Retail news from Fresh Produce Journal
Important developments in the UK’s food retail arena, with a focus on fresh produce procurement, distribution, marketing, merchandising, and new product development.
Sassy apples promise category shakeup with Tesco launch
Brand has a striking identity and hopes to fill a gap in the UK off-season
Waitrose to launch first RDC in the south west
Supermarket is investing at Mountpark’s Bristol 360 site
Limited-edition golden raspberries go on sale in Asda
Scotty Brand fruit will be on shelves while stocks last
WRAP calls for more interventions as food waste target set to be missed
Covid patterns and food price rises helped reduce amount of food thrown away
Fruitnet Tomato Congress presents: The Future of Tomatoes
This year’s Fruitnet Tomato Congress takes place in Malaga, Spain, on 11-12 November, with industry experts set to explore how the business is likely to evolve in the coming years
Fresh produce at heart of M&S store revamp
Retailer is investing in new stores as well as renewing existing ones
‘Healthy choice the easy choice’ in world-first initiative to tackle obesity
Government, retailers and manufacturers are joining forces in move that should boost fruit and veg sales
Tesco expects bumper British cherry season this summer
Britain’s largest supermarket chain Tesco will sell only UK-grown cherries across most ranges from this week, as favourable spring weather conditions have led to a bumper harvest of sweeter, juicier fruit
M&S strawberries and cream sandwich goes viral ahead of Wimbledon
A limited edition strawberries and cream sandwich launched by M&S has sparked widespread social media attention, creating unexpected publicity ahead of the UK’s peak berry season
GCA survey indicates improved treatment of suppliers
Some 30 per cent of suppliers reported a Groceries Code issue, down from 33 per cent a year ago
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Tesco ahead in the race to sell most British apples
Asda and Lidl are at the top of the leaderboard for greatest increases in YOY sales of British top fruit as trade body releases interim results
Florette launches two new bowls for summer campaign
Salad brand said it’s doubling down on cuisine-led NPD as it eyes further growth in the prepared salad sector
Arra Cherry Crush continues to gain ground and open new markets
Volumes are building in Brazil, while 2025 marked the first commercial shipments from India
Brits put the focus on healthy eating
NIQ retail sales figures show shoppers are consciously trying to eat more healthily
Spanish Picota producers launch 2025 UK marketing campaign
Spanish Picota cherries will hit UK stores from 30 June, supported by an extensive marketing campaign featuring chef collaborations, social media activity and in-store promotions during their short two-month availability window
Aldi to offer faster payments for smaller producers
Support from discounter comes in response to dry weather and is intended to help smaller suppliers manage cash flow challenges
Consumers shop little and often as temperatures and prices rise
Shopping frequency hits highest level since March 2020 with fresh fruit such as strawberries among the biggest winners
Co-op to halt sourcing relationships with countries violating international law
UK retailer Co-op Group has announced a new sourcing policy that will prohibit products from 17 countries identified as having community-wide human rights abuses, with implementation beginning June 2025
WRAP and Tesco call for urgent action to reduce global food waste
New collaboration will deliver ’programme of high-impact initiatives’, including a panel at London Climate Action Week on 25 June
Adaption key to success as FPJ celebrates 130th year
Editor Fred Searle was joined by predecessors Michael Barker and Tommy Leighton on stage at Festival of Fresh to reflect on how the magazine has survived despite a tough publishing climate