Money blog: Empty shelves at Morrisons across country leaves customers angry (2024)

Sales of Christmas-themed pet treats, food and toys have skyrocketed this year, with Waitrose seeing a 964% annual rise in the number of products purchased.

Seasonal dog, cat and bird food is among the most popular items, along with reindeer bobble balls, festive stockings and animal-friendly mince pies.

Visits to the Waitrose online mince pies for dogs page have risen by 351% in the last 30 days, the company claims.

It may be that, in writing this post, we have fallen for a good piece of marketing - but it does at least allow us to use a picture of these two...

ByOllie Cooper, live news reporter

Welcome to the latest part of my series on fitness supplements - where I aim to discover whether they are helping you get ripped, or you're getting ripped off.

I've enlisted the help of performance nutritionistAndrew PettsandArj Thiruchelvam, personal trainer and head coach at Performance Physique, to analyse 12 different supplements every lunchtime over the next two weeks - today it's a big one: protein powder.

Protein powder is probably the most well-known fitness supplement, advertised as a cheap, clean and efficient way of getting more protein - the building blocks of our body - into the system.

1kg of whey protein powder - which is made by taking a byproduct of the cheese manufacturing process and adding flavourings and additives - can cost as little as £20, and as much as £60 or more.

The recommended serving for the average gymgoer is one scoop a day weighing about 25-30g, meaning if you buy a cheap bag, you're paying about 60p a day or £4.20 weekly.

Like many supplements, it's recommended you take it even on days you don't exercise.

But is it essential?

Arj says, for the average active person looking to build muscle (as most gymgoers are), yes.

Giving a score of 10/10, he says protein powder "should be considered as convenient must to support protein targets, which are vital for being strong and in shape".

Why do we need it - and what's it good for?

"Protein aids muscular recovery, muscle tissue development, supports the development of strength, reduces the effects of sarcopenia and can increase satiety," Arj says.

Having lots of protein can also help cut fat, he explains.

"High protein diets are consistently more effective for weight loss, improved muscle retention and improved health markers than low protein diets."

Our nutritionist, Andrew, is also on board, giving protein powder 9/10.

He says it should not be your main source of protein, however - rather, use it as a convenient booster during the day to keep your overall intake topped up.

Grass-fed and organic meat or fish, or veggie or vegan substitutes, should always be your first port of call for protein - but as supplements go, protein powder is a good one, he says.

Be careful which brand you choose, though, as many stuff their powders with a host of nasty additives and sweeteners - so do your research.

How much protein do you need daily?

An egg has 6-8g of protein, a chicken breast around 30g and 100g of tofu gives 17g.

"Research suggests athletes aim for around 2g of protein per kg of body mass per day, so for a 70kg athlete, that's 140g," Andrew explains.

"The rest of us have been advised around c.0.8g per kg of body mass per day, which in my opinion is a little low."

The verdict: Worth it as part of a balanced diet.

If we're looking to help our bodies take in more protein, the versatile powder - which can be put into shakes, smoothies or used in baked goods - can help boost your intake at a relatively low cost.

Shoppers have been left disappointed after discovering empty shelves in Morrisons stores across the country.

A number of customers hit out at the supermarket on social media, saying the lack of products was "absolutely diabolical".

Fruit and veg sections appeared to be particularly sparse, with photos showing dozens of empty crates sitting on shelves.

In a Facebook post, one irritated customer shared videos of a store in north London with bare meat, bread and vegetable sections.

"Morrisonsyou can't genuinely think this is acceptable, it's like the customers have to choose between stock or staff, as you can't have both!! Absolutely diabolical," she said.

On X, a customer said the lack of produce was another reason not to shop at the supermarket.

Last week, the software used by the chain to manage its warehouse was hacked, causing problems with its management systems for fresh food and produce.

A Morrisons spokesperson told Money that products that can be stored at room temperature as well as frozen food had not been affected.

"We are currently operating on our back-up systems and we're working very hard to deliver for our customers across the country," they added.

The ransomware attack also caused disruptions for a handful of companies in the US, including Starbucks.

A spokesperson for the coffee chain said the company's ability to manage barista schedules and track hours had been disrupted.

It added that the outage was not impacting how customers were served and that ensuring workers get paid for all hours worked was a top priority.

A worldwide architecture prize has announced its picks for the most beautiful airport in the world.

Announced each year since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the best projects worldwide.

The competitions rank everything from museums to sports stadiums, but it's the airports we're focusing on.

Coming out on top in this year's list is the Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

The airport is designed in an X-shape, and each of the four points is inspired by Abu Dhabi's landscapes.

Also in the list are airports in Singapore, Bangkok, and Kansas City.

Remarkably, Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick etc were not commended.

The six most beautiful airports in the world for 2024, according to Prix Versailles, are:

• Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi
• Felipe Angeles International Airport, Zumpango, Mexico
• Changi Airport Terminal 2, Singapore
• Suvarnabhumi Airport, Midfield Satellite 1, Bangkok
• Logan International Airport, Terminal E, Boston
• Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City

The business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, will give a statement in the House of Commons later followingthe parent company of car company Vauxhall announcing it will close its 120-year-old Luton plant in April, blaming the electric vehicle mandate.

Mr Reynolds will set out more details of a "fast track" consultation he is launching into the electric vehicle rules that the car industry has been lobbying against, education minister Stephen Morgan has told Sky News.

The rule for 2024 requires manufacturers to ensure that at least 22% of new cars sold are zero emission, rising to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

Carmakers face a fine of £15,000 for each non zero-emission vehicle sold that exceeds the annual percentage target.

Manufacturers can make up for missing the target in subsequent years, and can also buy credits from competitors such as Tesla.

Speaking on Sky News Breakfast, Mr Morgan said the government is going to "work really closely with the industry" on the green transition to "make sure that this is rolled out effectively".

He said the "ambition of this government" is to totally phase out sales of vehicles powered by fossil fuels by 2035, and in the interim, he said it is really "important that there is the [charging] infrastructure up and down the country" to support it.

A UK ticket-holder has won £177m in the EuroMillions draw, making them the third biggest National Lottery winner ever.

The winning numbers were 07, 11, 25, 31 and 40, with Lucky Stars 09, 12.

No one has come forward to claim it yet, and players have been urged to check their tickets as soon as they can.

Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at Allwyn, operator of the National Lottery, said: "Wow, it has been a truly incredible night for a single UK ticket-holder who has scooped tonight's jaw-dropping £177m EuroMillions jackpot!

"The win has landed them a spot on the National Lottery's Rich List, as they have become the third biggest National Lottery winner of all time!"

ByJames Sillars, business and economics reporter

The start of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has brought a measure of relative calm to oil prices.

Brent crude was hovering just above $73 a barrel, having fallen by $2 on speculation a deal was near to ease tensions between Israel and its neighbours on one front.

There was a flat open for the FTSE 100 which started the day at 8,262.

EasyJet was the biggest riser after it posted a 25% rise in annual operating profits to £597m and pointed to a strong outlook for 2025.

Its shares were flying 3% higher in early deals, taking them 9% up over the year to date.

Also enjoying a 3% surge in its stock was Mitchells & Butlers.

The managed pubs and bars chain, which includes the Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One brands in its stable, said sales growth helped it grow annual operating profits to £300m from £98m a year earlier.

The company, which said trading had remained strong over the first seven weeks of its new financial year, swung to a bottom-line profit following previous losses.

It did, however, caution on the outlook.

M&B warned it was facing cost headwinds of £100m during 2025 following looming budget increases to the national living wage and employer national insurance contributions.

London's Smithfield meat market is set to close after more than 800 years, with trading expected to cease for good after 2028.

The City of London Corporation, which runs the site, said on Tuesday its council voted to stop operating Smithfield and Billingsgate fish market.

The original plan had been to relocate the markets to a £1bn development in Dagenham, but a sharp rise in construction costs and wider inflation forced a rethink.

Read the full story here...

By James Sillars, business and economics reporter

Supermarket loyalty schemes offer genuine savings for shoppers, according to the competition regulator following an investigation into claims of price manipulation.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its review of 50,000 loyalty priced products showed that 92% offered genuine savings against the usual price.

That was despite 55% of shoppers thinking "usual" prices were raised to make loyalty deals more appealing, it said.

The watchdog's report found "very little evidence" of supermarkets inflating their "usual" prices to make loyalty promotions seem like a better deal.

Read more here...

Scotland is our focus for Cheap Eats this week - with two top chefs picking their budget eats at home and where they live. First up,StephenMcLaughlin, head chef at two-starred RestaurantAndrew Fairlie inGleneagles.

Hi Stephen, what are your go-to cheap eatsfor two, for less than £40, in Scotland?

Isle of Harris Brewery- I visited the brewery in Leverburgh earlier this year and I can't wait to go back. The food is phenomenal. I believe that the best dishes are simple things, brilliantly done, and this is exactly what you get.

The food on offer includes the best local produce and Scottish pub classics. When I was there, I had the best langoustine tail scampi that I've ever eaten. The portions are generous, and it offers great value. All main courses come in under £20.

They also brew a core range of 10 Scottish beers, limited edition seasonal specials and bespoke label beers.

Eusebi Deli, Glasgow - I go to Eusebi for coffee and cake and a big hug from Giovanna - and I have been known to just go in for the hug alone!

This is an amazing wee place. You can eat in the restaurant or the bar, but for me, coffee, cake and a cuddle from G is a lovely thing to do.

Giovanna is passionate about real, Italian food, and you can tell. She's travelled extensively and along with her southern Italian heritage, she brings influences from every market she's visited and every dish she's sampled to the food in Eusebi.

Crabshakk Botanics, Glasgow -I love to go here, sit at the bar and eat from their specials board. My favourite option is to get a couple of glasses of wine and make my way through the board from top to bottom. My oldest friend and I go there every January and do just that.

It's fantastic for staples such as fish and chips, but my favourites are the clams cooked in olive oil and garlic, the white bait and aioli, or the moules mariniere.

What's your go-to cheap meal at home?

Slow cooked beef cheeks – a delicious autumn/winter meal, that's cheap and easy to make.

You can serve it with mashed potatoes and vegetables, though I'd say it's best served with celeriac mash. You can also make it in advance.

My top tip is to add a couple of strips of orange peel, a clove and a star anise – I guarantee the sauce will taste like the best winter warmer you've ever tasted. It's perfect to put on in the morning before you head out for a crisp walk.

To make it, dust the beef cheeks with flour and sear in a hot pan, then add to the slow cooker with onion, carrot and some garlic. Pour in a pint and a half of water mixed with a beef stock cube, and for that special touch, add the strips of orange peel, a whole star anise and one clove. Cook it for six hours and serve with your mash. Heaven!

How did you get into cheffing?

I fell into being a chef by accident. I took a skill seeker survey at school and the result said I should be either a welder or a chef.

When I went to a college taster day, the first demonstration by a welder convinced me; but the afternoon session was with a chef who made a delicious buttery choux pastry. I immediately wanted to know how she did it – it was the flavour of that pastry that took me to college.

From there, I got a placement at One Devonshire Gardens [in Glasgow] – I knew it was the best because the big celebrities of the time would stay there (namely, Pavarotti and the Spice Girls!).

Without knowing much else about it, I sent a letter to the head chef who invited me in for an interview. I was absolutely terrified of him and totally unprepared... that was my first meeting with the wonderful Andrew Fairlie – and the rest is history!

We've spoken to lots of top chefs - check out their Cheap Eats from around the country...