Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Asiafruit Knowledge Centre: Data is key for Asiafruit Showcase presenters
Audiences at this year’s Asiafruit Showcase stage received insights from AgroFresh, Rijk Zwaan, Sekoya Fruit, Guangzhou Jiangnan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market, Shanghai Huizhan, Copeland and Shanghai Jiaogeini Industrial Development
Lidl to open 10 new stores before Christmas as part of major UK expansion
The discounter is opening new stores in key locations such as Bristol, Devon and Birmingham
Asiafruit Knowledge Centre: Understanding the Asian market
The vast and diverse Asian consumer market provides plentiful opportunities for the fresh produce trade, despite various challenges
NGO scare hits Shine Muscat sales in Thailand
Shipments of Shine Muscat grapes from China halted after Thailand Consumers Council raises alarm over harmful residues
Tesco’s new Zespri packs help boost kiwifruit sales
Ravenwood Packaging, which collaborated on the all-cardboard design, says supplier’s summer SunGold campaign ‘surpassed forecasts’
NCP settles litigation with Sainsbury’s over Nadorcott
Nador Cott Protection says agreement reached with UK retailer over “unauthorised” sale of Tang Gold after cease and desist letters sent earlier this year
SanLucar wins DFI Retail Group’s Rising Brand Award
Less than a year since the start of its Asian expansion, the Spanish company is already working with retailers across the region
Piñata begins Mareeba pineapple harvest
Production at the company’s Wamuran property has now ceased for the year
Royal Vezet switches Albert Heijn packaging to plant-based material
Fresh convenience specialist partners with Avantium, which plans to build world’s largest PEF production facility in the Netherlands
Discounters set the pace in first month of British apple and pear season
Between them, Aldi and Lidl took almost half the apples sold by BAPL growers in September, while Sainsbury’s bought nearly a third of British pears
West Australian blueberry prices hit 12-month low
Small punnets sell for as low as A$2.50 in some Australian supermarkets as seasonal supply peaks
Lidl triples plant-based range following surge in consumer demand
Discounter expands ‘Vemondo Plant!’ range after 12 per cent hike in demand for plant-based products
Industry calls for caution after Wrap’s packaging ban plea
The fresh produce industry and UK supermarkets call for balanced approach to assessing plastic packaging use on fruit and veg
UK organic market registers green shoots of recovery
UK organic food and drink sales bounce back from cost-of-living crisis with growth exceeding non-organic sector, conference says
Asiafruit Knowledge Centre: Marketers must work smarter in tougher conditions
Despite the challenging economic climate in Asia, market opportunities abound for fresh produce brands if they can better understand and target consumers
Wrap recommends fresh produce packaging ban
UK supermarkets should be banned from selling fresh produce such as apples, tomatoes and bananas in primary packaging, says anti-waste charity
Ifco eyes growth after securing better €1.64bn loan deal
Leading supplier of returnable plastic crates says it sees strong opportunities to grow in Europe, North America and Asia
Asiafruit Vietnam edition out now
Full wrap-up of Asia Fruit Logistica, exclusive interview with Maersk’s Robert McLeod plus features on Vietnam, apples & pears, avocados and more
Mountain Blue and Opal partner on plastic-free packaging trial
Kerbside recyclable and FSC-certified cardboard Eureka blueberry punnets available in 34 Coles stores
Pluckk becomes exclusive fresh produce partner for Spencer’s Retail
Indian retailer will exclusively offer the fresh produce food tech platform’s products in three cities
Shoppers increase spending ahead of Halloween and Christmas
The increase is likely due to retailers rolling out new ranges for the two seasonal events, according to retail analysts NIQ
Wonky veg box firm Earth & Wheat in sustainable tea giveaway
Supplier teams up with indie tea brand Bird & Blend Tea Co. to give away free samples and offer customers the chance to win a year’s supply of tea
Consumer group questions retail prices for fruit and veg
Cyprus Consumers’ Association cites government data to suggest margins on fresh produce prices are “unreasonably high”
Lidl urges Danish government to remove VAT on fruit and veg
Investigation by Denmark’s Treasury suggests tax reduction would boost fresh produce sales, something the retailer agrees with
Angus Soft Fruits explores global export potential
David Buxcey of Angus Soft Fruits tells FPJ about export opportunities in Europe, as berry production increases in Morocco, and in Asia and the Middle East, as UK producers look to diversify in search of higher returns
Florette partners with nutritionist to boost awareness of women’s health
The salad brand aims to encourage more dialogue on women’s health, as one in six admit that men often aren’t involved in the conversations
Mission Produce launches ‘World’s Finest’ campaign
Campaign debuts with new Retail-Ready Mango bags ahead of IFPA
BASF Nunhems unveils new varietal and digital innovations
Highlights include more ToBRFV-resistant tomatoes, dual-purpose watermelons, and extended precision agriculture software
BerryWorld launches new blueberry packs to promote breast cancer awareness
Exclusively available at Ocado Retail, BerryWorld has teamed up with breast cancer charity Coppafeel! for the launch
Industry agrees to develop global standard for compostable fruit stickers
Representatives from fresh produce business and composting organisations welcome ‘unprecedented’ agreement to secure sustainable future for fresh produce labels
Pest problems for Spanish peppers
Outbreak of tobacco thrips is affecting the quality, volume and cost of pepper production in Almería, according to grower co-op Ejidomar
‘More collaboration in UK berry sector as availability tightens’
Supermarkets now reportedly facilitating group meetings between breeders and competing soft fruit producers to share best practice and shore up supply
West Pak to launch AVO360 programme
Group to unveil new programme that it says ensures a year-round supply of premium avocados and offers personalised experiences for customers
Tesco invests £4mn to provide fruit and veg for 400 schools
The UK retailer expects to see overall fruit and veg intake for pupils increase by 23 per cent, as it looks to improve healthy eating
NIQ doubles down on UK grocery shopping behaviour
Consumer research company doubles its shopper sample to 30,000 households in a bid to better measure UK grocery buying habits
CambridgeHOK Refrigeration celebrates £1mn turnover after first year of trading
Frozen produce tech firm hits milestone one year after launching its service and maintenance division