POUND NOTES
Lidl has launched a “Good to Give” label directing customers to products needed by food banks that will give those relying on them a varied, healthy diet.
The initiative – thought to be an industry first – aims to diversify and increase donations to food banks as more people turn to them to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
The shelf labels will highlight selected long-life items that offer a greater variety of nutritional benefits and which can be dropped at donation points past the checkouts in Lidl stores.
The items will be collected regularly by local food banks and community projects.
Lidl chose the list of 30 food items in consultation with Neighbourly, which co-ordinates the delivery of surplus food to local good causes, and the NHS Eatwell guide.
The products selected include tinned fruit, lentils, mackerel, noodles, and brown rice.
Sofa chain DFS Furniture has seen shares slump after warning over profits following a drop in orders, as consumers rein in their spending amid the cost-of-living crunch.
The retailer said it has seen a shift in customer demand over its fourth quarter and a fall in orders, which will hit profits, sending shares tumbling by 17%.
It marks the latest sign of a pull-back in spending on big items as the cost-of-living crisis weighs on UK households.
DFS added that it is seeing lower levels of production and deliveries than it had expected due also to ongoing supply chain disruption.
It slashed its outlook for underlying pre-tax profits to between £57m and £62m for the year to June 26, against previous City expectations of around £77m.
Revenues are now set to come in at about £1.15bn to £1.16bn, down from the £1.19bn pencilled in by the City.