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.
UK grocery inflation edges up to 2.5 per cent
British grocery price inflation ticks up again while shoppers embrace seasonal spirits by buying more pumpkins
Ondine flat nectarine brand reports on strong season
Brand partners say they delivered continuous summer availability across European markets, with strong repeat purchase intent among consumers
NFU and retailers call for budget to boost food security
National Farmers’ Union says UK tax reform needed to incentivise investment in critical infrastructure
Rabobank sees scale and specialisation as key trends in Europe
New report warns suppliers and wholesalers face mounting pressure from volatile supply, fierce competition, and more powerful retail buyers
Winterwood launches dedicated European berry supply division
Group introduces a dedicated European division offering retailers across Poland and Central and Eastern Europe 52-week berry supply
Banana sector ‘under threat’ as pressures mount
With prices still rock bottom, Fairtrade and Fyffes warn that climate change, cost rises and diseases pose unsustainable risks to the industry
Tesco dishes out 20 million portions of fruit and veg to schools
Improved behaviour, increased vitamin uptake and dietary diversity among the fruits of retailer’s free school access programme
Are UK supermarkets waking up to fresh produce brands?
Julia Bottoms investigates what fresh produce brands bring to the table and whether they can gain more shelf space at UK supermarkets
Tesco’s Agri-tech Challenge spurs calls for investment
Farmers increasingly call for agri-tech innovation funding and subsidised trials, as Tesco announce Swiss company AgroSustain as a winner of its Agri-tech challenge
Asda unveils 10-year supply partnership with Len Wright Salads
Retailer backs British growers with decade-long £250mn partnership hoped to boost supply chain resilience and producer confidence
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Walsh Mushrooms expands into English-grown organics
New production at Bury St Edmunds site responds to rising customer demand for organic mushrooms
Aldi announces record £900mn investment in UK
Retailer to open 40 new stores and upgrade its network of distribution centres
British tomato sector eyes challenges and opportunities
Energy costs, water security and SPS agreement dominate discussions at British Tomato Conference as sector looks to unlock growth
Spain highlights flavour and health with new mango campaign
€9.2mn marketing push emphasises freshness of mangoes imported from Spain’s Tropical Coast, targeting consumption growth in strategic European markets
Siza marks ten years of driving agricultural sustainability
What began as a practical response to international scrutiny has evolved into a nationally recognised assurance programme
Aldi’s Bardon DC begins fresh produce operations at scale
UK’s biggest automated warehouse begins first fruit and veg deliveries, as retailer pushes ahead with £1.6bn investment
S&A Produce benefits from investment in water resilience
Berry supplier S&A Produce sees investments in water recycling and storage as crucial for surviving the UK’s drier summers
BAPL calls for retail support to reduce audit duplication
Trade body urges retailers to reduce audit burden on growers and reports strong engagement with sustainability reporting project
Fresh produce industry pays tribute to ‘Dr Food’ Professor David Hughes
Hughes was one of the global fresh produce industry’s most respected commentators, known for his provocative and entertaining analysis of consumer behaviour, marketing and supply chains