Grocery sector news updates
Asda pulls plug on refill stores
Asda has abandoned its trial of dedicated refill stores citing operational issues and commercial challenges. The supermarket chain launched its first eco trial store at Middleton near Leeds in 2020. It featured 15 refill stations offering household staples such as cereals, tea… Read More
Freshness beats footprints when buying meat and dairy: study
Freshness, quality and animal welfare are the most important attributes when people buy livestock products. Environmental sustainability, such as food miles, carbon footprints and organic production, are the least important. The findings come from an online survey of 3,192 people conducted in five European countries: Czechia, Spain, Sweden,… Read More
E.coli outbreak linked to salad leaves
Some of the UK’s leading food-to-go suppliers have recalled a range of products due to possible contamination with E.coli. Dozens of different sandwich types sold in supermarkets and convenience stores have been withdrawn from sale as a precautionary step following… Read More
Supermarkets club together to buy Fairtrade
Food retailers are considering pooling their resources to purchase Fairtrade food products after the competition watchdog gave an initial green light to the collaboration. The FT reported that a number of British supermarkets are in talks with Fairtrade about combining forces to buy… Read More
Health trumps British-ness when buying food
Seven major UK supermarkets have added tabs to their websites to help shoppers select British food and drink. Tesco has followed Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Ocado, Co-op and Waitrose in installing ‘British’ and ‘Best of British’ buttons. “It offers shoppers a direct… Read More
Campaigners demand sustainability standards for ready-made meals
Standards should be set for the health and sustainability of ready-made meals, according to campaigners, after research found unhealthy, high-carbon options dominate the European market. The study, conducted by system change company Systemiq for 10 Europe-wide consumer and environmental organisations, concluded… Read More
M&S launches carbon busting cow feed
Marks & Spencer is claiming an industry first with the introduction of a new feed supplement for pasture-grazed dairy cows which promises to cut the carbon footprint of the retailer’s fresh milk. Working with 40 dairy farmers in its milk… Read More
Plans for universal eco-label revealed
A harmonised eco-labelling scheme for UK food and drink businesses has moved a step closer to becoming reality after the body leading the scheme published its latest set of recommendations. IGD has been working since 2021 to develop a consistent… Read More
Campaigners hail ‘game-changing’ reuse scheme
Food brands and retailers will join forces to deliver circular economy solutions at scale under a new scheme aimed at increasing adoption of reusable packaging. Supported by UK Research & Innovation’s smart sustainable plastic packaging fund, the collaboration initially brings… Read More
Grocery sector’s green claims are greenwash, according to research
Greenwashing is “rampant” across UK supermarkets with chains promoting “minor” green initiatives while avoiding significant action on emissions from meat and dairy products, according to research by Feedback, an NGO. “Our research shows that all 10 UK supermarkets are failing… Read More