Author: Scott Dylan

Amid widening losses, Whole Foods is revamping its product lineup by axing luxury items in favour of more discounted goods in London stores.The high-priced ‘cheese vault’ and refillable grain and nut options are among the premium offerings being removed.New ‘low prices’ signage is introduced to help customers easily locate discounted items.Whole Foods has begun adopting self-service checkout options, aligning with broader retailer trends in the UK.The chain reported a significant pre-tax loss of £26.3 million, with sales dropping 2.9% to £91.6 million amidst inflationary pressures.In a strategic shift spurred by financial pressures, Whole Foods is reorienting its offerings in London…

M&S challenges government decision on Marble Arch store proposal, sparking a legal battle.M&S plans involved demolishing an Art Deco building for redevelopment.Government rejection cited heritage, environmental concerns, and conservation area impact.M&S disputes decision, citing misinterpretation of planning policy.Legal action aims to counteract perceived misguided agenda against redevelopment.M&S has initiated a legal challenge following the government’s refusal to approve its redevelopment proposal for the Marble Arch store. The retailer’s ambitious plans aimed to transform an aged and complex Art Deco building on Oxford Street, a move deemed necessary by its leadership to modernise the site.The government, however, turned down the proposal,…

In a commendable initiative, Kellogg’s has contributed £4,000 to Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity.The donation will be distributed as eight £500 grants to support school breakfast clubs.Kellogg’s involvement extends its 25-year commitment to helping UK school breakfast programs.Nisa’s charity focuses on local impact, donating over £1m to communities last year.Nisa retailers can nominate local causes for donations through the MADL scheme.Kellogg’s recently demonstrated its commitment to community welfare by donating £4,000 to Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity. This strategic donation is aimed at supporting breakfast clubs in schools, providing necessary funding to help combat childhood hunger and…

Unilever and Tesco have partnered with Kimberly-Clark, Essity, and Haleon to address hygiene poverty.The initiative involves donating one hygiene product for every two purchased until 3 October.Over a million products from brands like Radox, Sure, and Persil are expected to be donated.Last year’s efforts provided 400,000 products to over 1,391 charities.Research shows almost half of low-income households struggle to afford hygiene products.Unilever has joined forces with Tesco and prominent industry names Kimberly-Clark, Essity, and Haleon, in a concerted effort to mitigate hygiene poverty. Until 3 October, for every two products like shampoo, toothpaste, or period items bought at any of…

Asda’s billionaire owners, Mohsin and Zuber Issa, are reportedly in discussions to divest a significant portion of the supermarket’s real estate assets amounting to approximately £500 million.Macquarie Asset Management is in advanced talks to acquire ground rent leases of 50 Asda stores, securing a 50-year tenure as part of the sale.The arrangement would allow Asda to lease back the properties at a relatively low rent, thereby freeing up substantial capital to address existing debts.Previously, the Issa brothers sold 25 Asda stores to Realty Income Corporation for £650 million, which was also executed as a sale and leaseback deal.Earlier transactions this…

Aldi has announced a reduction in prices for key fruit and vegetable items in its Everyday Essentials range, impacting commonly purchased products.Prices for strawberries, potatoes, and spinach among other items have seen reductions, with an average decrease of around 9%.This move aligns with over 100 recent price cuts by Aldi in the last two months, emphasizing their commitment to offering lower prices.Aldi has maintained its position as the UK’s cheapest supermarket according to a recent Consumer group survey.Managing director Julie Ashfield emphasises Aldi’s dedication to passing savings onto customers amidst challenging times.Aldi has recently lowered prices on a variety of…

Sainsbury’s announces an extension of its Nectar Prices scheme, offering discounts on Heinz products.From 1st to 3rd September, customers can enjoy up to 50% off popular Heinz items.The initiative is part of Sainsbury’s efforts to enhance value for customers during challenging economic times.Customers have previously saved £244m through the broader Nectar Prices programme.The promotion follows recent price hikes by Heinz due to increased production costs.Sainsbury’s is extending its Nectar Prices scheme, offering significant savings on Heinz products for a limited period. The promotion is scheduled from 1st to 3rd September, with discounts of up to 50% on items like Heinz…

The UK government’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) faces another delay, now pushed to 2026.A meeting of UK government representatives and industry bodies concluded the original October 2025 start date is unfeasible.Supermarket leaders urge the government to reevaluate the DRS, citing potentially exorbitant costs.A proposed 20p charge on drink containers is central to the scheme, intended to promote recycling.Retailers and associations stress the need for careful planning to avoid impacts on businesses and consumers.The UK government’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has hit another snag, as recent discussions among all UK governments and industry stakeholders revealed that the proposed start date of…

M&S has introduced a groundbreaking 3D digital billboard campaign to highlight its commitment to RSPCA Assured milk.The live-action advertisements appear on prestigious screens at locations like Picadilly Circus, engaging viewers with a life-like experience.This innovative display was filmed on-site at a supplier’s farm in Northern Ireland without using CGI, ensuring authenticity.The campaign is part of a broader initiative to promote product quality under the ‘Farm to Foodhall’ banner.The marketing strategy includes showcasing other premium products, such as Collection Red Diamond Strawberries and DNA traceable beef.In an ambitious move set to capture consumer attention, M&S has rolled out a series of…

Asda has rolled out a ‘Back to School’ bonus through its Rewards app, aimed at helping families amidst rising living costs.The bonus offers 10% cashback on school uniforms and additional savings on various school supplies.First-time users of the Asda Rewards app can benefit from an extra £5 credit upon download and usage.These initiatives are part of Asda’s broader effort to support families, with recent price cuts on essential items.George senior buying manager, Scott MacRae, emphasised the importance of easing the financial burden on families.Asda has recently launched a ‘Back to School’ bonus available on its Rewards app, providing customers with…