Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
GrowUp eyes expansion after £38m investment
Funds from Generate Capital will be used to increase vertical farm’s production capacity and grow its salad brands
Olio partners with Gander ‘to ease cost-of-living burden’
Olio users can now browse yellow sticker deals at participating local stores thanks to collaboration
Morrisons named official partner of Love British Food
Three-year deal sees supermarket prominently promoting British Food Fortnight
Free veg for kids in Tesco’s Ella’s Kitchen tieup
Initiative aims to boost early-years veg consumption and sensory food play
Sekoya unveils Livie Blueberry Dispenser
The dispenser is Sekoya’s latest move to develop the snacking category for its blueberry varieties
Central Co-op to raise funds for Samaritans
Central Co-op announces new charity partnership with Samaritans
Pink Lady officially enters China market with Goodfarmer partnership
Goodfarmer gains brand license and exclusive marketing rights for next ten years in Greater China
Aldi named UK’s cheapest supermarket
Grocer 33 price comparison survey finds Aldi 2p cheaper than Lidl for basket of 33 grocery items
Signs of return to form for Italy’s stonefruit sector
Following three years of falling sales, the introduction of new, better varieties appears to have arrested the country’s decline
Aldi named Britain’s favourite supermarket
The discounter has held on to pole position since July 2023, ranking ahead of traditional Big Four rivals
Sydney Markets crowns Fresh Awards winners
Winners include wholesaler of the year Lemdell and produce grower of the year D Fresh Produce
Euro 2024 boosts UK supermarket sales
Football tournament and falling inflation shape July shopping habits, Kantar figures reveal
Camposol and Ninjacart bring Peruvian blueberries to India
Blueberry producer partners with Walmart-backed agri-startup to distribute fruit to more than 100,000 Indian retail outlets in over 100 cities
Rijk Zwaan hosts sweet pepper seminar on eve of Asia Fruit Logistica
On 3 September, the day before Asia Fruit Logistica, breeder Rijk Zwaan is organising a seminar focused on sweet peppers in Hong Kong, as market potential grows in the region
Amazon threatened with investigation over treatment of suppliers
More than half of online giant’s grocery suppliers surveyed by GCA believe it is not complying with code of practice
Fruit and vegetable prices in New Zealand see largest recorded drop
Overall food prices also see decrease for first time in six years
Morrisons partners with The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture
The retailer has become the first UK supermarket to partner with the professional farming body
Aldi to open over 10 new stores in the coming months
Discounter is investing £550m in expanding its UK footprint this year
Fairtrade macadamias make UK debut in Central Co-op stores
Macadamia nuts from Malawi will join Central Co-op’s existing range of Fairtrade products
Growers say ‘no for now’ to new Sedex standards
British grower groups call for “proper consultation” before new audit rules on seasonal worker fees are introduced in UK
Ravenwood launches new seal contamination detection system
The specialist in X-ray inspection equipment says it is now more important than ever to ensure product quality using automated systems
New varieties hold key to growth, experts tell Fruitnet Grape Congress
Leading analysts and key industry players at global event in Puglia say they see huge market potential thanks to new and better varieties
Outgoing Zespri CEO reflects on golden era
Dan Mathieson has overseen a period of “phenomenal growth” as CEO of the world’s leading kiwifruit marketer. He tells Fruitnet what he’s proudest of looking back on his seven years at the helm
Record online growth for Asda in year of financial progress
Supermarket reaches highest-ever online share as overall sales rise 7 per cent
New Senate bill proposes tax relief for surplus food donations
Legislation targets Australian farmers, wholesalers and transporters with Australian tax incentives to donate surplus fruit, vegetables and protein to food relief charities
Iceland unveils ‘supermarket manifesto’ ahead of general election
Executive chair Richard Walker says he wants to advocate for customers and colleagues and narrow the gap between government and British high streets
Aldi to cut food waste with crownless pineapple trial
The UK discounter will remove and recycle pineapple crown prior to sale
IGD finds inflation still main driver for UK grocery market
Real-terms market growth expected to continue at lower level throughout 2025-26
Avos grown in Surrey and cricket salads as Co-op predicts future of food
Convenience retailer asks experts for their views on what we will be eating in 2054
Superplum introduces ready-to-eat mangoes
Carbide-free ripening technique ensures safe and reliably ripe mango offering
Sun World International launches two new table grape varieties
Production of Applause and Epic Crisp set to ramp up in next five years
Morrisons posts solid growth and accelerates c-store drive
Supermarket says availability and loyalty scheme are helping boost sales
Aldi trials plastic-free packaging on bananas
The initiative aims to save an estimated 234 tonnes of plastic packaging per year
Australian Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to be made mandatory following completed review
Australian government agrees to implement all 11 recommendations from the final report into the Australian Food and Grocery Code of Conduct
Regional strife boosts Dubai role as Gulf hub
Longer transit times due to disruptions in the Red Sea are a major issue for all traders in the Middle East region, but reshipments through Dubai appear to be growing as a result, says Hani Ayloush of Fruit Line Trading
Kantar highlights sales growth in retail produce aisles
Laura Fry, consumer insight director for produce, gave Festival of Fresh delegates an overview of the key trends driving retail sales