Scam warning to UK shoppers

A warning has been issued to UK shoppers to be wary of fraudsters who are creating fake Wilko websites, scamming unsuspecting victims with fake clearance sales and discounts.

With the advancement of online shopping scams used to prey on unsuspecting shoppers, being vigilant when shopping online is of vital importance. 

Nick Drewe, retail expert and founder of online discounts platform, Wethrift, has provided some savvy tips on how to spot a fake retailer website and how to keep safe when shopping online.

Is the deal too good to be true?

If a ‘deal’ you see circulating online looks too good to be true, that means it probably is. A product for what seems an excessively low price can be a sure indicator of a potential purchase scam. Always trust your gut and use logic for whether a deal is legitimate or not, regardless of whether a retailer is having ‘closing down sales’ or not.

In this case, one fake Wilko website is offering shoppers up to 90% off products in a fake clearance sale.

Is the branding on the website correct?

Often, when scammers replicate a brand’s page, they can get a little sloppy when coming to the branding. Low quality images and logos, poorly photoshopped designs, or using outdated branding are all key things to look out for on a brand’s social media page. 

Look for spelling and grammatical errors on the page/s

Another red flag that gives away fake websites is spelling and grammatical errors. Scammers can often overlook these small details when creating a fake website, and a legitimate site from a retailer like Wilko would never contain spelling and grammar mistakes. 

Does the URL look to be suspicious?

Hover your cursor over the URL, which the post or ad is asking you to click through to, but don’t click it until you’re sure it’s safe. Do a quick Google search for the brand name and check that the URL matches the official site. 

Often, scammers will create a URL that is a close resemblance, but there will often be subtle differences that could easily be missed. 

When shopping online, always check the website address to make sure you are on a legitimate site. The address should begin with ‘https.’ and there should be a locked padlock symbol that appears on the URL bar. This means that the site is secure for shopping.

As well as this, sign up to Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code when given the option. This process involves registering a password with your card company, which will add a further layer of security when you are shopping online. 

Read a site’s privacy policies 

Privacy policies tend to get overlooked due to how long and complex they are, but they are still very important. The privacy policy of a website will tell you how it collects personal information. If there is no policy available or there is no registered address, this is a potential red flag that the site is actually a fake set up by fraudsters. 

Are you able to pay with a credit card?

When looking at the payment options, check to see whether the website enables you to pay with a credit card. Credit cards are one of the safest methods to pay for goods online, as credit card companies are able to easily refund any money that has been lost to fraud. 

A major retailer’s website not offering the option to pay via credit card is an indicator that the website is a fake that has been created by scammers. 

Install the latest security software for your devices 

Keeping your computers and mobile devices up to date is one of the best ways to protect yourself against any other online threats such as phishing scams. If you know that you’ll forget to manually do this from time to time, set up automatic updates. 

When it comes to your computer, make sure your device has the right antivirus software and firewall installed. Also, ensure that your web browser is set to the highest level of security. 

That's Food and Drink would like to thank Wethrift for their help with this article.

https://www.wethrift.com/wilko

(Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

Plan your wedding wine list with Aldi. And get free wedding day wine!

Newlyweds-to-be will be in with a chance of having their wedding wine absolutely free in Aldi’s newest competition which is open until 11th September.

With the average UK wedding costing nearly £20,000, Aldi is offering cheaper alternatives to help couples during the cost-of-living crisis.

Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn gives top wedding wine tips including whether you should or shouldn’t match wine with your food.

Getting married has never been pricier, with the average wedding now costing £19,1841 and alcohol alone taking something like 10% (£1,800) of the budget.

Aldi, which is The Which? Cheapest Supermarket of the Year, says shoppers can make big savings on their big day by sourcing their wine from Aldi, which can cost as little as £2.25 per person.

Proving that you really can’t put a price on love and to celebrate these impressive savings, the discounter is offering three lucky couples ‘to be’ 60 bottles of award-winning wine to contribute to their special day – FOR ABSOLUTELY FREE!

To be in with a chance of receiving a mix of white, red and rosé wine supplied by Aldi, all budding couples need to do is send an email to aldiweddingwines@clarioncomms.co.uk with the below details:

Full name

Proof of age

Date and location of wedding

150 words explaining why you think you should receive a selection of Aldi’s wines for your wedding.

 

Sam Caporn, Mistress of Wine says: “I know myself when you’re planning a wedding, there’s so much to think about and decisions like choosing the right wines can be daunting and a bit overwhelming, especially when budgets are tight. 

"Together with Aldi, I want to show happy couples they don’t need to compromise on the quality of wine at their wedding to get a bargain and by following these few simple tips, it can be a lot easier than couples might think.”

Sam Caporn, Mistress of Wine’s I dos and don’ts of choosing wines for weddings:

Don’t try to match it with the food – A common mistake people make is focusing on matching the wine with the food when actually guests will prefer to stick to one wine throughout. Plus, the meal is very much just one part of the wedding. 

It’s better therefore to opt for easy-drinking wines, i.e. not too oaky or acidic, not too high tannin or rich. A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (Freeman’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc £6.79, 75cl) or a soft Pinot Grigio such as Aldi’s Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie, available for just £4.49, are sure to be confirmed crowd-pleasers!

Do match the wine to the season Whether a relaxed outdoor summer gathering or an elegant indoor winter wedding, the season can drastically change what wine to serve. For a winter wedding upweight easy-drinking but well-bodied red wines such as a Shiraz (Cambalala South African Shiraz £4.75, 75cl) or Malbec-I would recommend60:40 red to whites. Whereas for summer weddings, introduce rosé into the mix (30:30 rosé to whites).

Do opt for alternatives to Champagne – Couples often assume you need champagne for their wedding toast. However, Champagne for a wedding can get very pricey. Think of fizz alternatives like a Crémant, which is a delicious alternative, this premium French fizz is made in the same style, by the same methods so you might be surprised how few people will notice the difference, especially as often bubbles are pre-poured or obscured by a white napkin. Aldi’s Specially Selected Crémant du Jura (£8.99, 75cl) is a purse-friendly alternative to luxury brands, but equally as tasty. Available in store 11th September.

Don’t splash out unnecessarily. You really don’t need to spend lots of money for a delicious wedding wine. Focus on good-quality but great-value favourites rather than expensive, premium bottles. The style of wines like Premier Crus are often not to everyone’s taste, so do focus on more approachable wines. A Spanish Rioja Reserva like Aldi’s Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva (£5.99, 75cl) or Argentinian Malbec like the Specially Selected Argentinian Malbec (£6.59,75cl) are great choices for red wines.

But please don’t forget the non-drinkers. Whether they're a designated driver, pregnant, abstaining or just generally prefer not to drink alcohol, having fun no or low alcohol options will make everyone feel included. Aldi’s 0% sparkling, Zerozecco is just £2.99, tastes delicious and is perfect for the toast.

Entries to the competition are now open until Monday 11th September. To enter now and view the full terms and conditions, visit the Aldi Wedding Wines page on https://www.aldi.co.uk/free-wedding-wine

UK households see green shoots of recovery as disposable income rises, points out Asda

The latest figures from Asda’s Income Tracker shows the financial pressures facing UK households eased slightly during last month, with a 4.5% increase in disposable incomes year-on-year - marking the strongest annual growth rate since September 2021.

In July, the amount households had to spend on themselves after paying taxes and essential bills, was up by £9.48 a week compared on the same period a year prior.

Compared with the previous month, disposable income picked up by £6.09 per week, taking the average disposable income to the highest it has been since March 2022 at £218 per week.

The improvement in household spending power was due to the easing of inflation down to 6.8% in July compared to 7.9% the previous month. This was predominantly due to lower energy prices, while lower food and non-alcoholic beverage prices also contributed to the monthly slowdown.

But despite these recent improvements, family disposable income remains firmly below the levels experienced prior to the cost-of-living crisis, down by £25.99 per week for the average household compared to July 2021.

There are also notable differences between households, with those aged 30-49 feeling the pinch the most as spending on essentials like food, housing costs and utility bills, was 9.4% higher in July compared to a year earlier. 

On average, these households spent £726 on essentials per week in July - £135 per week more than the average spend on essentials for all households.

In contrast, older households aged 65+ enjoyed a 7.8% increase in average disposable incomes in July compared to a year earlier. This reflects their stronger gross income growth following the recent uplift to the state pension and smaller rises in the cost of essentials.

Asda has pledged to continue to support families during the cost-of-living crisis by keeping prices under control and is monitoring the situation and launching new propositions to provide customers with more value every time they shop.

Asda won the Grocer 33 pricing award for the 26th consecutive year last month and has recently revealed it was cutting the prices of over 200 own-label lines by an average of nine percent. The products include a whole host of fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meat and fish products, cupboard staples and popular ready meals, too.

Asda's also extended its immensely popular kids eat for £1 cafes offer until year's end of the year. It's served over two million meals to kids since it launched the initiative last June.

www.asda.com

Tesco celebrates milestone of 500th electric customer home delivery van

Tesco has cemented its position as the UKs top supermarket when it comes to electric home delivery vans by unveiling its 500th electric van. 

The van will see service at the supermarket’s Sheffield Extra store. This is the first store in Yorkshire to have a fully electric fleet. The store runs 14 home delivery vans, making 2,500 deliveries every week.

Since Tesco introduced its first EV home delivery van back in 2020 in Greater London, the electric vehicles powered by clean green energy have replaced 15 million diesel delivery miles. 

Over 30 Tesco stores and centres are now operating fully electric home delivery vans across the UK, helping improve air quality in urban areas and reducing emissions, too.

Tesco’s fleet of 5,500 home delivery vans deliver to 150,000 customers across the UK every single day. 

As part of its aim to become carbon neutral in the UK by 2035, Tesco is fully committed to operating a fully electric home delivery fleet in the UK by the end of 2030. 

By moving the whole UK delivery fleet to cleaner green electric power, it would be equivalent to taking 22,000 cars off the road each year.

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, said: “The delivery of our 500th EV home delivery van to our Sheffield Extra store is an important landmark as we move towards a fully electric fleet across the UK by 2030. 

"Making this change will reduce our carbon emissions as a business, improve the air quality for the communities we serve in Sheffield, and help us reach our commitment to be carbon neutral in our own operations by 2035.”

Gill Furniss MP, who is the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, said: “It’s great to see Sheffield have a fully electric dotcom fleet, this is obviously brilliant for the local community.

We know moving to electric vehicles can contribute towards improved air quality and it’s great to see retailers like Tesco making investments like this in our city, Sheffield.”

Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman said: “Electric vehicles are a key part of the UK's move to a Green growth economy. It is great to see businesses like Tesco embrace this technology to help make supermarket deliveries more sustainable.

“For its part the Government has supported over 40,000 electric vans and HGVs across the UK through the Plug-in Van Grant, supporting businesses and individuals to decarbonise.”

www.tesco.com

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The 2023 edition of the annual World Water Week starts today, Monday, August 21st

The 2023 edition of the annual World Water Week starts today, Monday, August 21st. The core of the event happens in Stockholm, Sweden, with chapters taking place in other countries, with the option to participate in the discussions in Stockholm via a remote link. 

Hereford-based clean water advocacy charity, Hope Spring will be participating in the event remotely on the first day of the week-long event.

Each edition of World Water Week focuses on a topic that, it is hoped, could help solve some of the challenges faced by parts of the world which have challenges accessing safe, clean water. 

The topic this year is centred around how to use technological innovations and new ideas effectively to solve the water crisis in more parts of the world, especially those suffering from acute water shortages.

Hope Spring Water will be discussing the low-tech, affordable water borehole system it's developed with its technology partner to make access to water cheaper and more widely available in the part of Africa where it works. 

The innovative collaboration was partly funded by a donation from the WhatsApp charity greetings ecards platform, which raises money exclusively for Hope Spring.

World Water Week 2023, as with previous events, was organised by SIWI. The venue for this year's event is the aptly named Waterfront Congress Centre in Stockholm, their home city. Participation is free. Water professionals from all over the world are invited to participate free of charge.

To participate in person or remotely, you can register at the World Water Week website. Hope Spring trustee Temi Odurinde who is participating in the event remotely, said: "I'm really delighted that I'll be joining other changemakers in some of the discussions that will take place at this year’s World Water Week." 

He went on to say: "A gathering such as this tends to energise our determination to help solve water access issues; it's also a really excellent networking opportunity, too."  

You can read more about Hope Spring's participation in World Water Week and other water poverty alleviation events on their website http://www.hopespring.org.uk.

The Intriguing Origins of Coffee: A Captivating Journey Revealed by Stanislav Kondrashov

Coffee earned some rather harsh labels like the 'Devil's Brew.' However, when Pope Clement VIII gave it his papal approval, coffee's status soared.

Stanislav Kondrashov, who is a prominent figure in the realm of world exploration, history, and philanthropy, has unveiled a captivating exploration of the history of coffee in his latest article titled "The Intriguing Origins of Coffee." 

This article takes readers on a remarkable and enjoyable journey through time and landscapes, shedding light on the fascinating saga of the world's favourite caffeinated beverage.

In the article, Stanislav Kondrashov delves into the origins of coffee, tracing its remarkable history back to the Ethiopian wilderness, where legend has it a young goat herder named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of red berries consumed by his goats. 

According to Stanislav Kondrashov, this delightful fortuitous accident found its way to the nearby monastery, where monks brewed a drink from the red berries, learning that it kept them awake during long sessions of praying.

The narrative unfolds as coffee's allure transcends Ethiopian borders, reaching Yemen in the 15th century. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, this Arabian embrace marked the birth of the globally coveted Arabica beans, and Mocha, Yemen's port city, became the epicentre of the global coffee trade.

 Stanislav Kondrashov states the Arabs recognised coffee's anti-soporific properties and dubbed it 'qahwa' - the deterrent of sleep." 

European shores welcomed coffee beans in the 17th century, sparking controversy and celebration alike.

Stanislav Kondrashov said the drink, viewed with some suspicion, earned labels like the 'Devil's Brew.' But when Pope Clement VIII gave it his approval, the status of coffee soared. 

The rise of coffee houses as intellectual hubs is highlighted, with these establishments referred to as the era's "penny universities."

The article also explores coffee's impact during the colonial era, as European powers sought overseas territories for cultivation. Stanislav Kondrashov sheds light on how coffee became the hub of trade and politics, shaping the destinies of nations worldwide.

Fast forwarding to the present day, the article explores how coffee evolved into a modern beverage of diverse flavours and preparation methods. The rise of specialty coffee shops and the emphasis on sustainable farming methods are significant trends in contemporary coffee culture.

Stanislav Kondrashov's article concludes with a heart-warming toast to coffee's resilience and its role as a connector of cultures and centuries. The article encourages readers to appreciate coffee as a drink, an experience, and a testament to human endeavour.

https://stanislavkondrashov.com

(Image courtesy of Chris from Pixabay)

VOW Nutrition collaborates with Team GB as Official Nutrition Product and Licensee for Paris 2024

VOW Nutrition is immensely proud to collaborate with Team GB in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And they are pleased to announce that all their products are made in Great Britain.

A spokesman said: "VOW Nutrition is thrilled to be fuelling Team GB as an Official Nutrition Licensee ahead of the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with Olympic medallists Matt Richards and Daryll Neita signed up as athlete ambassadors.

"Swimming star Richards, who was part of Team GB’s gold-medal winning men's 4x200m freestyle relay at Tokyo 2020, and double Olympic bronze-winning sprinter Neita will each be supported by VOW with quality nutrition to fuel their respective journeys towards the Games.

"Team GB and VOW Nutrition are joining forces to introduce a brand-new collection of official product accessories, including co-branded shakers and water bottles, with some exciting new packaging concepts working with VOW’s Informed Sport approved nutrition products."

Launched in Britain in 2019, VOW Nutrition has a track record of working alongside esteemed athletes and leading sporting governing bodies, establishing a reputation as a trusted provider of top-quality, batch tested and Informed Sport Accredited supplements, including creatine, protein, amino acids, and pre-workout items.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Simon Stevens, who is the CEO of VOW Nutrition, said: "We're obviously immensely proud to collaborate with Team GB in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. All our products are made in Great Britain, currently available in over 1,400 Boots branches and 758 Holland & Barrett stores. Also, our packaging is produced domestically and is 100% recyclable. We're obviously excited to work with Team GB and we look forward to a successful Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Olympian Matt Richards added: "The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is as close as it gets to a home Games, so we anticipate an electric atmosphere. While winning gold in the 4x200m freestyle event in Tokyo was an incredible experience, 

"I'm determined to surpass my previous performance and strive for even more medals in Paris for the team. I am constantly seeking marginal gains, so partnering with VOW Nutrition is an exciting opportunity to explore what we can accomplish together."

https://www.vownutrition.com

Amazon Grocery shopping 12 years later

Back in April 2011 That's News and Drink carried the following item about Amazon: "Amazon now sells food and drink."

This is the link to the story: https://thatsfoodanddrink.blogspot.com/2011/04/amazon-now-sells-food-and-drink.html.

This is the blog post we carried twelve years ago:

"In an exciting new development, the world's most favourite online bookshop, Amazon, have started selling groceries online, too!

But not just any groceries! Visiting the groceries section of the website is pretty much like making a trip across the Atlantic and finding yourself in an American grocery store!

Because Amazon has started selling hundreds of lines that are common (and one or two that are not that common!) in American food stores!

Just some of the lines available are Pop Tarts, Root Beer, American peanut butter, Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups, Fluff, American breakfast cereals, including Lucky Charms, Pop Tarts, Cliff Bars, etc., etc.

"This is great!" said one American. I am stationed in the UK for several months and although British food is OK, we were missing some of the staples of the American grocery store. Now we can buy them in the UK, too!"

But it's not just 'American' foods that are available. Amazon also sells foods for special diets such as gluten free or foods suitable for Coeliacs or vegetarians and some foods from other countries are featured, including South Africa. Plus more snacks and candy than you knew existed!

Amazon also sells a truly stunning range of beers, wines and spirits from around the world."

We have ordered grocery items from Amazon over the years including gin liqueurs, some Scotch, speciality foodstuffs, etc. Also special treats for our parrot!

Over the years the range of available grocery items has rapidly grown and expanded, including organic vegetables, etc.

Whilst some might argue that Amazon doing this is 'wrong' and that it harms local businesses, in many parts of the UK the items that Amazon's grocery department stocks just aren't available locally, if at all.

For example, if you want to try bottles of wine from India good luck trying your nearest "posh" wine merchant! Ours "hasn't heard of Indian wines" (said in a sniffy, condescending tone) and declined to even consider the concept of bothering to find out about their availability. Oh, well. Their loss!

Because a quick search on Amazon brought up the Sula Indian Vineyard's Dindori Reserve Shiraz, 75 cl, which, at £12.33 a bottle, is a reasonable price. 

So here's to the next twelve years of Amazon Grocery deliveries and also to the next twelve years of That's Food and Drink bringing you the latest news about food and drink!

www.amazon.co.uk.

An essential kitchen aid for arachnophobes from Aldi!

Although it isn't really something that one immediately connects in the mind with food, drink and cooking, how many meal preparations have been brought to a, literally, screeching, screaming halt, with the shout of "A spider! Help!"

And yes, spider season is creeping upon us, but fear not, as supermarket Aldi is helping shoppers face creepy crawlies with the return of its popular Spider Catcher (£8.99) device. 

Perfect for arachnophobes and those just wanting to keep their kitchen cobweb free, Aldi’s sell-out household must-have is available to pick up in stores from next week, 27th August. 

Aldi shoppers should scuttle along to their nearest Aldi branch, because as with all Specialbuys once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Returning just in time for Brits to face an influx of creepy crawlies, this nifty gadget measures 60cm, so making it perfect for reaching into nooks and crannies. 

Featuring humane, soft bristles that delicately take hold of insects, this necessity makes it fairly easy to remove pesky spider, bugs and other critters without harming them. Once safely deposited in the great outdoors (IE, the garden!) you can just give the safe, Spider Repellent Spray (£4.99) a spritz to keep them outside.