Tag: supermarkets

Exclusively for Scotland: M & S launches free sandwich campaign

  • From 17th July – 17th October, Scottish shoppers get their 7th sandwich FREE when they buy 6 – available with Sparks
  • THIS IS NOT JUST A SANDWICH: New offer in Scotland follows a host of award wins for M&S sandwiches – including the coveted Multiple Retailer of the Year Award at The Sammies Awards

From 17th July – 17th October, shoppers in Scotland can get their seventh sandwich on us when they buy six in a new 3 month campaign.

The offer is open to EVERYONE who is a member of Sparks in Scotland. Simply activate your offer in the M&S App and scan your digital Sparks card every time you buy a sandwich, wrap or roll. Collect six stamps and your seventh sandwich is free! If you don’t have the offer in your Sparks account, you can scan the QR code in an M&S Foodhall to get started.

When you’ve redeemed your free sandwich, you can start collecting all over again!

How to get your seventh sandwich on us in four easy steps:

  1. Download the M&S app
  2. Activate the offer in your Sparks account or add the offer by scanning the QR code in store
  3. Choose any delicious sandwich, wrap or roll
  4. Scan your Sparks card at checkout

Available for a limited time in 53 M&S stores and 15 Franchise stores in Scotland.

Sharry Cramond, M&S Director of Food Marketing and M&S Loyalty, said: “We’re delighted to introduce the seven for six sandwich campaign for Scottish shoppers this summer.

“With our loyalty scheme Sparks, we aim to give back to our customers with personalised offers and rewards they’ll love. I hope they’ll be delighted when they get their 7th (award winning) sandwich free! These are not just any sandwiches, and this is not just any campaign!” 

When you’re a member of Sparks, good things happen every time you shop! Sign up for personalised offers and rewards you’ll love, including money off, free treats and charity donations.

And never queue again with the time saving Scan & Shop. Simply use the Scan & Shop feature on the M&S app to scan and bag items as you go. Then pay for your food shop directly from the M&S App – no need to visit a checkout.

Download the M&S App to scan your Sparks card straight from your phone and keep track of offers and rewards.

IT’S OFFICIAL: M&S SANDWICHES REIGN SUPREME

The new Sparks sandwich offer in Scotland follows an incredible haul of wins at this year’s Sammies Awards – the ULTIMATE awards for sandwiches and food to go.

Multiple Retailer of the Year AwardThat’s right – we’re THE go-to destination for your next lunch. With 61 sandwiches, wraps and rolls to choose from, there’s something for everyone with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Healthy Eating Award: High Protein Korean Egg WrapWith a whopping 23g of protein, you won’t want to miss this one. Fiery Marinated British chicken, pickled slaw, red pepper and chilli mayo and spinach, all in a carb clever egg wrap. 
WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Be one of the first to wrap your jaws around the latest sandwiches to join our stellar line up:

Roast Chicken & Chorizo Sandwich

This is not just a Roast Chicken & Chorizo sandwich.

Generously filled with British chicken and chorizo, packed with a lemon and paprika dressing on thick cut bread.

Cheddar Cheese New Yorker Sandwich
Farmhouse Cheddar cheese, gherkins, soft cheese mustard dressing, pickled onions and cabbage with spinach, on soft seeded rye bread. 

Want a gluten-free version? We’ve got you covered!

Our Made Without Cheddar Cheese New Yorker Sandwich won GOLD at the Free From Food Awards 2024 and was developed using our award-winning Made Without New York Deli Sandwich’s soft gluten-free seeded rye bread as a base.

Cheese & Marmite® Sandwich

Your favourite Marmite® spread with cream cheese and farmhouse mature Cheddar in soft vitamin-D enriched white bread. Under 400kcals, with one sold every 20 seconds in first two weeks of launch!


Natalie Tate, M&S Food Product Development Manager for sandwiches, salads and on-the-go options, said:“At M&S, we are iconic for our sandwich quality, and we have been busy coming up with more products to add to our amazing range of products.

“Our Cheddar & Marmite® sandwich is a collaboration made in heaven (for some!) and I assure you that more people love it than hate it, as it’s packed full of farmhouse cheddar and marmite cream cheese.

“The Roast Chicken & Chorizo is selling quicker than most other sandwiches in the range, and I can see why, as it’s packed full of British chicken, chorizo, and a delicious lemon & paprika dressing on thick-cut malted bread.

“Lastly, we have reintroduced our very popular Made Without Cheddar New Yorker which also just won GOLD at the Free From Awards 2024.”

Morrisons Gyle fights holiday hunger

Morrisons Gyle has announced that it will continue to support its local community by joining the national effort to help prevent holiday hunger this summer.

Morrisons Community Champion Tess at Edinburgh Gyle donated £200 to Community One Stops Shop and Space at The Broomhouse Hub to help towards their free breakfast and free lunch for kids, to support families and children in the community and to tackle holiday hunger this summer. 

It was our pleasure to donate £100 to our friends at Community One Stop Shop and £100 to Space at The Broomhouse Hub. Community One Stop Shop are offering free breakfast packs, and Space at The Broomhouse Hub are offering free lunches to children. Tess met with Willie from Community One Stop Shop on Monday to hand over the donations.

Morrisons stores across the country will support school holiday activity programmes – arranged by local schools, community groups and HAF (the Holiday Activities and Food Programme), by donating £100,000 of food across the UK this summer. 

To help those in need, Morrisons already has its in-store Food Bank ‘Pick Up Pack’ scheme which allows customers to purchase a bag filled with a mix of products which are distributed to local food banks and community organisations by the in-store Community Champions. 

To find out more about the work being done by your local Morrisons community champion please visit: https://www.facebook.com/GyleCommunityChampion/

Tomorrow: Lidl launches new £70 Beauty Box for just £2

  • With beauty subscriptions more popular than ever, Lidl has announced its very own Lidl Beauty Box, worth over £70
  • Each glow-rious box is filled to the brim with over 20 coveted beauty products that rival well-known luxury brands
  • The Lidl Beauty Box, featuring Cien, will be available to purchase for £2 from 9th May 2024 via www.lidlbeautybox.co.uk – but be quick! 
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Lidl has just dropped the latest must-have in beauty; a brand-new beauty box set to rival the likes of Liberty and Glossybox, yet at a fraction of the price. For just £2*, beauty buffs can get their hands on the Lidl Beauty Box worth over £70 – that’s beauty without the beastly price tag! 

Launching on a trial basis, beauty aficionados can expect a carefully curated collection of on-trend wellness treasures from Lidl. The box includes a range of over 20 full size products across skincare, haircare and more, all wrapped in a beautifully designed floral-print gift package and delivered straight to beauty aficionado’s front doors. 

As part of the premium selection inside the box, skincare lovers can level up their routine with beauty must-haves Cien Myramaze Premium Face Day Cream (50ml), Cien Micellar Cleansing Milk (250ml) andCien Facial Scrub (150ml). For days that require some extra TLC, theCien Tissue Face Masks (17ml) and Livarno Quartz Facial Roller allow unboxers to lean into the latest craze to depuff the skin and improve blood flow to the face**. 

It doesn’t stop at skincare – the Lidl Beauty Box also includes a range of irresistible fragrances, recently recommended by the likes of Adele, Shakira and Chris Pratt***. From Suddenly Femelle Perfume (75ml), to Eau de Parfum for Men – Deep (75ml), shoppers will look and smell scent-sational.

Whether shoppers are seeking wellness treasures that rival high-end brands such as The Luxury Collection Black Diffuser in Leather & Cedar (100ml), or simply seek a great deal on beauty essentials, the Lidl Beauty Boxis the answer to premium products without the hefty price tag! 

Shoppers will need to be quick to get their very own Lidl Beauty Box featuring Cien for just £2*. Purchasing will go live via www.lidlbeautybox.co.uk from 10.00AM 9th May, launching as a one-off box as part of a trial service.

All of Lidl GB own brand cosmetic products listed in stores (and in Lidl’s Beauty Box) are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme.

PRODUCT NAMEPRODUCT PRICE
Cien Myramaze Premium Face Day Cream (50ml)£7.49
Cien Myramaze Premium Face Night Cream (50ml)£7.49
Cien Micellar Cleansing Milk (250ml)£1.55
Cien Facial Scrub (150ml)£1.09
Cien Tissue Face Mask (17ml) x2£0.99
Cien Premium Bath & Shower Gel (500ml)£1.49
Cien Premium Handwash (500ml)£1.35
Cien Luxury Hand Lotion (250ml)£1.99
Suddenly Perfumes (75ml) x2£5.65
G.Bellini Fragrances (75ml) x2£5.65
Cien Australian Style Shampoo (300ml)£1.49
Cien Australian Style Conditioner (300ml)£1.49
Cien Body Lotion (500ml)£1.19
Facial Cleansing Brush£9.99
Livarno Quartz Facial Roller or Massage Stone£3.99
The Luxury Collection Black Reed Diffuser (100ml)£3.39
The Luxury Collection White Reed Diffuser (100ml)£3.39
Vintage Florals Candle (200g)£3.49

Does Edinburgh need a new Aldi?

SUPERMARKET SEEKS INPUT ON WHERE TO OPEN NEXT

Aldi has launched a new nationwide initiative to pinpoint prime locations for new store openings. 

Recognising the invaluable input of its customers, the UK’s fourth-biggest supermarket is calling on the nation to help it identify where in Britain needs new Aldi stores most. 

The areas which have the most suggestions will then be considered as part of Aldi’s commitment to build hundreds of new stores across Britain. 

Aldi has been on a rapid expansion drive in recent years and has seen its popularity soar as shoppers switch to the supermarket for its lower prices and great quality amid the cost-of-living crisis.  

The retailer currently has more than 1,000 stores – including 19 across Edinburgh & the Lothians – and is committed to continuing towards its long-term target of over 1,500 stores across the UK.   

Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “We want to make high-quality food accessible to all, but there are still some areas that either don’t have an Aldi or have potential for more stores.  

 “We’ve identified some key places where there is demand for more stores already, but now we are calling on the public to share their views. This will be used to help inform our property search over the coming years.”   

Those wanting to put their town forward to be considered should contact the supermarket by emailing NextNewStore@Aldi.co.uk, clearly stating their postcode and why they believe their area needs a new Aldi store. 

Aldi is asking for suggestions to be submitted by 31 May 2024, with the supermarket planning to update customers on the results and its latest priority ‘wish list’ later this year.  

For more information on Aldi’s nationwide site requirements, visit:

www.aldi.co.uk/about-aldi/property/required-towns

Boost for Ocean Terminal as Tesco Express store confirmed for Leith redevelopment project

The owners of Ocean Terminal have confirmed they have signed a deal which will bring a Tesco Express to the Leith waterfront development as part of multi-million pound plans to regenerate the site. 

The addition of the supermarket to the retail section of the redevelopment is expected to create up to 20 jobs as part of a major investment in Leith’s waterfront. The 4,700 sq ft ground floor unit will look out over a new public realm and future residential development.

The announcement is the latest in a chain of positive developments on the site, including the relocation and upgrade of the 24/7 PureGym to a brand new unit earlier this month.

Last year Ocean Terminal revealed it had agreed a long-term lease with Level X, the gaming and immersive entertainment provider, which will see a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art leisure venue open at the centre adjacent to a brand new Club 3000 Bingo venue which promises to be one of the best clubs ever developed in the UK, enhancing the leisure offering at the new look centre. 

Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investment Management, the Scottish owners of Ocean Terminal, said: “We are delighted to confirm a fifteen-year lease with Tesco which will bring significant benefits to the Leith waterfront development, cementing our commitment to ensure this project delivers for the local and wider community.  

“The addition of a new major retailer is a huge boost to the project and our longer term vision to to regenerate this waterfront area into a thriving, sustainable development creating an outward-looking, mixed-use town centre here in Leith. 

“We’re thrilled to have Tesco fully on board, which further enhances the multi-use, dynamic offering within the leisure space at the Ocean Terminal site.”

Head of Campaigns for Tesco, Tony McElroy added: “We are excited to be opening a new Tesco Express in Ocean Terminal, as part of our ongoing investment and job creation plans across Edinburgh. 

“We look forward to serving our customers and supporting local community groups through our Stronger Starts and Community Food Connection initiatives.”

Scottish dessert sauce business competes for spot on Aldi’s shelves in Channel 4 series

  • Mairi Hawkes, founder of Lismore business Slainte Sauces, beat hundreds of hopefuls to appear on the show with her ‘adult dessert sauces’
  • Six-part series sees food and drink suppliers compete to be listed in over 1,000 Aldi stores nationwide
  • Aldi’s Next Big Thing, ‘Party’ episode, will air on Channel 4, Tuesday 16 April at 8pm 
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Self-proclaimed islander, Mairi MacFadyen, from Isle of Lismore, will appear on the Channel 4 series Aldi’s Next Big Thing on Tuesday, 16th April, 8pm. 

Mairi is the founder of Slainte, a boozy dessert and savoury sauce company for grown-ups. Sauces include Rum & Salted Caramel, Whisky with Raspberry & Vanilla and White Chocolate & Raspberry Martini – all containing 25% alcohol. 

Hosted by Anita Rani, of Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Chris Bavin, of BBC’s The One Show and Eat Well for Less, the six-part series will see suppliers compete in a range of categories including dinners and baked goods, as well as exciting new category additions: party, world, and confectionery. 

A group of bottles of sauce Description automatically generated

Products are presented to Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, who deliberates on factors such as price, packaging, shopper demand, and the ability to scale up, before shortlisting contestants down to just two.   

The finalists are then given four weeks to address any feedback, with a follow-up home visit from Anita or Chris who will report back their findings to Julie. The three then taste test the improved products, before Julie decides the winner which will appear as a Specialbuy in over 1,000 stores.   

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: “Gone are the days of simple cheese and pineapple sticks, as people are opting for more exciting, extravagant party foods. It’s certainly a category that invites experimentation!”  

Translating to ‘cheers’ in Scottish Gaelic, Slainte, pronounced ‘Slan-cha’, is Mairi’s pride and joy, and she is now looking to claim a spot on Aldi’s shelves.  

Mairi, who makes all the sauces herself, says: “There are no words to describe how big this is for me. I keep pinching myself – is this real? I really want a big contract, I can actually see my sauces in Aldi. I can see myself going in there, taking photos of them. It would really change my life.“ 

The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to support British suppliers. Last year, Aldi spent an additional £1.3 billion with British suppliers and growers, and they provide more than three quarters of all items sold in its stores. 

The supermarket has also introduced a ‘Best of British’ section to its website, which includes a wide selection of groceries from meat to dairy products and everyday essentials, in a bid to help shoppers support British businesses. 

To find out if Slainte’s Boozy Dessert Sauces made it on to Aldi’s shelves, watch Aldi’s Next Big Thing on Channel 4 on 16th April. The series will air every Tuesday at 8pm until 7th May.  

Aldi Scotland donates almost 78,000 meals through its partnership with Company Shop Group

Aldi is celebrating a significant milestone in its partnership with surplus food and household products redistributor, Company Shop Group.

In the past year, Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket has now donated an impressive 77,980 meals from its Regional Distribution Centre in Bathgate to people around Scotland, through Company Shop Group, saving an estimated 33 tonnes of food from going to waste.

Community Shop is an award-winning social enterprise that supports 9,000 members and their families in some of the UK’s most deprived communities, by offering access to discounted products and reinvesting the revenue raised into its Community Kitchens and Hubs.

In just one year, the partnership has supported over 2,800 people through its Community Hub development programmes, which provide individuals and communities with the tools they need to live well and the skills to get them back into work.

It has also enabled more than 2,100 people to attend cooking lessons at the Community Kitchen’s Cook Clubs, where they can learn how to prepare nutritious family meals on a budget.

Aldi’s support for Community Shop’s Christmas lunches last year also saw 1,800 members come together for its biggest-ever Christmas celebration, with ingredients for the festive three-course meals provided by the supermarket.

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “It’s incredible to look back at the results we’ve achieved from just one year with Company Shop Group – from saving tonnes of food from going to waste to supporting thousands of families in need.

“We are committed to making good quality food accessible to everyone. After all, it’s a right, not a privilege.

“We’re very excited to see what lies ahead for the partnership as we get closer to our new goal of reducing food waste in our own operations by 90% before 2030*.”

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman of Community Shop, added: “We are very proud of our partnership with Aldi and its commitment to helping prevent waste and support communities.

“The scheme has helped us deliver a significant social impact, whilst also allowing us to carry out vital work to save the planet from unnecessary waste.”

To find out more about Company Shop, visit: www.companyshopgroup.co.uk/apply-for-membership/company-shop 

*Compared to a baseline year of 2017. Food waste as a percentage of sales – otherwise known as food waste intensity.  

Aldi hiring 251 colleagues across Edinburgh & Lothians

Aldi is looking to hire 251 colleagues in Edinburgh & Lothians this year as the company looks to open new stores and update others.

Britain’s fourth largest supermarket is on the lookout for people of all levels of experience to fill roles across the region, with salaries of up to £43,440.

The roles include full and part-time positions such as Store Assistant and Deputy Store Manager, all the way up to Assistant Store Manager.

The recruitment push is part of a nationwide expansion drive, with Aldi pledging to create a total of more than 5,500 new jobs up and down the country in 2024.

Store and Warehouse Assistants at Aldi receive a starting salary of £12.00 rising to £12.95 nationally, while those working within the M25 receive £13.55 rising to £13.85.

Aldi is also the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is worth more than an additional £900 a year.

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK, said: “Our colleagues work incredibly hard, and they are without a doubt a huge part of our success at Aldi. We continue to welcome more and more customers to Aldi stores every week, not just because of our unbeatable prices and local sourcing, but also our amazing colleagues.

“We are looking forward to welcoming even more colleagues up and down the country to Team Aldi during 2024 and this is another step in accelerating progress towards our goal of making affordable, quality food accessible to everyone.”

Aldi recently committed to opening 500 more stores across Britain and is investing more than £1.4 billion throughout 2023 and 2024 as it progresses towards hitting this long-term target. This investment includes work to expand its distribution and store network as well as further improving existing stores and technology infrastructure to support growth.

Those interested in applying for a career with Aldi can visit:

 www.aldirecruitment.co.uk

Aldi donates over 25,000 meals to Edinburgh and Lothians charities over Christmas and New Year

Aldi donates surplus food from all its stores to local charities and foodbanks when stores close early on Christmas Eve. Aldi’s staff L-R Emily Sutton, Carla Louise Gospel and Tamara Mawson-Phipps 24/12/2022

Aldi donated 25,691 meals to those in need in Edinburgh and The Lothians over the festive period.

The supermarket paired up its stores with local charities, community groups and food banks in the area to collect unsold fresh and chilled food when stores closed their doors early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Charities that benefitted from the donations in Edinburgh and The Lothians include The Pennypit Trust, Tummies Not Trash and Winchburgh Food Store.

The food donations are part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations.  

Aldi’s UK stores donate surplus food to good causes each and every day, with over 40 million meals donated to good causes since its partnership with Neighbourly began back in 2019.  

Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket also worked in partnership with Company Shop Group this Christmas to provide around 2,000 meals at its Community Kitchens across the UK in the run up to Christmas.

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are so proud to work with such amazing charity partners throughout the UK and the impact they have cannot be underestimated, especially during the winter months when their services are needed more than ever.

“We are pleased that through our partnership with both Neighbourly and Company Shop we have been able to give back to the communities we serve by providing more donations than ever this Christmas.”

Steve Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer at Neighbourly, added: “We’re pleased to have supported Aldi once again during what is often one of the busiest periods for our charities.

“Large donations like Aldi’s allow us to provide vital support to communities across the country who would otherwise miss out.”

Aldi to strengthen its Scottish portfolio with £56m investment over the next two years

 New stores set to open in Broughty Ferry, Straiton and Castle Douglas in 2024, with Aldi’s investment leading to 500 new jobs 

Aldi has confirmed it will continue its expansion in Scotland, with plans to invest more than £56m over the next two years, opening three new stores in Broughty Ferry, Straiton and Castle Douglas next year. 

The move supports the discount retailer’s growth ambitions and will allow it to meet consumer demands for outstanding quality and the lowest value in Scotland.  

In 2023, Aldi became Scotland’s third-biggest supermarket by volume, moving it ahead of Morrisons and Sainsbury’s for the first time. According to recently published Kantar data, Aldi’s share of the grocery market had increased from 9.7% in November 2022 to 10.6% in November 2023[1].  

Aldi has soared in popularity in recent years and welcomed more customers than ever before through its doors, with an additional 5 million customers this year.  

In addition to the new stores in 2024, the supermarket has also committed to extend five of its existing stores, including Erskine, Port Glasgow and Alexandria over the next two years.  

Having been crowned Employer of the Year at the Scotland Food and Drinks Excellence Awards 2023, the investment will see Aldi increase its employees in Scotland by over 10% in 2024.  

Aldi also recently committed to a New Year pay rise, making it the first supermarket in the UK to offer rates in line with the Real Living Wage. It will also guarantee store and warehouse colleagues pay of at least £12 an hour.  

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “2023 was another excellent year for Aldi Scotland, and I am extremely proud that our presence within the Scottish market has continued to be recognised and celebrated.

“We remain committed to the strong relationships we have built with our Scottish suppliers, allowing our customers the opportunity to purchase locally sourced, high-quality Scottish products at affordable prices.  

“As we look to the new year, we remain committed to reaching more customers than ever before, with the opening of more stores and increased investment in Scotland. Next year will be extra special for us as we mark 30 years since we opened our first store in Scotland on Glencairn Street in Kilmarnock. 

“Whether it’s enhancing our product offerings, maintaining the lowest prices, supporting our dedicated teams, or contributing to the communities we serve – every investment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to Scotland.” 

Aldi was commended for its selection of quality, locally sourced Scottish produce in 2023. Its Toradh Scottish Seville Orange Gin was awarded Gold by The Spirits Business’ Gin Masters blind tasting, while its Specially Selected All Butter Shortbread Rounds won Gold in the Christmas Category at the Quality Food Awards.  

Known for its longstanding commitment to supporting community initiatives, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund, which has donated nearly £400,000 to amateur sports clubs to date, will continue in 2024. The retailer’s popular Supermarket Sweep initiative will also return for its ninth year. More than £10,000 was donated to Scottish foodbanks through the initiative in 2023.  

In November, Aldi announced a new partnership with Age Scotland, encouraging shoppers to submit festive greetings to help combat loneliness amongst the elderly this winter.