Author: Scott Dylan

Waitrose is set to launch its inaugural lunchtime meal deal, offering great value for customers.The £5 meal deal will be available starting 30 August, featuring a variety of mains, sides, and drinks.Customers can choose from a selection including sandwiches, sushi, salads, and more.The initiative aligns with recent expansions by other UK supermarkets into the food-to-go market.Waitrose will also begin offering Zizzi frozen products in September, enhancing its product range.Waitrose is poised to introduce its first-ever lunchtime meal deal, launching on 30 August. This new offering presents an affordable option for customers, with a complete meal priced at just £5. Customers…

UK households are experiencing a slight relief in financial pressures with increased disposable income.Asda reports a 4.5% rise in disposable incomes for July, the highest since September 2021.Household disposable income increased by £9.48 a week compared to the previous year.Inflation eased to 6.8% in July, contributing to improved spending power through lower energy costs.Despite improvements, disposable income remains significantly below pre-crisis levels, especially for 30-49 age group.UK households have begun to feel a slight relief in financial pressures as disposable incomes increased by 4.5% in July, marking the strongest annual growth rate since September 2021. According to Asda’s latest Income…

UK supermarket sales growth has slowed to its lowest since January, impacted by various factors.Total Till sales increased by 7.2% in the four weeks to 12 August, influenced by lower inflation.Unstable summer weather contributed to fewer store visits by consumers, affecting overall sales.Retailers increased promotional activities by 23% in response to the cost-of-living crisis.Despite a general slowdown, Tesco, M&S, Aldi, and Lidl gained market share.Total Till sales at UK supermarkets increased by 7.2% in the four weeks leading up to 12 August, marking the slowest growth since January according to the latest data from NIQ. This deceleration is attributed mainly…

Ocado-backed robotics start-up, Karakuri, has been sold for just £350,000, despite attracting significant investment.Founded in 2018, Karakuri developed innovative kitchen automation solutions including a robotic chef and an automatic fryer.Despite raising £13 million from Ocado and the Future Fund, the firm fell into administration due to financial challenges.Karakuri’s financial difficulties were exacerbated by an inability to secure additional investment and a challenging economic environment.The sale follows Ocado’s legal victory over AutoStore, highlighting shifts in the technology investment landscape.In a surprising turn of events, the robotics start-up Karakuri, which had garnered attention and investment from notable entities such as Ocado, has…

Deliveroo introduces an innovative feature, enhancing user convenience.Customers can now add grocery items to their takeaway orders.The app addition is set for nationwide rollout after a successful trial.Available with retail partners like Co-op, Waitrose, and more.This innovation addresses customer demand for a streamlined experience.Deliveroo is enhancing its service offerings by introducing a new feature that allows customers to conveniently combine grocery items with their takeaway orders. This development follows a successful trial in London and aims for a nationwide rollout by year-end, integrating with Deliveroo’s rapid grocery ‘HOP’ sites.The service also extends to Deliveroo’s renowned retail partners, including Co-op, Sainsbury’s,…

Sainsbury’s has relaunched the ‘Great fruit & veg challenge’, motivating customers towards healthier eating while rewarding them with bonus points.The initiative, running from 23 August to 10 October, presents an opportunity to earn a minimum of 1,000 bonus Nectar points.Participation is enabled through the Nectar app, where personalised tasks are designed based on individual shopping habits.Shoppers can earn their bonus by purchasing fresh, tinned, frozen, or dried fruits and vegetables.This challenge proved successful last year, with a significant increase in produce purchases among participants.Sainsbury’s has reintroduced the ‘Great fruit & veg challenge’, aiming to motivate consumers towards healthier eating habits…

Britvic has announced a £22.5m investment to expand its bottling capacity at the Beckton factory. The upgrade is aimed at supporting the company’s future growth and meeting rising demand.The installation of a sixth bottling line will enhance the production capacity by nearly 30%.This initiative will create 18 new engineering and manufacturing jobs within the local community.Modern equipment will facilitate faster production of brands like Tango and Pepsi Max, with products expected on shelves by early September.This investment follows a recent £13m addition at Britvic’s Rugby plant to further boost production abilities.Britvic, a major player in the soft drinks industry, has…

Jeremy Pee, Marks and Spencer’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, has announced his departure despite a recent promotion.Pee played a pivotal role in enhancing M&S’s digital capabilities, significantly increasing active app users by 40% last year.He transformed M&S stores into digital hubs and revolutionised customer returns with innovative digital solutions.Jeremy Pee joined M&S in 2018 from Canada’s Loblaw, where he honed his expertise in ecommerce.His departure marks a strategic transition, with Katie Bickerstaffe assuming his duties temporarily.Jeremy Pee, who recently held the position of Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Marks and Spencer, is set to leave the company. This…

The proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) could significantly raise costs for UK retailers.The British Retail Consortium forecasts an annual cost of £1.8bn for the DRS starting in 2025.Previous government estimates placed the DRS cost at £171m annually.Retailers may transfer these increased expenses to consumers through higher prices.The British Retail Consortium urges the government to reconsider the scheme’s feasibility.The proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) could significantly raise costs for UK retailers. The scheme is designed to reduce litter and plastic pollution by imposing a 20p charge on drinks containers. Consumers can reclaim this charge upon returning the containers, thus incentivising recycling.The…

Waitrose offers police officers free coffees to help combat rising shoplifting incidents amid a cost-of-living crisis.Free coffees for police officers are aimed at increasing police presence in stores.The initiative targets a reduction in thefts and assaults on employees, which have doubled since 2020.Assault incidents and anti-social behaviour in stores have significantly increased.The campaign is part of a broader response to professional shoplifters targeting retail outlets.Waitrose has introduced a new initiative offering complimentary coffees to police officers visiting their stores. This is part of an effort to address the increasing issue of shoplifting as crime rates rise amidst a cost-of-living crisis.…