Author: Scott Dylan

Iceland has unveiled an extensive range of over 500 new products, both branded and own-label, now accessible online and in-store.Among the new own-label selections are innovative meal kits and sweet treats, expanding the frozen food retailer’s offerings significantly.Collaborations with prominent brands such as TGI Fridays, Cathedral City, and Mars bring exclusive new options like vegan chicken strips and cheesy hash browns.Takeaway-style meals and an array of new desserts further enhance Iceland’s product variety, catering to diverse customer preferences.This strategic launch underscores Iceland’s commitment to providing value and variety to customers while supporting economical yet quality eating options.Iceland has launched an…

Iceland has been embroiled in controversy over alleged financial misconduct in its Irish division before a sale.Allegations claim Iceland transferred over £1.37m (€1.6m) from accounts pre-sale.Additional sums of £772,476 (€900,000) reportedly moved from sales weeks before deal completion.Iceland is accused of leaving £2.23m (€2.6m) in debts unpaid despite settlement agreement.Retailer contemplates legal action against owner Metron for defamation following these claims.Iceland, a prominent retailer, finds itself at the centre of a significant financial controversy. The company has been accused of transferring substantial funds from its Irish business division ahead of its sale earlier this year. These allegations have raised questions…

Lidl has announced Arnold Schwarzenegger as the new ambassador for its Parkside DIY tool range.Schwarzenegger features in adverts promoting more than 100 DIY products of the Parkside brand.This partnership coincides with Lidl’s 50th-anniversary celebrations and expands its promotional strategies.Lidl’s past collaborations include high-profile personalities like Paris Hilton and Christina Aguilera.The campaign includes TV and social media promotions with Schwarzenegger sharing his motivation.Lidl has strategically partnered with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will serve as the brand ambassador for its Parkside DIY tool line. This collaboration aims to leverage Schwarzenegger’s star power to enhance the visibility and appeal of the Parkside range, which…

Tesco has launched a trial recycling programme for plastic toys, transforming them into educational resources.The initiative is in collaboration with Hasbro and Wastebuster, running in select stores from September to December 2023.Recycled toys will be repurposed into items like coat hangers and coffee machines, promoting a circular economy.Participants can earn points for schools, which are redeemable for books from Harper Collins.The scheme aims to enhance plastic reuse and children’s access to reading materials.Tesco is piloting an innovative recycling campaign designed to convert damaged plastic toys into educational materials for UK schools. This initiative, undertaken in partnership with Hasbro and the…

Waitrose and John Lewis advocate for VAT removal on period pants, joining M&S in their campaign.Waitrose follows Tesco and M&S by covering the 20% VAT on over 30 period underwear products.The government is reviewing the VAT classification of period pants, which are currently taxed at 20% as garments.Sainsbury’s has also pledged support for the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign.Nicki Baggott of Waitrose emphasises the importance of reclassifying period underwear as period products.Waitrose and its sister company, John Lewis, have joined the call initiated by M&S for the UK government to revisit its taxation policy on period pants. They argue…

The latest figures reveal a significant decrease in UK food inflation, offering consumers a sense of relief.Food inflation has fallen to its lowest since the previous year, with the rate now at 11.5%, down from 13.4% in July.Shop price inflation has also declined to 6.9% in the year to August, offering encouraging news for consumers.Fresh food inflation has decreased notably from 14.3% in July to 11.6%, while ambient food inflation now stands at 11.3%.Despite the reductions, inflation rates are still outpacing wage growth, with concerns about future supply chain risks.The latest data from the British Retail Consortium indicates that UK…

Trust in UK supermarkets has plummeted to its lowest since the horsemeat scandal due to rising prices.Consumer confidence in grocery chains has decreased significantly, as indicated by a recent Which? survey.A trust score of 30 was recorded in August, down from 68 in May 2020, reflecting consumer dissatisfaction.Rising food costs, comparable to energy bills, are a major concern for 85% of households surveyed.Supermarkets are perceived as not acting in shoppers’ best interests, with less than half of consumers expressing trust.Trust in British supermarkets has fallen sharply, reaching levels not seen since the infamous horsemeat scandal of 2013. This decline is…

As the Bank Holiday weekend approaches, Brits are preparing for potentially the last major BBQ of the year. A recent surge at supermarkets reveals increased sales of BBQ essentials and alcoholic beverages.Tesco anticipates selling over four million units of beer and wine during the weekend.Earlier reports indicate a shift towards cost-effective home barbecues among UK consumers.Weather and timing contribute to the expected increase in BBQ gatherings.Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, there has been a noticeable rise in grocery purchases as people gear up for possibly the last significant BBQ events of the year. This trend is evidenced by increased…

The campaign ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ by M&S sees significant progress.The UK government is reviewing the VAT status of period pants.Period products like pads and tampons are VAT exempt, but period pants are taxed as garments.M&S, WUKA, and major retailers are pushing for tax removal on period pants.Tesco and Sainsbury’s have joined the campaign, offering price reductions by covering VAT.The ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ initiative by M&S has achieved a notable milestone as the government has decided to revisit the tax policy on period pants. For the first time, there is a consideration to potentially adjust the tax…

A potential tea shortage in the UK has been prevented through a new agreement.Tetley workers in Teeside, the sole producers of Tetley Tea for the UK, voted on a strike.The strike was initially called due to the rejection of a pay deal by nearly 200 GMB Union members.A revised pay offer, including a 7% increase backdated to April 2023, was accepted.The resolution impacts predominantly female, low-paid workers at Tata Consumer Products.A looming tea shortage in the United Kingdom has been successfully averted following the acceptance of a new pay deal by workers at Tata Consumer Products in Teeside. These workers…