Author: Scott Dylan

Recent analysis reveals a substantial surge in the prices of certain branded food products over the last year.A thorough study examined nearly 26,000 grocery prices across major UK supermarkets.Tesco’s Mr Kipling Chocolate Slices experienced the most dramatic price increase.Sainsbury’s witnessed a significant rise in the price of Mr Kipling Bakewell Cake Slices.Lancashire Farm and Pilgrims Choice cheeses also saw notable inflation.A recent study conducted by a consumer rights organisation has highlighted significant price increases in certain branded food products. The assessment covered the prices of approximately 26,000 grocery items across major UK supermarkets including Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, Lidl, Ocado, Sainsbury’s,…

Tesco and Sainsbury’s have shown strong performance amidst a slowdown in grocery inflation.From 26.9% a year ago, Tesco’s market share increased to 27% while Sainsbury’s held steady at 14.8%.Aldi emerged as the fastest growing retailer, marking a sales increase of 21.2% year-on-year.Overall take-home grocery sales exhibited a growth of 6.5%, albeit lower compared to the previous month’s 10.4%.A decline in footfall, with 320,000 fewer supermarket trips, was attributed to unfavourable weather conditions.Tesco and Sainsbury’s have demonstrated commendable growth against a backdrop of decelerating grocery price inflation, which dropped by 2.2% to 12.7% in the period leading to 6 August 2023.…

Marks & Spencer (M&S) announced an upward revision in its profit forecast for the full year.M&S expects profit growth due to strong food sales, despite earlier predictions of a decline.Food sales at M&S grew 11% in 19 weeks, attributed to its investment in quality and value.Clothing and home sales increased by 6%, with in-store sales compensating for slower online growth.M&S is investing £13m in store refurbishments, with the first redesigned store opening later this year.Marks & Spencer has revised its profit forecast for the fiscal year ending 1 April 2024, now anticipating profit growth contrary to its prior prediction of…

A UK health group demands changes in packaging for sugary cereals and yoghurts to protect children.Action on Sugar highlights excessive sugar in many breakfast foods marketed for children.47% of cereals and 65% of yoghurts exceed recommended sugar levels for young children.Prominent supermarket brands are identified as having the highest sugar levels in child-focused packaging.The call for change is backed by concerns over rising child health issues due to sugar consumption.A UK health group, Action on Sugar, has raised concerns about packaging on breakfast cereals and yoghurts that are high in sugar and appeal to children. Their research suggests that packaging…

In a significant development, Tesco depot workers in Didcot are set to strike over pay disputes tied to new contracts.The strike includes workers in cleaning and catering roles who face unchanged pay despite new contract terms.Workers, supported by Unite the Union, have announced multiple strike dates starting from 1 September.Employer Atalian Servest stands accused of refusing negotiations over pay increments with the union.The dispute highlights broader issues of outsourced employment and workers’ rights.In a significant turn of events, employees at the Tesco depot in Didcot, Oxfordshire, are preparing for industrial action due to disputes over new contract terms which do…

Sainsbury’s has launched cardboard hangers aiming to reduce plastic waste significantly.The initiative is set to replace five million plastic hangers in the Tu Clothing Baby range.This change is projected to save an impressive 103 tonnes of plastic annually.Cardboard hangers can be recycled at home or through Sainsbury’s in-store service.The move is part of a broader trend among supermarkets towards sustainable packaging.Sainsbury’s has initiated a step towards sustainability by introducing cardboard hangers across its Tu Clothing Baby range. This change aims to eliminate five million plastic hangers and achieve a reduction of 103 tonnes in plastic waste annually.Customers are provided with…

Retailers are grappling with challenges posed by data protection laws in combating shoplifting.Data protection regulations impede the identification of repeat offenders in retail environments.Retail executives express concerns over limitations on sharing CCTV footage of shoplifters.Police inaction has exacerbated the challenges faced by retailers dealing with shoplifting.Shoplifting incidents have surged, as reported by major retailers, amid ongoing economic pressures.Data protection laws pose significant challenges for retailers trying to manage shoplifting. These regulations limit the ability of stores to publicly display images of suspected offenders, hindering efforts to discourage criminal activity. Without the ability to ‘name and shame’, retailers are struggling to…

Amid the current cost-of-living crisis, Tesco is revamping its Express stores by replacing 50 everyday items with budget-friendly alternatives.A significant portion of these substitutions will include Tesco’s own-brand products, offering considerable savings to customers.The decision is backed by a consumer watchdog report which highlighted a lack of budget grocery lines in vulnerable UK areas.The rollout of these changes will occur over two weeks in August, aiming for broader affordability in essentials and fresh produce.Managing director Sarah Lawler notes this move as a strategy to enhance value and accessibility for 2,000 UK communities.Tesco, in response to the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, is…

Research reveals a significant increase in essential food prices in the UK over the past two years.Food price inflation, though slowing, still remains a significant concern for consumers.The most affected items include milk, cheese, butter, and bakery products, which have seen substantial price rises.Supermarkets have responded by increasing budget and own-brand product offerings to help mitigate consumer costs.Consumer groups highlight the need for affordable essentials amid ongoing cost-of-living challenges.In recent research conducted by Which?, it has been identified that food prices for essential items such as cheese, butter, and bread have risen by more than 30% over the past two…

Unilever’s chief executive reconsiders the Russian business, responding to external pressures.CEO Hein Schumacher pledges a fresh review of Unilever’s decision to stay in Russia.Pressure mounts on Unilever as global firms exit the Russian market post-Ukraine invasion.Unilever aims to prevent its business from falling into Russian state control.Ukrainian government labels Unilever as a sponsor of war due to continued operations.Unilever’s chief executive, Hein Schumacher, has announced a commitment to reassess the company’s operations in Russia. Facing increasing pressure from various stakeholders, Schumacher indicated that he will examine the situation with ‘fresh eyes’. This review comes in response to a personal appeal…