Publix Super Markets is buying Southwest Florida shopping centers, news-press.com reports. It is looking to do more — setting aside $1.3 billion this year to buy more centers, build new stores and remodel others, according to a report that appeared Monday in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Publix now operates 1,098 stores. Publix had $30.6 billion in sales last year, a 5.7 percent increase from 2013. UK: Morrisons' new CEO 'goal will be to listen'
The new chief executive of the Morrisons supermarket chain has asked staff and customer to tell him what they love and hate about the grocer as a first step towards engineering a hoped-for turnaround at the supermarket chain, The Guardian reports. UK: Sainsbury sees first 'green shoots' of recovery
The grocer is seeing the first “green shoots” of recovery in terms of the number of products sold, chief executive Mike Coupe said today on a conference call. Sainsbury's Q4 (excluding petrol) LFL sales fell by 1.9% while total retail sales declined by 0.3%, retailanalysis.igd.com reports. Challenging market performance and Sainsbury's own price cutting activity impacted sales though there was encouraging evidence that recent price cuts are delivering volume growth. AU: Quick response barcodes to link consumers with farmers
A Western Australian farmers' group has launched a barcode initiative aimed at connecting shoppers with farmers, as they buy produce, ABC Online reports. Quick response codes, or QR codes, will appear on supermarket shelves next to products, which can be scanned by anyone with a smartphone. The square barcodes will lead consumers to a mobile-friendly website where they can read about how the produce is grown, the price farmers get for it and farm case studies. President Kallum Blake said recent cases, like the imported frozen berry hepatitis A scare, had led consumers to become more aware of the origins of their food. US: Door to Door Organics adds CTO
E-commerce grocer Door to Door Organics named Greg Lems as chief technology officer and Jeff Ludwin as VP of merchandising supermarketnews.com reports. Chad Arnold, CEO of Door to Door Organics, said “Greg and Jeff each bring a tremendous amount of industry expertise and passion to our senior leadership team — all of which will be vital as we continue to execute on our aggressive growth plan.” According to Door to Door Organics, the company expects to acquire 50,000 new customers by the end of 2015.India: Meru Cabs promoter's retail venture folds up
Meru Cabs founder Neeraj Gupta's fruits and vegetables (F&V) retailing venture Freshkins Foods India Pvt Ltd started with much fanfare in June 2014, has folded up, dnaindia.com reports. Launched in association with ex-Reliance Retail and Future Group officials, Freshkins aimed at creating a 'farm-to-consumer' value chain by combining the science of modern retail with the street-side vendor's art of selling. US: Instacart expands SuperFresh offerings
Grocery-delivery service Instacart announced Tuesday that it has partnered on an exploratory basis with A&P, philly.com reports. Instacart already delivered some items from A&P's SuperFresh stores, and with this trial partnership Instacart will deliver the full assortment of SuperFresh items, including natural products, international cuisines, prepared foods and private-label items. Initial delivery will include the Philadelphia and Montgomery County zones. Scottish retail sales fall as grocers face tough trading
The value of retail sales in Scotland last month was down on a year earlier, as grocers continued to struggle, the latest industry figures have shown, Herald Scotland reports. Figures published today by the SRC show that the value of sales north of the Border in February was down 1.4 per cent on the same month of last year. The latest Scottish figures show particular weakness in the food retail sub-sector, signalling pressure on household budgets. The value of food sales north of the Border in February was down 2.6 per cent on the same month of last year. Norway supermarkets enjoy creamy profits
Analysis company Oslo Economics’ reports that shop shelves prices have risen 6 per cent in this period, the suppliers’ has only increased by 4 per cent. This means shoppers have to pay 2 per cent above the going rate, reports NRK. Norway’s Competition Authority recently approved Coop’s purchase of Swedish chain ICA consumers now have just two other supermarket majors to choose from. Food producers Orkla and TINE confirm that they pay considerable sums to have their products put on the shelves. DLF press spokesperson tells: ''We would like to see a law regulating fair trade practice like Britain has, for example'' (Source: The Foreigner)US: Couche-Tard, Pantry complete merger
The Pantry Inc. said in a document filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) that it completed its merger with Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc, cspnet.com reports. The announcement follows the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust. T hecombined U.S. and Canadian store count is more than 7,800, which is within shouting distance of 7-Eleven's.
Walmart’s crocery division leader retiring
Jack Sinclair, EVP of the grocery division for Walmart U.S., will retire at week’s end. Sinclair joined Walmart in 2007 from McCurrach, a U.K.-based field merchandising business, theshelbyreport.com reports. He has worked in the retail food business since 1982.