- Hot Topics
- Coronavirus
Ratings agency Fitch downgrades M&S to junk status
Global ratings agency Fitch has downgraded Marks & Spencer’s long-term credit rating to junk status as the coronavirus lockdown exacerbates “historical operating weakness”
Investors heed WH Smith’s emergency cash call
WH Smith was forced to go cap in hand to its shareholders this week to raise emergency cash amid dire warnings over the impact coronavirus was having on current trading.
Sneeze screens in stores will become ‘commonplace’ after lockdown
High street chains including Costa and Greggs are in talks to fit protective screens once the lockdown ends
Cooplands launches food delivery service in Yorkshire and north east
Cooplands is distributing food packages to customers within 10-15 miles of its three main production sites in Durham, Hull and Scarborough
PHE slammed for delay issuing safety guidance for factory staff
Current regulations are too vague and misinformation is adding to anxiety say industry leaders…
Tobacco webinar to answer retailers’ questions about category future
To help retailers, The Grocer, along with sister brands Convenience Store and Forecourt Trader, has put together an expert panel to discuss the legislation changes
Ribena and Lucozade to be ‘first to get 100% sustainable’ plastic bottles
It comes following a ‘major breakthrough’ by bio-industrial solutions company Carbios
Shopper loyalty on the increase during coronavirus crisis, survey reveals
Confidence in the stock levels of certain stores grew in importance this week
Mike Owen named trading director at Costcutter
Owen is currently category director for fresh and frozen
Government intervention boosts wholesale and convenience stock levels
The shake-up followed crisis talks between members of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and the government
New date announced for Convenience Conference and Awards
Both will be held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London on 1 October
Sharon White thanks Waitrose and John Lewis staff in video message
White also thanks customers for their patience while stores have been busy, social distancing measures put in place and availability stretched
Wyke Farms inks export deal with Dutch distributor Westland Cheese
Wyke said the move was a bid to crack the Dutch and German markets
Greggs raises £150m through coronavirus Bank of England finance scheme
Greggs has raised £150 through the government created Covid Corporate Financing Facility.
Juul launches menthol vaping pod as menthol cigarettes ban approaches
The Menthol Juulpods will go on sale in approved retailers and on the Juul website later this month
NFU calls for urgent ‘crisis meeting’ with Eustice over dairy slump
It comes as dairy farmers have been pouring unallocated milk down the drain
Red Bull relaunches Zero with new formulation
The drink will return to supermarket shelves after some three years off the market
Wholesalers urge hospitality businesses to spend grants on stock bills
Frontline hospitality businesses that are eligible will begin to receive grants of up to £25,000 via their local authorities this week
Rejuvenation Water seeks crowdfunded cash after loan rejection
The healthy soft drinks startup has turned to the crowd to see the brand through the coronavirus outbreak after being denied access to a government-backed loan.
Supermarkets ‘finally’ able to help vulnerable with provision of government shield list
Asda CEO Roger Burnley said the supermarket was “working round the clock” to contact and feed vulnerable people on the list
How to pitch stories to The Grocer right now
Covid-19 has changed priorities in newsrooms everywhere. Here, editor Adam Leyland explains what you need to know to secure coverage in The Grocer in this new environment
How should brands communicate in the coronavirus crisis?
Fmcg is one of the few categories expected to keep communicating with shoppers in the Covid-19 crisis. But how to avoid seeming opportunistic or crass?
Is enough being done to keep food industry workers safe?
Supermarkets have acted quickly to protect their ‘hidden heroes’, but some food production staff have voiced concerns about safety
Will export bans hurt UK food security?
There’s no shortage of food to go around. But when one country begins banning exports, others may follow
Coronavirus information ads: who did it best?
Supermarkets haven’t just fed us during the pandemic – they’ve also scrambled to produce ads reassuring the public. So how do their efforts compare?
Guide for SMEs: how to access government support during the coronavirus crisis
The government has announced a broad package of measures to support UK businesses through the coronavirus crisis. So what financial help can food and drink SMEs get? And what do they need to do?
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