Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Waitrose launches year-round British samphire thanks to hydroponics
Glasshouse growing method replicates coastal microclimates to allow continuous UK supply
SanLucar launches Disney Vaiana summer fruit promotion campaign
Group partners with Disney’s live-action film to create in-store experience zones featuring stonefruit, melons, tropical fruits and summer varieties
Job of the Week: commercial roles at Dole Imports
Major fresh produce supplier is searching for experienced commercial talent with strong communication skills to join its imports business in Kingston-upon-Thames
Perfect conditions bring super-sweet British raspberry crop
Growers having a ‘vintage year’ with ideal growing conditions ensuring standout flavour and quality, according to British Berry Growers
Naturitalia sees greater demand in Europe for premium produce
Italian supplier says Scandinavia and Germany are now ‘testing grounds’ for premium items like stonefruit, grapes and kiwifruit
Wrap aims to ‘change narrative’ on food waste through series of events
Key message is that we have ‘everything to gain – nothing to waste’ by acting on one of the world’s biggest economic, environmental and social issues
“This is the moment” for sustainable farming
Eighty years since the Soil Association was founded in the shadow of the Second World War, CEO Helen Browning reveals her pride that the organisation’s ideas are finally entering the mainstream
Mislabelling issue returns, as Israeli settlements under scrutiny
The EU Commission is set to propose ways to restrict trade with Israeli settlements, as new report sheds light on scale of problem on European markets
Supplier partnerships ‘at heart of Sainsbury’s strategy’
Category director Hannah O’Reilly tells Festival of Fresh how retailer values long-term working
Co-op and Deliveroo fight food waste with £3 mystery produce bags
Each ‘Second Chance Saver Bag’ contains six to eight fruit and veg products worth up to £32 from a selected Co-op store
G’s turns Tesco lettuces into footballs for World Cup
Playful twist to iceberg lettuce packaging aims to encourage healthy eating during the tournament
Fruit in the spotlight during Aeon’s Vietnam week
Vietnamese products to be promoted in Aeon stores across Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Cambodia
Jabs present uncertain dilemma for fruit and veg
The sudden rise of weight loss drugs, or GLP-1s, in the UK is creating uncertainty across the food industry, as analysts assess the likely impact
WAO organises biggest-ever European summer campaign
AvoTour 2026 takes ‘Make Wellness Joyful’ campaign across five countries during June and July
Importers urged to consider impact of checks on non-EU produce
Checks on imports from the rest of the world could raise food prices and jeopardise ‘just in time’ supply, while spreading risk across shipping lines and ports is helping suppliers take control, Festival of Fresh delegates told
Greenvale MD David Rankin to step back
Major potato supplier has announced a leadership transition and interim structure as Rankin departs to pursue new opportunities after more than 30 years with the company
Festival of Fresh Awards celebrate cream of the crop
Nick Marston, DPS and Dyson Farming were among the winners at FPJ’s flagship event hosted by G’s
Japan’s largest fruit import under threat from ethylene shortage
Middle East conflict has tightened ethylene supplies, with fruit importers trying to avoid shortages and minimise price rises
EU produce consumption rises but still below WHO target
Average daily consumption up slightly in 2024 but only five member states meet WHO guidelines, according to latest Freshfel Consumption Monitor
Abel to succeed: Hannah Shipton marks 10 years
As she reaches 10 years in the role, the MD of Abel & Cole tells Nina Pullman how she plans to grow the business, and what gets her customers talking
2026 Horticulture Awards for Excellence recognise the industry’s finest
A dozen awards presented at the culmination of Hort Connections, recognising achievement right across the fresh produce industry
The question for UK growers today is: ’What can I grow that will not make a loss?’
Nationwide Produce chairman Tim O’Malley reflects on major challenges for growers and government as potato producers are forced to dump large volumes of crop amid overproduction in Europe
Fruitnet Berry Congress asks: how can packaging prosper?
Sustainability, convenience and added value topped the agenda as three berry packaging specialists shared the Fruitnet Berry Congress stage in London
Oddbox releases third ‘wonky’ gin with Penrhos Spirits
Veg box scheme’s third tie-up with farm-made craft gin brand uses out of spec apples and imperfect fennel and lemon to capitalise on summer spritz trend
Coming soon: Asia Fruit Logistica edition of Asiafruit Magazine
Reach every visitor at Asia’s largest fresh produce event
Flavorite Group wins MOYA 2026 for Maddie’s Month campaign
Australasia’s premier fresh produce marketing award presented to purpose-led campaign which raised money for charity and drove sales
Amazon launches same-day fresh produce delivery service
Group rolls out option in parts of London, marking significant expansion of grocery service following closure of physical stores
Aldi opens Britain’s largest supermarket distribution centre
1.3mn sq ft facility in Leicestershire will serve nearly 350 stores across UK and have capacity for seven million pallets a year
Orange juice demand set to fall despite lower prices
Global consumption is projected to continue a decade-long decline in 2026/27, according to Rabobank
Festival of Fresh welcomes fresh produce kingpins to G’s on 10 June
Keynote interviews with Defra farming minister Dame Angela Eagle and Sainsbury’s category director Hannah O’Reilly are among the highlights as event approaches
Asda partners with Ocado to strengthen online offer
Retailer plans to improve online shopping, mobile app and home delivery services by using Ocado’s technology and online expertise
Soviet-era cafe shot wins World Food Photo Awards
World Food Photography Award winners highlight power of food stories and the essential role of food in communities across the world
Driscoll’s CEO speaks at WSJ Global Food Forum
Soren Bjorn explains how the world’s largest berry company can cope with tariffs, immigration reform, changing consumer behavior, and supply chain uncertainty
Tesco launches branded Zespri Green kiwifruit packs in UK first
Supplier says country’s largest supermarket has strengthened its offer with launch of branded line
Greenvale’s premium potato brand listed at Sainsbury’s
Golden Kings is now available at Sainsbury’s after years of consistent growth and successfully appealing to younger shoppers
Rockit and Freco sign five-year partnership in Hong Kong
Exclusive distribution agreement aims to more than double sales volumes in Rockit’s second-largest market over the next five years