EU households generate around 45 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetable waste per person per year, according to the EU’s Joint Research Centre, which also found that 14 kilograms of the waste is avoidable. Fresh fruit and vegetables account for almost 50% of food waste generated by EU household, with the category constituting for one-third of the total food purchases.
The introduction of the ‘sugar tax’ has had little impact on consumer behaviour in the UK, according to the market research firm Nielsen. 62% of UK shoppers claim not have changed their consumption behaviour ‘in any way’ since its introduction. Just 20% of respondents said they were conscious of sugar content information since the tax came into effect.
Up to 200 jobs at Debenhams are at risk after the group announced it is attempting to cut costs at its fashion and home departments. The retailer is currently negotiating with up to 200 buyers, merchandising and other members of its departments at head office about cuts that will see at least 80-90 people left jobless.
Centra has opened its latest new-look store in Limavady, Co. Derry, bringing a total of 20 jobs to the local area. The new store is part of a £450K investment by Musgrave and the Wilson family. The new store has an abundance of household essentials and fresh, locally sourced produce. Additional amenities in store include Frank & Honest Coffee, a Hot and Cold Deli, and a Mex-a-go Burrito Bar and a Carte d’Or scoop ice cream counter.
PJ Carroll, the tobacco distributor, increased its profits last year after numerous years of decline. While the group recorded pretax profits of €5.7 million, a 13% increase on the previous year, directors blamed the black market in cigarettes as one of the main drivers in its poorer performances. The group commended the Gardaí and Revenue Commissioners for their continuing efforts in fighting illicit trade.
In a UK supermarket first, Sainsbury’s is trialling new scan, pay and go technology that will enable customers in one of its busy London convenience stores to pay for products in-store using their smartphone. The new technology gives shoppers the option to grab their groceries and skip the checkout completely. Using the latest version of the SmartShop app, customers can use their smartphones to scan their shopping as they go and then pay for it through the app, from anywhere in the store, using Apple Pay.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
