Handel

Heavy rains in West Africa brought flooding that prevented cocoa farmers from accessing their fields, delaying the harvest and sending cocoa prices soaring on global markets on Friday, reaching nearly $7,800 a tonne.more

Wilko has confirmed it will open a new store in Uxbridge on November 22 as it continues plans to return to the high streets. The launch marks the household and garden retailer’s return to West London and is its seventh opening since the brand was acquired by CDS Superstores in September 2023.more

Everyday shopping became more expensive in September by an average of 4.9 per cent compared to last September; the most expensive, by more than 10 per cent, were vegetables and fruit, according to the UCE Research report published yesterday. Bulk products - including sugar, salt and flour - are cheaper.more

Shops open on all Sundays are wanted by 52.6 per cent of Poles. Compared to the February survey, this is an increase of 6.6 percentage points. - reported today's ‘Rzeczpospolita’.more

Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has criticised “slightly daft” proposals from academics to serve beer in two-third pint measures as he called for no further regulations to be introduced in the under-pressure pub sector.more

Non-alcoholic beverages are conquering the Polish market, with sales growing even by more than 50 per cent a year, according to ‘’Rzeczpospolita‘’. According to the newspaper, this is only the beginning of a strong consumer trend.more

An observation of the behaviour of nearly 3 million consumers showed that there was an overall year-on-year decrease in holiday fast food traffic. These types of restaurants also lost customers. Pizzerias recorded two double-digit declines and sandwich and chicken bars recorded two single-digit declines. Other parameters, such as the length of time spent in an establishment or the average number omore

UK shop prices fell at their fastest rate since 2021 in September, driven by discounts on non-food items, but fresh food inflation ticked up as olive oil and cocoa prices continue to surge.more

The minimum price at which alcohol can be sold in Scotland has risen by 30% in an attempt to keep up with inflation over the past six years. The minimum unit price (MUP) has not changed since it was set at 50p per unit of alcohol when it was first introduced in May 2018.more

Vodafone and Three UK have pledged to cap their lowest-cost mobile plans at £10 for two years, as the companies hope to convince the UK’s competition watchdog to approve their £15 billion merger.more

None of the UK’s large supermarket chains are ensuring their suppliers use antibiotics in the most responsible way, an assessment by campaigners has found, despite heightened concerns about their overuse in farm animals.more

Sales of wines from Portugal to Poland were at an unprecedented level in 2023, both in terms of export volume and value. The current year also promises to be a record year, according to statistics from Vini Portugal, an organisation that analyses sales of these spirits.more

Six EU member states, including Poland, have sent a letter to the European Commission demanding action on sales platforms through which goods that do not meet EU requirements are delivered to customers in the EU. The Chinese sites in question are Temu and Shein.more

Dozens of Tesco food products contain lower proportions of key ingredients than “price-matched” equivalents at Aldi, according to a report that raises questions over value for money at the UK’s largest supermarket chain.more

Retailer says some shops may become unviable despite annual profits nearing £1bn amid international expansion.more

Brexit red tape on British businesses has caused goods trade between the UK and EU to slump and the problem is getting worse, a study has warned. Many smaller UK producers have given up exporting small amounts to the EU after facing more rules and regulations, a report by Aston University Business School has found.more

Plans to pedestrianise part of London's Oxford Street have been announced by the capital's mayor. Sadiq Khan said "urgent action" is needed to regenerate the famous high street, which was has been affected by a shift to online shopping and the Covid-19 pandemic. more

The popularity of Polish fruit abroad is growing. Last year we were their seventh largest supplier in Europe, reported the ‘Puls Biznesu’ yesterday.more

Pharmacies, pubs and banks made up half of the closures on Britain's High Streets in the first six months of this year, data suggests. A total of 6,945 stores have closed so far in 2024, which is the equivalent of 38 shops per day.more

First it was Lidl with its croissant handbag, and now cult bakery chain Greggs has announced the launch of its first jewellery collection, a glittering range of gold-plated pieces that includes sausage roll earrings. more

The majority of households are worried about the rising cost of shopping despite slowing price rises, according to industry data. Kantar Worldpanel - which tracks supermarket till prices, sales and market share - said its measure of grocery inflation slowed to 1.7% in August.more

Corkage fees - the charge applied to diners who bring their own wine - are rising as restaurants try to make a profit, industry experts have said. According to trade publication The Drinks Business, the average fee was about £12 to £15 per bottle of still wine opened on site.more

The boss of Aldi UK says shoppers are treating themselves to more expensive products as cost of living pressures start to ease. Customers are said to be "trading up" to premium own-label products including Wagyu steak, premium cheese, ready meals, and brioche buns.more

Health charities call for taxes on salty products and bans on junk food sponsorship of sport to help cut deaths from heart disease, writes "The Guardian".more

The Body Shop has been rescued from administration, in a deal that appears to secure the immediate future for 1,300 shop and office workers. A consortium led by the British cosmetics tycoon Mike Jatania has acquired the ethical beauty brand's 113 UK stores which remain trading, for an undisclosed sum.more