Retail roundup: Seedless lemons arrive at Tesco; Sainsbury’s joins Black British Network
Seedless lemons never really took off in the UK years ago after many trials failed to produce a strong, stable supply of good-tasting fruit. But Tesco said it may have found the answer to bringing consistent seedless lemons to its stores – by looking to South Africa and Spain. Starting this week, the retailer said […]
South African stone fruit industry reports record volumes
Despite the challenges of the pandemic and having to ship rather than fly most of its stone fruit to the UK, Hortgro said South Africa had one of its most successful seasons in recent memory. This 2020-21 campaign saw increases across the board in exports, including a 29% boost in nectarines where the UK took […]
Using Social Media To Affect Produce Buying Decisions
Originally printed in the April 2021 issue of Produce Business. The influence of social media ballooned during 2020, fueled by the pandemic and consumer habits. “As the importance of social media continues to grow, a brand’s relevancy will be largely determined by its social relevance,” says CarrieAnn Arias, vice-president of marketing for Naturipe in Salinas, CA. “Ultimately, these […]
BerryWorld ‘leading the way for sustainable packaging innovation’
In efforts to minimize the company’s environmental impact, BerryWorld will this season continue to pack its British berry supply in Prevented Ocean Plastic that it introduced last year. The company is “conscious of their role in the supply chain and wider role in society” and is therefore working to ensure UK berries are sustainably grown […]
Investors help push Tesco to increase healthy food sales
A group of investors who had pressured Tesco to provide higher sales of healthy food got their wish this week as the UK retailer announced plans to improve nutritious option in its stores. Tesco, which had committed to lifting sales of healthy products to 65% at UK stores, promised to carry the commitment to its […]
Berry Gardens to use recycled ocean plastic in punnets
Starting this summer, Berry Gardens officials say they will aim to help save the environment by utilizing Prevented Ocean Plastic in most of their own-label punnets. The berry and stone fruit production marketing group says the plastics will come from items scooped up along beaches and coasts. More than 30% of those punnets, which will […]
Guy Shropshire will take reins as CEO of G’s Group
Guy Shropshire, who has helped lead North American and European business for prominent fresh produce grower G’s Group for more than a decade, will become its chief executive officer on 1May. Guy will take over for his father, John Shropshire, who will become Executive Chairman and will help offer guidance to Guy and members of […]
The costs of COVID, new hires eat into Tesco’s sales profits over past year
Tesco’s profits saw a sizable decline during the past year, tumbling by nearly 20% because of the massive costs of doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company reported. After posting more than £1 billion in pretax profit in the previous year, it brought in just £825 million in 2020-21. Those figures and the fact […]
