The Co-operative steals supermarket crown as strongest non-discounter, according to Kantar figures – as grocery sector boosted by New Year healthkicks February 9, 2016 The UK's struggling grocery sector has been given a shot in the arm from shoppers on a health kick, with sales up 0.2 per cent as consumers seek out fresh foods. The Co-operative was the fastest growing supermarket, outside of the discounters, in the 12 weeks to 31 January – the first time it can claim [...]
Valentine’s Day 2016: Morrisons is selling oysters for 25p each ahead of Valentine’s Day – the same price as a Cadbury Freddo February 8, 2016 Lidl may be famous for its champagne, but one of the big four supermarkets appears to be fighting the competition by slashing the price of oysters ahead of Valentine's Day this year. Morrisons is to sell fresh British oysters for just 25p each – the price of an average Cadbury Freddo in a move to try to outshine its [...]
EasyFood store re-opens in London after crowds of shoppers forced its closure two days after launch – but this time with bouncers February 8, 2016 The first EasyFood store has re-opened in north west London after being swamped by customers – but this time there’s security. The low-cost supermarket, which is selling every product for 25p throughout February, was forced to shut just two days after opening in Park Royal last week. Eager bargain hunters had cleared the shelves of [...]
Tesco comes to single shoppers’ rescue this Valentine’s Day with a new way to find The One when Tinder hasn’t worked February 6, 2016 Every multinational retailer’s favourite celebration of love is coming up. But if you’re still on the hunt for that special someone to share Valentine’s Day with, forget Tinder and other dating apps. This year, there’s a new way to find the one: through your shopping basket. Tesco has lent a hand to shoppers looking for [...]
How Argos will help Sainsbury’s rival Amazon after Home Retail Group deal February 2, 2016 Sainsbury’s purchase of Home Retail Group has been everywhere, but only half the story is being told. Arguably the most important half of the picture is what’s being missed. The real impact will not be solely in-store, but the online, logistical and fulfilment capabilities it unlocks for Sainsbury’s. It could well be what drags the [...]
Tesco announces pay rise for staff, taking salaries (slightly) above National Living Wage February 2, 2016 Tesco is raising its hourly pay above the Living Wage threshold to £7.62, the supermarket announced this afternoon. The supermarket, which has just dropped its Bogof policy and is winding down the number of stores that operate for 24-hours, said the 3.1 per cent pay rise would come into effect across the UK "for all established colleagues". [...]
UK farmers plan London march after world commodity crisis slashes incomes February 2, 2016 British farmers are reacting to the world commodity crisis in an unusual way – by planning a march on London. Lobby group Farmers For Action has received thousands of pledges of support for a demonstration on Wednesday 23 March. Coachloads of countryfolk will descend on London to highlight the sharp drop in food producers’ incomes over [...]
Bye-bye BOGOF? Tesco finally winds down promotions in favour of simpler pricing strategy February 2, 2016 Tesco is winding down its focus on promotions such as the famous BOGOF – buy one get one free offers – instead offering customers clearer prices in the long term. It's the latest supermarket to follow in the footsteps of discounters Aldi and Lidl with low prices overall rather than deals which have been criticised as [...]
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannau opens first EasyFood pilot store in London – with food priced at 25p February 2, 2016 Aldi and Lidl are about to get a taste of their own medicine, after EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannau has opened his first EasyFoodstore in north-west London, bringing the challenging spirit of the discount airline to the grocery sector. The Park Royal shop (next to the EasyBus depot on the North Circular, natch) will sell a limited and basic [...]
Tesco’s not out of the woods yet January 26, 2016 Tesco is still very much paying for the sins of the past, but it has started to turn the corner on the slow road to recovery. The coming weeks are likely to contain some unpleasant tidings for the embattled supermarket. The slap on the wrist from the grocery watchdog for failing to treat suppliers fairly is [...]