Latest news with #LindtEaster
The Independent
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Holland America Line returns to the UK after 10 years – here's everything to know
Holland America Line is offering cruises from the UK for the first time in 10 years. The premium cruise line launched its UK season from Dover last week with a 14-night sailing aboard Nieuw Statendam to the Canary Islands, Morocco and Portugal. To mark the occasion, Holland America Line donated 200 Lindt Easter bunnies to local children's charity, Dover SmART Project. The 2,666 capacity vessel will make 10 roundtrip departures from Dover this year until September and passengers have plenty to choose from, with sailings ranging from 14 to 42 days to the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Iberia and the eastern Mediterranean. Itineraries include a 14-day Arctic Circle Crossing where you can sail to the top of the world. This sailing includes port stops in Norway where you can see the clapboard houses of Molde and take in the postcard views of Honningsvag en route to a day sailing through the North Cape before reaching the gateway to the Arctic – Tromsø. There may even be a chance to see the northern lights. The cruise departs on 14 June with prices from £1,299 per person – book now Sun seekers can enjoy the Med and also take in the history and heat of Egypt and Turkey on a 28-day Iberia and Eastern Mediterranean cruise. Ports include popular Spanish stops in Bilbao and Malaga as well as visits to Porto and Valetta. There are overnight stops in Cairo and Istanbul, giving you plenty of time to explore. This sailing departs on 6 September, with prices from £3,349 per person – book now Nieuw Statendam will also return to Dover from April to October 2026. Its schedule includes a 15-day Wild British Isles cruise where passengers can watch seabirds dive from Lerwick's rugged cliffs, see The Beatles' music memorabilia in Liverpool and gaze at the grand buildings and pubs of Cork. This cruise departs on 30 April, with prices from £2,099 per person – book now Karen Farndell, UK director of sales and marketing at Holland America Line, said: 'Returning to the famous white cliffs marks an exciting new chapter for us, and reflects the growing demand we're seeing from guests to set sail from the UK. We're thrilled to offer a rich variety of itineraries on our doorstep over both 2025 and 2026, as part of a wider, long-term investment in the local market.' The news marks a busy period for the Port of Dover which has expanded its mooring facilities to make way for bigger ships. The port also welcomed new ship Viking Vela for its inaugural UK call last month.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coles, Woolworths respond after Aussies accuse supermarkets of 'same old tricks' for easter
Coles and Woolworths have hit back at fresh claims they are engaging in sneaky tactics, after shoppers accused both retailers of inflating prices on tags before subsequently reducing them — claiming they are deceptively advertising items as "clearance" or discounted. Online this week, several Australians raised concerns both supermarkets may be inflating prices on their specials tags. They claim the original prices listed on certain products were deliberately inaccurate, in an effort to make the clearance price seem like a better deal. The allegations are similar to those made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last year when Coles and Woolworths were accused of raising prices before promoting price reductions. "Woolies and Coles [are] up to the same old tricks," a frustrated customer wrote on social media this week. "These chocolates have been $24 forever. Last week, [they] raised the price to $29, an increase of 22 per cent. Now, Woolies is trying to position $24 as a clearance price. We were told this shouldn't happen." A similarly upset customer of Coles questioned the $20 price tag of a box of Lindt Easter eggs, marked down from $40, asking "when were these ever $40?". Somebody else who claimed to be a Woolworths employee said her co-worker was asked to replace a $5 price tag on a box of coffee capsules with an $11 one. "My co-worker was putting up new tickets and came to show me... she said doing tickets makes her so angry and this is exactly why," the woman wrote. In September 2024, the ACCC initiated legal action against both Coles and Woolworths, alleging deceptive pricing practices. The ACCC accused the retailers of artificially inflating prices on hundreds of everyday items, only to later advertise them as discounted under campaigns like Coles' "Down Down" and Woolworths' "Prices Dropped." This strategy allegedly involved raising product prices by at least 15 per cent for a short period before offering a "discount" that matched or exceeded the original price, misleading consumers about genuine savings. During a Federal Court hearing in Melbourne in October 2024, representatives from both supermarkets denied the allegations, attributing price increases to supplier costs and market conditions. They contended that their pricing strategies were transparent and in line with industry standards. The ACCC, however, maintained that such practices erode consumer trust and called for substantial penalties to deter future misconduct. A final report on the supermarket sector was scheduled for submission to the government yesterday, February 28, aiming to address market concentration and enhance competition. The Federal Treasurer is expected to reveal the findings of the report in the coming days. In the online thread this week, numerous examples were present, including instances at other retailers as well. Yahoo News questioned both Woolworths and Coles over the allegations levelled at them. A Coles spokesperson told us that with regard to the Easter eggs, the product is seasonal (not available all year round). They said the $40 recommended retail price (RRP) is accurate, and encouraged direct contact with the supplier for additional information. Coles recognised the price of chocolate had increased due to cocoa shortages, leading to higher global commodity prices. "We are working closely with our suppliers to offer competitive prices for our customers this Easter," a spokesperson told Yahoo. "Ingredients play a crucial role in determining prices at the checkout. We know there are significant global challenges in the supply of cocoa beans, which have impacted production costs across the industry for many suppliers." As for Woolworths, it also cited the wholesale cost of goods when it came to the increased price of the box of coffee. "The industry is managing higher commodity prices of green coffee beans and cocoa, and we are working with our suppliers to ensure we have a range of products in these categories to suit all budgets," a spokesperson told us. However it did acknowledge the price of the "clearance" chocolates was incorrect, which it suggested may have been an isolated incident, due to human error. Or, potentially due to the fact the chocolates were going out of date. Woolworths increased the price of the Guyliana Seashells 250g pack in February, 2025 following a supplier cost request. In December, a Woolworths catalogue priced the same pack at $24. Meanwhile, both supermarket announced on Thursday their latest profit margins — each experiencing contrasting outcomes. Woolworths reported a 20.6 per cent decline in net profit, amounting to $739 million for the first half of the financial year. This downturn is in part attributed to a 17-day industrial action in December in addition to what it said was a major shift in consumer behaviour towards more value-oriented shopping. Chief executive Amanda Bardwell admitted the decline was "a difficult and disappointing result", citing the "financial pressures" facing Australians, coupled with the fact customers are "cross-shopping significantly more". As a result, the supermarket heavyweight announced plans to reduce costs by $400 million. It said it has cut its interim dividend by 17 per cent to 39 cents per share. Coles Group, on the other hand, reported a net profit after tax of $576 million, a slight, three per cent decrease from the previous year. Despite the decline, the results met market expectations, bolstered by strong holiday sales and benefiting from disruptions faced by Woolworths due to industrial action. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
