Tag: supermarkets

Scotmid Leven Street wins Crime Prevention Retailer of the Year

Scotmid Coop’s Leven Street store in Edinburgh has been recognised as the Crime Prevention Retailer of the Year at The Convenience Awards 2025, for its proactive and innovative approach to tackling retail crime.

Faced with rising levels of theft, particularly of spirits, Scotmid took decisive action to protect its staff, customers, and business. Spirits were relocated behind the kiosk to mitigate theft risks, but to maintain customer convenience, the store introduced pictorial sleeves on the original shelves, allowing shoppers to browse the full range.

This strategic move led to a 40% reduction in spirit theft over 12 months, without impacting sales. Due to its success, this initiative has since been rolled out to other stores facing similar challenges.

Beyond product security, Scotmid has invested in cutting-edge crime prevention measures, including:

  • Online incident reporting – enabling staff to log thefts, attempted thefts, and antisocial behaviour directly to the Scotmid Security Support Team for immediate action.
  • Intelligence-driven Security Support Team – a dedicated unit that analyses incident reports, liaises with law enforcement, and prioritises security efforts based on real-time data.
  • Body-worn cameras – introduced in higher-risk stores, resulting in a 10% reduction in violent incidents and acting as a deterrent against repeat offenders.
  • Advanced CCTV analytics – being developed to identify suspicious activity in real-time and integrate with Scotmid’s central monitoring system, enhancing staff response capabilities.

Debbie MacDonald, Lead Profit Protection Manager at Scotmid, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award, which reflects the dedication of our teams in making our stores safer.

“By implementing smart, intelligence-led security measures, we have not only reduced crime but also created a safer environment for colleagues and customers. We remain committed to enhancing our crime prevention strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats.”

Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep returns to Edinburgh

Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep challenge is back again for another year, giving customers in Edinburgh the chance to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

The supermarket challenge, inspired by the legendary game show, is sure to add excitement to the weekly shopping trip. As well as fundraising, Edinburgh locals have the chance to take home their favourite items from Aldi’s store in Chesser.  

Launched in 2016, the supermarket challenge offers shoppers the chance to take part in a five-minute trolley dash, allowing them to gather as many Aldi favourites as they can within the timeframe. Once the time is up, the lucky shopper gets to take home the trolley full of goodies, while Aldi matches the cash value of the goods as a donation. 

Each year across Scotland CHAS supports over 500 babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025 every penny raised through Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support. 

Edinburgh residents can apply for the Supermarket Sweep from Monday 24 March to Sunday 30 March 2025.

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Our annual Supermarket Sweeps hold a special place in the Aldi calendar, donating over £50,000 to local charities since 2016. We’re very much looking forward to its return for another year and giving one lucky Edinburgh resident the chance to enjoy a truly unique supermarket experience. 

“CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts, which provides a truly invaluable lifeline for families across Scotland, offering specialist care and unwavering support during the most difficult moments imaginable. This year, Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep will be travelling all over Scotland, giving Aldi customers nationally a brilliant opportunity to raise funds for CHAS while shining a light on the incredible work the charity does.”  

Entry is free and customers can apply in-store or by emailing supermarketsweep@aldi.co.uk

Entrants must be available to take part in the sweep after stores close at 10pm on their chosen date.

Entrants must be over 18 years old to take part, and alcohol products are not included in the sweep. 

For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit https://www.chas.org.uk/

Aldi Scotland Announces CHAS as the Official Charity Partner for its 2025 Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland has proudly announced Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as the official charity partner of its long running and hugely popular Supermarket Sweep initiative for 2025. 

The much-loved event has named CHAS as the exclusive beneficiary, with funds raised helping to provide vital hospice care and support to children with life-shortening conditions across Scotland.

Launched in 2016, the supermarket challenge, inspired by the legendary game show, offers shoppers the chance to take part in a five-minute trolley dash, allowing them to gather as many Aldi favourites as they can within the timeframe. Once the time is up, the lucky shopper gets to take home the trolley full of goodies, while Aldi matches the cash value of the goods as a donation.

Each year across Scotland CHAS supports over 500 babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025 every penny raised through the initiative will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support. 

With ten Sweeps set to take place throughout the year, the partnership will have a real impact on CHAS’ vital services, providing palliative, respite, and end-of-life care at Rachel House in Kinross, Robin House in Balloch, and across all of Scotland through CHAS at Home.

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director at Aldi Scotland, said: “CHAS provides an incredible lifeline for families across Scotland, offering specialist care and unwavering support during the most difficult moments imaginable. This is a charity very close to our hearts and we’re honoured to be partnering with them for our 2025 Supermarket Sweep.

“The annual initiative holds a special place in the Aldi calendar, donating over £50,000 to local charities since 2016, while offering loyal customers across Scotland the chance to take part in a truly unique supermarket experience.

“We hope this partnership will not only raise significant funds for the charity but also help to shine a light on the incredible impact CHAS has across Scotland.”

Rami Okasha, CHAS CEO, said: “Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep is a fantastic initiative that will not only help raise vital funds for our organisation but hopefully highlight the reality faced by families caring for a child with a life-shortening condition.

“At CHAS, we provide unwavering care to children who may die young and their families, at every step on this hardest of journeys. We are dedicated to ensuring that no family in Scotland faces the death of their child alone.

“This partnership will help us continue to deliver expert care – whether in our hospices, in hospitals, or at home – so that families can make the most of every precious moment together.”

Aldi Scotland’s 2025 Supermarket Sweep will kick off at Aldi’s Chesser store in Edinburgh, with applications set to open on 24 March. Further locations and dates will be announced in due course.

For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit:

 https://www.chas.org.uk/

You can find your nearest Aldi here. 

Aldi opens appplications for apprenticeship roles in Edinburgh

Aldi is looking to recruit over 500 new apprentices across the UK in 2025, including in Edinburgh and the Lothians.  

The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket is welcoming applications for its apprenticeship scheme, with opportunities now live across stores and warehouse roles.  

At Aldi, Store Apprentices can earn £8.61 per hour, rising to £12.07. Inside the M25, Store Apprentices can earn £8.84 per hour, rising to £12.72. Meanwhile, those in warehouse roles can earn up to £11.18 per hour.  

Successful applicants will be able to gain industry-recognised qualifications while they earn and will have access to a number of additional benefits, including a range of shopping discounts, a bike to work scheme, 28 days’ paid holiday (including bank holidays) and a mortgage advice option where colleagues can seek free mortgage advice and access mortgage education.  

Aldi is also one of the only UK supermarkets to offer paid breaks. 

Lisa Murphy, Training and Development Director at Aldi UK, said: “We have found so many hard-working and ambitious people through our apprenticeship scheme over the years, and we’re excited to welcome the next intake of individuals to join our Aldi community. 

“Through the scheme, candidates will gain valuable transferable skills, become experts in their roles, and receive industry-leading pay at one of the UK’s top grocery retailers.  

“We’re keen to attract individuals from all backgrounds, and we really encourage anyone who is interested to apply, no matter your level of experience.” 

Those interested in applying for the apprenticeship scheme with Aldi can visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/early-careers/apprenticeships

Edinburgh shoppers show that healthy eating is more than a New Year’s resolution

Shoppers in Edinburgh are eating healthily to live healthily, according to the latest data from Tesco.

The supermarket giant has revealed the top 20 items bought by customers across the region, with a variety of fruit, veg and milk being the main favourites.

Included in the top 10 items bought by shoppers in Edinburgh are milk, bananas, red peppers and avocados.

Tesco’s figures coincide with its recently published Clubcard Unpacked review, which analyses the shopping habits of its Clubcard users.

It shows the strong preference for fresh, locally sourced items among Edinburgh’s residents.

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health and Sustainable Diet Campaigns, said: “The trend in what people in Edinburgh are buying most of at our stores has taken more of a turn towards the healthy option.

“Nutrition has become important for customers, with the majority of them putting an emphasis on good-quality fruit and vegetables.

“A lot of this is down to people having an enthusiasm for home-cooked meals and for experimenting with what they prepare in the kitchen.”

Also included in the top 20 items bought by shoppers in Edinburgh are red grapes, raspberries, blueberries and free range eggs.

Oonagh added: “We’re all aware that eating a healthy diet can help to reduce our risk of developing coronary heart disease and stop us from gaining too much weight.

“That’s why we at Tesco are always keen to promote the understanding that having a balance of different foods to provide all the nutrients your body needs is key when it comes to healthy living.”

The top 20 items bought at Tesco stores in Edinburgh are:

  • Tesco British Semi Skimmed Milk 2.272L, 4 Pints
  • Banana Each (C)
  • Tesco Whole Cucumber Each
  • Tesco British Whole Milk 2.272L, 4 Pints
  • Tesco British Semi Skimmed Milk 1.13L, 2 Pints
  • Tesco Red Peppers Each
  • Tesco Broccoli 375G
  • Tesco Bunched Spring Onions 100G
  • Tesco Large Free Range Eggs 6 Pack
  • Tesco Ready To Eat Large Avocados Each
  • Tesco Medium Free Range Eggs 6 Pack
  • Tesco Ripe Bananas 5 Pack
  • Tesco Red Seedless Grapes 500G
  • Tesco Clementine Or Sweet Easy Peeler Pack 600G
  • Tesco Raspberries 150G
  • Tesco Sweet Vine Ripened Tomatoes 255G
  • Tesco Small Bananas 6 Pack
  • Tesco Lemons Each
  • Tesco Strawberries 400G
  • Tesco Blueberries 150G

Aldi donates over 14,000 meals to Edinburgh and Lothian charities over festive period

Aldi stores in Edinburgh and the Lothians donated 14,639 meals to those in need over the recent festive period.

The UK’s fourth largest supermarket teamed up with local good causes across the UK to donate a range of fresh and chilled foods from its stores after closing early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Research from Neighbourly, the community giving platform that works with Aldi, found that 78% of the good causes it supports were more concerned about meeting demand this Christmas, compared to the same time last year.

Additionally, 51% felt they would not be able to respond to every request for help due to capacity and funding.

The supermarket has also donated £25,000 to Neighbourly’s GoGive Christmas campaign to further support local charities across UK and Ireland.

Aldi has worked with Neighbourly since 2019 and provides surplus food from all of its UK stores to hundreds of charities across the country throughout the year.

Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “This Christmas we were proud to support so many incredible charities across the UK who provide essential support to those in need.

“The services provided by food banks are more important than ever over the festive period and we’re committed to ensuring those that rely on them have access to a wide range of high-quality foods.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO at Neighbourly, added: “We’re so grateful to have had Aldi’s support for another year.

“Christmas is one of the busiest periods for our charities and the donations from Aldi mean we can help even more people across the country who need that bit of extra support over the festive period.”

Shoppers can donate food to local charities, food banks and community groups via the community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide.

Aldi also works with Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products, to redistribute surplus food from its Regional Distribution Centres. This year, it provided more than 2,000 free Christmas lunches to Company Shop’s award-winning social enterprise, Community Shop.

Edinburgh customers praised for bringing joy to children with donation of over 1,610 toys

Kind-hearted shoppers in Edinburgh have been thanked for contributing to the 125,000 toys donated to children in need during the run-up to Christmas.

Before the festive celebrations, the Tesco stores across Edinburgh called on shoppers to support a collection of toys so that families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift wouldn’t miss out on the big day.

People across the community responded enthusiastically to the campaign, with 1,610 of brand-new toys being gifted to Cash For Kids and Ferry Elves – bringing a smile to many children’s faces on Christmas Day.

Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “We really can’t thank our customers enough for their kind contributions to this great cause.

“Throughout the year our stores give support to children and their community, and without fail local people support us in our efforts.

“So once again we are grateful to the people of Edinburgh for showing that the magic of Christmas is very much alive and well.

“They have made a great many children so happy at a time of year that can be difficult for some families, so thank you so much again for your support.”

The Toy Donation campaign ran in stores across the UK in December, with more than 125,000 items being given.

In addition to the toy collection, Tesco donated £25,000 to the Salvation Army to support its ongoing efforts in providing essential services and support to vulnerable families during the festive season.

Home for Hogmanay? Morrisons welcomes customers into 2025 with muckle savings

  • Morrisons has slashed the prices for customers on festive favourites
  • From half priced Champagne, to £1 Stew Packs with Leeks and £1 Taylors Boxing Day Curry Potato Crisps 
  • Offers available in-store and online across all Scottish stores from 26th December until 1st January

There’s a lot to be said for staying at home for Hogmanay – dodging queues and not forking out a fortune.

Morrisons is helping those hosting Hogmanay celebrations with a raft of savings. Shoppers can save 18% on first-class Simon Howie’s Haggis at a great new price of £2.25, and perfectly pair it with half-price Charles De Villers Champagne Brut for just £12.50, or a bottle of Miller Genuine Draft (12 x 330ml) exclusively available at Morrisons for £12.50.

Morrisons has also price matched Aldi and Lidl on classic Hogmanay sides, including onions at 99p, carrots at 69p, swede at 62p, and cauliflower at £1.19. Taylors Honey Pigs in Blanket Potato Crisps also be snacked on for just £1 per bag.

As well as savings on Hogmanay party snacks and indulgent mains, Morrisons is providing comfort food and drinks for the after the night before.

From a third off Sugar Free Irn Bru (£6) to delicious Scotch Lean Diced Casserole Steak at 28% off (£9) and Brownings Large Loaf Cakes at a one off price of £2.50 – Morrisons is on hand to welcome customers into 2025 with muckle savings.

Loyalty card holders can take advantage of More Card exclusive prices by heading to: https://www.morrisons.com/more/.

Product Name Normal PriceNew Price 
Sorso Prosecco Spumante 75CL£6.50£5.12 More Card Deal
Charles De Villers Champagne Brut 75CL£25£12.50 Half Price More Card Deal
Tennents 15x440ml–£17.16
Irn Bru 24pkIrn Bru Sugarfree 24pkIrn Bru Extra 24pk£9£6 More Card Deal
Golden Wonder 20pk£3.25£3.25
Taylors Boxing Day Curry Potato Crisps 150gTaylors Hot Honey Pigs in Blanket Potato Crisps 150gTaylors Spicy Prawn Cocktail Ridge Cut Potato Crisps 150gTaylors Lightly Sea Salted Ridge Cut Potato Crisps 150g£1.45£1 More Card Deal
Brownings Large Loaf CakesCherry/Madeira/Sultana–£2.50 When It’s Gone It’s Gone
Simon Howie Original Haggis 454g£2.75£2.25 More Card
Malcolm Allan Breakfast Pack 950g£4£3.50 More Card
Scotch Lean Diced Casserole Steak£12.50/kg£9.00/kg
Malcolm Allan Steak Pie 700g£6.75£6.00
Bells Hogmanay Steak Pie 1kg–£8.50 When It’s Gone It’s Gone
Hogmanay Bouquet–£8
Stew Pack With Leek£1.50£1 More Card
The Best Potatoes£2.30£1.15
Onions 1kg (Aldi, Lidl Price Match)£1.10£0.99
Carrots 1kg (Aldi, Lidl Price Match)–Reduced to £0.69
Whole Swede (Aldi, Lidl Price Match)–Reduced to £0.62
Cauliflower (Aldi, Lidl Price Match)–Reduced to £1.19

Morrisons statement: System Issues

More Card customers to get 10% discount on whole shop

Today (Monday) we are experiencing some system issues which are affecting our More Card customers.

For More Card customers who have Morrisons Fivers to redeem, these will be done manually in store by colleagues. 

All our stores have now made the top 100 More Card prices the regular price – including the 10p veg deal, turkeys, spirits and champagne. 

And in addition we will give More Card customers an extra 10% off their entire shop as an apology.

Tesco customers in Edinburgh thanked for generous Winter Food Collection support as 1.9 million meals donated

Stores across the country have been overwhelmed by the generosity of customers who donated at the Tesco Winter Food Collection.

An incredible 1.9 million meals’ worth of long-life food items were donated at the collection between 25th November and 30th November in all the retailer’s large and Express stores.

In Edinburgh, the collection saw customers donate 24,451 meals to make a difference in their local community.

Every item donated provides much-needed support for charities FareShare and Trussell in the run up to Christmas.

Donations to Trussell help food banks to provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare support thousands of frontline local charities in communities across the country.

This winter will see heightened levels of need for both charities’ services with the Christmas holidays being a particularly difficult time for families due to the increased costs that occur at this time of year. With this in mind, Tesco provided an extra £500,000 of funding to FareShare and Trussell to meet this acute need.

Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: “I just want to say a huge thank you to every single person who donated items at this year’s Winter Food Collection. Their generosity is always so amazing and really helps to make a huge impact in communities across the UK supported by Trussell and FareShare.”

Throughout the year Tesco donates unsold food to FareShare as part of its Community Food Connection scheme. That means so far this year Tesco and its customers have given the equivalent of more than 39 million meals to both charities.

In addition to the donations of food, the pre-Christmas Winter Food Collection saw more than £340,000 donated to the charities by customers rounding up their bills at the till and donating through a link from Tesco’s online groceries website.

Kristopher Gibbon-Walsh, CEO at FareShare, said: “Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of Tesco customers at the Winter Food Collection, and this year is no exception.

“Thank you to every single person that volunteered in store, donated an item of food, topped up their shopping bill, or made a donation to FareShare. Your kind support will ensure we can continue getting food out into the community, bringing people together and strengthening communities this winter.” 

Emma Revie, CEO of Trussell, said:“We are so grateful to Tesco for supporting food banks to get through this season by organising this year’s Winter Food Collection. Thank you to Tesco customers for coming out in support of your local food bank, to ensure they can continue helping everyone in your local community who is facing hunger and hardship this winter.

“Thanks to your efforts, we have collected 1.8 million meals to support people who need a food bank this winter. Thank you for your generosity – together we can end hunger for good.

“Food banks in the Trussell community are a last resort for people who’ve been left facing hunger and hardship. They’re a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. But with so many people unable to afford the essentials right now, food banks continue to provide exceptionally high levels of emergency food, with many telling us they are at breaking point.

“Just over 1.4 million emergency food parcels were provided across the UK by food banks in our community, between April and September this year.”

With both charities continuing to need support, Tesco shoppers can continue to donate food at permanent collection points at every Tesco store in the UK or make a donation after their online shop.

You can also donate at https://fareshare.donr.com/tesco until February 2025.