Fruit and veg shortage will get worse before it gets better, warn farmers February 25, 2023 The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that shortages of some fruit and vegetables in UK supermarkets could be “the tip of the iceberg”. NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said a reliance on imports has left the UK vulnerable to “shock weather events”. Soaring energy bills exacerbated by the war in Ukraine have also put [...]
Growers warn leek supply will be exhausted by April as Therese Coffey tells Brits to eat turnips February 24, 2023 Growers are warning of a leek shortage that will see British-grown supplies exhausted by April. High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever”. Supermarkets are already limiting the sale of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables because of a [...]
Tesco raises store workers pay by 7 per cent February 20, 2023 Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, will raise hourly pay for about 220,000 store workers by 7 per cent from April – another increase that will likely catch the attention of the Bank of England, which is worried about inflationary pressure in the economy. The supermarket group, one of the country’s largest private sector employers, said a [...]
High Street retail race: Marks and Spencer predicted to overtake John Lewis by 2026 February 8, 2023 Marks & Spencer will overtake John Lewis in the rankings of the UK’s biggest retailers by 2026, according to a new sales forecast. Tesco will retain its position as the largest retailer, followed by Sainsbury’s, but Amazon is on track to move into the top three within the next few years, industry title Retail Week [...]
Cost of living crisis: Grocery inflation up two per cent in just one month with shoppers forking out £800 more a year January 31, 2023 Grocery price inflation has hit a record 16.7 per cent to add a potential £788 to annual shopping bills, figures have shown. The “staggering” 2.3 percentage point jump in the four weeks to January 22 has exceeded the previous high recorded by analysts Kantar in October and is the highest figure since their records began [...]
RAC accuses forecourts of ripping off motorists with higher fuel prices despite slump in wholesale costs January 28, 2023 One of the UK’s largest motorist organisations has accused forecourts of profiteering from fuel prices by failing to pass on a fall in wholesale costs. The RAC said costs at the pump were still much higher than wholesale costs which have fallen in the last few months. Data published today by the RAC showed that [...]
Almost 300 jobs at risk at Asda and 4,100 staff face pay cut January 26, 2023 Asda has unveiled a major shake-up of store operations, which will put close to 300 roles at risk and reduce pay for more than 4,000 night workers. The supermarket chain has proposed that some overnight restocking shifts at 184 stores are moved to the daytime, putting 211 night shift manager roles at risk. It said the [...]
Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin lashes out at ‘vast disparity in VAT treatment’ between pubs and supermarket alcohol sales January 25, 2023 Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has launched a scathing attack on the government, saying the biggest threat to pubs is the “vast disparity in tax treatment” compared to restaurants and supermarkets. The outspoken chain boss said he was “cautiously optimistic” for the financial year ahead, as the firm published its like-for-like sales in the 25 weeks [...]
Fuel price warning if Asda forecourt mega-merger goes ahead January 23, 2023 A MOOTED merger between Asda and its owners’ separate forecourt business could lead to significantly higher fuel prices, a campaign group has warned. The billionaires – who bought Asda in 2020 for £6.8bn – are reportedly plotting to merge the supermarket chain with their forecourt business EG Group. The merger could create a new company [...]
Slow fashion: Retailers embrace second-hand clothing to draw in thrifty eco-conscious fashion lovers January 23, 2023 High street retailers are following in the footsteps of their online rivals, offering more second-hand clothes to lure in shoppers wanting to steer clear of fast fashion and hunt for bargains amid a cost of living crisis. The second-hand clothing market has exploded over the last decade to an estimated £6.5bn last year, largely thanks [...]