Asda and Tesco have become the first two UK supermarkets to unveil their festive food ranges for 2024.
Sure, it may quite literally be August right now, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, Halloween, and Bonfire Night to get through first, but it seems two of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are already looking ahead to the most wonderful time of year.
That’s right, whether you can believe it or not, Asda and Tesco have already unveiled their festive food ranges for Christmas 2024.
Although we didn’t want to bring up the ‘C’ word nearly five months before the festive season is actually upon us, here we are – and considering Greater Manchester hasn’t really had much of a ‘summer’ so far this year, maybe there’s no harm getting in getting into the festive spirit a little earlier than normal?
Thankfully, there’s some real mouthwatering treats on the menu to make these early releases worthwhile.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asda and Tesco have unveiled their festive food ranges for 2024 / Credit: Tesco | Asda
Over at Tesco, you won’t just find the traditional turkey and Christmas pudding on the lineup this year, as joining those are inventive alternatives like a Dry Cured Bone-in Gammon Joint with a Black Cherry Glaze, a large Winter Berry Pork Pie, a Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Galette, a Roasted Vegetable & Cranberry Star, mini Pigs in Blankets Yorkshire Puddings, and even a whole range of festive-themed party foods and cheese selection.
For those with a sweet tooth, Tesco is serving up a Belgian Chocolate & Sea Salted Caramel Snowy Semi Freddo, and a Speculoos and Belgian Chocolate Highwall Cheesecake, both from the ‘Finest’ range among others.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s also a giant Christmas star-shaped chocolate panettone to tuck into too.
There’s some real mouthwatering festive treats on the lineups this year / Credit: Tesco
Can Asda rival that then?
Well, aside from the usual classics, just like Tesco, the supermarket has some snazzy alternatives on the lineup including the a Slow Cooked Beef Shin, a Welsh Lamb Shoulder with Fig, Whiskey, and a Spiced Honey stuffing, and even a cleverly-named Charcuter-wreath, alongside lots of party food and ‘picky bits’.
ADVERTISEMENT
These include Butter Chicken Samosas, Prawn & Veg Dim Sum, and Tempura Prawns, all from the ‘Exceptional’ range.
There’s classics, inventive alternatives, and new and returning fan-favourites / Credit: Tesco
When it comes to desserts and sweet treats, shoppers are spoiled for choice once again, with some of the stand-outs being the fan-favourite Exceptional Panettone, and the new Raspberry, Pistachio & Passionfruit Pavlova Wreath from the ‘Extra Special’ range.
Both supermarkets also have a wide range of vegan and ‘Free From’ food options available across their ranges this year, so no one need miss out on the festive feasting fun.
It’s expected that we won’t have long to wait now until the rest of the other major supermarkets get into the Christmas spirit too, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Tesco
Shopping
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Aldi on Market Street is closed and Mancs say ‘that’s ruined my f***in day’
Daisy Jackson
Aldi on Market Street is something of a Manchester legend, and often for the wrong reasons.
Easily one of the busiest, noisiest, most overwhelming places in the city centre, it’s nevertheless a lifeline for those who live and work in town.
Where else are you buying an aubergine and a tin of spaghetti hoops on the busiest shopping street in the North West, on a not-quite-payday-yet budget?
So you can imagine the small panic that’s rippled around Manchester when shoppers have arrived to the Market Street Aldi to find it closed.
Huge sheets of brown paper have been tacked into the windows and the shutters pulled firmly down for the last couple of weeks, leaving people to face the walk to the Aldi in Ancoats or – worse – Lidl on Piccadilly Gardens.
One person (whose username is, fittingly, Anxious Pirate) posted on Reddit: “Freaking out, what’s happened to Aldi Arndale?”
Meanwhile, a Tiktok video said: “Great Ancoats Street Aldi is going to be rammed. Niche but I’m sure others will feel my pain.”
Aldi on Market Street is currently closed
In the comment section, one person asked: “I need to know why this wasn’t a bbc breaking news update”
Another said: “That’s just ruined my f**kin day.”
And someone else joked: “Just say you hate me and want me dead fgs.”
The good news is that the Aldi on Market Street hasn’t closed for good, and is just one of 25 stores undergoing a much-needed refurb.
The bad news is that’s going to take a while – the Manchester city centre Aldi isn’t set to reopen until 28 August.
Emily Sergeant -
8th August 2024 
