Steve Farrell
Steve is deputy news editor at The Grocer.
He’s responsible for covering the discounters and retail property, and for commissioning and editing The Grocer’s analysis features. He has over 20 years' experience as a journalist, during which his by line has appeared regularly in a range of national newspapers.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 846613
- Email:
- steve.farrell@thegrocer.co.uk
Comment & OpinionPoundland’s theft clampdown was hinted at in its results. What else is on the way?
Along with need to tackle crime and stem shrinkage, Poundland’s annual results pointed to fundamental changes in the discounter’s strategy
NewsLidl launches consultation with 300 workers over proposed closure of Enfield warehouse
The 300 workers were informed yesterday and told redeployment opportunities would be explored ahead of the site’s proposed closure at the end of September this year
NewsAldi buying MD Julie Ashfield promoted to chief commercial officer in board structure shake-up
The shake-up also includes the creation of two chief operating officer roles, who along with Ashfield will report to Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley
NewsPoundstretcher sinks to loss before acquisition but now ‘well positioned’ for growth
The retailer made pre-tax loss of £9.8m in the year to 31 March 2024, slipping from a £5m profit the year before
NewsDiscount Dragon doubles revenue despite straining warehouse capacity
Discount Dragon also delivered a modest adjusted EBITDA profit for the first time in the month of October 2024
NewsPoundland making ‘biggest-ever investment’ in tackling retail crime
The clampdown includes equipping stores with new technology and giving security teams the backing to detain suspects
NewsBoots posts strong Q1 results but warns of ‘heightened cost pressures’ after budget
‘Looking forward, we face heightened cost pressures in 2025,’ said Boots UK & Ireland MD Anthony Hemmerdinger
NewsLidl becomes first major retailer to adopt Vegetarian Society’s ‘Plant Based’ accreditation standard
The Vegetarian Society’s Plant Based trademark has been added to Lidl’s Vemondo Plant range, which it launched in October, tripling its plant-based offering in the process
NewsLidl gives loyalty scheme members chance to win £10 discount with every shop
Until January 15, the discounter is promising one in 10 shoppers using the Lidl Plus app will be rewarded with a £10 coupon to claim off their next shop
NewsM&S chief calls on government for ‘growth plan for the country and business’
Speaking as M&S announced its Christmas trading results, Stuart Machin said extra costs arising from the budget would affect the retailer’s approach to recruitment
NewsM&S ‘the top performing store-based grocery retailer’ in Christmas ‘golden quarter’
Food sales were up 8.7% in the 13 weeks to 28 December, and 8.9% up on a like for like basis
NewsHome Bargains’ turnover and profits soar as store estate grows
The retailer opened 31 new stores in 2024 and is set to launch a ‘highy automated’ new one million sq ft distribution centre in spring
NewsPoundland appoints CJ Antal-Smith as commercial director
Antal-Smith replaces Tim Bettley, who has moved on from the business after six years
NewsMedia Bites 7 January: golden quarter sales, Aldi’s ‘best ever’ Christmas, looming inflation
Underwhelming golden quarter retail sales figures from the BRC are dominating this morning’s headlines
Comment & OpinionIs Aldi’s ‘record-breaking’ Christmas really that impressive?
Despite the headlines, this year’s was Aldi’s slowest Christmas growth since 2021, when the numbers were skewed by unusually high grocery spend during lockdown
NewsPoundland hikes number of products at £1 or less from 1,500 to 2,400
It means nearly half of the total core range of 5,000 products is now £1 or less
NewsAldi posts record Christmas sales of £1.6bn
It capped another ‘astonishing’ year, in which Aldi overtook Asda to become the country’s second-largest supermarket by shopper numbers, the discounter said
NewsAldi launches its biggest-ever plant-based range for Veganuary
The discounter is adding a raft of new additions to its Plant Menu range from 30 December
News10 Aldi customers to win £100 vouchers for their Christmas food shop this weekend
The competition is a ramp-up of a ‘Big Advent Giveaway’ announced by Aldi in November
NewsMedia Bites 20 December: Christmas dinner prices, Aldi’s sprout dispute and strong supermarket sales
The price of Christmas dinner is back in the headlines, while The Grocer’s exclusive on the GCA’s intervention in a legal dispute between Aldi and a supplier has also rippled into the national press