Simon Roberts news, comment and opinion
Simon Roberts has been CEO of Sainsbury's since 2020, having joined in 2017 from Boots UK. He oversees supermarket operations, Habitat, Argos and Nectar, which The Grocer covers with news, analysis and comment.
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NewsSainsbury’s CEO: ‘we’re not in any discussions’ to sell Argos
Sales at Argos grew by 2.3% in the first half of 2025
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NewsSainsbury’s raises profit guidance as momentum continues
Sainsbury’s previously warned profits would fall as it invested in price
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NewsSainsbury’s, Morrisons and Weetabix back free breakfast clubs
Early adopter schools will be offered discounts and free deliveries
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Analysis & FeaturesIGD conference: is industry up to the challenges ahead?
Action is needed to boost food security and avoid environmental disaster. Can businesses stay focused and rely on government?
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Comment & OpinionIndustry at a crossroads: which path will it take and do minsters care?
At today’s IGD conference speaker after speaker detailed the huge challenges facing food and drink
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NewsDefra shakes up food strategy as it takes axe to FDTP
The Food Data Transparency Partnership will see its powers transferred to the new Food Strategy Advisory Board (FSAB)
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NewsFareShare and The Felix Project to merge in major food redistribution shake-up
FareShare and The Felix Project will unite, under the latter’s name, to form what they said would be a ‘bigger and more ambitious organisation with greater national impact’
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Comment & OpinionWho was Argos’ swooping suitor and why does Sainsbury’s want to sell?
Argos represents a ‘key piece in the puzzle’ Chinese giant JD.com is trying to solve, according to experts
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NewsSainsbury’s chief people officer departs
It is understood that CEO Simon Roberts informed Sainsbury’s staff of Issar’s departure last week
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NewsSainsbury’s ends talks to sell Argos to China’s JD.com
The grocer’s plans to sell the retailer only emerged on Saturday
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NewsSainsbury’s to roll out facial recognition tech in stores
The technology will be used to identify and possibly ban people who are ‘violent, aggressive or steal in the store’
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NewsMore than 100 large supermarkets ‘at risk of closure’ thanks to business rates reforms
The changes will also hand an advantage to the discounters thanks to their smaller stores
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Comment & OpinionSainsbury’s has used Moriarty move to streamline senior team
It was never going to be easy for Sainsbury’s to replace Clo Moriarty: hers was a uniquely fashioned job title for a rare talent
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NewsSainsbury’s shakes up leadership team with new retail chief
Sainsbury’s leadership reshuffle sees new unified retail role created, while technology, commercial and sustainability functions strengthen customer experience.
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NewsFood strategy harmony breaks down as IGD defends role in talks
Several industry sources have raised concerns over IGD’s role in the talks
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NewsSainsbury’s to convert another Homebase site as store expansion continues
Sainsbury’s had more prime locations open new stores in the future, said chief property and procurement director Patrick Dunne
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NewsBRC urges further reform to Employment Rights Bill after Lords scrutiny
Members of the House of Lords proposed amendments to the bill – which has been hailed as the ‘biggest shakeup’ of workers’ rights in 30 years – in a report stage debate earlier this week
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NewsTesco and Sainsbury’s chiefs join calls for Rachel Reeves to rethink business rates reforms
Tesco Group CEO Ken Murphy and Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts said it would worsen the plight of high streets by undermining the investment from larger retailers who act as anchors for footfall
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Analysis & FeaturesThin on detail, can Defra’s food plan achieve anything?
Defra wants to improve diets, sustainability and resilience – but detail is lacking, along, it seems, with real support from No 10
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Comment & OpinionDoes the new Food Strategy lack real Treasury commitment?
Sources close to the process suggest a reluctance from Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to give the go-ahead to the investment that will be needed to back up the strategy