Author: Scott Dylan

A once-promising robotics start-up backed by Ocado has been sold off at a significant loss, fetching only £350,000.Founded in 2018, the start-up developed innovative kitchen automation, including a robotic chef and fryer.Despite raising £13 million from Ocado and the Future Fund, the company collapsed in June.Attempts to recapitalise the firm failed amidst a challenging economic climate and diminished venture investment.The sale reflects broader industry challenges and the financial strain on start-ups post-pandemic.A once-promising robotics start-up, supported heavily by Ocado, was recently sold for a mere £350,000, a considerable decline from its prior valuation. The company, initiated in 2018 by entrepreneur…

Deliveroo is enhancing its service, allowing customers to add grocery items to their takeaway orders.The new feature was successfully tested in London and will be available nationwide soon.Customers can now include groceries from Deliveroo’s grocery partners like Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Morrisons.The development responds to growing customer demand for integrated meal and grocery ordering.This initiative is part of Deliveroo’s effort to strengthen its market position after reducing financial losses.Deliveroo has introduced a new feature to its app, enabling customers to add grocery items to their takeaway food orders. This addition aims to create an all-encompassing ordering experience, particular in response…

Sainsbury’s has reintroduced the Nectar ‘Great fruit & veg challenge’.From 23rd August to 10th October, customers can earn at least 1,000 bonus Nectar points.The initiative encourages healthier eating by rewarding the purchase of fruits and vegetables.Last year’s challenge resulted in 88 million portions of fruit and veg being bought.Over 580,000 customers participated last year, with substantial bonus points distributed.Sainsbury’s has reintroduced the Nectar ‘Great fruit & veg challenge’, offering customers an opportunity to earn additional Nectar points by purchasing more fruits and vegetables. This initiative, which runs from 23 August to 10 October, encourages healthier eating among shoppers and provides…

Britvic makes a significant investment of £22.5 million to boost production in East London.The sixth bottling line will enhance production capacity by nearly 30%.New equipment will facilitate faster production of popular brands like Tango and Pepsi Max.Eighteen new jobs are created with a focus on technical training for new employees.The investment aligns with Britvic’s strategic growth and resilience plans.Britvic has committed £22.5 million towards establishing a sixth bottling line at its Beckton factory, situated in East London, which is a strategic move to bolster its long-term growth ambitions within the United Kingdom. This substantial investment is poised to increase the…

Jeremy Pee, M&S’s chief of digital and technology, announces departure.Pee’s exit follows an earlier promotion to an expanded role.Under Pee, M&S saw a 40% rise in app users to 4.3 million.He enhanced M&S’s digital services, including click-and-collect.M&S’s co-CEO will temporarily assume Pee’s responsibilities.Jeremy Pee, the chief digital and technology officer at Marks & Spencer, has revealed his plans to exit the company, despite having received a promotion that broadened his role earlier in the year. Pee’s significant contributions to the company include spearheading the retailer’s online shopping application and the Sparks loyalty programme. Under his leadership, these initiatives reached new…

The British Retail Consortium foresees a significant financial impact on retailers from the upcoming bottle recycling scheme.Analysis suggests costs might be tenfold higher than government estimates, raising concerns about price inflation for consumers.Calls have been made to delay and reassess the scheme’s implementation to mitigate complexities and expenses.The scheme’s planned introduction has already been postponed in Scotland, signalling potential disruptions.Industry leaders express apprehension over potential economic repercussions and the scheme’s efficacy.The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has raised alarms regarding the financial burden that the net zero bottle recycling scheme might impose on retailers, estimating an annual cost of at least…

Waitrose introduces an initiative offering free coffee to police officers to address rising shoplifting incidents.The ‘thanks a latte’ scheme aims to deter theft by encouraging police presence in Waitrose and John Lewis stores.Assault rates on Waitrose employees have significantly increased, highlighting a growing concern for staff safety.John Lewis’s security claims thefts by ‘greedy’ shoplifters, not merely due to economic hardship.Rising shoplifting incidents are also observed in Co-op stores, with police often unresponsive.Waitrose has launched an initiative where police officers are offered free coffee when they visit their stores. This move is part of a broader strategy to combat the increasing…

Morrisons introduces NHS cancer awareness messaging to underwear labels, supporting early detection.Guidance featured on labels aims to raise body awareness and urge swift GP consultation if needed.The partnership marks NHS’s first collaboration with a national supermarket for health promotion on clothing.A £10,000 donation from Morrisons to NHS Charities Together supports cancer awareness initiatives.Additional support includes Morrisons’ commitment of over £2m to train paramedics.In a recent move to enhance public health awareness, Morrisons has unveiled a new initiative in collaboration with the NHS, integrating cancer awareness messaging into their Nutmeg-branded underwear range. This bold step involves displaying critical NHS advice on…

Tesco announces a pivotal move to enhance affordability for customers by covering VAT costs on its F&F range of period pants.The initiative results in a 20% permanent price reduction, aligning these products with VAT-exempt period items.Tesco is the forefront retailer in supporting the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign, aspiring for reclassification of period pants.Since 2017, Tesco has been a pioneer, initially covering VAT on tampons and sanitary products.This decision reinforces Tesco’s ongoing commitment to alleviating financial burdens on essential period products.Tesco has introduced a substantial measure to make period pants more affordable by absorbing the VAT costs on its…

The Co-op is broadening a trial to combat shoplifting and organised crime.The initiative involves ‘dummy display packaging’ for high-value items like coffee.Shoplifting incidents have surged, with over 175,000 reported in six months.Director Kate Graham highlights the need for police involvement alongside retailer efforts.Significant investment in safety measures underscores Co-op’s commitment to community and staff.The Co-op has announced the extension of its trial involving anti-theft ‘dummy display packaging’. This strategic move aims to address the escalating issue of shoplifting and deter organised criminal activities that target its stores. By focusing on high-value items such as coffee and laundry products, the initiative…