Steve Farrell

London

Deputy News Editor at The Grocer

Deputy News Editor @TheGrocer

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Articles

Supermarkets making mixed progress on closing gender pay gap

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Seven of the UK’s 11 biggest supermarkets have narrowed the mean average gender pay gap – while Tesco, Asda, JLP and Ocado Retail have slipped back. Aldi, Co-op, Iceland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have all moved closer towards pay parity. However, Ocado Retail’s mean hourly gender pay gap has risen sharply in a year, from 7% to 12%. That is the second-largest gap behind M&S, on 12.2%.
B&M can’t keep relying on new stores for sales growth

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

B&M appeased investors somewhat with its full-year trading update today, but it can’t keep relying on opening new stores for sales growth. Having already adjusted down its earning guidance twice since the start of 2025, it didn’t repeat the cardinal sin of overpromising and under-delivering. Full-year adjusted EBITDA is expected to be above the midpoint of its latest guidance range of £605m-£625m.
B&M taking steps to improve performance as weaker same-store trading continues in Q4

1 week ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

B&M is taking steps to improve its performance after a period of falling sales in its existing UK stores continued into its fourth quarter. Group revenues in the 52 weeks to 29 March were up 3.7% to £5.6bn. However, same-store like for sales at B&M UK were down 3.1%, offsetting a stronger performance in France, where they were up by 2.6%.
Lidl steps up new stores push with five openings in a month

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Lidl has opened five new stores in a month as a £70m property deal it struck last year begins to pay dividends for its expansion programme. The discounter opened last month in Berwick, Redcar, Hull, Crediton and Manchester, creating around 200 jobs.
Aldi marks 35th UK birthday with a look at then and now

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Aldi is marking its 35th UK birthday by highlighting how it has changed, including moving from handwritten signs to the electronic shelf edge labels it uses today. The discounter opened its first UK store in April 1990 in Stechford, Birmingham, selling about 600 basic grocery lines and calling out savings in leaflets printed in black and white. There was no non-food, with the middle aisle Specialbuys for which Aldi is now famous first arriving more than 10 years later.
Aldi and Lidl ‘could challenge new competition restrictions on property deals’

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Aldi and Lidl could challenge the CMA if it tries to slap new restrictions on their property deals, according to a leading food & drink lawyer. The two discounters are currently exempt from a 2010 order that bans seven other major supermarkets from striking land deals that block rivals from opening nearby.
Fast-growing Aldi overtakes Asda in food and drink sales

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Aldi has overtaken Asda in food and drink sales, as the discounter’s growth surges while Asda’s turnaround falters. Aldi’s market share of food and drink sales grew to 10.6% in the 12 weeks to March 23, while Asda’s fell back from 10.5% to 10.4%, according to Kantar data. Aldi’s food and drink sales share climbed from 10.1% in the 12 weeks to 23 February. The blow for Asda comes after it scrapped its Aldi price match scheme in January, as revealed by The Grocer at the time.
Aldi making ‘surprise bags’ of discounted food available earlier this Easter

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Aldi is making ‘surprise bags’ of discounted food available earlier than usual this Easter. The bags cost £3.30 and contain at least £10 worth of food approaching its sell by or use by date. This Easter, customers will be able to reserve one using the Too Good To Go app up to five days in advance, as opposed to the usual 24 hours. It means shoppers in England and Wales will be able to order one from Monday 14 April for collection on Saturday 19 April, ahead of stores closing for Easter Sunday.
Aldi claims UK supermarket first with aluminium wine bottle

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Aldi is claiming a UK supermarket first with the launch of an aluminium wine bottle. The 75cl aluminium bottle for Aldi’s £5.99 Costellore Pinot Grigio is stronger and almost 75% lighter than a glass one, according to the discounter. The bottle, which lands in stores on 14 April, weighs 95g and is fully recyclable. It means a reduction in carbon emissions thanks to the weight saving per truckload.
Aldi claims UK supermarket first with own label aluminium wine bottle

2 weeks ago | thegrocer.co.uk | Steve Farrell

Aldi is claiming a UK supermarket first with the launch of an own label aluminium wine bottle. The 75cl aluminium bottle for Aldi’s £5.99 Costellore Pinot Grigio is stronger and almost 75% lighter than a glass one, according to the discounter. The bottle, which lands in stores on 14 April, weighs 95g and is fully recyclable. It means a reduction in carbon emissions thanks to the weight saving per truckload.