latest news
Sainsbury's investigates Fairtrade flower picker pay claims
The Fairtrade Foundation has also launched an investigation into allegations workers were treated unfairly
Government fund launched for companies reducing plastic waste Subscription
A new competition was launched today as part of the £20m Plastics Research and Innovation Fund…
Gordon's launches two low-alcohol gin and tonic premixes Subscription
The Diageo-owned brand has launched two SKUs in “hint of lime” and “hint of grapefruit” flavours
William Jackson swoops for food service ingredients specialist Wellocks Subscription
William Jackson Food Group has further built its food service portfolio with the acquisition of ingredients supplier Wellocks.
Nichols' Marnie Millard given OBE in Queen's birthday honours
Millard achieved the accolade for her services to international trade and to businesses in north west England…
FSA trials blockchain for meat inspection audits Subscription
The regulator launched a pilot two months ago with IBM
M&S new chief finance officer to join in July
Singer will be working closely with CEO Steve Rowe and the senior leadership team as they continue to accelerate the pace
CMA responses to Sainsbury's-Asda deal reveal widespread concerns Subscription
It is understood the authority received around 30 responses from individual accompanies and a raft of trade bodies, most of which are believed to have been hostile to the deal
Habitat to open new stores in Brighton and White City Subscription
New 4,700 sq ft Westfield London store and 6,500 sq ft Brighton store
Halewood to distribute Beluga vodka in the UK & ROI Subscription
The Siberian brand, which was previously distributed by Cellar Trends, will join Halewood’s portfolio from 1 July
Poundland offers Poundworld staff guaranteed job interviews
It has set up a dedicated email address for affected Poundworld workers to contact it about vacancies
Tesco chairman pledges more diverse board
‘We aren’t there as fully as we need to be’ on diversity, John Allan has said
Burton’s Biscuits Minis packs to get ‘100 calories’ overhaul
At 139g, new Maryland multipacks will be 8% smaller but the rsp will not change
City snapshot: Coca-Cola mulls £3bn swoop for GSK’s Horlicks Subscription
Coca-Cola is reported to be one of the clutch of multinational fmcg firms lining up to bid for Horlicks after GlaxoSmithKline decided to sell the 145-year old business. Plus, packaging firm DS Smith posts strong rise in sales and profits, Heineken to invest £40m in UK pubs and all the rest of the latest news from the City.
Media Bites 18 June: Poundworld, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Iceland Subscription
Private equity shows how to make a dog’s dinner on the high street, writes The Times (£), citing Poundworld, Prezzo, Debenhams in the list of businesses that have confounded the buyout barons.
Bestway picks up Blakemore depots in Cardiff and Walsall
Earlier Parfett’s agreed to buy Blakemore’s Middlesborough depot…
Bidfood set to create 200 jobs with new Liverpool DC Subscription
The Liverpool site is set to be operational from summer 2019…
Majestic Wine back in black but remaining cautious Subscription
Majestic posted a full year pre-tax profit of £8.3m after reporting a loss of £1.5m last year
Time triples size of cash & carry depot Subscription
The East London-based wholesaler opened its new 82,000 sq ft depot in Barking on Monday
Gato & Co increases pack sizes but not prices
Bigger packs began rollout this week, up to 80g-plus from about as little as 53g…
Apprentice winner's Sweets in the City makes official debut
It offers gifting lines via Harrods, Selfridges, Kingdom of Sweets and online
Sales jump 31% at Ferrero after Thorntons acquisition Subscription
However as sales grew, profitability suffered
Farmdrop secures £10m in funding to expand across UK Subscription
This brings the total raised by Farmdrop to over £20m since its launch in 2014
Cidermaker Thatchers' sales rocket 17% to grow profits Subscription
The manufacturer of Thatchers Gold and Thatchers’ Haze brands hit sales of £84.9m on the back of increased marketing investment
Yeo Valley hit hard as Tesco culls 15 lines in Project Reset Subscription
Tesco has delisted a total of 156 yoghurts, BSM, cheese and cream products since mid-May
Moy Park creates allergen-free factory in £18m investment Subscription
It includes the creation of a fully contained gluten and dairy-free factory at its Grantham site
The Co-op rolls out new tablets for staff Subscription
The new “ruggedised” terminals have been equipped with dedicated software designed to simplify tasks for staff
Calls grow for Apprenticeship Levy to be axed
Latest figures show starts are down on the previous year
Sainsbury's letter promises suppliers great opportunities Subscription
Sainsbury’s letter to suppliers promises ‘opportunity to streamline’ and to develop differentiated product ranges
Rejuvenation Water seeks £150k investment from crowd Subscription
The drinks company, which has focused on health-driven consumer trends with the high protein drink, has returned to the cr…
Pukka Herbs' losses mount despite 28% jump in annual sales Subscription
Revenues continued to soar at organic herbal tea brand Pukka Herbs, but losses mounted in the year leading up to its acquisition by Unilever.
Conviviality Retail unsecured creditors owed £31m at time of collapse Subscription
The retail arm of stricken alcohol business Conviviality went into administration with unsecured creditors of £31.3m, newly released documents have revealed.
Parfetts purchases AF Blakemore's Middlesborough depot
Trading will commence on 25 June following the official completion of the purchase next Friday
Tesco expands trials of Chef Central bulk buy concept Subscription
Retailer is also on track to relaunch 10,000 own label products by the end of 2018
Booths abandons sale plan in favour of driving recovery Subscription
The chain, which has 28 stores, appointed investment bank Rothschild in November to examine options including a sale
insight
Tesco and Booker are moving smartly with Chef Central pilots
There seems a lot more to Chef Central than what was billed as a predominantly B2B offering aimed at caterers, says chief reporter Ian Quinn
Grocer Gold Awards 2018: all the winners revealed
Aldi, Budweiser, MuscleFood and Spoon Guru among winners as disruptors and innovators dominate The Grocer Gold Awards
Adjudicator role changes could cause clash with retailers
Many senior sources are adamant it would be a “massive change of scope” and a “departure too far”
Aldi and Tesco are worthy winners, but no one can stand still
So, congratulations to Aldi, crowned Grocer of the Year for the fourth time in six years
The Fast Fix: can ultra low-calorie diets tackle diabetes?
Could an ultra low-calorie diet reverse Type 2 diabetes and save the NHS billions of pounds?
Cotton price hiked by slowing production
Prices of cotton have risen amid concerns over slowing production, driven by reports of unfavourable weather conditions
Poundworld: as rivals flourish, what went wrong? Subscription
In a year punctuated by high street insolvencies, the biggest so far in job loss terms loomed this week as Poundworld appinted administrators
Meat in vegan ready meals: how worrying are claims? Subscription
A vegan macaroni meal from Tesco’s Wicked Kitchen range supposedly contained traces of turkey
Sainsbury's-Asda: Remit extension for Adjudicator just not realistic Subscription
MPs and suppliers still clinging on to the idea the Adjudicator is going to be able to stop the merger in its tracks may have to get real, says senior reporter Ian Quinn
Rum: Can pirates' plonk become the next craft spirit? Video
Premium dark, aged and golden lines are making consumers see rum in a new light
10 new products launching for the World Cup
Brands and retailers are making the most of the team spirit with some innovative NPD
GDPR: How do UK supermarkets' data privacy hubs measure up?
Four data protection experts give their verdict on Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose’s new privacy hubs
Misguided beliefs must be challenged to reach gender equality
Having read some remarks made by CEOs and powerful business figures in recent weeks, I felt compelled to write a response
What the Carrefour deal tells us about Google's grocery ambitions
Unlike Amazon, Google’s play in the grocery scene is one of digital-enablement partner, not distribution supplier or direct competitor, argues Gracie Page of Y&R
Grocer Gold Awards 2018: all the winners revealed
Aldi named Grocer of the Year at Gold Awards ceremony
White Rabbit pizzas join new Waitrose vegan section
Rum: Can pirates' plonk become the next craft spirit?
Sainsbury's to trial stocking meat alternatives in meat aisle 
FSA launches probe after ‘meat traces found’ in vegan meals
Asda warned of £100m wage claim following Sainsbury's merger
Selfridges tackles plastic waste with public water fountain
What the Carrefour deal tells us about Google's grocery ambitions 
Ocado's fulfilment vision points way to a faster future
Hotel Chocolat claims win over Waitrose 'copycat' bars
UK market ‘attractive’ says expanding Dutch online firm 
After flexitarianism, here comes 'reducetarianism'. But will it stick? 
Brands must get their World Cup marketing timing right
Poundland links with Greencore for chilled food supply deal
Industry leaders to challenge ban on 'junk food' promotions 
Lucozade Zero is the Love Island hero
Addo pulls 59 pastry SKUs over metal contamination fear
Tenderstem broccoli inspires seven-inch song of praise
