Retail & Consumer
Gousto to take on Hellofresh in major expansion as it creates dozens of new jobs
2025-06-18 21:43:30
Gousto, the recipe kit provider, has unveiled ambitions to extend its market reach by launching operations in the Republic of Ireland, a move that is set to introduce new employment opportunities as the company intensifies its rivalry with Hellofresh. This expansion will lead to more than 30 new roles in 2025, encompassing areas such as management, marketing, food, supply chain, and fulfilment, as reported by City AM. Entering a space already inhabited by Hellofresh, Gousto anticipates further job creation as the Irish arm of the business grows. The company has committed to sourcing over one-third of ingredients locally from the island of Ireland from the outset. Gousto founder Timo Boldt commented on the strategic step: "Our research reveals Irish consumers are highly engaged in health but until now this has not been reflected in dinner choices across the country." He continued, "We aim to fill this gap in the market, with an inspiring range of nutritious, fresh, home-cooked recipes, which make healthy eating simple." Emphasising the progression of the company's growth, he added, "Launching into the Republic of Ireland was the natural next step following our successful expansion into Northern Ireland." Expounding further, Boldt elaborated on the company's offer to the Irish market: "We will deliver to the nation's 1.8 million households an unrivalled recipe choice, expanding their cooking repertoire with simple to create dishes from around the world, exceptional value, combined with the convenience to make cooking from scratch the obvious choice, all backed up by local fulfilment and local sourcing." This announcement comes as the company seeks a return to profit after experiencing extensive job cuts. Gousto's expansion follows its September 2023 announcement that it was on track to return to profit within the financial year. However, accounts released in October 2024 showed that the company had not achieved this goal, although it did manage to reduce its pre-tax loss from £157.5m to £75.6m. In 2023, Gousto reduced its workforce from 1,750 to 1,416. A trading update issued in May 2024 revealed the business was now profitable, but exact figures were not disclosed. The company's next full set of accounts are due to be filed with Companies House at the end of September this year. Since its inception, Gousto has raised nearly $350m (£276.8m) in equity from global investors including SoftBank and Fidelity International. Recently, UK meal box companies have been contracting following significant growth after their initial launch. In September 2024, City AM reported that the UK branch of Hellofresh significantly reduced its pre-tax loss as its turnover neared the £500m mark and it cut 15 per cent of its workforce. The last time the UK arm of Hellofresh reported a pre-tax profit was the £8m it made in 2020. Since then, it has lost almost £50m.
Retail & Consumer
Supermarkets see varied fortunes amid rising sales with Asda continuing to struggle
2025-07-12 13:48:24
Retail & Consumer
High Street shops, pubs and restaurants face £1bn tax bill from April
2025-07-05 13:55:14
Retail & Consumer
Aldi to cut up to 350 jobs at UK headquarters as cost pressures increase
2025-07-11 22:25:41
Discover New Ideas
Retail & Consumer
Co-op admits to 107 breaches of order to stop blocking rivals from opening nearby
2025-06-25 19:50:33
The Co-op has become the latest UK supermarket to be targeted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in its campaign against 'unlawful land agreements' in grocery retailing. The group has confessed to 107 breaches of an order prohibiting supermarkets from imposing restrictions that prevent competitors from opening nearby stores, according to the watchdog, as reported by City AM. The CMA stated that its campaign aims to "ensure that shoppers have more choice and so benefit from a wider range of groceries and access to cheaper prices". The watchdog expressed concern over the "concerned that this substantial number of breaches demonstrates a significant failure of compliance for a business of Co-op's size", given the group's ownership of nearly 2,400 stores across the UK and its 5.2 per cent market share in the £190.9bn supermarket industry. Daniel Turnbull, senior director of markets at the CMA, commented: "Restrictive agreements by our leading retailers affect competition between supermarkets and impact shoppers trying to get the best deals." He added: "We know that Co-op has made a considerable effort to amend all their unlawful agreements, given this Order has been in place since 2010." He urged Co-op and other designated retailers to "Co-op and the other designated retailers must make sure they do the right thing by their customers in the future." This action follows similar measures taken by the CMA against Tesco in 2020, Waitrose in 2022, and Sainsbury's, Asda, M&S and Morrisons in 2023. In comparison to The Co-op's breaches, Tesco's infractions amounted to 23, with Waitrose at seven, Sainsbury's at 18, Asda at 14, M&S at 10, and Morrisons leading with 55. A spokesperson for the Co-op acknowledged the issue, stating: "As a business that is committed to operating fairly, we recognise this is extremely disappointing." They further explained, "Co-op operates in a range of markets, both as a community retailer and a national funeral provider and the number of breaches amount to less than two per cent of transactions across our entire property portfolio." Emphasising their commitment to rectifying the situation, the spokesperson added, "This is a matter we take very seriously, and we have taken all necessary action to ensure this issue is resolved and does not happen again." In an open letter, the CMA recognised the steps taken by Co-op: "The CMA acknowledges that Co-op has proactively taken steps to address the root causes of these breaches, has cooperated with the CMA to date and is now working with the CMA to take further remedial action to address the breaches identified." "Along with other large grocery retailers, Co-op will now also report annually to the CMA regarding its compliance with the order."
Pets at Home share price soars as watchdog rumours spark interest from private equity
2025-07-07 05:21:57
Women risk being left without a pension for 14 years
2025-06-21 21:31:05
Pukka Pies warns price rises are 'inevitable' as it battles 'significant' inflation
2025-06-27 20:31:11
UK shop prices drop as food inflation soars, British Retail Consortium reports
2025-07-15 10:45:08
Begin a New Chapter
Retail & Consumer
Bristol's high street businesses join calls for government to rethink business rates proposals
2025-06-24 15:43:34
Bristol retailers are among thousands of high street businesses urging the government to reconsider plans to raise business rates for the largest properties. High Streets UK, a partnership of more than 5,000 businesses across the country, said the move would place a "disproportionate burden" on flagship stores. Under plans, properties with a rateable value of more than £500,000 could be subject to a business rates multiplier up to 10p higher than the current levy. The idea is it will pay for a rates reduction on small high street businesses. The group said the upcoming 2026 revaluation added "further uncertainty" and would deincentivise near-term investment. The group has called on Sir Keir Starmer's government to conduct a full impact assessment of proposed multiplier increases and freezing any hike in the higher multiplier until 2027/28 to provide greater certainty. Vicky Lee, director of Bristol City Centre BID on behalf of Visit West Bristol BIDs, said while business rates reform was necessary, it needed to "support, rather than hinder" the future of flagship high streets. "Bristol’s high street businesses are a crucial part of our city’s economy, driving jobs, tourism and investment," she said. "We urge the Government to take a balanced approach, ensuring that rates remain competitive and that businesses have the certainty they need to plan ahead. "A thriving high street benefits not just retailers, but the entire city, from independent businesses to local communities." Dee Corsi, chair of High Streets UK, added: “Flagship high streets are the economic and social anchors of our cities – they create jobs, drive local and national growth, and serve as vital hubs for communities. "Moreover, within a high street ecosystem, it is often the larger retail, leisure and hospitality units which drive footfall and spend in smaller neighbouring businesses. If you put these larger stores at risk, the impact will be felt across the entire high street. “As a collective voice for these high streets, High Streets UK is calling on the Government to take urgent action to safeguard their future, ensuring our city centres remain dynamic, competitive, and resilient.”
Poundland considering 'all options' as it struggles and shuts 13 stores
2025-06-25 08:58:29
M&S defies National Insurance hike to increase staff pay by 5%
2025-06-27 20:24:02
Ocado CEO's pay jumps to £2.6m despite heavy losses and share price slump
2025-06-29 02:18:26
Fenwick says it has 'no plans for store closures' as it calls in restructuring experts
2025-06-20 11:59:42
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Retail & Consumer
Manchester Airport to get third Premier Inn hotel as bosses eye new site
2025-06-18 06:28:43
Manchester Airport is set to welcome a new Premier Inn hotel, the chain's third establishment in the area. Manchester council has given the green light to Airport City Partnership Ltd, a subsidiary of Manchester Airport Group, to construct a 276-room hotel just a stone's throw away from the terminal. The upcoming Premier Inn will be neighbours with the recently opened Tribe hotel and another Dakota hotel currently under construction. The airport authorities have confirmed that Premier Inn will manage the 276-bedroom facility, adding to its two existing hotels nearby. However, the new nine-storey building will be much closer to terminal two, being only an eight-minute walk away, compared to the current 43-minute distance from the nearest Premier Inn rooms. According to the planning application: "Proposals for a new 276 room hotel building under the Premier Inn brand to compliment the emerging masterplan are presented (here). "Occupying the plot to the south of [Tribe], the Premier Inn hotel will create positive frontage to a new urban square activating routes between the M56 spur bridge between Wythenshawe and the Airport Interchange in the next phase of development." The proposal was approved last Wednesday (February 26), with council officers clarifying that there will be no dedicated Premier Inn parking spaces on-site, as guests will use the airport's general parking facilities. An officer report further noted: "In addition, the airport has recently notified the council of the intention to undertake works under their permitted development rights to form a new coach and taxi-drop off facility."
Shein: Fast fashion giant found two cases of child labour in 2024
2025-06-28 06:37:51
Brits spent nearly £1bn on Valentine's Day as couples opt for home celebrations
2025-07-12 19:49:46
Government approves controversial M56 Tebay-style service station despite local opposition
2025-07-09 23:15:56
Welsh footfall growth the strongest in the UK despite cooling on January
2025-06-18 12:18:32