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.”
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tie-up will create up to 40 jobs and ‘make stop smoking services more accessible in communities across the country‘
VPZ, the UK’s leading vaping retailer, is set to open 10 new stores by December 2024 as part of a groundbreaking partnership with the supermarket chain Morrisons, with plans to expand further during 2025.
The new in-store outlets will expand the brand’s presence in communities throughout the UK, with seven key locations in Leeds Hunslet, Birmingham Stirchley, Glenrothes, Peterhead, Darlington, Stratford and Grantham.
The collaboration will also introduce a new innovative mobile pod concept for customer parking areas, with two planned for Nottingham and one in Rotheram.
The partnership will drive positive change by making stop smoking services more accessible in communities throughout the country, whilst educating smokers on the benefits of more sustainable vaping products.
The new sites will help expand and complement VPZ’s mission to help people on their journey to quit smoking by improving access to expert stop-smoking advice and education.
VPZ stores offer a dedicated one-to-one service to help smokers quit. VPZ specialists are trained and have expert knowledge, engaging with smokers to educate them on the health and financial benefits of switching to vaping.
Furthermore, as a part of their shared commitment to environmental responsibility, all new stores will include VPZ’s comprehensive recycling programme. The service is open to all vapers, as anyone can visit the new stores and dispose safely of their vaping devices or e-cigarettes.
Greig Fowler, Director at VPZ, said: “Our partnership with Morrisons to open 10 new stores is a pivotal step in our mission to transform the health of our nation by empowering more people to become smoke-free.
“I believe that together we will be making it easier for smokers to access the resources, help and education they need to quit smoking, while also offering a convenient and sustainable shopping experience.”
He added: “We are looking forward to launching our new in-store locations, pod concepts and exploring further growth in 2025.”
VPZ has recently voiced concerns that the newly announced vape tax increase will unfairly impact the most vulnerable and set back the UK’s 2030 smoke-free targets. As vaping remains one of the most effective methods to quit smoking, VPZ has warned that higher taxes on vaping products could discourage smokers from switching, undermining both health and financial benefits.
VPZ also supports plans to ban disposable vapes across the UK and Scotland by June next year, however they have highlighted the rise of ‘Big Puff’ disposable vapes which threaten to bring a new youth vaping epidemic and even greater damage to the environment.
The imported products are exploiting a loophole in regulations to create a new and larger single-use vaping product ahead of the disposables vape ban.
Greig Fowler added: “These illegal ‘Big Puffs’ undermine our objectives and are poised to create a public health crisis with unregulated products flooding the marketplace.
“At the current moment, data shows that more than ever there is a need for the Government to step in to support trading standards and local authorities to keep up with the scale of the ‘Big Puff‘ epidemic.
“We urge for a better collaboration between the industry and regulatory bodies to address this arising issue promptly and ensure that these vapes do not flood the UK market even further and endanger the quit-smoking progress that has been achieved so far.”
To date, Edinburgh-based VPZ has already helped over 1 million smokers in the UK quit since it was established in 2012.
Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season, as it announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.
The festive trees will be sprouting into stores from Thursday 21 November for medium trees, with large trees following on Sunday 24 November, offering customers a chance to get their hands on a fresh Christmas centrepiece as the countdown to Santa Claus ramps up.
Priced at £13.99 medium (5-6ft) or £19.99 large (6-7ft) trees, the hand-selected Nordmann Firs are available across Aldi’s 107 Scottish stores while stocks last.
Grown in the heart of Aberdeenshire by Lovania Nurseries, the Nordmann Fir trees are renowned for their glossy pines, strong branches and symmetrical shape, making them ideal for decorating with festive frills.
Sustainability is at the root of it all, with Lovania planting more than two trees for every tree harvested, ensuring these festive favourites are as environmentally friendly as they are beautiful.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Having proven a great hit in recent years, we’re excited to bring back our Scottish-grown Nordmann Fir Christmas trees this year and provide our customers with the cheapest real Christmas trees available.
“Christmas is an expensive time of year for families, so we’re proud to offer outstanding value on our products that allow our customers to get into the festive spirit without having to sacrifice on quality.”
Aldi recommends placing your tree in a bucket of water to keep it hydrated and letting the branches settle before decorating them with ornaments or baubles. It’s also best to keep trees away from radiators or any other heat source.
You can find your nearest Aldi here.
As part of its commitment to supporting customers this Christmas, Aldi Scotland is also assisting shoppers this year through its ‘Heidspace’ campaign, which offers handy tips and tricks on getting prepared for the festivities early, to ensure the day is as stress-free and merry as possible.
Heidspace assets are all available to download for free from Aldi Scotland’s Instagram and Facebook, with more being added throughout the season.
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 35th 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.”
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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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)
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)
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
