Tag: supermarkets

Aldi calls on Edinburgh residents to revive Halloween guising

More than one third of local shoppers fear children are missing out on the once beloved tradition 

Aldi is calling on Scots to bring the magic of traditional Halloween guising back to their neighbourhoods, after new research revealed that 60 per cent of people from Edinburgh believe fewer people take part in the tradition now than when they were children. 

The research, carried out by ScotPulse, Scotland’s largest research panel, and commissioned by Aldi Scotland, also found that more than one third of people from Edinburgh (38%) believe children are missing out on the traditional Halloween experience.  

Less than half of people from Edinburgh (39%) will be opening their door to entertain guisers this spooky season, and less than one-third (29%) of adults from Edinburgh with children or grandchildren aged 11 and under plan to take them trick or treating.  

A third of people surveyed from Edinburgh (33%) say they are less likely to answer the door to guisers than they were five years ago.  

In response, Aldi Scotland is encouraging families to keep the much-loved tradition alive by dressing up and going guising this Halloween. To add a treat to the trick, the supermarket will give a £10 voucher to ten lucky children who visit an Aldi store in costume and are selected as ‘best-dressed’ winners on Aldi Scotland social channels.

Tom Brearey, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Halloween is such a special time for children, and guising is a big part of what makes it memorable. It’s about more than just collecting sweets; it’s an opportunity for children to get dressed up, have fun and feel part of their local community. 

“With our research suggesting that fewer people are taking part in guising, we’re encouraging communities to rally together this year to help keep the tradition alive. Whether that’s getting the costumes ready, stocking up on treats for little visitors or heading out guising with the family, everyone can play a part in making Halloween special for children.” 

For those heading out, the research has revealed that a good joke remains the way to win over the neighbours. More than half of Scots (56%) would expect a child to tell a joke when guising, making it by far the most popular performance, ahead of singing a song (11%) or reciting a poem (2%). 

Aldi is also encouraging households to prepare for Halloween by stocking up on treats for visiting guisers. While pumpkins have become a familiar fixture of the season, families can also embrace Scotland’s Halloween heritage by carving a neep (a swede), as generations did before pumpkins became commonplace. 

  • Carving pumpkins from £1.69  
  • Swede from £0.62 
  • Sweets from £0.45 

Aldi Scotland is giving ten of its best-dressed guisers a £10 voucher to treat themselves this Halloween.  

To be in with a chance of winning, parents and guardians should share a photo of their little guiser in spooktacular fancy dress inside or outside one of Aldi’s Scottish stores between 26 and 31 October, tagging @AldiScotland on Instagram or Facebook.  

You can find your nearest Aldi store here. 

Terms and conditions can be found at: https://www.aldi.co.uk/scotland/terms-and-conditions/competitions  

Tesco Corstorphine Extra to give away free pre-carved pumpkins

TESCO TO STOCK FREE PRE-CARVED PUMPKINS IN STORE THIS HALLOWEEN

Pumpkin carving might be a Halloween tradition, but for busy families, finding the time to wrestle with a giant pumpkin and create the perfect spooky design can feel more trick than treat.

New research shows that despite pumpkin carving being one of our favourite traditions for almost half the population, just over a third (36%) of Brits say they’d appreciate a little help with pumpkin design. In response to this, Tesco is stepping in to help the UK get Halloween-ready.

For a limited time, Tesco will be giving away free pre-carved pumpkins in selected UK stores, meaning shoppers can pick up a Halloween-ready pumpkin while stocking up on everything else they need for spooky season.

From the 22nd – 31st October, a selection of spooky designs will be available for shoppers to take home, carved by Tesco’s very own pumpkin artists in residence.

The help for Britain’s pumpkin carving comes as Tesco research shows that over a quarter (28%) of Brits admit they feel pressure to carve a pumpkin good enough to proudly display on the doorstep while a third (33%) want their decorations to look as good as their neighbours’. 

Lack of carving skills (26%), the mess pumpkin carving creates (19%) or simply not feeling creative enough (19%) are putting a dampener on pumpkin carving plans for Halloween lovers. In addition, over three-quarters of parents (78%) agree that they love seeing their little ones’ creativity come to life but over a third (37%) admit they would rather have a more polished pumpkin on their doorstep.

2026’s Most Memorable Moments

Tesco is also giving the Halloween staple a distinctly 2026 makeover by transforming some of the year’s biggest cultural moments into pumpkin art with professional carvers. The collection of designs is inspired by the moments Brits couldn’t stop talking about, based on new research from Tesco.

The four limited-edition designs showcase the most talkable moments of 2026 and have been meticulously sketched onto pumpkins, taking professional carvers over 50 hours. The key moments include:

  • The Eclipse (38%): Brits were captivated by this year’s eclipse, with the design capturing the moon’s journey across the sun. A playful nod to the nation’s inventive viewing methods, including the iconic glasses featuring within the carving.
  • Bayeux Tapestry (37%): Inspired by the historic tapestry’s long-awaited visit to Britain, the design celebrates one of the year’s biggest cultural moments. More than half (58%) of Brits agree the tapestry is of great historical importance.
  • Artemis II (31%): This moment captured the imagination of a third (33%) of Brits and a fifth (20%) admit they still dream of becoming an astronaut.
  •  The summer’s biggest football tournament (62%): This moment spanned living rooms, pubs and fan zones, bringing together communities across the UK, with more than half (53%) saying the communal viewing experience was part of what made it so memorable.

For shoppers looking to pick up a pre-carved pumpkin at Tesco, there’ll be two designs to choose from: the Eclipse and the classic Halloween jack o’ lantern. 

The pre-carved pumpkins will be available at 10 selected stores for one afternoon at each store between 22nd – 31st October.

For those who prefer to do their own carving, Tesco has a range of pumpkins available this Halloween, from cute mini munchkin pumpkins, to classic large pumpkins which are perfect for carving, starting at just 55p.

Shoppers can also pick up everything else they need for spooktacular Halloween celebrations, from costumes and decorations to sweets and party food, making Tesco a one-stop-shop for all things spooky.

Participating stores (each store has pre-carved pumpkins for one day only):

  • Thursday 22nd October: Tesco Risca Extra
  • Friday 23rd October: Tesco Cheltenham Superstore
  • Saturday 24th October: Tesco New Oscott Extra
  • Sunday 25th October: Tesco Nottingham Top Valley Extra
  • Monday 26th October: Tesco Sheffield Extra
  • Tuesday 27th October: Tesco Stockport Extra
  • Wednesday 28th October: Tesco York Tadcaster Road Extra
  • Thursday 29th October: Tesco Middlesbrough Coulby Newham
  • Friday 30th October: Tesco Newcastle Upon Tyne Extra
  • Saturday 31st October: Tesco Edinburgh Corstorphine Extra

Edinburgh set to benefit from £900 million investment

Aldi has revealed that Edinburgh is set to receive around £3.5 million in 2027 as part of its £900m investment programme.

The investment will see Aldi extend its existing store in Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, creating more space for customers and improving the store layout.

The supermarket plans to open 40 new stores across the UK during the year, alongside continued investment in its distribution network.

Aldi currently has 1,095 stores and plans to grow to 1,500 across the UK, with a focus on communities that do not have easy access to affordable groceries because of a lack of local choice or competition.

Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “We’re continuing to invest significantly across the UK as we progress towards our long-term ambition of 1,500 Aldi stores.

“These new locations are part of our £900 million investment programme for 2027 and will help us bring Aldi’s award-winning quality and unbeatable value to even more communities. We’re excited to take the next step in our expansion plans and look forward to welcoming customers through the doors of these new stores in the years ahead.”

The investment builds on Aldi’s existing expansion programme, with the supermarket set to open 30 stores during the final months of 2026. Its continued growth will create thousands of jobs and further opportunities for British suppliers.

Aldi has 113 stores in Scotland and employs more than 3,600 people.

Supertato author surprises Edinburgh pupils with special storytelling session

  • Paul Linnet, co-creator of the popular Supertato series of children’s books, visited pupils at Stenhouse Primary School to read to pupils.
  • Each child received a signed book to take home, while the school’s library received 96 books donated by Paul and his publisher, Simon & Schuster Children’s Books.
  • The visit was arranged by Tesco as part of its National Year of Reading and Fruit & Veg campaigns.

Paul Linnet, the co-creator of the popular children’s book series Supertato, delighted pupils at Stenhouse Primary School in Edinburgh with a special storytelling session, encouraging their love of stories and reading.

The author recently visited P1 and P2 pupils at the school to read his latest book, Supertato: Despicable Bean, and share his love of stories with the young audience.

Thanks to Paul and his publisher, Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, each child also received a signed copy of the book to take home, with an additional 96 assorted Supertato books donated to the school’s library.

The visit was arranged by Tesco as part of its National Year of Reading campaign, which aims to encourage children to discover a love of reading.

The Supertato series follows the adventures of a superhero potato who uses his ‘potato powers’ to save his fellow vegetables. The series has sold over 1.8 million copies in the UK and is now a CBBC series.

Emily Sinclair, Headteacher at Stenhouse Primary School said: “As a school we were delighted to be selected, through Tesco’s Fruit for Schools initiative, to welcome Paul Linnet in to share his love of stories and vegetables with our children. 

“This has been a wonderful experience for our children which has created a real enthusiasm for reading in the classroom.  The children have loved reading and learning through Paul’s stories and engaging characters and they have been inspired to write their own stories based on Supertato. 

“They have also become very enthusiastic about vegetables and the fun that can be had turning them into various characters.”

Timothy Hammertson, Lead Buying Manager on Books at Tesco said: “We’re delighted to have helped bring Paul Linnet and his Supertato stories to Stenhouse Primary School to inspire children to discover the joys of books, stories and reading.

“It was fantastic to hear that pupils loved the visit and were hugely excited to receive their very own signed copy to keep

“Reading is a brilliant way to spark children’s imaginations, and initiatives like this help bring books to life while encouraging a love of reading from an early age.”

Stenhouse Primary School is also actively involved in Tesco’s Fruit & Veg for Schools campaign, which provides fruit and vegetables to pupils to help them discover healthy eating habits.

The latest book, Supertato: Despicable Bean, is currently featured in Tesco’s Kids Summer Reading Stack, which is available in 400 stores across the UK until 16 September. This initiative is part of the chain’s Go All In campaign, which aims to help get younger children into reading as part of the National Year of Reading.

Aldi donates 24,039 meals to Edinburgh charities over school summer holidays

Aldi stores across Edinburgh donated 24,039 meals to charities, foodbanks and community organisations across the UK throughout the recent school summer holidays.

The donations took the number of meals redistributed by Aldi in 2026 from more than 8.8 million before the school holidays to 10.9 million – an increase of 24%.

Aldi has worked with Neighbourly since 2019 to redistribute surplus food from its stores to charities and community organisations across the UK.

Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “There’s no reason for good food to go to waste when it can be put to use by organisations supporting their local communities.

“Our stores redistribute surplus food throughout the year, giving local charities a regular source of food they can use to support the people who rely on them.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “For many of the organisations we work with, summer doesn’t mean demand eases off. The school holidays can bring an additional pressure, as families face higher food costs and children who usually receive free school meals may not have the same access to support during the holidays.

“Regular surplus food donations give charities something practical they can use straight away, helping them keep shelves stocked and respond to what people in their communities need.”

Shoppers in Edinburgh can also donate food and everyday essentials to local charities, foodbanks and community groups through community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide.

Aldi also works with Company Shop to redistribute surplus food from its Regional Distribution Centres.

Tesco brings its ‘Best Night In’ roadshow to Edinburgh

Tesco is bringing its ‘Best Night In’ roadshow to Edinburgh this month giving shoppers the chance to sample food and win prizes.

The roadshow will be visiting Edinburgh Corstorphine Extra on Tuesday the 22nd of September, giving shoppers the chance to sample the perfect snacks and drinks for an evening at home at a special Best Night In living room set up in the store car park.

Shoppers will also get the chance to take part in an interactive game to win Best Night In prizes from Tesco.

Tesco UK Marketing Director Murray Bisschop said: “As we head into autumn, more and more of our customers will be looking forward to a cosy night in and we want to help shoppers across Great Britain with everything you need to make the most of those autumn evenings indoors.”

As part of the Best Night In activity millions of Tesco Clubcard members have already received free coupons for fresh Tesco Finest pizzas that can be redeemed in Tesco stores and online through its popular Freebie Thursday’s scheme.

Tesco is also offering the chance for 50 shoppers to win a Best Night In tech bundle worth £10,000, including an up to 98” 4K TCL television, a Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, a PlayStation 5, a Nintendo Switch 2, a Sony Bluetooth turntable, a £2,500 furniture voucher, and £1,000 to spend at Tesco.

To qualify customers just need to spend in £25 in a qualifying transaction at Tesco in-store or online until October 4th*.

Scotmid kicks off search for Scotland’s next food and drink favourites

Scotmid has begun its search to find the next Scottish Favourites, giving shoppers the chance to discover more locally sourced products in stores and helping Scottish producers reach new communities.

Producers from across the country are being invited to put their products forward for the chance to secure a place on Scotmid’s shelves, with applications now open to producers across a wide range of food and drink categories.

Scotmid has teamed up with Scotland Food & Drink for the 2026 Scottish Favourites competition, giving Scottish food and drink businesses an opportunity to bring their products to new customers through Scotmid stores, while helping shoppers discover more locally made products in their own communities.

The competition is turning up a notch this year. Scottish suppliers now have a chance to win one of three Gold Awards, with these lucky winners receiving both a listing in Scotmid stores and a £2,000 monetary prize to support their launch.

Scotmid Members will have the opportunity to decide on one of the Gold Award winners too and will be invited to taste and score products from all 12 shortlisted suppliers, with their highest-scoring product receiving the Member Gold Award.

Previous winners have seen a significant impact from taking part. Three Robins founder, Karen Robinson, said winning a listing for the company’s oat milk range had allowed the business to “double our distribution overnight, making our products available to families all across Scotland.”

Danny Scobie, Head of Commercial at Scotmid, said: “Scottish Favourites has become a great way for us to discover exciting products and producers from across Scotland, while giving businesses a real opportunity to get their products in front of more customers.

“We’ve seen the difference a Scotmid listing can make for previous winners. We want to hear from producers of all shapes and sizes – whether you’re an emerging business ready to take the next step or an established producer with something new for our customers.

“Scotland has an incredible food and drink sector, and we’re looking forward to discovering the products that could become our customers’ next Scottish favourites. As a community retailer, we know how much customers value local choice, and this competition is one way we can help bring more of Scotland’s best products into the heart of our communities.”

The launch coincides with Scottish Food & Drink September, the annual celebration of the people, products and businesses behind Scotland’s food and drink sector.

Alex Kidd, UK Market Manager – Retail at Scotland Food & Drink, said: ““We’re delighted to be partnering with Scotmid for the fifth consecutive year, providing Scottish food and drink businesses with a valuable platform to access the convenience retail market and raise awareness of their products.

“Scottish Food and Drink September is all about celebrating our vibrant and diverse food and drink industry, so it’s fantastic to have the Scottish Favourites competition launched as part of our month-long campaign.

“From innovative start-ups to well-established brands seeking to expand their retail presence, competitions such as Scottish Favourites play a vital role in supporting growth by helping producers build meaningful retail relationships, increase visibility, and take the next step in their business journey.”

Applications are now open to Scottish food and drink producers and close at 11.30am on Friday 16 October.

Find out more and apply:

https://foodanddrink.scot/events-and-membership/events/scotmids-scottish-favourites-2026

https://fs22.formsite.com/scotfooddrink/0ardbwq6s0/index

Edinburgh Scotmid colleague celebrates 35 years from shopfloor to senior role

From part-time store roles to senior leadership, four Scotmid colleagues are marking career milestones that together span more than 110 years. 

Their journeys highlight how one of Scotland’s leading convenience retailers continues to grow talent from within, creating long-term career paths across stores, operations, HR and learning and development.

Today, each continues to support colleagues, strengthen the business and help shape the next stage of Scotmid’s growth. 

For Lynne MacGillivray, the journey started in March 1991 in what was then known as a ‘shelf filler’ role at Scotmid’s South Queensferry store while she was still at school. 

More than 35 years later, Lynne is now a senior member of Scotmid’s HR team, having spent the past two decades supporting and developing colleagues across the business. 

Lynne said: “I never expected to stay as long as I have, but Scotmid’s variety of opportunities and strong community values made it somewhere I wanted to build my career. 

“Seeing colleagues build confidence, progress and achieve their potential has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role.” 

Kevin Lowe joined Scotmid in April 2001 as a Regional Business Manager. 

Over the last 25 years, he has supported significant change across the business, including major acquisitions, business transformation projects and the growth of Scotmid’s store estate. 

Reflecting on his time with Scotmid, Kevin said: “When I first started, we had around 50 stores, four Regional Business Managers and the bones of an expansion plan. 

“Today, we have more than 180 stores and a custom-built Head Office. It has been a fantastic growth journey, both personally and professionally, to be part of.” 

Following Scotmid’s acquisition of Morning Noon & Night in 2004, Jane Burns joined Airdrie’s Scotmid store as an experienced manager.  Since then, she has progressed through compliance, training and learning and development roles and is now a Lead Learning & Development Consultant, helping colleagues build successful careers of their own. 

Jane said: “I quickly saw that Scotmid genuinely puts people first. The care, compassion and empathy shown during the transition made a lasting impression. 

“What has kept me here is our people. I feel fortunate to support colleagues as they grow, progress and build careers of their own.” 

While studying Business and Information Management at university, Lynne Hedger joined Scotmid 25 years ago as a Customer Service Assistant. What began as a part-time job developed into a career spanning store management, change management and major business projects. Today, Lynne is Head of Central Operations and a member of Scotmid’s Retail Leadership Team. 

Reflecting on her Scotmid journey, she said: “I did not expect to stay after completing my degree, but I quickly got the retail bug. 

“The people, progression opportunities and support within the Society have shaped my career, with numerous mentors guiding and encouraging me along the way.” 

Margaret Anne Clark, Chief Operating Officer – Services at Scotmid, said: “All four of these incredible colleagues have each made an outstanding contribution and commitment to Scotmid over many years. 

“They have helped serve customers, support colleagues and guide the business through periods of growth and change. Their stories demonstrate the opportunities that exist within Scotmid and the difference people can make when they build a career with us. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment and proud to celebrate their milestones.” 

Together, their stories reflect Scotmid’s long-standing commitment to developing colleagues, recognising loyalty and creating careers that grow with the business. 

Aldi calls on families in Scotland to apply for it’s new Superfam Pass

Families in Scotland can now apply to get their hands on Aldi’s brand-new Superfam Pass, which offers one lucky household a full year of free groceries

 Aldi is launching a Superfam Pass to give one lucky household a full year of free groceries.   

Britain’s biggest discounter is on the lookout for a household of devoted Aldi shoppers, offering them the chance to have a year’s shopping covered.   

The winning household will receive Aldi’s exclusive Superfam Pass, which offers £800 worth of free shopping every month across the year – totalling £9,600 – with the lucky winner able to shop everything from weekly essentials and fresh favourites to those iconic middle-aisle finds.   

The Superfam Pass holders will also receive a whole host of Specialbuys tailored to their household, from toys and activities to homeware and garden equipment worth £400 as part of the prize, helping to keep the whole household stocked up throughout the year.   

How to apply

Aldi is calling on households in Scotland to explain why they would make a brilliant first-ever Aldi Superfam. Whether you’re a busy household that plans every meal around the weekly Aldi shop or you’ve turned the middle aisle into a weekend tradition, Britain’s biggest discounter wants to hear your story.   

To enter, email ALDISuperfam@aldi.co.uk with your family or household members’ names, ages, location and why they deserve to be named Aldi’s Superfam.   

Rachel Geary, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “The weekly shop is a big part of the household budget, so imagine being able to take it off your list of expenses for an entire year.  

“That’s what we want to give one household with our first-ever Superfam Pass – £800 to spend at Aldi every month for 12 months, plus a few Specialbuy surprises along the way.

“At a time when households are looking for every opportunity to make their budgets stretch further, we hope taking care of the weekly shop will make a real difference to our winners.”  

The deadline for entries is Monday 21st September at 11:59pm and the winning household will be contacted by Monday 5th October 2026.

Terms and conditions apply.

For full T&Cs, visit: https://www.aldipresscentre.co.uk/aldi-terms-and-conditions-superfam-pass-competition/

Aldi store is one of Edinburgh’s most unexpected Tripadvisor attractions 

Aldi Portobello set to welcome visitors from around the world after being recognised as an authentic food and drink destination, with hundreds of Scottish products on its shelves.

As millions of visitors descend on Edinburgh for this summer’s Fringe, Aldi is preparing to welcome festival-goers in search of an authentic Scottish food experience.

The Aldi Portobello store has become one of the only supermarkets in Scotland to feature among Edinburgh’s top Things To Do on Tripadvisor, putting it alongside many of the capital’s most iconic visitor attractions.

Recognised for its extensive range with hundreds of Scottish food and drink products, the store is becoming an unlikely foodie destination for international and UK visitors keen to taste the very best of Scotland.

In 2026, Aldi topped the National Farmers Union (NFU)’s largest-ever supermarket shelf study for Scottish own-label sourcing, with an average of 65% Scottish-origin products, significantly ahead of other major retailers.

Aldi’s extensive range offers festival-goers the chance to discover produce from some of the country’s best-loved suppliers, including ice cream from Equi’s made with Scottish milk and cream, locally grown berries from Angus Soft Fruits and baked favourites from Brownings, making the Portobello store an unexpected but distinctly Scottish addition to the Fringe itinerary.

To celebrate its new Things To Do status, visitors can also pick up one of Aldi’s limited-edition Edinburgh Fringe postcards for free giving festival-goers a fun way to share their favourite memories and foodie discoveries with friends and family, while inspiring others to experience Edinburgh and its vibrant food scene for themselves.

Alan Leslie, Buying Director at Aldi Scotland said: “The Edinburgh Fringe welcomes millions of visitors from around the world each year, and for many, trying Scotland’s fantastic food and drink is an essential part of the experience.

“We’re proud to work with so many Scottish suppliers to bring high-quality local produce to our shelves, so it’s fantastic that our Portobello store has been listed as somewhere visitors can enjoy an authentic taste of Scotland.

“Whether people are stopping by to sample some of Scotland’s finest produce, picking up essentials before a show or sending one of our limited-edition postcards home to share the excitement of the Fringe, we’re looking forward to welcoming festival visitors through our doors.”

Aldi Scotland has an ongoing commitment to championing Scottish producers, with the supermarket working with a range of local suppliers and investing millions in Scotland’s food and drink industry every year.

To explore Aldi’s Scottish produce, visit: Best of Scotland | ALDI UK

Visit Aldi’s Tripadvisor page at: ALDI (Edinburgh, Scotland): Address, Phone Number – Tripadvisor