Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Aldi marks Food Action Waste Week with two-pronged campaign
Aldi gives shoppers chance to win a year’s supply of Too Good to Go Surprise Bags and teams up with Lagomchef in its bid to cut food waste
Heartland Fruit wins Foodstuffs South Island Fresh Partnership Award
Award honours 20-year relationship supplying daily Luv’ya apples
Berry business bursting with potential
Fruitnet Berry Congress hears how there’s plenty of room for growth in the category – but better marketing is key
Waitrose unveils £500k fund to help farmers towards net zero
Cash will help the retailer’s British suppliers invest in low-carbon projects
Morocco and France to sign deal to ensure fair tomato competition
The two countries are reportedly close to reaching a bilateral agreement to guarantee fair competition on the French tomato market following a spate of violent attacks on trucks carrying Moroccan produce
Belgian strawberry suppliers mark start of new season
The strawberry campaign is kicking off in Belgium, with the first sale of the season by BelOrta growers Colembie and Colemberry, and a day of activities planned by Hoogstraten
Consumer education key as Sinclair rolls out new compostable label
Sinclair’s senior marketing manager Duncan Jones explains why effective communication with customers and consumers is key to adoption of the new Sinclair-T55 compostable sticker
Del Monte expands Broccolini reach
Licensing agreement with The Nunes Company “brings Broccolini to more retailers while maintaining premium quality”
Produce prices could rise “within days”, Target CEO warns
Trump’s tariffs on Mexico will be felt almost immediately by US shoppers, Brian Cornell said
Greece targets supermarkets for greater transparency on pricing
Deceptive supermarket promotions are in the firing line across eastern Europe and Greece, as governments look to protect farmers and consumers
Shoppers are more loyal to stores since Covid, says Kantar
Analysis of five-year trend shows changes in consumer shopping and consumption patterns
Another bumper crop expected for Washington apples
Despite initial forecasts, mid-season packouts have 2024/25 crop at 134.6mn cartons – just under 2023/24’s second largest in history which had growers barely breaking even
Stellar line-up for Fresh Produce India
India’s premier business event is back in Mumbai on 3-4 April with an exciting line-up of top speakers, unique experiences and first-rate networking opportunities
Tesco extends Fruit & Veg for Schools programme
Supermarket commits an additional £4 million to areas most in need
Morrisons unveils series of management appointments
It’s all change at the top as Morrisons makes a number of hires, including from other supermarkets
T&G and WinCommerce partner to grow Envy apple sales across Vietnam
Following the signing of a new MoU, WinCommerce has agreed to increase ranging and promotions to increase sales of Envy by 50 per cent
Fruitnet Tomato Congress looks ahead to 2030
Fruitnet Tomato Congress takes place in Malaga, Spain, on 11-12 November 2025, with a focus on the future of the tomato business, examining the category’s continuing response to the changing climate, labour issues and evolving consumer demands
Potential for more UK fruit exports to Singapore
Market opportunities are likely to increase as Singaporean economy continues to recover from Covid and tourism rebounds
Private labels in strong growth across European FMCG
Circana report analyses the performance in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the UK
M&S Food extends Applegreen partnership in Ireland
Arrangement sees more than 400 M&S Food products come to roadside locations
Eight-week-early British asparagus hits Waitrose shelves
Grower New Forest Fruit has used modern techniques to extend the British season
French retailers “undermining banana workers’ incomes”
Banana Link issues call for French supermarkets to accept shared responsibility
EFI awarded US$1.2mn Walmart Foundation Grant
US organisaton awarded funding to advance ethical labour practices and strengthen workforce development across the produce industry
Queen Victoria Market fruit and vegetable traders strike
Traders strike for the first time in market’s history as part of dispute with Market operators
Fruit Logistica: New fruits and vegetables by design – part 2
The second of a two-part session on the Fresh Produce Forum stage looked at what must be done to match the expectations of retailers, consumers and policymakers
Aldi adds avocados to ethical sourcing model
Avocados are the next step in the retailer’s journey towards responsible fresh produce sourcing
Tesco reports strong demand for rhubarb as UK production continues to expand
Consumer interest in rhubarb as a flavour has apparently led to a growth in demand for the fresh product itself
Iceland maintains Keelings partnership but drops name from produce label
Fruit and veg will no longer be sold under the Keelings, Love to Grow trademark, retailer tells The Grocer
Australian horticulture production value reaches A$17bn
Annual Horticulture Statistics Handbook shows total production value up 4.3 per cent year-on-year
Dutch retailers see bigger demand for meal kits
Shoppers in the Netherlands have reportedly spent less on pre-cut vegetables in favour of cheaper ingredient-based multipacks
Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch to launch in Germany and Middle East in 2025
Following a successful launch in the US in 2019, Driscoll’s is preparing to introduce its premium soft fruit range in new markets
Fruitnet Berry Congress: discount delegate rate extended 🍓🫐
One month to go before the world’s leading event for the fresh berry business meets in Rotterdam
Bloss apple scoops top Superior Taste Award
New Dutch apple variety wins prestigious taste award at International Taste Institute
Aldi extends ParalympicsGB partnership to 2032
Announcement comes as discounter is again named Britain’s cheapest supermarket
First shipment of Polish apples reaches Indonesia
Arrival comes as Indonesia negotiates comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the EU
Branston adds prepared options to Nanna Tate potato brand
Additional range includes chips, roast potatoes and mash recipes designed to “add unique twist to classic dishes”