The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Marks & Spencer announces further 17 proposed store closures
Food retailer, Marks & Spencer has announced the next 17 UK stores proposed for closure as it reshapes its UK store estate. The proposed store closures have been named as: Ashford, Barrow, Bedford, Boston, Buxton, Cwmbran, Deal, Felixstowe, Huddersfield, Hull,...
Proposed restrictions on food promotions slammed by FDF
The Food & Drink Federation (FDF) has strongly criticised the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on proposed restrictions for food promotions. The 12-week consultation asks whether there should be more restrictions on how retailers promote food...
Iceland Foods responds to minimum wage breach claims
Retailer Iceland Foods has responded to claims from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that it breached national minimum wage rules by operating of a Christmas saving scheme for employees. The voluntary scheme allowed employees to have sums deducted from their wages which...
Marks and Spencer reports ‘steady performance’
Mark and Spencer Group Plc (M&S) saw a “steady performance in difficult markets” in its trading statement for the 13 weeks to 29th December 2018. In food, the retailer saw like-for-like revenue decrease 2.1%. Six months ago M&S started on a journey to...
Tesco sees 12th consecutive quarter of growth
In the Tesco UK business, its third quarter like-for-like sales increased by 0.7%, representing its 12th consecutive quarter of growth. Over the six weeks to 5th January 2019, like-for-like sales in both the UK & ROI businesses, including Booker, grew by 1.9% in...
Countdown to the FMT Food Industry Awards lunch begins
With just three weeks to go until the Food Management Today Industry Awards 2019 lunch, now is the last chance to order tickets for one of the biggest food events of the year. The lunch and ceremony will be held on 31st January 2019, and will once again be taking...
Food Management Today editor to leave magazine
Emily Ansell Elfer, who has been editor of both Food Management Today and Meat Management magazines, plus supporting websites, for just over three years, is to leave her position on 1st February. Commenting on the announcement, publisher of both titles, Graham...
Food Standards Agency creates guidance for recalls
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is asking food businesses, enforcement officers and consumers to provide it with feedback on its new ‘Guidance on Food Traceability, Withdrawals and Recalls within the UK Food Industry’. The guidance sets out the roles and...
Strong festive sales for most supermarkets
The major supermarkets as a group posted record sales of £29.3 billion over the Christmas trading period, though lower inflation also took its toll. The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, published for the 12 weeks to 30th December 2018, show...
Aldi sees record Christmas sales
In the week commencing 17th December, Aldi enjoyed its best-ever Christmas trading in the UK with sales of almost £1bn for the month as a whole. The supermarket welcomed an influx of festive shoppers from more expensive food retailers throughout December. The week...