WE'RE PLEASED TO BRING YOU JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR FOOD & DRINK RETAIL AND SUPPLY STORIES RECENTLY COVERED BY THE GROCER.
Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2025 open for entries
This year’s awards will be accepting entries across a range of food, drink and non-food categories. Read more>>
Ocado launches digital QR codes to boost plastic refill uptake
The online giant has employed tech company Polytag to roll out QR code technology across 60 of its packaged dry food and cleaning products in refillable containers. Read more>>
Morrisons announces 5% discount for its farmers in store and online
The move is the latest extension to the retailer’s support for UK farmers, including its continued commitment to invest £1.4bn per year into British farming. Read more>>
Aussie beef wins World Steak Challenge for second year in a row
Jack’s Creek & Albers took home the accolade at the awards for its grain-fed pure-bred wagyu sirloin.
Read more>>
Defra secretary Reed vows no inheritance tax u-turn
The Defra secretary stressed farmers were mistaken over IHT changes as more than 10,000 turned up to protest in Westminster. Read more>>
Spring Food secures £100k to capitalise on rise of bone broth
The Essex-based business, which launched in 2017, makes a range of almost 30 bone broth products sold online and through its network of partners. Read more>>
Retail faces additional £7bn in costs, industry chiefs warn
Costs including rising employers’ national insurance will make job losses and price rises inevitable according to a letter orchestrated by the BRC. Read more>>
Grocery sales to be ‘subdued’ this Christmas
AlixPartners’ UK Christmas Grocery Forecast predicts in-store food sales will see muted year-on-year growth, and be down in real terms once inflation is factored in. Read more>>
Wine importers facing ‘large increase in costs’
Decisions taken in the budget were ‘a huge setback’ for booze, said Hallgarten & Novum Wines. Read more>>
Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs add to olive oil sector’s woes
European olive oil suppliers are prioritising exports to the US in a bid to avoid potential 20% tariffs proposed by Trump. Read more>>
Defra announces £50m investment to protect farming communities
It has also announced a new approach to delivering funding to make sure it works for communities. Read more>>
Ranjit Singh slams ‘disaster’ farm tax and warns of shortages and inflation
The ’Chicken King’ has warned changes to inheritance tax will force many farms out of business, while also restricting supply and driving up prices. Read more>>
Organic Farmers & Growers appoints new CEO
Bill Young will take up the role at the organic certification body on 2 December. Read more>>
AgInflation survey reveals drop in cost of five key farming inputs
Inflation is still present in areas such as seed, machinery and labour, AF warned. Read more>>
Egg prices up as avian influenza case confirmed
The own-label free range lines in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have increased by between 3% and 7% since last month. Read more>>
‘Muck Map’ reveals full extent of farming’s impact on rivers
The Severn, Great Ouse, Ouse (Yorkshire), Norfolk Rivers Group, Trent and Wye are listed as rivers most likely to be affected by manure from factory farms. Read more>>
Net zero 2030 targets to be missed without 20% meat and dairy cut
IGD and Wrap report concludes that without action on diets, the government’s legally binding targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions will be unachievable. Read more>>
Over 11,000 people call for tighter supermarket regulation on farmwashing
The Farmers Against Farmwashing campaign said the public support had been overwhelming. Read more>>
Aldi accused of misleading customers on chicken welfare
Compassion in World Farming has said the similarities between M&S and Aldi packaging could lead to consumer confusion. Read more>>
Lords Committee calls for immediate action to tackle shop theft epidemic
The committee laid out its recommendations in a letter to Diana Johnson, the minister for policing, crime & fire prevention. Read more>>
Robertshaw’s to open store on former Keelham Farm Shop site
Fourth-generation family business Robertshaw’s already operates a farm shop in Thornton, Bradford.
Read more>>
Simon Howie rolls out beef bacon lines
Described as a ’delicious alternative to pork bacon’, it is also lower in fat and higher in protein than traditional bacon. Read more>>
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