Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Cherry sales up 150 per cent at Ocado
Online retailer believes popularity for ‘retro’ cherry flavour has boosted fresh sales, while warm weather has led to bumper crops of berries and apricots
Blue Skies marketing director steps down
Mark Crawford has overseen strong growth at the tropical fruit supplier, and leaves the business for new role
Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables voted ‘a better choice!’ Retailer of the Year
Sunshine Coast greengrocer receives national people’s choice award celebrating independent Australian fruit and vegetable shops
Asia Fruit Logistica edition of Asiafruit out now
Bumper 30th anniversary issue includes exclusive industry panel breaking down Asia’s fresh produce market over the past three decades plus full preview of Asia Fruit Logistica and Asiafruit Knowledge Centre
Video: Tariff tension triggers Canadian concern
Seeds & Stems’ Sav Tsoukalas discusses how US tariff policy and Canada’s own response is reshaping supply chains, changing retail buying patterns, and influencing consumer choices in the country’s fresh produce market
Daily Dose wins Waitrose listing for two new apple juices
The B Corp uses wonky produce for its cold-pressed juices
The Fresh Ideas Show: Summer sales, blueberries or bust, and magic magnets
Hear from fresh produce business experts including Tesco, Oddbox, Elenovations and Alegra in the latest episode of Fruitnet’s video podcast
Rijk Zwaan strengthens Asian market position with innovative products and increased presence
Ahead of Asia Fruit Logistica, Rijk Zwaan reveals expansion across Asia including a new Korean subsidiary, R&D facilities in Vietnam and Japan, and innovative product developments tailored to regional markets
New CEO and director of operations for Borough Market
New appointments will take up their roles from 1 September
Aldi to open one store a week during rest of 2025
Discounter confirms £650m expansion and refurbishment plan with new stores opening across the UK
AH Worth begins red kale trial as part of continued brassica innovation
Trials of striking new variety support growing retail demand for distinctive, high-quality produce, according to producer
Lidl Community Fund helps tackle food poverty
The retailer’s community grant scheme has now given £2 million in funding since 2022 with recipients including a Kent cookery club and a national school pantry scheme
Perceptions of freshness ‘key to future success’ at Ocado
Trading manager Martha Springham discusses challenges and advantages of online retail in Festival of Fresh interview about Ocado’s fresh produce strategy
Plum deal for growers as sector bounces back
Tesco reports best plum season for three years
Beyond the FPJ Big 50: Are people really buying more fruit and veg?
Listen to the first episode of The Fresh Produce Journal Podcast and find out why fresh produce sales in the UK are at a record high
Israeli exporters report signs of possible boycott as Gaza war continues
Fresh produce exporters in Israel suggest retailers across Europe are quietly ceasing procurement of Israeli goods, as Gaza’s humanitarian situation worsens
New climate-resilient apricots launched by Worldwide Fruit and Cot International
Four new varieties grown in the UK have been brought to market, with development focused on resilience to extreme weather and frosty winters
Asda’s Yorkshire refit highlights fruit & veg
Fresh produce aisle among those to receive feature lighting and neon signage
Experts expect no slowdown in UK avocado market
Global avocado supplies continue to increase, leading many to predict imminent issues of oversupply, but a panel of UK experts at this year’s Festival of Fresh conference see more room for growth
Co-op launches ‘next-gen’ micro store format
Convenience chain is looking to take a bigger slice of the food-for-now market
Biedronka pioneers sale of Polish-grown table grapes
The Polish retailer has begun selling domestically grown green and black table grapes in 660 stores, expanding its commitment to local sourcing
Metis plums debut new LinerlessLid cartonboard punnets at Tesco
Launch from Coveris reflects growing trends for paper-based and branded packaging in UK
Momentum builds for Asia Fruit Logistica
Top buyers and suppliers from more than 46 countries and regions preparing to attend Asia’s most important fruit and vegetable event
Albert Bartlett and Andy Murray announce long-term partnership
Tennis legend will urge Brits to “bring out their best side”, starting with brand campaign showcasing ease of use and quality of Albert Bartlett potatoes
Bumper crop for British blueberries
Blueberry growers are expecting a 25 increase in sales after strong consumer awareness and a bumper crop, as investment in automation and varietal development drives industry forward
OSY Group partners with Sharpak to extend soft fruit shelf-life
Food tech specialist OSY Group has announced a commercial partnership with packaging manufacturer Sharpak Aylesham to extend the shelf-life of soft fruits sold through UK supermarkets using innovative antimicrobial coating technology
China’s appetite for imported durian remains “robust”
Despite more cautious spending, Chinese traders report enduring interest in imported fruits including durian, pineapple and coconut
Delhaize switches to cardboard punnets for Belgian strawberries
Belgian supermarket chain has introduced new cardboard packaging for its locally-grown strawberries, aiming to save 17 tonnes of plastic this year alone
Fidelio to acquire Nordic Capital’s stake in Greenfood
Stockholm-based investment group Fidelio set to acquire Nordic Capital’s majority stake in fresh produce marketer Greenfood, building on its 15-year minority shareholding to support the company’s international growth ambitions
Tesco revamps 5-a-day campaign to boost fruit and veg sales
The UK’s largest food retailer unveils new initiative that rewards customers with Clubcard points for purchasing fresh produce, as it aims to address declining fruit and vegetable consumption nationwide
Blueberry supplier Family Tree Farms expands EU and UK sales teams
Both Carla San Martin Burneo and Chris Taylor bring extensive experience in soft fruit sales as producer continues to supply top European retailers with premium blueberries
Norfolk grower gets 70 per cent of profit from PYO
Berry and asparagus producer in Norfolk says majority of profit comes from PYO crops due to no labour input costs
UK food inflation to peak at 5.1 per cent in 2025, IGD warns
Retail food inflation expected to outpace general inflation, averaging four per cent in 2025, up from previous forecast of 3.4 per cent
Rising grocery price inflation worries shoppers
Worldpanel figures show grocery price inflation at its highest level in 18 months
Primary schoolchildren move into fresh produce supply
Pupils at a Hampshire school are selling fruit and veg from their allotment to local restaurants and shops
Food security report exposes climate change risks for UK importers
Study urges suppliers to take action to avoid empty shelves, with half of UK fruit and veg imports facing severe climate threats by 2050