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.
Growing demand for organic is being ‘handed on a plate’ to EU suppliers
UK growers are unable to match burgeoning demand in organic as new figures show low conversion rates due to uncertain farming policies
Defra refuses to confirm July border checks
Efra committee grilling reveals internal government negotiations are holding up confirmation of 1 July border checks while Defra concedes implementation could be ‘pragmatic’
Innovation and demand ‘driving frozen food sales’
Panel of industry experts outlines what it takes to succeed in burgeoning frozen space
A view from the outside
Health stories, protein, gut health and meat alternatives are some of the hot topics I found while covering food and farming from a consumer perspective
Ex-Flamingo CFO joins A.F. Blakemore
Steven Nuttall appointed chief financial officer at food wholesaler and retailer
Coming soon: FPJ Festival of Fresh Special
FPJ’s Festival of Fresh Special explores the big opportunities and challenges in British berries, as well as a getting you ready for our summer celebration
Late Easter gives a lift to supermarket sales
Retailers are also selling more grocery products on promotion
Food security starts at home
The UK’s dependence on the Mediterranean leaves it vulnerable to the impact of increasingly frequent weather extremes to hit the region, including the devastating floods in southern Spain
IGD calls for accelerated AI and robotics adoption
Analyst says greater investment is needed to transform food systems with technology, particularly in the face of the labour cost crunch
Lidl to invest £500mn in UK expansion
Discounter plans to open more than 40 new stores in the next year
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East of England Co-op trials new date brand
Datekin looks to position itself as “quick and sustainable energy boost” through trial at selected stores in East Anglia
Aldi backs British strawberry growers
Retailer says it is cutting the price of its homegrown strawberries to encourage shoppers to buy British
Syngenta develops positive pepper properties
Fruitnet talks traits, development and consumption with José Antonio Chicón of Syngenta Vegetable Seeds
UK trade bodies call for government action amid cost crisis
The Fresh Produce Consortium has united with the Horticultural Trades Association and British Potato Trade Association, urging the government to help secure the future of the industries in the face of huge challenges
Retailers drop price of popular Easter veg to 8p
Discounting round has echoes of supermarkets’ strategies over Christmas
Co-op first to sell 100 per cent British strawberries this year
Convenience retailer has got fruit into stores four days earlier than last year
Angus Soft Fruits boss publishes report on growing share of value chain
John Gray’s Nuffield Farming study highlights potential of gene-editing, data-driven production and new markets to help growers improve returns
Sunny weather brings glut of UK strawberries
The Summer Berry Company has produced 50t more strawberries than this time last year
Tesco reports strong figures as it focuses on value and quality
Supermarket says it is in a healthy position as market competitiveness hots up
Sodexo support helps launch of new social supermarket in Kent
Store offers low-priced fruit and veg to make healthy eating accessible to all