Morrisons will be increasing hourly pay at its UK stores from late October as part of a three-stage uplift. In May, the supermarket chain announced that a proposed pay deal for store and manufacturing workers had been resoundingly approved by the USDAW union, which negotiates pay for large parts of the workforce.

It opened the door for implementing pay increases for all eligible hourly-paid staff in three phases. The pay boost began with hourly rates for all Customer Assistants rising to £12.81 (backdated to March 30), with all other established hourly rates for eligible roles increasing by 10p. From Monday, July 20, 2026, customer assistants at Morrisons stores will see pay increase from £12.81 to £13.00, with all other established hourly rates for the other roles rising by 19p.

Then, from Monday, October 26, 2026, the hourly rate will climb further, from £13.00 to £13.11, with pay for the other roles upped by 11p.

In the May announcement, Morrisons said that, in addition, all eligible hourly-paid colleagues would receive a one-off fixed payment of between £25 and £175 based on their contractual hours.

Morrisons’ Group People Director, Jodie Keating, said at the time: “We’re pleased that we can now implement the pay proposal and increase pay for our colleagues to reward them for the contribution they make to our business.

“I would like to thank all our colleagues for everything they continue to do for Morrisons.”

It comes as Morrisons’ supermarket rivals also upped workers’ pay this year in a bid to retain and attract staff, as UK households continue to wrestle with cost-of-living pressures.

From March 1, Lidl increased hourly pay for store assistants outside London to £13.45, a rate that rises to £14.00 depending on length of service.

In London, entry-level store workers had their pay upped to £14.80 per hour, while the hourly rate for experienced staff can rise up to £15.35.

The following month, Store Assistants working at Aldi’s UK branches also saw their pay increase (to £13.50 per hour nationally, with those working inside in the M25 getting £14.88).

These pay rates rise to £14.47 and £15.20 respectively based on length of service. Aldi said at the time that the change would benefit 28,000 hourly-paid store workers.

Other major retailers that increased hourly pay in 2026 include Sainsbury’s, Primark, and John Lewis.

Lidl has announced a major £500million commitment that will shape how it sources British berries over the next five years, in a move that aims to strengthen ties with UK growers and boost homegrown produce available on supermarket shelves. The discount retailer said the investment is part of new long-term agreements with British berry suppliers, designed to give farmers greater stability at a time when the sector is under pressure from rising costs, labour shortages and unpredictable weather conditions.

Under the plan, Lidl will increase the volume of UK-grown berries sold in its stores, with the £500million figure representing the total value of sourcing contracts expected over the next five years. The move comes as the German-based retailer reported that demand for berries at its supermarkets continues to grow, with sales of British blueberries having increased by more than 200% and blackberry sales by almost 93% over the past three years. Volumes of its Deluxe Blush Strawberries range, meanwhile, increased by 50% last year.

Lidl said it recorded the largest year-on-year increase in berry sales in the market last year and was recently named British Berry Retailer of the Year, according to the Grocery Gazette.

According to British Berry Growers chair, Nick Marston, Lidl’s British berry volumes increased from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025 – a growth of more than 36% in two seasons. He added that the retailer now accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through the industry body’s members.

“We are backing British farming with a £500million vote of confidence in our British berry growers,” said Lidl GB chief commercial officer, Richard Bourns. “By extending our long-term agreements, we’re providing the security suppliers need to build a resilient future.

“It is our clear ambition to be the first-choice partner for British growers. By building a framework providing long-term security, we enable our growers to confidently invest, innovate and scale alongside us.

“And by investing in these partnerships we are making fresh, healthy produce more accessible to our customers – offering the best British berries at unbeatable prices.”

Lidl has said it expects to open more than 50 new stores in the next 12 months as part of a £600 million investment plan. The UK’s sixth-largest supermarket chain said the move will create close to 2,000 jobs across the UK.

New store openings will include sites such as Abbots Langley near Watford, Warrington in Cheshire and Thornbury in Gloucestershire, which are all set to open this summer, the company said. Lidl said it will host more than 150 property partners and agents later this month to share its future growth plans as it targets new freehold, leasehold, or long-leasehold properties across Great Britain.

The firm has more than 1,000 stores across Britain and employs more than 35,000 workers. It also operates over 12,600 stores globally across 31 countries, with the vast majority of its footprint in mainland Europe, including over 3,000 in Germany, around 1,600 in France and nearly 200 US stores.

Ryan McDonnell, chief executive of Lidl GB, said: “As we grow, we want to positively impact our British communities. We’re not just opening doors, we’re unlocking regional growth.

“Our expansion translates directly into high-quality jobs and gives British suppliers the certainty they need to invest in the future.

“Above all, it advances our social purpose of making affordable, healthy food accessible to everyone.”

Employment minister Kate Dearden said: “This kind of investment is exactly what we want to see from big employers – creating thousands of good jobs that pay fair wages and boost the standard of living in communities across the country.”

It comes after Lidl reported a 10% surge in sales over a “record-breaking” Christmas, during which nearly 51 million customers shopped with the discounter.

From Ukraine’s Odesa region, this limited edition wine duo from Lidl offers drinkers something very different. With wine lovers seeking out new experiences, this brand new Pinot Grigio and the popular Saperavi from Eastern Europe showcase wines from an historic but lesser-known region and its extraordinary terroir. The duo includes a red made from a Georgian grape Saperavi, and a Pinot Grigio – which will land for the very first time on UK supermarket shelves.

Hailing from southwest Ukraine, Bolgrad is the country’s most popular wine brand and a benchmark producer within one of Europe’s most historic yet under-the-radar wine regions. Located near the Black Sea, the area benefits from unique soil, hot summers and low rainfall, delivering wines with depth, balance and vibrant character. The region’s winemaking heritage dates back to ancient Greek settlements at Boristhenis and Tyras. Today, Bolgrad builds on this legacy with a modern approach, combining indigenous varieties with internationally recognised grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as native Easter European varieties. 

Selected by the experts at Kingsland Drinks, which supplies wines to UK supermarkets, the two wines in this exclusive Lidl bundle offer a warming red and a refreshing white – perfect for winter dining and discovering something a little different. Bolgrad Pinot Grigio 2024 | 12.5% | £8.49. Pale lemon in colour and light-bodied, this fresh, expressive Pinot Grigio offers lively acidity alongside ripe citrus, white blossom and a subtle hint of lychee. Aged on its lees for three months, it’s an ideal match for chicken, creamy pasta dishes and fish.

Bolgrad Select Saperavi 2024 | 14% | £8.49 is a medium-bodied, fruit-driven red that will appeal to fans of Malbec. Bright ruby in colour, it wafts aromas of red and black berries, prunes and spice, with fine tannins, a balanced palate and a long, satisfying finish. A versatile food wine, it pairs beautifully with winter casseroles, braised lamb and chilli con carne. The limited-edition Bolgrad wines will be available exclusively at Lidl while stocks last. Last time there was a delivery it fast became a sell-out. www.lidl.co.uk, www.kingsland-drinks.com 

Lidl has confirmed where two new UK stores will open this month. The discount supermarket’s staff will welcome customers through the doors of branches in Brough, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Burntwood in Staffordshire.

Shoppers in Brough can expect their new Lidl to open on Thursday (January 15) while those in Burntwood won’t have long to wait as their branch opens a week later on January 22. The new branches are among 19 Lidl plans to open over the next eight weeks as part of a nationwide expansion.

Lidl announced on Tuesday that it was also renovating over 70 of its existing outlets to the tune of £43million. Changes as part of the store overhaul include new tills and bigger freezers to offer a wider range of products.

The chain is also launching new energy-saving features, such as chillers which use natural refrigerants and smart lighting systems that reduce electricity use.

Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, hailed the company’s commitment to delivering the best experience for customers and creating a positive impact for communities.

He added: “With this push, we’re set on winning more shoppers across the nation and claiming an even bigger share of the market.”

Market share figures from Worldpanel show Lidl made the greatest gain among the supermarkets over the 12 weeks to December 28. It added 0.5 percentage points to claim 7.8% of the market and saw sales growth of 10%.

In comparison, grocery sales at M&S were 7.2% higher over the 12 weeks compared with the same period a year earlier.

M&S sought to position itself as a challenger to the “big six” supermarkets on Wednesday when it announced an expansion of its value food item range.

It has launched more than 30 new value products this month, including core family items such as 500g and 750g packs of 5% fat beef mince and 1kg bags of frozen sweetcorn.

The retailer said sales of M&S value lines, including “remarksable value”, “dropped & locked” and “bigger pack, better value” items were up 20% in the third quarter of last year while the “remarksable value” range alone had doubled in size since 2023.

M&S, which is known for its high-end own-brand food products, claimed to be the fastest-growing grocer with families, based on till receipts data from analysts Worldpanel.

YouGov figures also suggest a three percentage point uptick over the last two years in families now likely to consider shopping at M&S Food while perceptions of value at M&S among families has improved by 10 percentage points over the same period.

The move from M&S comes amid a flurry of price promises by the major supermarkets as they compete to attract households struggling with rising food inflation amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Food inflation increased to 3.3%, up from November’s 3% and far outstripping wider shop price inflation of 0.7%, according to latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NIQ data.

The new year is just two months away and with brands restructuring across the country, shops are not only closing but opening too, with several expected to hit Britain’s high streets over the coming weeks.

A variety of supermarket giants, clothing retailers and even gyms are set to launch new stores in the next two months. JD Gym is among those expanding with the launch of its 100th branch penned in for November. 

Lidl has made headlines for its dramatic restructuring plan including the opening of new locations. Lidl’s expansion will include “approximately 100 additional stores” across Britain, making that 159 grocceries alone. However, retailers are not to be left behind in the nation’s sprint ahead of the economy, with Drapers Online sharing the good news of fashion brands expanding amid the “doom and gloom”.

Poundland closed 52 stores as part of a 68 store closure plan unveiled by the recent acquisition by Pepco Group investment firm Gordon Brothers, in June. However, bargain hunters should not despair as the high street favourite is opening 37 new stores across the nation, with its infamous £1 deals set to return. Britbrief writes that several of these will appear in London’s “high-footfall areas”, as well as Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Cardiff. 

Similarly, Asda has confirmed its expansion, with 22 stores to open before December 31. Restarting its Express store programme, the UK giant opened the first of its stores in Castleford this October, with a plan of 21 further openings to be carried out by the chain. Now published, Yahoo News reports the openings to be in the following locations:

• Bradford – Toller Lane
• Botley – Boorley Green
• Cadishead – Liverpool Road
• Castleford – Holywell Lane
• Crystal Palace – Anerley Road
• Deepcut – Bridge Road
• Deptford – Landings
• Ferndown – Wimborne Road
• Greenwich – South Street
• Harringay – Green Lanes
• Harrow – Headstone Drive
• Heath Hayes – Hednesford Road
• Horncastle
• Liverpool – Parliament Street
• London – Finsbury Park Station; Limehouse Station; Tottenham Hale West; Tower Bridge
• Manchester – Square Gardens
• Stoke – Station Road
• Whetstone – High Road
• Wigan – Mesnes Road

The site states US brand Anthropologie to open three new UK stores this November, with another three openings for AllSaints to join them on the high street. Women’s Quiz Clothing has revealed plans to open between five and 10 new UK stores, however there is no hint as of yet to whether this will begin before January. Additionally, sought-after athleisure brand Alo is to expand its portfolio between late 2025 and 2026, with its first new location set to be outside of London.

According to The Independent, JD Gym, a subsect of the global chain JD Sports Fashion, has confirmed it is opening a new gym in Enfield, North London. The November launch will celebrate the firm’s 167th branch. 

Lidl GB’s chief executive, Ryan McDonnell, has voiced worries over the “a lot of uncertainty” surrounding this year’s festive advertisements due to fresh restrictions on product displays.

The new regulations state that post-9pm watershed television adverts cannot showcase products high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS), which are also entirely prohibited from paid-for online advertising.

Initially scheduled to be implemented from 1 October, these restrictions have been voluntarily embraced by the industry from the same date, as the government delayed their introduction until next year.

This means a variety of products typically showcased in supermarket Christmas adverts will be missing from prime-time television slots, with companies’ own websites and social channels potentially being amongst the few places they can be displayed online, the Grocer reported.

Nevertheless, how these regulations will be enforced remains unclear, according to McDonnell.

Speaking to The Grocer, he said: “It would be an understatement to tell you that we’re obviously learning very quickly, and there’s a lot of uncertainty around what the rules of play are, and that’s across traditional media and social” He continued: “There’s no doubt we’ve had to engineer our ads differently and be a lot more conservative, because there are so many products and categories that fall under HFSS regulation. So, it’s going to be interesting. Obviously, with Christmas upon us and retailers increasing their media spend, we’re going to have to see how the market plays out. There will be some interesting learnings.”

Last year’s Christmas Advert dates.

• Lidl: November 3 2024
• Marks & Spencer: November 4 last year
• Aldi: November 4 last year
• ASDA: November 4 last year
• Waitrose: November 5 and November 26 last year
• Boots: November 6 last year
• Tesco: November 12 last year
• John Lewis: November 14 last year

Bakery items such as crumpets, scones, croissants, pains au chocolat, pancakes and waffles are all deemed junk food under the new regulations.

Sweet treats including muffins, flapjacks and mini rolls face prohibition, though icing and cake decorations remain exempt, alongside savoury bread and conventional loaves.

The limitations extend to sugary breakfast cereals such as granola, muesli and “porridge oats, including instant porridge and other hot oat-based cereals”, whilst snacks like protein bars, cereal bars and biscuits will also fall under the prohibition.

Food and beverage advertisements face bans if products are deemed “less healthy” according to a Government assessment system evaluating salt, fat, sugar and protein levels.

In reality, this creates scope for healthier product variants to maintain advertising rights, such as porridge oats, whilst excluding items like porridge products enhanced with added sugar, salt or fat.

Likewise, natural unsweetened yoghurt escapes the restriction, but fruity and low-fat yoghurt or fromage frais will face the ban. The ban, which came into effect in October, includes not only the obvious culprits such as fizzy drinks, energy drinks and lemonades, but also certain fruit juices, smoothies, milk-based beverages and milk substitutes like soya, almond, oat, hemp, hazelnut or rice.

Even chickpea or lentil-based crisps, fried, flavoured or seasoned chickpeas, seaweed snacks and Bombay mix are on the list.

From this point forward, television adverts for these junk food items will only be permitted after 9pm.

The restrictions extend to paid online advertisements for these products, in an effort to limit children’s exposure to foods high in fat, sugar or salt. The Government anticipates that this move will prevent around 20,000 instances of childhood obesity and eliminate a staggering 7.2 billion calories annually from the diets of UK children.

The Government’s impact assessment highlights that “overall the studies do find a clear link between food advertising and calorie consumption”.