Author: Scott Dylan

In the past year, the UK has witnessed a significant surge in insolvencies among food and drink companies, highlighting financial challenges impacted by external factors.Recent data reveals a 108% increase in insolvencies within the food and drink sector, according to Inverto.Food manufacturers experienced a 102% rise in insolvencies, whereas drink manufacturers faced an even higher increase of 123%.Inflationary pressures and rising costs, notably influenced by global events like the Ukraine conflict, have exacerbated financial difficulties.Supermarkets’ recent price cuts offer potential relief, allowing manufacturers to renegotiate supply costs.The UK has experienced a pronounced increase in company insolvencies among food and drink…

MPs have expressed concerns over Asda’s ownership structure and its impact on consumer support during the cost-of-living crisis.Darren Jones has requested detailed information on Asda’s corporate structure, finances, and the Issa brothers’ assets.The Issa brothers’ ownership has reportedly doubled Asda’s debts, raising concerns about investment in lower prices.Asda has recently cut prices by an average of 11% on numerous products amidst these concerns.The supermarket was the first to publish local fuel prices online after MPs questioned fuel price hikes.In light of rising living costs, Members of Parliament have raised significant concerns with Asda’s owners, Mohsin and Zuber Issa. These concerns…

In response to increasing violence, Tesco introduces body cameras for its staff.Violent incidents on Tesco employees have escalated to over 200 cases monthly.Tesco CEO calls for stronger laws against crimes targeting retail workers.British Retail Consortium reports a sharp increase in abuse since pre-Covid.Efforts include substantial investment in security and calls for better police cooperation.Tesco has started issuing body cameras to its employees amidst a troubling surge in violent attacks, now exceeding 200 incidents each month. This significant step comes as part of broader efforts to enhance workplace safety for retail workers, who are experiencing increasing levels of physical assault and…

The John Lewis Partnership is confronting potential financial hurdles with its new property development plans.Plans include 781 new flats with a significant portion allocated as affordable housing.A £57m projected negative return raises profitability concerns for the project.The project’s costs are estimated at £240m, exceeding its projected value.Chair Dame Sharon White aims for profit diversification despite financial hurdles.The John Lewis Partnership is contending with significant financial difficulties regarding its ambitious property development plans. The proposal involves constructing 781 new flats, with 428 units above a Waitrose in West Ealing and 353 in Bromley. A noteworthy element of the plan is the…

Aldi implements a significant environmental change by removing single-use cutlery from its UK stores, aiming to reduce waste.The initiative will eliminate 10.5 million wooden forks from Aldi’s Food to Go range, equating to a reduction of 28 tonnes of waste.Aldi’s plastics and packaging director, Luke Emery, highlighted the supermarket’s commitment to becoming more eco-friendly.This change complements Aldi’s ongoing efforts to minimise plastic usage across its product offerings.The move is part of a broader strategy as Aldi trials new packaging solutions to further reduce environmental impact.Aldi, the leading discount supermarket chain, has made an impactful decision in a bid to support…

Lidl has announced a substantial pay increase for its employees effective immediately, impacting 24,000 colleagues.Store and warehouse staff outside the M25 benefit from a new hourly rate of £11.40, which can rise to £12 with service tenure.Employees within the M25 now receive £12.85 per hour, potentially reaching £13.15 based on service length.This pay adjustment represents an £8 million investment, contributing to Lidl’s total pay enhancement expenditure of over £60 million this year.Amid sector competition, this move aligns Lidl with industry pay standards, reflecting its commitment to valuing employee contributions.Lidl, known for its competitive pricing and efficient operations, has rolled out…

A technical glitch at Waitrose disrupted numerous online orders, frustrating customers.The incident occurred shortly before scheduled delivery times, leaving many shoppers dissatisfied.Waitrose confirmed that a substantial number of orders were affected, but the exact count remains unknown.The company clarified that this glitch was unrelated to previous IT issues that had caused inventory shortages at physical stores.Affected customers were offered apologies and goodwill gestures as compensation from Waitrose.A recent technical malfunction at Waitrose led to the abrupt cancellation of a significant volume of online orders, causing inconvenience for numerous customers. Many shoppers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, noting…

Shoplifting incidents in the UK have surged, with retailers seeking effective countermeasures to combat this menace.Co-op reports over 175,000 shoplifting incidents in the first half of 2023, highlighting a 35% increase compared to the previous year.Retail crime in the UK resulted in nearly £1 billion in losses for retailers during the 2021/22 period, emphasising the need for stringent anti-theft strategies.UK supermarkets are implementing diverse measures, from security tags to ‘love bombing’, to deter shoplifters and create a safer shopping environment.Collaboration with law enforcement and tougher legislation are pivotal in addressing the growing retail crime wave, affecting workers’ safety and community…

BelVita collaborates with FareShare to combat food insecurity through their ‘Give a Smile’ initiative.Aiming to donate 100,000 meals, BelVita leverages interactive technology for fundraising.The initiative addresses the struggles of 13.3 million people facing food insecurity in the UK.FareShare benefits from donations collected via facial recognition billboards.Retailers encouraged to participate by promoting the ‘Give a Smile’ campaign.BelVita has entered into a partnership with food charity FareShare to tackle the pressing issue of food poverty in the UK. Through the ‘Give a Smile’ campaign, which runs until 30 October, the organisations aim to donate up to 100,000 meals to families in need.…

Asda has launched a £15 million giveaway to celebrate its Rewards app’s first anniversary.The promotion features a ‘Spin the Wheel’ game, accessible to app users throughout September.Customers can win increments of up to £100 by spending at least £5 in-store or online and participating in the game.Over seven million users have engaged with the app, accruing more than £200 million in Cashpots.A physical ‘Spin the Wheel’ experience will also be available at select Asda locations later this month.In a strategic move to mark the first anniversary of its innovative Asda Rewards app, the major supermarket chain has announced a substantial…