Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
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
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
SanLucar partners with Borussia Mönchengladbach
Valencia-based company will provide the German Bundesliga team with fresh fruits, fresh-cut products and salads
Montosa champions quality as driver of growth in avocado sector
Speaking at Fruitnet Tropicals Congress, company said added value, specialisation, and close collaboration with retailers are key to sustainable growth
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
The future is bright for tropicals
Fruitnet Tropicals Congress hears how quality, consistency and better marketing are key to boosting sales
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
Amazon to be investigated for late supplier payments
The Groceries Code Adjudicator is launching the investigation with reasonable grounds to suspect Amazon has breached the code and is asking suppliers to contribute anonymously
Stewarts of Tayside doubles raspberry supply to Asda
Grower is also increasing its potato supply to the retailer
Fresh initiatives fuel global growth at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025
Asia Fruit Logistica boosts global trade with new features and stronger international participation
UK raspberry growers celebrate best season in years
Exceptional growing conditions have brought the British raspberry crop on by almost two weeks with significantly high fruit size and yields
Zespri signs strategic MOUs to double fruit sales in China over ten years
Distribution and retail partners Joy Wing Mau, Goodfarmer Pagoda and Xianfeng Fruit collectively represent around 80 per cent of Zespri’s business in China
Consumers want ‘more British food’
Red Tractor’s Annual Trust in Food Index finds consumers think farmers are being undercut by imports, as findings offer public perspective of future trade deals
Is the EU deal simply passing on the BTOM?
Comment: Will the new UK/EU deal signal the end of delays over border food classification, asks IPP’s regional managing director Andy Maddock
The Fresh Ideas Show: Banana drama, Brexit bridge-building, and a bunch of clever Kiwis
Fruitnet’s brand new podcast features exclusive interviews and expert analysis of the big stories in the fruit fresh produce business
Tesco launches ‘next big thing’ Lion’s Mane mushrooms
Retailer jumps on soaring trend for ‘functional’ food as exotic mushroom moves from health food shops and pharmacies to fresh produce retail shelves
Rockit attends New Zealand Prime Minister’s mission to China
Apple company to sign strategic partnership agreement with Xian Feng during the delegation
‘Dates have bags of potential as healthy snacking trend continues’
Comment: Sweet but stacked with health benefits, dates are perfectly positioned to capitalise on rising UK demand for ‘mindful snacking’
Jazz Apple summer tour aims to reach new audiences
Apple brand will travel to Bournemouth, Yorkshire and Bath as part of a summer sampling tour while a new mascot launch will promote Jazz Snackers mini apples
Produce suppliers win share of £500k Waitrose fund
Projects on soft fruit, topfruit and broccoli all receive cash in low-carbon push
Lidl invites festival-goers to help ‘Drop the Beet’
Promotional events at leading Dutch music gatherings aim to communicate enjoyment aspect of fresh fruit and veg
Avocados From Colombia completes successful campaign with Weis Markets
Multi-week promotion included display contest, point-of-sale tools and in-store engagement across 200 stores
Riverford grows peat-free mushrooms in industry first
Organic veg box company has raised prices to cover growing chestnuts and portobellos on a peat-free substrate, as trials on lettuce and tomatoes continue
Woolworths and NFF launch AgriEmpower Scholarship
Organisations invest A$400,000 over the next four years to empower individuals aged 25-40 who will drive innovation and sustainability in the sector
Perfection Fresh launches recyclable premium strawberry punnet
New Detpak design reduces plastic by 87 per cent
Stage set for Asia Fruit Logistica Thailand Meet Up
High-profile speakers to share expert insights on the dynamic Asean markets at Bangkok event
Fresh food helps Tesco to Q1 sales increase
CEO says result was achieved despite intense competition in the market
TikTok ‘snack hacks’ spike sales of pomegranate
Pomegranate seeds are outperforming prepared fruit sales thanks to viral social media recipe hits with chocolate chips, cucumber and halloumi