Hundreds of jobs at risk as Tesco puts brakes on Jack’s stores, night work
In a stunning press release just a month into the new year and titled “Making Our Business Fit For the Future”, Tesco announced that it was closing seven of its Jack’s stores while converting the other six into Tesco superstores. Some 130 colleagues effectively may be out of jobs or may be offered “alternatives” due […]
South African table grape exports to UK down significantly since last year
The South African table grape industry has packed over 6 million more cartons year-on-year, but has shipped 5.2 million cartons fewer to international markets. The delays in the Port of Cape Town remain challenging, with the situation showing some improvement, although still too slow given the peak shipping weeks that are still ahead. Exports to […]
Produce trade associations form alliance to address rising costs
Fresh produce associations including Freshfel Europe (European Union) and the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters – SHAFFE (Latin America, Oceania, South Africa) have agreed to form a global coalition to address increased costs for fresh produce production and trade. The global coalition also includes Afruibana (West-Africa), China Chamber of Commerce of I/E of […]
How do consumers value produce and local vs. long-distance?
A new researcher at the New York Produce Show, Rebecca Wasserman-Olin, shared new research findings about how customers value various appearance characteristics and how a consumer value perception is affected when a strawberry is marketed as ‘local,’ among other key findings. While this work uses strawberries as an example, it provides important lessons for everyone in the fresh produce […]
What fruits and veg will be trending in the UK this year? New Covent Garden Market’s traders offer a glimpse
New Covent Garden Market released its annual Fruit and Vegetable Trends Report, which features brilliant wholesale trader insight on what is expected to be hot and what is simply unavailable to London’s most discerning diners in 2022, both those eating at home and at some of the finest restaurants across the city. Near the top […]
UK Growth Strong for South African Raisins
The South African raisin industry reports continued growth at the end of the 2021 season, despite climatic challenges. Regardless of limitations faced by the industry, export volumes of South African raisins to the UK are up once again vs 2020, which saw a huge increase compared to 2019. The UK imported 1,430,000 kg to the […]
Lidl GB commits to LEAF Marque standards for all produce suppliers
Lidl GB announced it will require all of its British fresh produce suppliers to earn LEAF Marque environmental certification by the end of 2023. “We firmly believe it is our responsibility, through innovation, investment, and active leadership, to build a bright, sustainable future – for our business, our farmer suppliers, the people we interact with […]
Aldi launches trial of checkout-free store in London
Several UK supermarket chains have been trialling checkout-free stores, and Aldi has joined the fray by opening its first on Greenwich High Street in London. The Aldi Shop&Go concept store was unveiled on Tuesday morning, with customers picking up their items and walking out the doors with having to enter a queue. The Shop&Go app […]
