Author: Scott Dylan

Tesco, a leading retailer, is launching Creams café concessions in its UK stores.The initiative follows a successful trial of a standalone site at Tesco Extra Streatham.The first in-store café to feature Creams products will open in Newcastle, followed by another in Maryhill.Customers can enjoy a diverse menu, including 24 flavours of gelato and various desserts.Tesco plans to digitally transform its cafés with new ordering and inventory technologies.The major retailer Tesco is set to introduce Creams café concessions within its UK stores, adding a range of dessert offerings to its in-store cafés. This move follows a successful trial of a standalone…

The UK government has announced changes in alcohol duty based on drink strength, aligning with broad public health and tax goals.Drinks with an alcohol by volume (ABV) below 3.5% will see a lower tax rate, while those above 8.5% ABV will remain unchanged.Port, sherry, vodka, and red wine will experience notable tax increases, affecting consumer prices.Sparkling wine will benefit from a minor tax reduction, and beer taxes will rise in retail settings but not in pubs.Authorities aim to modernise the tax system, reflecting growing demand for low-alcohol beverages, despite concerns of unfair treatment towards premium products.The UK government has introduced…

Too Good To Go urges DEFRA to reconsider voluntary food waste reporting.80% of consultation respondents favour mandatory reporting.Government cites cost concerns for voluntary reporting approach.Critics warn the decision may hinder 2030 and 2050 environmental targets.Mandatory reporting considered vital for reducing food waste efficiently.Too Good To Go has publicly urged the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to reconsider its decision to implement voluntary rather than mandatory food waste disclosures until 2026. This appeal follows a governmental consultation where 80% of the respondents supported mandatory reporting, highlighting widespread agreement on the need for compulsory action in food waste management.In…

Asda updates its loyalty app to aid customers in saving for Christmas with a new feature.Introducing the ‘Christmas Saver Cashpot’, users can now allocate savings specifically for the festive period.Customers benefit from a cash bonus when transferring funds to this new Cashpot.Flexible usage options allow conversion of Cashpot savings into in-store or online vouchers.Asda’s Income Tracker highlights the financial pressures faced by UK families, underpinning this initiative.In a strategic move to assist customers during the festive season, Asda has incorporated a novel feature in its well-regarded Rewards app, aimed at providing economic relief to shoppers. This feature, known as the…

Greggs has announced a notable rise in pre-tax profits and sales, highlighting strong trading momentum amid unchanged expectations due to economic uncertainties.The company’s pre-tax profit reached £80 million for the first half of 2023, up from £55.8 million in the same period for 2022.Sales increased by 21.5% to £844 million, with like-for-like sales seeing a 16% rise.Despite the robust performance, Greggs maintains a cautious outlook for the full year, citing ongoing economic uncertainties.Expansion plans are underway with 150 new shops expected by year’s end, following 94 openings in the first half.Greggs has reported a significant increase in its pre-tax profit…

Retail crime has surged by 35%, prompting calls for action.Co-op faces rising shoplifting and anti-social behaviour incidents.Police response to serious retail crimes is reportedly lacking.Substantial investments have been made to ensure safety in stores.Concerns are mounting about community safety and ‘no-go’ zones.Retail crime has surged by 35% year on year, according to Co-op, which has led to an urgent call for enhanced police intervention. Matt Hood, the Co-op food managing director, has expressed concern over the escalation in criminal activities in stores, describing the situation as ‘out of control.’ More than 175,000 incidents have been recorded within the first half…

Five major brands have introduced their newest products, creating a buzz in the FMCG sector.Heinz has expanded its line with a new range of culinary tomatoes available in various forms including chopped and peeled tomatoes.Tesco celebrates National Ice Cream Day with two new flavours in their Finest range.Nescafé unveils a dessert-inspired coffee collection featuring Chocolate Caramel Brownie Mocha and Sticky Toffee Pudding Latte.Mars Wrigley introduces a Smooth Mint flavoured chocolate bar to reinforce its Galaxy brand.Loyd Grossman offers two new stir-in sauces, tapping into growing demand for Italian-inspired options.Heinz’s latest launch includes a diverse selection of culinary tomatoes, tailored for…

The Fintech Awards London 2023 celebrated the achievements of the fintech industry on the 21st of June. Held at The Underglobe, the event recognised outstanding contributions in the sector.Hosted by Julia Streets, CEO of Streets Consulting, the awards night attracted a broad spectrum of guests from the global fintech community, highlighting the significance of the fintech sector in London and beyond.Fintech Company of the YearPeer-to-peer lending service Zopa, which launched in 2005 and secured a full banking licence in 2020, won the award for Fintech Company of the Year. Zopa has been a key player in the fintech industry, providing…

Iceland has restructured its area manager roles to cover geographic regions, impacting both Iceland and The Food Warehouse brands.This strategic shift aims to enhance operational efficiency by allowing managers to oversee stores within a specific locale.The change seeks to minimise travel time for managers while offering new growth pathways within the company.There are concerns among employees about potential job security issues resulting from these changes.No redundancies have been confirmed, although Iceland continues to face challenges such as store closures and escalating costs.Iceland has recently redefined the roles of its area managers, who will now oversee both Iceland and The Food…

A growing concern among customer service staff is the rise in abuse due to economic pressures.Research from the Institute of Customer Service highlights that 44% of staff are considering leaving their roles.42% of customer-facing staff report experiencing hostility in the last six months.The cost-of-living crisis is identified as a significant trigger for customer frustrations.A legal change now considers assaulting retail staff an aggravated offence, yet safety concerns remain.The rising levels of customer abuse have become a significant issue, with 44% of customer service employees contemplating leaving their positions due to these challenges. This trend has been confirmed by a survey…