The Grocer
@thegrocer.bsky.social
Bible of the UK food and drink industry since 1862 🛒
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Register for free guest access: account.thegrocer.co.uk/register
‘Fish whisperer’ Mark Addey has launched a £500k raise to set up the UK’s first sturgeon sanctuary
Both a home for monster fish and a rare centre for caviar production in the UK
Both a home for monster fish and a rare centre for caviar production in the UK
Sturgeon sanctuary seeks angel investors for no-kill caviar production
Mark Addey has begun the hunt for funding to combine a rehoming programme for ornamental sturgeon with true UK-only caviar farming
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 8:05 PM
‘Fish whisperer’ Mark Addey has launched a £500k raise to set up the UK’s first sturgeon sanctuary
Both a home for monster fish and a rare centre for caviar production in the UK
Both a home for monster fish and a rare centre for caviar production in the UK
The UK government has said it plans to adopt radical plans for a shift to a mandatory reuse model for packaging
A move sources say will have huge implications for food and drink companies
A move sources say will have huge implications for food and drink companies
Mandatory reuse targets on cards as government targets ‘throwaway' model
The government has pledged to end what it calls the "take, make, throw" model
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 7:06 PM
The UK government has said it plans to adopt radical plans for a shift to a mandatory reuse model for packaging
A move sources say will have huge implications for food and drink companies
A move sources say will have huge implications for food and drink companies
Both Lidl and Waitrose are striving to improve in-store #foodwaste levels by retraining staff and trialling new processes
In recent weeks both retailers were rocked by a social media exposé of bins filled with in-date food
In recent weeks both retailers were rocked by a social media exposé of bins filled with in-date food
Lidl and Waitrose retraining store staff after food waste exposé
Both retailers are also planning new initiatives to cut store waste
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Both Lidl and Waitrose are striving to improve in-store #foodwaste levels by retraining staff and trialling new processes
In recent weeks both retailers were rocked by a social media exposé of bins filled with in-date food
In recent weeks both retailers were rocked by a social media exposé of bins filled with in-date food
NEW 🍜 Noodles
Pot Noodle has taken its popular flavours into noodle blocks
Chicken & Mushroom, Original Curry, Beef & Tomato and Bombay Bad Boy blocks available in supermarkets now for rsp: £1.20/112g-115g
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3MF1wsO
Pot Noodle has taken its popular flavours into noodle blocks
Chicken & Mushroom, Original Curry, Beef & Tomato and Bombay Bad Boy blocks available in supermarkets now for rsp: £1.20/112g-115g
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3MF1wsO
February 19, 2026 at 5:05 PM
NEW 🍜 Noodles
Pot Noodle has taken its popular flavours into noodle blocks
Chicken & Mushroom, Original Curry, Beef & Tomato and Bombay Bad Boy blocks available in supermarkets now for rsp: £1.20/112g-115g
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3MF1wsO
Pot Noodle has taken its popular flavours into noodle blocks
Chicken & Mushroom, Original Curry, Beef & Tomato and Bombay Bad Boy blocks available in supermarkets now for rsp: £1.20/112g-115g
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3MF1wsO
Morrisons has committed over £1.6bn to British agriculture and food production in 2026
The retailer said it underlines “its position as British farming’s single biggest direct supermarket customer”
The retailer said it underlines “its position as British farming’s single biggest direct supermarket customer”
Morrisons pledges £1.6bn spend on farming in 2026
The retailer said it underlined 'its position as British farming's single biggest direct supermarket customer'
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Morrisons has committed over £1.6bn to British agriculture and food production in 2026
The retailer said it underlines “its position as British farming’s single biggest direct supermarket customer”
The retailer said it underlines “its position as British farming’s single biggest direct supermarket customer”
Tony’s Chocolonely has urged rival chocolate brands not to lower their prices
Cocoa costs continue to fall from their 2024 peak
Cocoa costs continue to fall from their 2024 peak
Tony’s Chocolonely urges rival chocolate brands not to lower prices
Supermarket chocolate prices were up by 18.4% year on year by the end of 2025, according to Kantar data
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Tony’s Chocolonely has urged rival chocolate brands not to lower their prices
Cocoa costs continue to fall from their 2024 peak
Cocoa costs continue to fall from their 2024 peak
Carlsberg has struck a deal for its beers to be produced in the US by cannabis company Tilray Brands
Carlsberg to be brewed by cannabis pioneer Tilray in the US
Carlsberg currently has a limited production footprint in North America, and the US accounts for only a small proportion of its total sales
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Carlsberg has struck a deal for its beers to be produced in the US by cannabis company Tilray Brands
NEW 🐔 Chicken
Birds Eye to launch a new premium marinaded chicken range
Asian-Inspired Teriyaki for Two, Memphis Style BBQ for Two, and Zesty Lemon & Herb for Two available in stores from 22 February
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4qNrNDo
Birds Eye to launch a new premium marinaded chicken range
Asian-Inspired Teriyaki for Two, Memphis Style BBQ for Two, and Zesty Lemon & Herb for Two available in stores from 22 February
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4qNrNDo
February 19, 2026 at 1:06 PM
NEW 🐔 Chicken
Birds Eye to launch a new premium marinaded chicken range
Asian-Inspired Teriyaki for Two, Memphis Style BBQ for Two, and Zesty Lemon & Herb for Two available in stores from 22 February
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4qNrNDo
Birds Eye to launch a new premium marinaded chicken range
Asian-Inspired Teriyaki for Two, Memphis Style BBQ for Two, and Zesty Lemon & Herb for Two available in stores from 22 February
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4qNrNDo
Co-op is rolling out “flexi checkouts” to cut queues and boost convenience
They have dual screens that switch between self-service and cashier-operated tills
They have dual screens that switch between self-service and cashier-operated tills
Co-op rolls out ‘flexi checkouts’ to cut queues and boost convenience
Co-op said the tech would enhance the customer experience by ensuring tills always remained open, while reducing wait times and queues
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Co-op is rolling out “flexi checkouts” to cut queues and boost convenience
They have dual screens that switch between self-service and cashier-operated tills
They have dual screens that switch between self-service and cashier-operated tills
Tesco has suspended its supply from an unnamed grower following a recall notice due to #salmonella
Tesco detects salmonella in batches of Tesco Grape & Berry Medley
The retailer issued a customer notice 'as a precaution' on 16 February, for batches of its Tesco Grape & Berry Medley (230g), with use-by dates of 16 and 17 February
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Tesco has suspended its supply from an unnamed grower following a recall notice due to #salmonella
Iceland-branded supermarkets set to open in five more UK prisons this summer
Part of efforts to help prisoners prepare for retail careers after their release
Part of efforts to help prisoners prepare for retail careers after their release
Iceland ‘stores’ to open in five more UK prisons to help prisoners find retail careers
The new 'retail academies' will be operated by the charity Second Chance Partnership, which was spun out of the supermarket's internal prisoner recruitment scheme last year
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Iceland-branded supermarkets set to open in five more UK prisons this summer
Part of efforts to help prisoners prepare for retail careers after their release
Part of efforts to help prisoners prepare for retail careers after their release
NEW 🥥 Plant-based
Oatly to launch three new flavours to its Barista range
Coconut, Vanilla and Caramel available in supermarkets from this month for rsp: £2.30/one litre
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/3MeTLd2
Oatly to launch three new flavours to its Barista range
Coconut, Vanilla and Caramel available in supermarkets from this month for rsp: £2.30/one litre
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/3MeTLd2
February 19, 2026 at 8:05 AM
NEW 🥥 Plant-based
Oatly to launch three new flavours to its Barista range
Coconut, Vanilla and Caramel available in supermarkets from this month for rsp: £2.30/one litre
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/3MeTLd2
Oatly to launch three new flavours to its Barista range
Coconut, Vanilla and Caramel available in supermarkets from this month for rsp: £2.30/one litre
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/3MeTLd2
Former Defra secretary George Eustice reiterates calls for the #SeasonalWorkerScheme to be taken out of the Home Office’s hands
Home Office should not control seasonal labour scheme, ex-Defra secretary says
The scheme, which is run by both the Home Office and Defra, has been mired in controversy after a scheme operator failed to sue the Home Office for wrongful suspension
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Former Defra secretary George Eustice reiterates calls for the #SeasonalWorkerScheme to be taken out of the Home Office’s hands
Morrisons is exploring the sale of dozens of its in-store pharmacies to fund its turnaround efforts
Talks will be held on a store-by-store basis rather than a mass sell-off or closure
Talks will be held on a store-by-store basis rather than a mass sell-off or closure
Morrisons exploring sale of dozens of in-store pharmacies
Morrisons is seeking buyers for its least profitable in-store pharmacies as it looks to raise funds for Rami Baitiéh's turnaround plan
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Morrisons is exploring the sale of dozens of its in-store pharmacies to fund its turnaround efforts
Talks will be held on a store-by-store basis rather than a mass sell-off or closure
Talks will be held on a store-by-store basis rather than a mass sell-off or closure
Campaigners have decried the decision to grant permission for Scotland’s largest-ever salmon farm
Shetland Island Council gave the ‘go-ahead’ to Scottish Sea Farms’ £8m Fish Holm redevelopment at Yell Sound
Shetland Island Council gave the ‘go-ahead’ to Scottish Sea Farms’ £8m Fish Holm redevelopment at Yell Sound
Scotland’s largest ever salmon farm given ‘go-ahead’ despite opposition
Shetland Island Council gave the 'go-ahead' to Scottish Sea Farms' £8m Fish Holm redevelopment at Yell Sound on 11 February, subject to conditions, despite significant opposition
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Campaigners have decried the decision to grant permission for Scotland’s largest-ever salmon farm
Shetland Island Council gave the ‘go-ahead’ to Scottish Sea Farms’ £8m Fish Holm redevelopment at Yell Sound
Shetland Island Council gave the ‘go-ahead’ to Scottish Sea Farms’ £8m Fish Holm redevelopment at Yell Sound
NEW 🍒 Energy
Red Bull has launched a cherry‑flavoured variant under a new Spring Edition sub-range
Spring Edition Cherry Sakura available in supermarkets and convenience now
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/46WDss9
Red Bull has launched a cherry‑flavoured variant under a new Spring Edition sub-range
Spring Edition Cherry Sakura available in supermarkets and convenience now
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/46WDss9
February 18, 2026 at 5:05 PM
NEW 🍒 Energy
Red Bull has launched a cherry‑flavoured variant under a new Spring Edition sub-range
Spring Edition Cherry Sakura available in supermarkets and convenience now
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/46WDss9
Red Bull has launched a cherry‑flavoured variant under a new Spring Edition sub-range
Spring Edition Cherry Sakura available in supermarkets and convenience now
🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/46WDss9
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference has surpassed £2bn in sales
Demand for premium own label continues to surge despite the cost of living crisis
Demand for premium own label continues to surge despite the cost of living crisis
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference sales hit £2bn as premium own label demand soars
Taste the Difference is now the fastest-growing supermarket premium own label, Sainsbury's claims
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference has surpassed £2bn in sales
Demand for premium own label continues to surge despite the cost of living crisis
Demand for premium own label continues to surge despite the cost of living crisis
Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh has hailed a “historic performance” in 2025
Turnover grew 9.4% to hit a record high of €15.1bn
Turnover grew 9.4% to hit a record high of €15.1bn
Record milk glut pushes Arla to €15bn revenue high
Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh has hailed a "historic performance" in 2025, as the company navigated a wild swing between tight supply and then a flooded market to deliver record revenues
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh has hailed a “historic performance” in 2025
Turnover grew 9.4% to hit a record high of €15.1bn
Turnover grew 9.4% to hit a record high of €15.1bn
Anger is growing over failure by the UK governments to reveal the extent of the financial “black hole” threatening the future of the #EPR packaging tax
Fury grows over EPR financial ‘black hole’ silence
Scheme administrator PackUK has admitted it may have to reissue the first year of bills because of a major shortfall in the money raised
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Anger is growing over failure by the UK governments to reveal the extent of the financial “black hole” threatening the future of the #EPR packaging tax
BrewDog has been put up for sale by restructuring firm AlixPartners
It could be split up and sold off in piecemeal parts, following five years of consecutive losses
So, where did it all go wrong?
It could be split up and sold off in piecemeal parts, following five years of consecutive losses
So, where did it all go wrong?
BrewDog fire sale: how did it come to this?
Scottish beer business BrewDog has been put up for sale and could be split up following five years of consecutive losses
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM
BrewDog has been put up for sale by restructuring firm AlixPartners
It could be split up and sold off in piecemeal parts, following five years of consecutive losses
So, where did it all go wrong?
It could be split up and sold off in piecemeal parts, following five years of consecutive losses
So, where did it all go wrong?
Waitrose staff are set to get a 6.9% #payrise from April
The John Lewis Partnership invests a further £108m into paying its partners
The John Lewis Partnership invests a further £108m into paying its partners
Waitrose staff to get almost 7% pay rise in April
The John Lewis Partnership said the investment comes on top of the nearly £300m it has pumped into improving salaries over the past three years
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Waitrose staff are set to get a 6.9% #payrise from April
The John Lewis Partnership invests a further £108m into paying its partners
The John Lewis Partnership invests a further £108m into paying its partners
NEW ⭐ Kids
Kids’ food brand Little Dish has expanded its Superstars frozen range
Crispy Fish Bites with Added Veg and Golden Veggie Bites with Mozzarella available in supermarkets from 9 March for rsp: £3.95/300g
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4aD2ldI
Kids’ food brand Little Dish has expanded its Superstars frozen range
Crispy Fish Bites with Added Veg and Golden Veggie Bites with Mozzarella available in supermarkets from 9 March for rsp: £3.95/300g
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4aD2ldI
February 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
NEW ⭐ Kids
Kids’ food brand Little Dish has expanded its Superstars frozen range
Crispy Fish Bites with Added Veg and Golden Veggie Bites with Mozzarella available in supermarkets from 9 March for rsp: £3.95/300g
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4aD2ldI
Kids’ food brand Little Dish has expanded its Superstars frozen range
Crispy Fish Bites with Added Veg and Golden Veggie Bites with Mozzarella available in supermarkets from 9 March for rsp: £3.95/300g
🔗 See where to get them here: https://bit.ly/4aD2ldI
Boots has launched a high street weight loss jab service
Offering face-to-face consultations and GLP-1 treatments such as WeGovy and Mounjaro
Offering face-to-face consultations and GLP-1 treatments such as WeGovy and Mounjaro
Boots launches high street weight-loss jab service
Available in 17 stores across the UK, including in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, the service offers a private consultation with a pharmacist who can give treatment to eligible customers
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Boots has launched a high street weight loss jab service
Offering face-to-face consultations and GLP-1 treatments such as WeGovy and Mounjaro
Offering face-to-face consultations and GLP-1 treatments such as WeGovy and Mounjaro
Major confusion over the nation’s growing mountain of soft plastic ♻️
It has emerged many films and other types of flexible packaging incorrectly reported by suppliers under the #EPR tax system
It has emerged many films and other types of flexible packaging incorrectly reported by suppliers under the #EPR tax system
Confusion over ‘incorrectly classified’ soft plastic adds to UK’s waste mountain fears
Concern has been growing that new rules to try to push companies away from using the materials have been widely misinterpreted
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Major confusion over the nation’s growing mountain of soft plastic ♻️
It has emerged many films and other types of flexible packaging incorrectly reported by suppliers under the #EPR tax system
It has emerged many films and other types of flexible packaging incorrectly reported by suppliers under the #EPR tax system
Aldi is the latest retailer to incur the wrath of the Real Bread Campaign over sourdough labelling claims
Aldi sourdough loaf sparks complaint to Trading Standards
The Real Bread Campaign has lodged a complaint with Trading Standards over Aldi's Specially Selected Signature Bake Dark Rye Sourdough loaf
www.thegrocer.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Aldi is the latest retailer to incur the wrath of the Real Bread Campaign over sourdough labelling claims