Just when ‘Horsegate’ has died down –British retailers face more problems in the frozen meat aisles, with imported sausage meat now blamed for a hepatitis surge. However, this has meant shoppers spending more time when buying frozen meat, whilst they read through labels carefully.
The British public seems to have lost interest in horse meat that might find its way into UK food chains. But the scandal and fall-out has left them jittery, and customers are now more vigilant when shopping, checking food labels carefully. Latest alert to surface is from Public Health England, whose researchers have claimed that imported pig meat could be at fault, with a rise in causes of Hepatitis E liver disease.
However, all this is good news for domestic producers, who see sales of British-reared pigs, beef, lamb and game rising steadily. The green eco-warriors are always there, with concerns about food miles, now joined by customers worried about provenance and traceability. Fueling this anxiety, British farmers, finally flexing their muscles in a similar way to the French, are making a push to ensure the consumer ‘buys British’.
Adding to supermarkets’ problems have been massive hold-ups at the major European entry points from Europe. At Calais – Dover docks and Eurotunnel, lorries are facing delays of several hours, if not days; parked up whilst the authorities deal with the overwhelming migrant crisis.
So far meat stocks seem to be holding out, but huge price increases in stores can’t be far off. Fruit and vegetable supplies were first to be hit; recently fresh French peaches were selling at GBP1.45 each – until retailers in central London organized new supply routes.
Tesco leads way
Probably the most important innovation in display in the food aisles is coming from Tesco.
Stores are realizing that the big weekly shop is declining, and average shoppers now tend to visit their favorite store for several smaller shops throughout the week. So Tesco is re-configuring its aisles, placing ingredients for most popular dishes together – e.g. tinned tomatoes next to pasta – and the logical next step would be mince – but this may be a step too far. But surely it can’t be too difficult to move the Herb carousel next to the frozen meat section – reminding shoppers that these make all the difference when cooking?
For this time-strapped customer, I would love to be able to pick up ingredients for popular dishes in one swoop, rather than have to go all over the shop to get ingredients. And hope that my local store will follow Tesco’s lead, so I don’t have to engage in a ‘supermarket dash’ every time I want to cook supper.
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