Asda – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Good Food reveals winners of Christmas Supermarket Taste Test Awards 2024

M&S takes the crown for the most winners in this year’s Good Food Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, scooping seven of the 21 categories, with Waitrose winning five categories.
Over 185 products from 13 supermarkets were blind-tasted, and anonymously rated by a panel of expert judges overseen by an independent adjudicator, winners include Morrisons £3.25 pigs in blankets, and Asda £5 mulled wine.

The UK’s number one food media brand, Good Food, has announced the results of its Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, judging the best festive foods from 13 supermarkets across 21 categories, from smoked salmon to Christmas cake, pigs in blankets and mulled wine.

To arrive at the winners list, over 185 products were blind-tasted by Good Food’s expert panel, overseen by an independent adjudicator. All packaging was removed and food prepared and cooked following pack instructions and presented by an independent home economist. The judges submitted comments and a score out of 10 for each product in the category via anonymous online judging forms.

The full results are in the iconic Good Food Christmas issue which is on sale now with a “Make Christmas memories” message, packed with over 90 thoroughly tested recipes for memorable celebrating, entertaining and gift-giving, plus features on reducing food waste and tips for using up leftovers.

Of the thirteen supermarkets, M&S won the most, scooping seven wins out of the 21 categories, including Best cranberry sauce and Best classic mince pies.

Waitrose was awarded five wins including: Best turkey crown, Best Christmas cake and Best Christmas pudding. Asda and Aldi tied for third place with three wins each, while Morrisons won the coveted Best pigs in blankets category and Co-op Best showstopper dessert.

Lily Barclay, Content Director, Good Food, says: “Good Food celebrates its 35^th anniversary this year, which means 35 years of Christmas memories.

“Our iconic Christmas issue will help create more memories with reinventions of retro classics and ideas for meaningful home-baked Christmas gifts.

“The Good Food team of experts started testing in August for the mammoth Good Food Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, creating the ultimate guide to festive food buys.

“This Christmas the supermarkets have outdone themselves with the range and quality on offer, and our selection of winners will help save time in the kitchen, so you can focus on celebrating the festive season with family and friends..”

The results of the Good Food Christmas Taste Awards 2024, with judges’ comments:

Starters

Best smoked salmon
Winner: Booths Strong Oak Smoked Scottish Salmon, 200g (£8.00)

Judges’ comments: “This has nice thick slices with a classic, crowd-pleasing smoked flavour that would work well in sandwiches.”

Best hot canapé
Winner: M&S Collection Barber’s Extra Mature Cheddar & Ham Hock Scone, 290g (£7.50)

Judges’ comments: “The scone has a great flavour and a lovely, crispy texture. The ham works beautifully with the creamy roux and buttery, cheesy notes – it’s easy to eat and perfect for nibbles with drinks.”

Mains

Best turkey crown
Winner: Waitrose Glorious Treacle Glazed Turkey Crown, 2.5kg (£60)

Turkey crown on a plate wrapped in bacon

Judges’ comments: “This juicy turkey has excellent flavour, complemented by the herby chestnut stuffing and a lovely saltiness from the bacon.”

Best alternative Christmas main
Winner: Aldi Specially Selected Wagyu Wing Rib, 1.8-2.8kg (£24.99 per kg)

Judges’ comments: “This impressive-looking joint would make a fantastic showstopper. The meat has a good texture, and the outside sears well.”

Best gammon
Winner: Aldi Specially Selected Sugar Baked Crackling Gammon Joint, £18.99

Aldi specially selected sugar baked crackling gammon joint on a platter with vegetables

Judges’ comments: “A clear winner for the judges – this centrepiece gammon is complete with crunchy crackling and juicy, tender meat.”

Best pigs in blankets
Winner: Morrisons The Best pigs in blankets, 210g (£3.25)

Judges’ comments: “Caramelised onions give these a touch of sweetness, with pleasing crispy bacon and good texture to the sausage-meat.”

Best cranberry sauce
Winner: M&S Cranberry Sauce (fresh), 400g (£3.25)

Judges’ comments: “This cranberry sauce has a nice sweetness, a distinct cranberry flavour and a pleasing tartness. It’s perfect for making sandwiches with your Christmas leftovers.”

Best vegetarian main
Joint winner: Waitrose Ultimate Plant-based Festive Wellingtons, pack of two (£7.50)

Judges’ comments: “This vegetarian mushroom wellington has a flavourful umami kick, crispy pastry, lovely mushroom and thyme notes, and warming gravy.”

Joint winner: M&S Collection Handcrafted Honey Glazed Vegetable & Barber’s Cheddar Galette, 400g (£12.50)

Judges’ comments: “This hearty galette impressed the judges: it is incredibly flavoursome, enjoyably cheesy and has plenty of veg.”

Best vegan main
Joint winner: Tesco Finest Roasted Vegetable & Cranberry Star, 340g (£6)

Judges’ comments: “This attractive centrepiece features beautifully nutty and umami flavours with notes of thyme, marjoram and sweet onion. It has buttery, flaky pastry and festive star shapes.”

Joint winner: Aldi Plant Menu Vegan No Turkey Crown, 490g (£4.99)
This no-turkey crown does a great job of replicating the texture of meat quite well. It would go down extremely well with roast potatoes and a generous helping of gravy.

Festive desserts

Best Christmas cake
Winner: Waitrose No.1 Hand-Decorated Matured Rich Fruit Cake, 1.5kg (£18.50)

Judges’ comments: “This Christmas cake has a generous amount of marzipan, a slightly crumbly texture – which guests might take as homemade – and a pretty, impressive appearance with good, solid icing.”

Best alternative Christmas cake
Winner: Asda Ginger and Caramel Snow Cake, serves 16 (£12)

Judges’ comments: “The gingerbread and caramel cake captures the festive spirit beautifully. Its appearance is charming, both as a whole and when sliced, making it an attractive addition to any holiday spread. The cake boasts a strong gingerbread flavour that is nicely balanced, and the sponge is wonderfully soft and spongey.”

Best Christmas pudding
Winner: Waitrose No.1 Jewelled Cointreau & Cranberry Christmas Pudding, 800g (£15)

No.1 Jewelled cointrau cranberry Christmas pudding

Judges’ comments: “This Christmas pudding has a rich flavour, a pretty fluted shape, lots of cherries and whole almonds, and a nice spiced citrussy note.”

Best showstopper dessert
Winner: Co-op Irresistible Spiced Gingerbread Crown, 600g (£8)

Judges’ comments: “This golden sponge crown boasts a lovely gingerbread flavour with warming ginger and cinnamon notes, complemented by a rich caramel sauce and toffee drizzle. It looks impressive, is easy to serve, and has a homemade, festive taste.”

Best trifle
Winner: M&S Sticky Toffee Trifle, 1kg (£15)

Judges’ comments: “This trifle features a delightful blend of caramel, gingerbread and butterscotch flavours, beautifully paired with whipped cream and luscious custard. The layers are clear and well-textured, with attractive toppings.”

Best free-from dessert
Winner: M&S Chocolate & Orange, Fruit & Nut Brownie, 630g (£12.50)

Chocolate & orange fruit & nut brownies on a plate and the counter

Judges’ comments: “This gluten-free brownie tastes like it is made from quality chocolate, and the hint of orange isn’t overbearing.”

Festive bakes

Best classic mince pies
Winner: M&S Collection Mince Pies, pack of six (£4)

Stack of mince pies on a plate with one open mince pie in front

Judges’ comments: “These classic mince pies have a beautiful, unique design with a well-patterned top, buttery pastry with a good mouthfeel, and a nicely spiced filling with discernible fruit.”

Best flavoured mince pies
Winner: Morrisons The Best Cherry Bakewell Mince Pies, pack of four (£2.75)

Judges’ comments: “These Bakewell-flavoured mince pies feature a pretty flaked almond topping and a well-balanced frangipane that’s not too sweet. The mincemeat is moist and fruity, creating a pleasant hybrid of a classic mince pie with a nutty, crumbly twist.”

Best gluten-free mince pies
Winner: Waitrose Mince Pies, pack of four (£2.90)

Judges’ comments: “These gluten-free mince pies have a nice texture that holds together well without crumbling too much.”

Best vegan mince pie
Winner: Asda Free From 4 Mince Pies 220g (£2)

Judges’ comments: “These vegan mince pies have a beautiful, uniform appearance with a simple star decoration and feature a lovely, juicy filling. The pastry is crisp with a good crumbly texture and a nice sugary top, making them a delightful treat.”

Best biscuit tin

Winner: M&S Collection Shortbread Tin, 400g (£10)
Judges’ comments: “These Christmas shortbreads are melt-in-the-mouth buttery, with a good salty hit and a rich, milky chocolate coating. Their soft, crumbly texture makes them a true winner.”

Best mulled wine
Winner: Asda Extra Special Mulled Wine, 75cl (£5)

Judges’ comments: “This mulled wine offers a delightful boozy flavour with a rich ‘mulled’ quality, making it a standout choice for a sweet, spiced experience.

All prices correct at time of publishing.

The Christmas issue of Good Food is out now, get your copy in store or order direct from www.MagsDirect.co.uk

Asda release FREE recipe e-book for Mother’s Day

Introducing ‘Messy Brekkies’: the first ever Mother’s Day recipe book to show what really happens when kids take to the kitchen

In a twist on the usual highly styled and perfect food photography, Asda’s ‘Messy Brekkies’ e-book showcases classic Mother’s Day breakfast dishes in all their perfectly imperfect glory

This Mother’s Day, Asda releases the first recipe book that reveals the less-than-perfect results of kids let loose in the kitchen
Asda’s ‘Messy Brekkies’ e-book includes food photography that is a far cry from the usual stylised shots – because as mums know, it’s the thought, not the presentation, that counts
Asda tasked a team of budding chefs with the all-important job of recipe testing: Alice (7), Elijah (7), Alfie (6) and Grace (4)
The little novices took to the kitchen to work up seven delicious recipes: from pancakes and waffles to eggy bread and scrambled eggs – getting very messy in the process
Asda’s Messy Brekkies e-book is available now to download free of charge at https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/asda-messy-brekkies

Mother’s Day. The one day of the year when mums and mother figures get a lie-in and are treated to breakfast in bed, over-enthusiastically made by little hands. Whether its swimming in syrup or camouflaged by caster sugar, each messy breakfast is a labour of love and, as mum knows, it’s the thought that counts. This year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, Asda launches a unique recipe book of ‘Messy Brekkies’, showing the reality of what the mums in our lives typically get served – and the glorious mess made in the kitchen.

Set the all-important task of recipe testing, Asda appointed four children aged 4-7 to cook their Mother’s Day breakfasts in all of their perfectly imperfect glory. The adorable team, comprised of Alice (7), Elijah (7), Alfie (6) and Grace (4) rolled up their sleeves and took to the kitchen to develop a repertoire of recipes full of heart for March 19^th.

The seven resulting dishes include Perfectly Imperfect Pancakes, Seriously Scrambled Eggs on Toast, Warm-Your-Heart Waffles, an Eggstra-exciting Eggy Bread Sandwich, a Wonderfully Warm Croissant Sandwich, Heavenly Hot Cross Buns with Chocolate & Fresh Fruit and a Totally Tasty Pastry Plate.

Asda’s ‘Messy Brekkies’ e-book ensures there’s something for every mum and shows that even in the age of Insta-worthy food shots and Michelin star plate arrangements, it’s really just the thought that counts when it comes to Mother’s Day.

To inspire other little cooks ahead of Mother’s Day, the ‘Messy Brekkies’ e-book is available to download from https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/asda-messy-brekkies, complete with all seven recipes and instructions for little chefs to try at home (with adult supervision, of course!).

Alice, aged 7, Mother’s Day Recipe Tester at Asda and daughter to Kate, said: “My mummy likes eggs for breakfast, so I made Eggy Bread with Daddy’s help. I liked cracking the eggs and dipping the bread in, but it was a bit messy – my hands had stuff all over them!”

Elijah, aged 7, Mother’s Day Recipe Tester at Asda and son to Roxsanne, said: “I made pancakes, because they’re mine and my mum’s favourite. My favourite bit was putting on the toppings, especially the chocolate chips…”.

As Asda spokesperson said: “When it comes to Mother’s Day, nothing beats a heartfelt gesture like homemade breakfast in bed. The outcome isn’t always pretty, but the knowledge that it’s been made with love is better than any aesthetically pleasing plate.

“When it came to appointing our Mother’s Day recipe testers we wanted to hand creative control to those who know Mum best – the kids! The dishes tested by Alice, Elijah, Alfie and Grace make use of the fantastic range of products across The Bakery at Asda and wider store and are totally delicious.

“We hope that in reading our Messy Brekkies E-book, everyone is inspired to get in the kitchen and give these Messy Brekkies a go.”

Asda’s Messy Brekkies E-book is available now, and can be downloaded free of charge at https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/asda-messy-brekkies.

Asda announces £15 Valentine’s Day Meal Deal including wine

Asda announces its Valentine’s Day Meal Deal, which includes a starter, main, two sides, dessert, and either a bottle of wine or box of chocolates for only £15
Asda Rewards app users will also earn £1.50 in their cash pot when picking up the deal, making it even better value
Notable new items include the Vegan Mushroom Arancini Hearts, 30-Day Dry Aged Sirloin, Chantaney Carrots with Citrus Yuzu, and Dark Belgian Chocolate Hearts
The deal will run online and in-store from 9th until 14th February

This year Asda is pulling out all the stops for those looking to celebrate love with its Valentine’s Day Meal Deal, which includes a starter, main, two sides, dessert, and wine or chocolates for only £15. The deal features 17 all-new options, plus returning favourites and vegan offerings across all courses of the meal – including wine.

For starters, there are five options to choose from. Cheese fans will love the new Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Slow Cooked British Beef, which are baked into small bite-sized cups. For those who fancy something extra indulgent, there’s the Chicken Liver Parfait with Raspberry Jelly, perfect to enjoy with freshly-toasted, thick-cut baguette slices. For plant-based lovers, Asda’s new Vegan Mushroom Arancini Hearts with Truffle Dip delights are sure to set the scene for a romantic evening.

Now, onto the main event with eight options on offer. Standout selections include:

· The 30-Day Dry Aged Sirloin with Smoked Garlic Butter, which has been aged for 30 days for a deeply rich and succulent flavour.
· The Wild & Roast Garlic Stuffed Yorkshire Bred Pork Kiev Cutlets. Topped with a Sicilian lemon, garlic, and herb crumb, this dish is the epitome of excellence.
· The British Duck Breasts with Morello Cherry Sauce, sure to impress any date!

Shoppers can also choose from the Aberdeen Angus Beef Burger with Smokey Bacon & Cheese Heart, Braised British Beef Cheek Parcel with a Creamy Porcini Mushroom & Peppercorn Sauce, Cod Fillet with Samphire & Sicilian Lemon & Marjoram Butter, Plant Based Wellington with Mushroom Duxelle, or Nduja Stuffed Chicken Parcel. Each of the main options come with two servings and contain all relevant sauces and garnishes, so it’s all ready to go.

When it comes to a little something on the side, Asda’s got it covered. For the Valentine’s deal, there are some seasonal offerings on the table, such as the new Chantaney Carrots with Citrus Yuzu – a yummy flavour sure to compliment any main. Another standout option is the all-new Truffle Mac & Cheese, for those looking for something indulgent. Of course, no selection would be complete without sides available from all year round, such as the Triple Cooked Chips and the Dauphinoise Potatoes.

Saving the best until last, the dessert. Take a romantic trip to Italy without leaving the house with the Italian Espresso Tiramisu Cups – intense layers of coffee sauce, mascarpone mousse and coffee-soaked sponge cake, Marsala wine, and a cocoa powder dusting make for the ultimate treat.

As it is Valentine’s Day, shoppers can’t go wrong with heart-shaped chocolate treats: enter the Dark Belgian Chocolate Heart with Raspberry. Dusted in pink shimmer, these chocolates are deluxe delights sure to end the night off on the right note.

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a box of chocolates – or for some, maybe a bottle of wine feels more appropriate this year. Whatever the case, shoppers can round out the meal deal with their choice of either a bottle of wine, such as the Extra Special Malbec Merlot or Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc, or a box of the new Extra Special Chocolates.

Not only has Asda kept the price of its stunning meal deal at £15 this year, but the supermarket has gone one step further: couples get the ultimate date night deal with a free Sky Movies voucher when shopping the meal deal*.

What’s more, shoppers using the Asda Rewards app will earn £1.50 in their cash pot when purchasing the deal, making the dine-in offer even better value for money.

For just £15, Asda’s meal deal means you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner. The deal will run online at www.asda.com and in-store from 9th until 14th February.

Brrr-ave Asda bosses raise over £3000 for Children in Need

A hardy team of Asda area managers braved the chilly waters of the Firth of Forth when they took a dip for charity at Portobello yesterday.

With donations still coming in their efforts have now raised over £3000 for Children in Need.

PICTURES: Sharon Gray – Asda Leith Community Champion

ASDA bosses take the plunge at Porty today for Children in Need

FORTY managers from Asda central region – including local region manager Brian Boyle – will be taking a brave plunge into the chilly sea at Portobello at 1pm today to raise money for children in need (writes SHARON GRAY, Asda Leith’s Community Champion).

We have raised over £1000 so far, but are looking to raise more. Come along and give your support! Meet up at Bath Street entrance from 12:45pm.

Sharon has also sent some pictures of the Asda team in training:

Which? exposes supermarket pricing secrets that could lead to you paying over the odds

Shoppers could be paying almost four times more than they need to for the same branded grocery products at certain times, Which?’s biggest ever supermarket pricing investigation has found.

The consumer champion analysed more than a million prices for 493 branded grocery items at six major supermarkets – Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose – throughout 2020.

The investigation revealed not just the pricing secrets that mean shoppers could be paying over the odds for the same products depending on the days they shop, but also the types of grocery products that fluctuate the most when it comes to price, as well as the supermarket that almost always beats its rivals when it comes to the cost of branded groceries

Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee (250g) at Ocado had the most dramatic price difference, as the investigation found shoppers could pay almost four times more for the same product on different days.

It was at its cheapest price of £1.30 for 63 days in 2020, however for more than a third of the year (130 days), it cost an eye-watering £5 – a 284 per cent difference for the same product. Ocado said this price fluctuation was an error that has now been corrected.

The price for Müller yogurts illustrates the so-called “high-low” tactic used by many supermarkets – when prices are dramatically hiked and then slashed at regular intervals.

For example, Müller Light Greek Luscious Lemon yogurts fluctuated substantially at Sainsbury’s during 2020, flipping between £1 and £2.75 – a 175 per cent price difference – at roughly three-week intervals. The same product was also available for £1 or less in at least one of the major supermarkets for about 85 per cent of the year.

Other products that saw significant price variations included Carte D’Or Vanilla Ice Cream and Loyd Grossman Tomato and Basil Sauce at Asda – with prices fluctuating by 133 per cent and 125 per cent respectively.

At Morrisons, shoppers could pick up a bottle of Shloer’s Red Grape Juice Drink for just £1 on a good day, however it cost more than double (£2.25) on other days – representing a 125 per cent increase.

Which? also found there were price variations of 122 per cent for Jordans Country Crisp Four Nut Cereal at Tesco. Shoppers could sometimes pay just £1.35, yet on other days the same pack was more than double the price at £3.

The investigation also analysed pricing at a category level, looking at 19 areas from chocolates to cheese, and found the price for branded cakes and biscuits fluctuated by 48 per cent on average – more than any other category.

In this category, Which? analysed the price of 14 products and found a 10-pack of Cadbury Chocolate Mini Rolls at Asda had the biggest price difference. It cost just £1.20 at its cheapest but was more than double the price at £2.60 on certain days.

Shoppers should also keep a close eye on the price of juices and smoothies, as prices in this category varied by 41 per cent on average. This was followed by cooking sauces (38%), crisps (36%) and cereal (35%).

Across all 19 categories analysed, Asda had the lowest average prices for branded groceries, making it the best option for shoppers who prefer branded items but do not want to pay over the odds.

Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket for branded items in eight categories including energy drinks, ice cream and tea, and Ocado for seven categories including juice drinks, coffee and cheddar.

Almost all the products in the investigation varied in price and could be found discounted at one or more supermarkets at any time. However, a Which? survey found one in five shoppers are confused by grocery promotions and the majority (73%) would prefer consistently low prices.

While Aldi and Lidl were not featured in the investigation as they stock fewer branded goods, they have won legions of customers by focusing on consistently low prices rather than deals and discounts. In Which?’s monthly price analysis, the cheapest supermarket is invariably either Aldi or Lidl.

Ele Clark, Which? Retail Editor, said: “Our research reveals just how wildly food and drink prices can fluctuate from day to day, meaning people are at risk of massively overpaying for branded groceries depending on when and where they shop.

“We would recommend keeping an eye on the prices of your favourite products and stocking up when they’re discounted to avoid paying over the odds.”

Please see a link below for the average price fluctuation for all 19 categories:

https://infogram.com/1pddv32knm3wngimz1972prnlkhkzqkzll2?live

FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE

Don’t pay full price – If you regularly buy non-perishable branded groceries such as crisps, cereal and tins of soup, make sure you stock up when they’re discounted and avoid paying full price for them.
Shop around – Although they don’t offer online grocery shopping, Aldi, Lidl, Home Bargains, Wilko and others often offer good deals on branded products too. It’s also worth trying own-label alternatives, which can offer great quality at even better prices.
Watch out for pricing tricks – Discounts are great but don’t be manipulated by other pricing tricks. The strawberries may be on offer but what about the price of the upmarket pouring cream temptingly positioned next to it?
Scrutinise price-matching claims – Sainsbury’s and Tesco both shout about their Aldi price-matching schemes, but they actually only cover a limited range of products, so the total cost of your shopping may still be higher than it would be at Aldi.
Take advantage of supermarket loyalty scheme discounts – Lidl Plus and Tesco Clubcard are just two examples of supermarket loyalty schemes offering exclusive discounts to members.

Which? awards various endorsements to supermarkets:

Lidl was awarded Cheapest Supermarket of 2020 – link here.
Waitrose won the Which? Award for Supermarket of the Year in 2020 – link here.
Aldi was named the UK’s favourite in-store supermarket for 2021 in Which?’s annual satisfaction survey – link here.
Sainsbury’s was the highest-scoring online supermarket of 2021 in Which?’s annual satisfaction survey and was also named a Which? Recommended Provider for its online services – link here.
Aldi was awarded the Cheapest Supermarket for April – link here.

An Asda spokesperson said: “We have a long heritage in providing customers with the brands they love at the best possible prices and we’re really pleased the Which? survey found that Asda is the cheapest supermarket for branded products.

“Investing in price to provide even greater value for customers when they shop remains our key strategic priority. In tandem with everyday low prices, we are also focussed on a number of other price investments to deliver great value, including our regular rollbacks and price lock events, where prices are reduced across thousands of food and non-food categories.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re committed to offering our customers the best possible quality and value and prices fluctuate up and down for a variety of reasons.

“Our Price Lock and Sainsbury’s Quality Aldi Price Match campaigns ensure customers can feel confident they are getting the best possible prices at Sainsbury’s, while not compromising on quality.”

An Ocado spokesperson said: “Ocado is committed to offering customers the best range, service and value in the market. As part of this commitment, we are proud to offer over 49,000 products – more than any other supermarket.

“Our Value Delivered range offers hundreds of everyday items at low prices. The fluctuation in price for the Lavazza product was due to a technical error and has since been resolved. The regular price is now back in place and is in line with most other major grocery retailers.”

Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose did not provide a comment.

Supreme Court ruling ‘Opens the Door to Equal Pay Justice’ for thousands of Scottish retail staff

Responding to yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling that shop floor workers in ASDA can be compared to colleagues in distribution centres for the purposes of equal pay, GMB Scotland Organiser Robert Deavy said: “The ruling opens the door to equal pay justice for thousands of ASDA workers in Scotland and it’s a massive moment.

“ASDA has fought tooth and nail for years to deny shop floor workers, predominantly women, their proper value and this is now their fourth defeat in the courts.

“The need to accept they are wrong, that over 40,000 claimants across the UK are right, and now sit down with GMB to start a process of settling the liability for their discrimination.

“It should also be a moment to reset ASDA’s historical approach to industrial relations and move towards full collective bargaining for its employees.

“Lessons need to be learned and resistance has got ASDA nowhere. After everything these workers have given this business over the last year, their voices must be heard.”

The story is unlikely to end here, however.

An Asda spokesperson said: “This ruling relates to one stage of a complex case that is likely to take several years to reach a conclusion. We are defending these claims because the pay in our stores and distribution centres is the same for colleagues doing the same jobs regardless of their gender.

“Retail and distribution are very different sectors with their own distinct skill sets and pay rates. Asda has always paid colleagues the market rate in these sectors and we remain confident in our case.”

The company stresses that yesterday’s ruling only relates to Stage One of the Equal Value process and is not the conclusion of the case.

The second stage of the process will now consider whether store and distribution roles are of ‘equal value’. This could potentially be followed by a third stage in the process that would consider if there are any factors other than gender why the roles should not be paid equally.

‘Don’t sack 12,000 Asda workers just before Christmas’

GMB, the union for Asda workers, has written to company bosses calling on them not to sack 12,000 workers just before Christmas.

In an open letter to senior vice president Hayley Tatum, GMB calls on the company to withdraw its threat to sack all workers who don’t sign the controversial Contract 6 on November 2.

Earlier this month Asda workers handed in a 23,000 strong petition opposing the contract to Asda HW during a mass protest in Leeds.

Hundreds of people from across the UK gathered in Leeds to voice their anger.

Asda workers have been told to sign the contracts – which will see them lose all their paid breaks and forced to work bank holidays – or be sacked on November 2 in the run up the Christmas.

Stand with Asda workers – sign our petition

Dr Who star Paul Mcgann, who also starred in cult hit Withnail and I and Aliens 3, and Rob Delaney, who appeared in Catastrophe and Deadpool 2, both lent their support to Asda workers.

Latest company accounts show directors trousered a whopping £12million last year – and profits rocketed more than £92 million – at the same time Asda slashed 5,000 jobs

Gary Carter, GMB National Officer, said: “If Asda is serious about not wanting to sack thousands its employees on the run up to Christmas, they need to withdraw the dismissal notices and sit down with GMB to resolve this dispute.

“Asda has served notice on up to 12,000 of its loyal employees – that can not be right.

“The onus is now on them to save people’s jobs with a better deal that their employees can sign up to.”

Every little helps? Asda urged to show respect to ‘dedicated staff’

Asda profits have rocketed more than £92 million with a healthy chunk paid to directors – but at the same time the supermarket giant is threatening staff with no sick pay and the sack if they don’t sign a controversial new contract. Continue reading Every little helps? Asda urged to show respect to ‘dedicated staff’

Warehouse refit enables food charity to help feed 2,000 more people every week

An Edinburgh food charity has conducted a warehouse refit during its 20th anniversary year, which will enable the charity to help feed an additional 2,000 vulnerable people each week.

FareShare Central & South East Scotland, which is run by partner charity Cyrenians, has also purchased a new, larger industrial chiller – all of which has been funded by Asda. Continue reading Warehouse refit enables food charity to help feed 2,000 more people every week