Author: Dave Antrobus

August saw a significant increase in supermarket sales, driven by improved weather conditions.Food store sales volumes rose by 1.8% in August, an increase from July’s 0.3% growth.ONS data indicates a 0.6% year-on-year rise in food store sales, the highest increase since July 2021.Online sales for food stores increased by 1.4%, though overall online spending remained flat.Retail sales volumes reached their highest levels since July 2022, with a 1% increase in August.In August, supermarkets across the United Kingdom experienced a notable boost in sales, attributed to the warmer weather. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 1.8% increase in food…

Pilgrim’s Europe has demonstrated a strong return to profit growth, achieving pre-Covid financial levels.The company reported a substantial increase in profits after tax, rising to £106m from £27m in 2022.Combined sales for Pilgrim’s Europe grew by 5.5%, reaching £4.2bn for the full year 2023.Contributing factors include easing inflation, rising wages, and a consumer shift towards chicken, pork sausage, and lamb.Richmond and Rollover brands significantly outperformed, with sales increasing by over 13% and 31% respectively.In its latest financial disclosures, Pilgrim’s Europe indicated a notable return to profitability for the full year, suggesting the company is getting ‘back on track’ towards pre-Covid…

Morrisons strengthens its team by appointing Katharine Challinor as the new head of independent franchise.Katharine Challinor brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Allwyn, Post Office, and Sainsbury’s.This appointment reflects Morrisons’ commitment to enhancing franchise services within the supermarket sector.Morrisons is actively expanding its distribution infrastructure to improve fresh produce access.The strategic move aims to support new and existing franchise partners efficiently.Morrisons has taken a decisive step to bolster its leadership in the franchise sector by appointing Katharine Challinor as the new head of independent franchise and new business. Coming from her role at National Lottery operator Allwyn, Challinor…

Waitrose is launching an innovative programme named ‘BrandsNew’ to support emerging FMCG brands.The programme involves a significant investment of over £2 million in its first year.Brands will receive comprehensive support including marketing, store placement, and expert consultations.Participants will benefit from Waitrose’s extensive market reach both in-store and online.Dedicated efforts will focus on promoting exclusive brands as they aim to become household names.Waitrose has introduced a new programme, ‘BrandsNew’, aimed at identifying and supporting promising fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands. The initiative will channel over £2 million in its inaugural year, showcasing the retailer’s commitment to fostering innovation and diversity within…

Tesco is set to aid over 1,000 job seekers in November with its free Career Clinics across the UK.These clinics are aimed particularly at regions confronting higher economic challenges and deprivation.Attendees will receive essential skills training, boosting confidence for employment both at Tesco and elsewhere.Participation in a Career Clinic guarantees an interview as part of Tesco’s festive job recruitment.The initiative aligns with Tesco’s ongoing efforts to remove employment barriers, enhancing workforce diversity.Tesco is poised to support over 1,000 job seekers this November by rolling out free Career Clinics throughout the United Kingdom. These clinics are specifically intended for regions enduring…

Deliverect’s integration into grocery and convenience sectors boosts online sales.One Stop, a convenience retailer, experiences a doubling of weekly sales.Deliverect Retail streamlines order and catalogue management for improved operations.Key metrics for One Stop include enhanced picking accuracy and product range expansion.Grocery stores see a shift to online shopping driven by consumer demand.Deliverect, a global food technology company, has extended its robust order and delivery system from the restaurant industry into the grocery and convenience store sector. This expansion has facilitated significant sales improvements for early adopters, such as One Stop, Spar, and EG Group. Notably, One Stop has reported a…

Caroline Rush announces her departure from the British Fashion Council after a transformative 16-year leadership.Under Rush’s leadership, the BFC’s revenue experienced substantial growth, more than doubling during her tenure.The Fashion Awards, BFC’s primary charity fundraiser, expanded significantly under Rush’s direction, supporting numerous designers.Rush’s initiatives included the launch of the Institute of Positive Fashion and #FashionsFuture plan for government engagement.A global search led by Egon Zehnder is underway to find Rush’s successor at the British Fashion Council.Caroline Rush has declared her intentions to step down as the CEO of the British Fashion Council (BFC) in June 2025, after leading the organisation…

Ocado has reported a significant shift of customers from Tesco over the past year.The online supermarket’s sales increased by 15.5% in the latest quarter.Ocado’s active customer base grew by 10.3%, reaching 1.06 million users.Price reductions have been a strategic move by Ocado since mid-2023.Ocado’s broad appeal spans diverse demographics and geographies.Ocado has experienced a noteworthy trend of customers migrating from Tesco over the past twelve months, as confirmed by Ocado’s chief executive, Hannah Gibson. This shift has been consistent and also involves customers switching from other major retailers and discounters.The company has reported a 15.5% surge in sales, amounting to…

The UK government has decided to delay implementing ‘Not for EU’ stickers on food products indefinitely, citing industry concerns.The labelling initiative was initially set to begin on October 1, affecting meat, fish, and dairy products sold within the UK.Northern Ireland remains required to label such products under existing agreements.Industry leaders argued the stickers would impose significant costs and disruptions, leading to delays.Government consultations are ongoing, with caution urged over potential impacts on the UK internal market.The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has chosen to indefinitely delay the introduction of ‘Not for EU’ labels on meat, fish, and…

THG is exploring the demerger of its Ingenuity ecommerce service as part of a broader strategy to enhance shareholder value.THG announced a strategic move to potentially separate its Ingenuity service from its other business units.The demerger would leave THG with its Beauty and Nutrition sectors, both described as highly profitable.Although the demerger is under consideration, the timeline remains uncertain pending further options.HMRC has approved tax clearances for the structuring of the possible demerger.THG, formerly known as The Hut Group, recently announced plans to explore the demerger of its Ingenuity ecommerce service. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed…