British supermarket chain owned by John Lewis Partnership
Civil service pension delays under Capita have prompted a government shift toward insourcing, with auditors reviewing systems and a long-term strategy under way as bereavement and pension payments remain unresolved for thousands.
A new strawberry tart from Eusebi Deli and Restaurant at Bonnie & Wild has drawn crowds in Edinburgh, with Perthshire strawberries and a top price of £3.50 per slice. The tart’s popularity has prompted reflections on quality, price and the appeal of luxury confections in contemporary markets.
In a developing trend, Waitrose sales show cottage pies and red wine rising as heatwaves persist. Shoppers seek grounding, traditional meals amid rising temperatures and heat alerts across southern England.
Whitbread has announced a five-year plan that includes cutting about 3,800 UK and Ireland roles and closing the remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants as part of a shift to a pure‑hotel model, funded by selling £1.5bn of freehold properties. The group is pursuing cost savings amid tax rises and activist investor pressure, with redeployment offered where possible.
Across UK and Europe, campaigns argue for cage-free hen housing and a fur-farm ban, citing public support and health-risk considerations. The Guardian and The Ecologist report growing political and industry pressure, with policy shifts underway and potential EU-wide action.
A Lidl wine-tasting event is reshaping its rotation into a three-month seasonal system, following a London tasting that highlighted Iberian picks and cautioned against older whites and rosés. The piece surveys consumer-friendly ranges and notes best buys across major retailers.
The Scotsman reports Fort Kinnaird plans a 42,500 sq ft expansion, creating over 60 local jobs, including a new 19,750 sq ft food store and 22,785 sq ft leisure space, with consent expected in November and construction due 2027. The Guardian covers John Lewis’s £20m Glasgow store revamp as part of a £50m programme across several cities, aiming to modernise the Buchanan Galleries and boost footfall while keeping shops open. France 24 details Shein’s exit from BHV Marais as SGM sells the landmark store to executives, marking strategic shifts in Parisian retail amid regulatory fines over the brand.
English wine is expanding with higher production and a broader range of styles. Waitrose, M&S and Aldi are cited for low prices and accessible options, while producers experiment with sparkling, still and orange wines, signaling a maturing sector.
Independent reports Aldi is launching a 1.5-litre magnum of Le Grand Poulet rosé, signalling strong value in supermarket wine. The bottle goes on sale nationwide on July 6, priced at £11.99, with early reviews noting fresh strawberry, raspberry and peach notes and a softer, less dry finish than La Vieille Ferme rosé.
Nolan has secured the scale and tech to adapt Homer’s Odyssey, with Matt Damon leading a star-studded cast. The film is shot entirely on IMAX film and follows Odysseus’s ten-year journey home, with Penelope and Telemachus in supporting roles. Releases are imminent as studios push the project toward premiere.