Latest news with #Coop
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Sour grapes? No, these fruits taste just like a mojito cocktail
Grapes have given wine its distinctive flavour for some 8,000 years – but a new version of the fruit provides a very different taste – that of the classic mojito cocktail. Growers in Spain have hybridised one variety with another to create what is described as 'sweet with a hint of lime'. The result goes on sale in the UK on Wednesday at the Co-op under the name Mojito Fresh. The grapes will be available in selected stores and cost £2.90 for a 400g punnet as part of the supermarket's Irresistible range. Kate Byrne-Fletcher, Co-op's head of fresh produce, said: 'This new variety is a must-try for mojito cocktail fans – and we're thrilled to be adding it for customers as a healthy snack or freezing and adding to summery drinks.' She added: 'We're expecting this variety to fly off the shelves – it will only be in stores for a few weeks due to the seasonal window.' The grapes, which launched last year in Spain, were developed by the fruit production firm Uvasdoce Fresh and are the first in the new 'fresh mocktail collection' of the fruit. The Mail has revealed how European vineyards are being hit harder by climate changes. Hotter temperatures could mean that popular varieties, such as Pinot Noir and Merlot, end up sweeter and more intense – with the alcohol content increased too. A Canadian study of more than 500 grapevine varieties revealed European vineyards have had the greatest temperature shift since the 1970s compared with other wine-growers.
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
All 6.5m Co-op members had data stolen in cyberattack
All 6.5 million members of Co-op had their data stolen in the cyberattack in April, the retailer's chief executive has revealed. Shirine Khoury-Haq said she was 'incredibly sorry' for the attack that resulted in names, addresses and contact information being accessed. She told BBC Breakfast that 'no financial data, no transaction data' had been compromised but acknowledged that people will be worried and that 'all members should be concerned'. Co-op is owned by its members, who receive rewards when it generates profit and help to make decisions. The retail group shut its IT systems after the attack, leading to supply and payment issues. It was one of three high-profile cyberattacks in Britain last spring; Marks & Spencer and Harrods were also targeted. Four people have been arrested and were bailed on Wednesday. Khoury-Haq said: 'I'm devastated that information was taken. I'm also devastated by the impact that it took on our colleagues as they tried to contain all of this. 'Early on I met with our IT staff and they were in the midst of it. I will never forget the looks on their faces, trying to fight off these criminals and protect our members' data and trying to protect our organisation as well. That will never leave me.' She added: 'We realised it was happening when the cybercriminals started moving around within our systems and that is when we took action to stop them. It meant shutting down our systems quite dramatically. The good news was that we managed to keep our front lines open — our stores and funeral homes stayed open but the impact on colleagues, the impact on our stores, our members, was significant.' The four people were arrested on July 10: a British 17-year-old and Latvian 19-year-old from the West Midlands, a British 19-year-old from London and a British 20-year-old from Staffordshire. They were all arrested at their homes on suspicion of blackmail, money laundering, offences linked to the Computer Misuse Act and participating in the activities of an organised crime group, according to the National Crime Agency. The police seized electronic devices from the properties. M&S was the first of the retailers to be targeted in a cyberattack and was forced to shut a host of systems on Easter Sunday. Its website was shut for six weeks, fuelling a bill that the company put at about £300 million. On Wednesday the Co-op announced a partnership with The Hacking Games, a business that identifies young people with 'unconventional' cyber talents and coaches them for careers in cybersecurity rather than crime.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Olympian joins Co-op Special Olympics fundraising campaign
A Pembrokeshire Olympian is supporting a Co-op campaign. Bleddyn Gibbs is backing the 'Meals That Matter' campaign, which is being delivered in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Special Olympics Great Britain. The campaign aims to promote inclusion and raise funds for Special Olympics GB, which provides year-round sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Running in Co-op stores across the UK from July 9 to August 5, the campaign will donate 25p from every sale of a special meal deal to support the charity. The deal includes two Co-op pizzas and a four-pack of 330ml Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke cans for £6. Mr Gibbs is one of five Special Olympics GB athlete ambassadors featured in the campaign. The other ambassadors are Alex Rae, Stephanie Gott, Katie Day and Lloyd Martin. Alex Rae, a double silver medallist in table tennis and a long-time Co-op colleague, said: "Being a part of the Special Olympics Grampian club is amazing, as is working for Co-op. "The support and encouragement I've had has helped me build my confidence and really believe in myself. "I'd love for more people with intellectual disabilities to have opportunities like these so they can really see what they can do." Special Olympics GB supports more than 12,600 athletes across 27 sports, with the help of nearly 6,000 volunteers who create a supportive environment for individuals to thrive through grassroots sport. The campaign features prominent in-store displays, including digital screens, shelf talkers, floor stickers and front-of-store takeovers, all featuring Special Olympics GB athletes and the campaign's inclusion message. A dedicated online hub and member communications will support wider engagement. Holly Firmin, senior community partnerships manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: "SOGB makes an enormous difference to the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities and this campaign aims to raise awareness of that. "It's about showing what's possible when everyone is given the support they need to thrive and why inclusion in everyday life, in sport and in the workplace, really does matter." In a first for a major in-store retail campaign, 'Meals That Matter' will include Makaton symbols—part of a communication system that uses speech, signs, and symbols to support understanding and expression. Makaton can help people with communication difficulties connect with others and participate more fully in daily life. Coca-Cola has been a founding partner and global sponsor of Special Olympics since the movement began, and has supported Special Olympics GB since it launched in Great Britain in 1978. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners continues this legacy through ongoing support of Special Olympics GB, promoting inclusion through funding, volunteering and unified sports and business programmes.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Major grocery chain announces game-changing initiative to solve ongoing issue with its products: 'Will have a substantial impact'
A grocery store in the United Kingdom is committing to a major change in its packaging, looking to reduce plastic waste and make recycling easier for its customers. The chain Co-op announced it will switch from plastic packaging to more sustainable options for its private label products, including bakery items, produce, and proteins, according to Trend Hunter. The initiative will reportedly remove 115 tonnes (253,532 pounds) of plastic per year. "Co-op is committed to making a difference to the lives of our members and the world in which they live," group property and sustainability director Heather Thomas said in a statement. "These new packaging developments will have a substantial impact across our operations, eliminating millions of pieces of plastic and importantly simplifying home recycling for our members and customers." According to Sustainable Packaging News, Co-op has a goal to reach net-zero carbon pollution in its operations by 2035 and across the company by 2040. The outlet also reported that the brand was recognized by Science Based Targets initiative. Switching to sustainable packaging and reducing plastic has proved to be a money saver for businesses, which can help consumers in turn. A PakFactory report explained that recyclable and biodegradable options, including cardboard, can often be cheaper than traditional packing supplies. They are also lighter, leading to reduced shipping costs. They require fewer resources to make than plastic, which uses dirty energy sources such as petroleum and isn't consistently recycled. The Supply Chain Solutions Center reports that 91% of plastic packaging is sent to landfills and often ends up in the environment in the form of chemicals or microplastics, which negatively impact human health. More and more companies are getting in on sustainable packaging, cutting down plastic in major ways. PepsiCo introduced 50% recycled chip bags in 2024, a major advancement for a company that is one of the biggest plastic producers in the world. And a grocery chain in the Netherlands launched PEF packaging, a plant-based material that is biodegradable. When you think about a product's packaging, which of these factors is more important to you? The way it looks The information it provides The waste it produces I don't think about packaging at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Co-op to launch range of grapes that taste like a Mojito cocktail
A variety of grape described as 'Mojito flavoured' because of their similarity to the classic cocktail is to go on sale in the UK next week. The Co-op said the new variety had been named 'Mojito Fresh' after growers noticed its flavour resembled the popular drink. The grocer said the flavour of the grapes, which it described as 'sweet with a hint of lime', was developed by growers in Spain who hybridised one flavour of grape with another. The grapes will go on sale for just three weeks in selected stores and cost £2.90 as part of the convenience retailer's premium Irresistible range. Kate Byrne-Fletcher, Co-op's head of fresh produce, said: 'This new variety is a must-try for mojito cocktail fans, and we're thrilled to be adding it into our fresh fruit aisle for our members and customers to enjoy as a healthy snack or freezing and adding to summery drinks. 'We're expecting this new variety to fly off the shelves and it will only be in stores for just a few weeks due to the limited seasonal window.' The variety, which launched last year in Spain, was developed by the fruit development firm Uvasdoce Fresh, and is the first in the new 'Fresh Mocktail Collection' of grapes.
