George Nott

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | George Nott

The Compleat Food Group is installing devices across its estate that listen out for the buzzing of insect pollinators, in a bid to improve biodiversity across its sites. The company – which owns brands such as Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Company and Squeaky Bean – has partnered with Agrisound to roll out its ‘Polly’ listening devices to provide real-time data on pollinator activity.

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | George Nott

Two of Asda’s tech execs – charged with leading the supermarket’s near £1bn IT systems split from former owner Walmart – are departing the supermarket. Carl Dawson, chief information officer, and Rob Barnes, VP of digital and technology will be leaving the business, Asda has confirmed.

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | George Nott

UK AI company Yellow Sub AI has launched a software-based alternative to physical footfall sensors and cameras, so retailers can better monitor their own and competitor stores and plan new store locations, it says. Pinpoynt.ai “can zero in on any location, such as a shop in a particular town, giving granular data and insights on a day-by-day basis” and provide access to “real-time footfall and spending patterns”, the company says.

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | George Nott

China’s biggest retailer by revenue – JD.com – has test-launched a UK e-commerce site offering an extensive range of groceries, and commenced a major recruitment drive for “category superstars” ahead of a full launch later this year. Called Joybuy, the site boasts full ranges of ambient and frozen foods, household, baby, beverages, personal care, beauty, health, pet, and nicotine products from major brands. Hundreds of Morrisons own-label goods are also available across several categories.

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | George Nott

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in a column for the Observer said that she is “under no illusion about the difficulties that lie ahead” and set out the case for far-reaching changes to global trade and economic agreements, admitting that Donald Trump’s tariffs will have a “profound” effect on the UK. She wants to achieve “an ambitious new relationship” with the European Union, she wrote, while still negotiating a trade deal with the United States.