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Scottish Sun
01-08-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Five sneaky tricks supermarkets and brands use to get YOU to spend more as fat jabs hit sales
Supermarkets are finding new creative ways to cash in on the weight-loss trend JAB ATTACK Five sneaky tricks supermarkets and brands use to get YOU to spend more as fat jabs hit sales Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WAISTLINES are not the only things shrinking with the use of weight-loss jabs – supermarket bottom lines are too. Food sales are falling, and data-analyst Kantar blames hunger-repressing injections like Mounjaro for a 0.4 per cent drop in the four weeks to June 24. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Supermarkets are doing their best to keep profits high despite the success of weight-loss drugs Credit: Getty 8 Hunger-repressing injections like Mounjaro have been blamed for a fall in food sales Credit: Alamy A 4 per cent rise in food prices in the past year is also reducing spending. Now the big stores and brands are fighting back. Rosie Taylor reveals the sneaky ways they try to make us part with our cash. TEMPTING YOUR TASTEBUDS BRANDS are launching new flavour combinations for staple products they think will be a big hit with shoppers. Heinz has released a Sweet Sriracha tomato ketchup (£2.68 at Asda), and Bird's Eye has launched fish fillets coated in a Mexican tortilla crumb (£1.98 from Asda). Brands are also releasing new products with trimmer waistlines in mind. These include Tango Sugar Free Strawberry Smash (eight cans cost £3.34 at Asda) and Pepsi's zero sugar Cream Soda flavour (eight cans costs £3.75 from Waitrose). Dr Jenna Vyas-Lee from Kove Minds clinic in Southwark, London, says: 'We get a hit of dopamine — the feel-good hormone — from trying new things. 'So, a new flavour of Coke speaks to that curious part of our brain. Feeding your curiosity by buying that item makes you feel good.' TIP: Tempted by an intriguing new flavour? Take a picture of it and add it to your shopping list for next week. Take time to think about whether you really want it, or if it's just an impulse buy. Nutritionist reveals which stars could be suffering from 'Ozempic face' & why some like Kelly Clarkson get away without 8 Heinz's new Tomato Ketchup Sweet Sriracha sauce is one of the flavour combinations being used to keep shoppers interested Credit: supplied 8 Tango is also creating new flavours, including their fresh Strawberry Smash drinks Credit: supplied SELLING FAT JABS SUPERMARKETS are finding new ways to cash in on the weight-loss trend. Asda and Morrisons are both selling fat jabs through online clinics. Asda is selling Wegovy injection doses from £118.98, while Morrisons is selling Mounjaro self-injectable pens from £129 a month. An investigation by Which? found buying from a registered pharmacy, like Asda, was safer than buying from unregulated online clinics where some fake versions of the drugs have been found for sale. TIP: Always speak to your GP before starting any new medication and only ever buy from registered pharmacies. 8 Asda and Morrisons are both selling fat jabs through online clinics. Credit: Alamy 8 Asda has even launched a new sportswear brand to try and tap into fitness-conscious customers Credit: supplied LAUNCHING FITNESS RANGES ASDA launched a new sportswear brand, Gym Locker, in January, to target fitness-conscious shoppers. Women's wear such as a sports bra and shorts start at £14. Men's wear starts at £12. While Aldi launched a budget Specialbuy fitness range in May, including a reformer pilates machine for £149.99, an £11.99 smart watch to track your steps and heart rate, and yoga mats for £5.99. Lidl launched a high protein product range on TikTok shop in February. The £5 bundles on offer included 500g packs of protein powder and protein pancake mixes. CREATING SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUPERMARKETS launch huge product promotions for Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter. Now, they're finding new ways to encourage us to buy all year round. Asda is advertising a Summer Vibes promotion for picnics, barbecues and 'summer breakfast' products. Top picks include Birds Eye 12 Chicken Dippers for £2.48. But not on the list is its own-brand Just Essentials 20 breaded chicken nuggets at £1.10, a saving of £1.38. Tesco is pushing a Summer Essentials range, including a bistro set of two chairs and a table for £112.99 (pictured). The same set is available at Robert Dyas for £87.99, a saving of £25. Presenting products as a theme encourages us to buy more, said Patrick Young from research consultancy PRS In Vivo: 'It makes shoppers want to buy all the things they need to create that sense of occasion.' TIP: Always go shopping armed with a list so you are less likely to be swayed by marketing. PLAYING LAYOUT MIND GAMES WE'RE all guilty from time to time of walking away with goodies that weren't on our shopping list. But did you know supermarkets are constantly trying to get us to overspend using secret tactics? Shops invest heavily in 'space planning', where the store layouts are designed to get customers spending more. Techniques to catch our eye include putting stickers on the floor or signs around the shelves to highlight a new product or special offers. Brands in particular are jostling to get store customers' eyeballs on their goods — research shows shoppers ignore 80 per cent of products within two seconds of looking. Brands will therefore do deals with supermarkets to position their items in the best places along aisles. 'There is a lot of competition between brands on the supermarket shelf, it's an arms race,' said Young, adding: 'People tend to look in the middle and slightly down, so products at the top of the shelves could be better value.' Another super-sneaky tactic brands are using is to super-size packaging so products stand out more on shelves. TIP: Look at the top and bottom shelves to check for cheaper options. Always compare the price per gram on the label, instead of just looking at the item's price. This is the best way of seeing which products offer the best value for money. 8 Time limited deals are being used to try and create a sense of urgency for supermarket customers Credit: Morrisons RUNNING FOMO DEALS ANOTHER effective tactic stores use is putting time-limits on deals, for example Morrisons' When It's Gone It's Gone deals. 'This creates a sense of scarcity [the fear something could run out] and people also don't want to miss a chance to get value for money,' said Young. Shoppers may feel like they need to rush into buying deals, even when they are not actually great value. Nearly nine out of ten UK adults spend on non-essential little luxuries every month, including takeaway coffees or buying a drink or meal for a friend, according to research by Chase Bank. TIP: 'A good deal is only a good deal if you need it,' said Dr Vyas-Lee. If the product is something you buy regularly, such as toilet roll, it makes sense to pick up a two-for-one deal. But if it is a one-off purchase, you could be wasting your money. All prices correct at time of publication Gas boost for needy BRITISH GAS ENERGY TRUST has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund. It offers up to £1,700 to those struggling with energy debt, regardless of their supplier. Last year it helped 1,800 households, writing off £839,000 in debt. Boss Jessica Taplin said: 'This fund will help those who need it most get on stable ground and keep their homes and families warm and safe.' Grit-ish airways BRITISH AIRWAYS has reported a bumper 48 per cent rise in operating profits to £824million for the first half of the year. It comes despite a £40million hit from Heathrow's temporary closure in March due to a substation fire. 8 British Airways reported a bumper 48 per cent rise in operating profits for the first half of the year Credit: Getty The buoyant airline ramped up its flight programme, increasing capacity by 2.1 per cent and boosting revenues. Parent company International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling, saw earnings jump 43.5 per cent to £1.88billion, with pre-tax profits climbing to £1.75billion. Meanwhile, the debate over Heathrow's third runway intensified yesterday as IAG backed rival proposals from hotel tycoon Surinder Arora and Heathrow's owners, calling both 'credible.' However, IAG boss Luis Gallego said: 'We only want to build something affordable that'll allow everybody to have more passengers, but they don't have to pay the level they are paying today.' Arora's £25billion plan for a shorter, 2,800-metre runway aims to avoid costly diversions of the M25 but does not include redevelopment of the central terminal area. Heathrow favours a full-length, 3,500-metre runway to maximise operational flexibility. It would cost £21billion, with its full expansion plan — including terminals and infrastructure — estimated at £49billion. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will assess the competing plans this summer. Homes rise HOUSE prices rose by 0.6 per cent in July, reversing a 0.9 per cent drop in June, according to Nationwide. Annual growth climbed to 2.4 per cent, with the average home now priced at £272,664. With the Bank of England expected to cut interest rates next week, the housing market could see a fresh boost in activity in the months ahead. Mark Harris, boss of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: 'We could be in for a busy autumn. Lenders continue to trim mortgage rates.' Fall slows THE downturn in UK factory production eased slightly again last month as the sector posted its strongest performance for half a year. The S&P GLOBAL UK manufacturing PMI rose to 48.0 from 47.7, signalling a slower decline — but it was still below the growth threshold of 50. Manufacturers blamed weak domestic and export demand, higher labour costs, and geopolitical pressures. Meanwhile, rising staff costs resulted in July being the ninth consecutive month of falling employment. Phone scams do a number on you By Lucy Andrews BEING targeted by a scammer can be a worrying experience. But has a fraudster ever pretended to be YOU to trick people out of their cash? That's exactly what happened to me, when I discovered my phone number had been 'spoofed'. It's a horrible form of identity fraud and a cunning way for con artists to attempt to steal money from unsuspecting victims, as the number appears to be from a trusted source. It all began six months ago, when I started getting mysterious phone calls from strangers claiming they had received missed calls from me. But when I checked my call log each time, I could see that I never phoned them. I would tell the caller that they made a mistake, and hang up. I was suspicious that these were scammers trying to lure me into handing over money in some way, so I made sure to block the numbers after I ended the phone calls. That was until last week, when I received a WhatsApp from a lady I didn't know. 'Hello, did you call me?' the text read. She sent a screenshot of her call log – and surprisingly, my phone number was at the top of the list. I asked my phone company, ID Mobile, what had happened. It said my phone number appears to have been spoofed. I paid £25 to change my number, as it made me feel sick thinking scammers were pretending to be me. Spoofing is becoming a big problem. The telecoms regulator, Ofcom, is so concerned about the growing threat that it launched a consultation last year on how to address the issue. It said a call from a spoofed number could appear more trustworthy, and 'victims are more likely to share personal information'. Worryingly, phone companies can't do a lot about spoofing, but you can take steps to prevent it happening. Be wary of who you share your number with. Most website forms will ask for it, but you don't always need to give your number away.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Olipop doubles down on health claims as Pepsi, Coke enter better-for-you soda space
This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. The co-founder of Olipop built the seven-year-old brand around disrupting the $97 billion soda space with a healthier offering. Now, as beverage giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo amass a deeper presence in the better-for-you category, he's spending big bucks to back up his company's nutritional claims. Ben Goodwin, Olipop's CEO, said health and wellness brands charging people a premium for their products have a responsibility to prove their claims. So far, this transparency has been largely missing from the better-for-you soda sector, where positive attributes are a major selling point in attracting consumers. Olipop claims to have bucked that trend after publishing a company-funded study in June showing its Vintage Cola resulted in a better blood sugar response compared to leading traditional cola. The soda maker is conducting additional longer-term assessments to gauge Olipop's effect on blood sugar and digestion. It has plans for more studies and partnerships going forward. 'That should be the expectation if a consumer is going to pay a premium for something that they believe is going to benefit their health,' Goodwin said. 'It's a reality that no other player in the functional soda, modern soda space has done any empirical research whatsoever.' Olipop was founded in 2018 by Goodwin and David Lester to create healthier, better-tasting soda options for consumers watching what they eat and drink. The offerings, which come in flavors such as Strawberry Vanilla, Cream Soda and Crisp Apple, contain up to 5 grams of sugar, fewer than 50 calories and are loaded with prebiotic fiber to promote gut health. But Goodwin is aiming to do more than tout the product's health attributes. The studies, he said, not only add credibility to the offering but also provide another way to differentiate it from competitors beyond its taste profile. 'At the end of the day, people are willing to spend money on things that they resonate with and that they perceive as valuable,' he said. The studies also help insulate Olipop from any potential enforcement from regulators or lawsuits challenging the claims made by the beverage manufacturer. Goodwin is hopeful the data will eventually provide enough support to show the health benefits of Olipop so that one day the soda can be offered by doctors and insurance plans as a preventative measure. But even without the additional data, the fast-growing California company sits in an enviable place in the beverage sector. As people look to curtail their sugar intake and increase their consumption of better-for-you offerings and products that contain functional ingredients, Olipop and competitor Poppi have thrived. Olipop turned profitable in 2024, with sales doubling to more than $400 million year-over-year, according to the company. Earlier this year, it was valued at nearly $2 billion after raising $50 million from investors to expand marketing, add flavors and increase availability in spaces traditionally dominated by legacy sodas. Roughly half of its growth is from legacy carbonated soft drinks such as Pepsi and Coke, with the rest coming from new shoppers entering the category and current soda drinkers adding Olipop to their carts. The fast-growing better-for-you soda space has been dominated for several years by Olipop and Poppi, the latter of which was purchased earlier in 2025 by beverage and snacking maker PepsiCo for $1.95 billion. PepsiCo rival Coca-Cola entered the space in February behind its own launch of Simply Pop. Goodwin said the PepsiCo deal and Coke's presence in the space served to validate the growth potential of the healthier soda category. Olipop continues to post 'strong double-digit' growth, running counter to the broader carbonated soft drink space that has dropped 5% this year. Despite the presence of the beverage giants and other smaller startups, Goodwin remains confident that Olipop will continue to thrive. Six years ago, 'people thought this was a crazy idea,' he said. 'We are the creators of the category and the most authentic player with the most long-term vision."
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Tesco shoppers say 'why have you stopped it?' as supermarket axes Clubcard deal
Tesco has axed a popular Clubcard deal on its own-brand canned fizzed drinks - leaving shoppers furious. The supermarket used to offer a six for £1.80 deal on certain cans of its fizzy drinks. Some of the flavours included in the deal were Orange Zero, Diet Lemonade, Lemon and Lime Zero, Cream Soda and Ginger Beer. Each can normally costs 55p, which means you saved £1.50 thanks to the offer. However, the promotion was pulled shortly before the UK was hit with heatwave conditions and temperatures hit 34C, according to The Sun. One annoyed Tesco shopper posted on X: "Why have you stopped your Clubcard offer on mixed cans of your own brand soft drinks - 6 for £1.50? "I have used this offer for months as I find the flavour is very good, especially the ginger beer which I think is as good as any other make." Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up to the Mirror's Money newsletter here for all the best advice and shopping deals straight to your inbox. Another customer said in a review on the Tesco website: "Very disappointed now Tesco stopped selling it in my local store, had to buy on line [sic] and now charging 55p a can no longer on the multi deal." The Mirror has contacted Tesco for comment. It comes after the supermarket announced it is launching an online store just for its clothing brand F&F. Shoppers can currently browse some of the range online, but you can't actually place an order or buy any of the items. Tesco shoppers used to be able to buy F&F clothing through its non-food Tesco Direct website, but this was shut down in 2018. The collection was also available to buy online through Next - but the retailer stopped selling F&F in January 2024. The supermarket teased the launch of a new website in its latest financial results, where it said "launch of F&F clothing is scheduled to go live for customers in the year ahead". Tesco launched its new Tesco Marketplace website earlier this year, which lists products for sale from third-party sellers. The website now stocks more than 300,000 products - up by more than 3,000% from when the website launched in June 2024. Orders are delivered separately from your grocery shop, with marketplace items incurring their own, separate delivery fees. However, you still earn Tesco Clubcard points on all purchases. All the sellers who use Tesco Marketplace are monitored on delivery speed, returns, and delivery success rates. At its launch, Tesco Marketplace director Peter Filcek told The Grocer it wants shoppers to have a "one-stop shop" for everything they need.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Tesco scraps Clubcard deal on own-brand soft drink cans
These items include the likes of its British Whole Milk 3.408L (6 Pints) and Foresight Pease Pudding (410g). Discontinued UK chocolates and sweets Tesco axes Clubcard offer Now, Tesco has axed the Clubcard offer on its own-brand soft drinks, much to the disappointment of customers. Tesco's own-brand canned soft drinks come in various different flavours, including Orange Zero, Cream Soda, Ginger Beer, Lemon & Lime Zero and Diet Lemonade. Tesco's own-brand canned soft drink comes in various flavours including Ginger Beer and Cream Soda. (Image: Tesco) The supermarket giant had previously run a Clubcard offer which saw members able to buy six cans for £1.80, according to The Sun. This works out to be 30p a can. However, the Clubcard offer has now been canned, with shoppers having to pay 55p per soft drink. Five ways to save money on your weekly food shop Clubcard members have vented their frustration online, revealing just how angry they are with Tesco's decision to scrap the offer. One person, posting on the Tesco website, said: "Very disappointed now Tesco stopped selling it (canned soft drink) in my local store, had to buy on line and now charging 55p a can no longer on the multi deal. "I'm sure Tesco would have made their money on the sales? The product is 5* Tesco 1*." Another added: "Really good drink nice flavour specially over ice. "But I can't believe Tesco being stingy and stopping the offer tho all because hit warm and they are selling to many cans of drink." @Tesco why have you stopped your Clubcard offer on mixed cans of your own brand soft drinks - 6 for £1.50? I have used this offer for months as I find the flavour is very good, especially the ginger beer which I think is as good as any other make — David Boyes (@DavidBoyes76) June 26, 2025 While a third person, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "@Tesco why have you stopped your Clubcard offer on mixed cans of your own brand soft drinks - 6 for £1.50? "I have used this offer for months as I find the flavour is very good, especially the ginger beer which I think is as good as any other make." Tesco has been contacted for comment. Tesco introduces new "VAR-style" checkouts This isn't the only change at Tesco recently, with the supermarket also rolling out new "VAR-style" checkouts in stores across the UK back in May. The new self-service checkout systems, rolled out in "some" Tesco stores, feature a camera that records customers scanning and packing their shopping. Playback clips will then be shown to shoppers if they scan items incorrectly, with a message like: "It looks like that last item didn't scan". A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers. "We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier." RECOMMENDED READING: Shoppers took to social media, following the rollout, to share their thoughts on the new-look checkouts at Tesco, which were previously dubbed "VAR-style". One customer, posting on X (formerly Twitter), commented: "Shouldn't have to do these sort of things today in society." While another added: "Just bring back staffed tills - simple option." Tesco isn't the only supermarket chain to introduce this new self-service checkout in stores, with Sainsbury's also rolling out a similar system back in May.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
9 New Costco Items Worth Grabbing Before Summer Officially Starts
One of the many things to love about Costco is that the big-box chain always has room for a bevy of new items. And, as summer approaches, there's an emphasis on new products that will keep you hydrated, make it much easier to entertain in your backyard or bring your favorite snacks to the beach, and so much more. So, the next time you run into Costco to grab a delicious $4.99 rotisserie chicken for dinner or the new beverage that tastes just like Starbucks' Pink Drink, you should take a moment to check out some of the newer items. Here are Costco's newest food (and food-adjacent) finds to check out on your next grocery run. Related: 17 New Trader Joe's Locations Are Set to Open in 2025—See If Your Town Made the Cut Everywhere you look, there's a new Dubai chocolate treat to buy, and now Costco is getting in on the trend. These viral chocolate bars, which are filled with pistachio butter and kataifi—strands of shredded phyllo dough—are rich and downright delicious. With three filled bars to a pack, there's plenty of chocolate to go around, whether you want to give them as gifts or enjoy them for yourself. Why buy sugar-packed sodas for summer when you can snag some better-for-you Olipop at Costco? These bubbly beverages are touted for probiotic benefits that can lead to better digestive health, and they just so happen to taste good, too. In this variety pack, which you can now snag at Costco, you'll be treated to 15 drinks in total—five cans each of Cream Soda, Classic Grape, and Classic Root Beer. If you haven't tried Olipop yet but want to give it a whirl, this is a great place to start. Consumers love the Dash brand because it produces useful kitchen appliances for a fraction of the price, and this Chef Series Air Fryer Oven is no exception. While this model has been available for purchase via the Dash website and other retailers, Costco members can buy one for around $60 less. Reviewers love that this countertop appliance can be used to air fry, toast, bake, broil, and more, meaning it can whip up everything from homemade banana bread to a rotisserie chicken. As temperatures rise it's important to stay hydrated, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. And while water is one of the most hydrating beverages you can drink, some people just don't enjoy it. Now, you can make hydration fun with these DripDrop Hydration sticks, which are now available in a 40-pack at your neighborhood Costco. Each stick contains flavored electrolyte drink mixes that (when mixed with water) will hydrate you quickly. There's also added nutrition via magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, and more. 'So happy DripDrop is finally available at Costco!,' one excited shopper declared. 'These electrolyte sticks are the best tasting ones, and have zero sugar. I use these regularly since I get migraines and can't seem to drink enough water to stay hydrated with my busy life.' Related: This $3 Aldi Snack Was Named 'Product of the Year' by 40,000 Shoppers While smoked oysters may not be on your shopping list, we're here to tell you that they should be, especially since you can now purchase an 8-can pack at Costco. The iron-packed oysters are harvested from the waters of the Pacific Northwest and naturally smoked over hardwood to deliver an unmistakable flavor. Enjoy 'em straight out of the tin, paired with cheese and crackers, or tossed in a bowl of lemony pasta this summer. Plus, since these oysters come in a can, they'll stay fresh for approximately three years. Step up your summer cocktail game with this infuser that can infuse spirits, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with pretty much whatever you like. It has built-in strainers to filter out any seeds or leaves, and can hold up to 40 ounces at once. To use it, simply place fruit, herbs, or botanicals in the glass vessel, add your choice of beverage, and let the ingredients steep. We see strawberry mojitos and jalapeño margaritas in your future! Get a head start on your summer entertaining checklist with this Artstyle Paper Plate & Napkin Bundle. Said bundle includes 50 10-inch paper plates, 50 7-inch paper plates, and 100 three-ply napkins, and each piece is adorned with a colorful mandala design that works for any occasion. The plates are also microwave-safe and cut-resistant, meaning they can handle BBQ favorites like burgers, grilled steak, and more. Costco has plenty of snacks to choose from, including a new Kit Kat variety pack that's now on warehouse shelves. Inside each bag is 100 snack-size Kit Kats in three distinct flavors—milk chocolate, vanilla, and cotton candy, which just so happens to be pale blue. Stick one of these in your kid's lunch, or your own, or stash the bag in the pantry for days when you want just a little sweet treat. Related: Trader Joe's Just Released a New Gluten-Free Version of a Favorite Dessert—and It's Just as Good as the Original It's nearly time to pack up and head to the beach for a day filled with sun and sand. Before you load up the car, however, it's worth taking a trip to your local Costco and checking out the two-pack of Titan Arctic Zone Fridges, which are officially back in stock for summer. Each pack comes with two ice walls and a four-piece leak-proof food container set, meaning your work lunch, beach snacks, or Memorial Day picnic essentials will stay cold (like, really cold) for up to 12 hours. The ice walls—essentially two sheets of ice that cool the food from the bottom and side—ensure that even milk, cheese, and fresh fruit will stay cold for hours. It's no surprise this Costco find has dozens of five-star reviews. 'We buy these lunch boxes every year. Because there are two zipper pockets for the freezer packs, the lunch stays cold all day,' one reviewer shared. 'Uneaten yogurts don't go bad, and you can make your kid turn leftovers from lunch into their afternoon snack. No waste!' Read the original article on Real Simple
