Loyalty card discounts prove ‘win-win’ for shoppers, supermarket chains
What drives supermarket shoppers to buy certain products over others? In a tight economy, price often wins out over brand and even high quality. But one other factor appears to be driving sentiment and purchasing in 2023: loyalty card discounts. According to new data revealed by NielsenIQ (now NIQ), more than 50% of UK retail […]
M&S Food puts price lock on 100-plus items as Family index reveals struggles of shoppers
Sensing the need to continue delivering quality products to consumers at lower prices, M&S Food has extended its price lock on more than 100 items through the end of spring, including some fruits and vegetables. A 300g pack of British White Mushrooms is listed for £1, while 750g of Select Farms Easy Peeler satsumas and […]
Product rationalisation in Food and Drink: Causes and challenges for manufacturers
The need for product rationalisation has significantly increased in recent years for a number of reasons. Major events have influenced changes in consumers’ shopping behaviour, affecting retailers, and in turn suppliers. The Covid-19 pandemic caused retailers to reduce their product range following consumers’ shopping patterns, contributing to the development of a ‘simplification’ trend that has […]
Westfalia Fruit receives ‘transformational’ investment to strengthen avocado production
Kent-based Westfalia Fruit Group has landed £242 million in funding from three banks that it says will be used to boost sustainable avocado production. The infusion of capital from HSBC UK, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Standard Bank will help Westfalia expand and improve packaging, ripening and storage. But it also will help it […]
Aldi noses out Lidl again to remain UK’s least expensive supermarket
One month ago, in an effort to save British consumers money at checkouts, Waitrose said it would be slashing prices on already reduced items. It has put an incredible £100m investment behind cost-saving initiatives, including fruit and vegetable areas. And yet, when Which? revealed its latest monthly numbers on the cost of the average supermarket shop […]
Jim Prevor: A Profile in Courage
In 2022, Primus Group Inc. and I lost a great friend, James Prevor [Jim]. The phrase “speak truth to power” is attributed to the Quakers. It implies a level of bravery that requires “risking either the status quo, one’s reputation or livelihood, or the wrath of the person one is confronting.” Jim regularly “spoke truth […]
After more than 2 years, UK freeports ready to roll but not without cost concern
Following approval of their final business cases, Humber and Thames freeports in the UK are set to begin operating sometime this year, Port Strategy reports. The latter is already authorized to form its board and begin operating fully. While Humber Freeport company’s conditional approval allows it to begin investment across the ports of Hull, Goole, Immingham and […]
WAPA: Southern Hemisphere Apple and Pear Crop Forecast Revised Downward Following Severe Weather
Following the intense weather events that affected several countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) released an update of its apple and pear crop forecast that was presented during Fruit Logistica. According to the revised forecast, which consolidates the data from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, […]
