Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Aldi, Walmart and Waitrose

Aldi recalls Baketime biscuits over pest contamination concerns

Hard discounter Aldi has issued a recall of all batches of branded biscuits and snacks manufactured by Baketime over fears of possible ‘pest contamination’.

The recall notice published on the Food Standard Agency website claims that the affected products - Aldi’s Cheese Bakes, Cheese Thins, Oddbites and Ginger Nuts – may have been made in ‘potential unhygienic conditions’.

The German supermarket giant has pulled off the aforementioned items from its shelves ‘on a precautionary basis’.

A spokeswoman for Aldi said: “We have recalled a number of Aldi-branded products that have been manufactured by Baketime and have immediately suspended all orders with this supplier while we investigate this matter. Customers that have purchased the products listed in our public recall notices should return them to their nearest store where they will be offered a full refund.”

Walmart Global Shop e-commerce service launches in China

Walmart has upped its battle to take on its rivals Alibaba and Amazon in China with the introduction of a new e-commerce service.

The US retailer has launched the ‘Walmart Global Shop’ service on its mobile app in a move to bring ‘quality’ overseas products to Chinese consumers.

The owner of British grocer Asda said it will sell around 200 items initially, including US brands such as Starbucks and Aveeno while stocking its own label products such as Spring Valley nutritional supplements and Asda brand Little Angels diapers.

Waitrose becomes first grocer to operate cashless shop

Waitrose has gone on to become Britain’s first grocer to open its first cashless shop in Sky’s flagship head office.

The new outlet spanning 1,400 sq ft will be situated at Sky’s new office building - Sky Central.

The store will stock products including food to go sandwiches, wraps and sushi, evening meals, celebration cakes, fresh flowers, fresh bread and croissants as well as cupboard staples.