Unite union warns of potential sandwich shortages across UK supermarkets.Greencore made significant profits last year, intensifying workers’ demands.The potential for disruption to meal deals across major UK supermarkets such as Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-op, and Boots arises as Greencore workers, numbering over 500, have resolved to strike. This strike action follows their dissatisfaction with ‘poverty levels of pay’. The workers, involved in supplying sandwiches to…

England’s Lionesses catalysed a surge in retail sales across the UK as football enthusiasts celebrated the Women’s World Cup with increased spending on food and drink.Retail sales in the UK grew by 4.1% in August, driven by increased food and drink sales during World Cup celebrations.The women’s team reaching the final significantly bolstered supermarket sales, with an 8.2% rise in food sales over three months.The World Cup final alone generated an estimated £463m in retail sales, underscoring the economic impact of the tournament.Despite the boost from the World Cup, inflation and high costs continue to challenge the retail sector.In August,…

MPs scrutinise Asda’s ability to support consumers amid rising costs.Concerns raised over Asda’s complex ownership and financial structure.Debates include Asda’s capital investment and petrol profit margins.MPs question the impact of debt on Asda’s pricing strategy.Asda remains committed to customer support despite financial challenges.In a recent development, Members of Parliament have raised concerns regarding Asda’s capacity to aid consumers during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This scrutiny is particularly focused on the supermarket’s complex ownership structure and its potential limitations in facilitating consumer support.Darren Jones, the chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, has reached out to Mohsin Issa, querying details…

Retail crime in the UK has reached unprecedented levels, with shoplifting incidents dramatically increasing.Supermarket chains, including Co-op and Waitrose, report a significant rise in retail theft over the past year.Efforts to mitigate theft have seen supermarkets invest heavily in security measures and innovative deterrents.There is a pressing need for legislative and enforcement support to effectively combat shoplifting.Retail workers face increasing threats from both theft and anti-social behaviour, prompting calls for systemic change.Recent figures from the retail sector indicate a dramatic increase in shoplifting, with some supermarkets, like the Co-op, recording over 175,000 incidents in the first half of 2023 alone—a…

Whole Foods Market has taken significant steps in response to widening financial losses, marking a shift in its strategic approach.The renowned grocery chain is removing luxury items and increasing discounted products in its London stores.Elimination of the flagship Kensington store’s ‘cheese vault’ represents cutting back on high-priced offerings.Whole Foods is adopting more ‘low prices’ signs to aid customer navigation to discounts.Despite efforts to expand in the UK, Whole Foods faced a notable pre-tax loss last year.Whole Foods Market, in light of financial challenges, is revising its product selection in London to better align with customer demand and market conditions. The…

M&S challenges the government’s decision on its Marble Arch redevelopment proposal.The Art Deco building’s demolition was intended for modern redevelopment.CEO Stuart Machin criticises the decision on sustainability grounds.Operations Director Sacha Berendji calls the decision a misinterpretation of planning policy.Environmental concerns and heritage issues are central to the government’s rejection.M&S has initiated a legal dispute in reaction to the government’s refusal to approve its proposal to redevelop the Marble Arch site. The company intended to demolish the existing Art Deco structure on Oxford Street, London, aiming to modernise an area described by CEO Stuart Machin as “aged and labyrinthian.” This legal…

Aldi has announced a price reduction on key fruit and vegetable staples, making everyday essentials more affordable for consumers.Shoppers can expect to find lower prices on items such as strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and spinach at Aldi this week.The average price reduction is approximately 9%, highlighting Aldi’s ongoing commitment to offering competitive prices.This reduction follows a series of over 100 price cuts by Aldi in the past two months.Aldi’s efforts to maintain low prices have positioned it as the UK’s cheapest supermarket according to Which?.Aldi, the German discount retailer, has implemented a new pricing strategy aimed at reducing the cost of…