Publix Super Markets Inc. is the second most reputable retailer in the U.S., according to a report released Thursday, bizjournals.com reports. The Reputation Institute ranked the top 50 retailers based on ratings from 57,000 consumers. The rankings are based on the public’s perception of companies based on seven dimensions: innovation, leadership, governance, citizenship, workplace, performance, and products and services. Here are the top five: Amazon.com Inc., Publix, Whole Foods Market, Tiffany & Co. and Costco Wholesale Corp. Delhaize CEO will lead merged Ahold-Delhaize
The Dutch CEO of Belgian supermarket group Delhaize will lead a merged Ahold Delhaize, according to analysts at Petercam, quoted in the Dutch media. Petercam analyst Fernand de Boer says in a short report that Frans Muller will run the new 
company and Ahold’s chief executive Dick Boer will be president of the supervisory board, dutchnews.nl reports. US: Former Trader Joe’s president opens nonprofit grocery store
Former Trader Joe’s president opens nonprofit grocery store on Friday, which is called Daily Table, time.com reports. The goal is to provide affordable, wholesome food to people who need it most. Bananas for example are at 29 cents a pound. AU: Metcash shares dive to 14yr-low
Metcash shares have plummeted to their lowest level in 14 years after the grocery wholesaler shocked investors by suspending its dividend payments after making $640m worth of writedowns, news.com.au reports. The company said it wouldn't pay a dividend in the next 18 months as it tries to beef up its IGA store network to better compete with larger supermarket rivals Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. It also unveiled $640m in writedowns and charges, which is set to result in a large bottom line loss when it announces its full year results on June 15.Romania: Carrefour travels 68,000 km in search of local produce
Florin Căpăţână, one of Carrefour's local executives in Romania, said Monday that 68,000 kilometres of the country's road has been travelled across in search of fruits and vegetables from associated producers willing to deliver their products to the French retailer, m.zf.ro reports. "It was very challenging to explain the advantages of the association and why it is better to take such a step," said director of Carrefour, present at the event ZF "Agriculture enters the European money fever". The road-show made by representatives of the French retailer, which has been present in the Romanian market for several years, shows the growing trend towards the purchase of fruits and vegetables produced locally.Tesco considers to sell $7B South Korea arm
Troubled British retailer Tesco has hired HSBC to explore a sale of its South Korean operations, valued at about $6bn, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The appointment of an adviser is Tesco's first concrete step towards a sale of some Asian assets, which analysts think could be its best bet as it looks to cut debt and fund a turnaround plan at home. South Korea is its largest business outside Britain, with more than 400 stores, 500 franchise stores and more than six million customers a week, Reuters reports. The division has attracted several bid enquiries in the past, which has encouraged Tesco to explore a formal sale process, the sources said.
US: SpartanNash plans to expandSpartanNash is finding success expanding its retail footprint outside of its home state, mlive.com reports. The Michigan-based grocer is increasing its presence in the North Dakota market with the recent acquisition of six stores from Dan's Supermarket. The purchase of the independently owned chain brings the company's stores in the state to 13.
US: Walmart, Sam’s Club continues to test delivery, pick up formats
Walmart has come with a new pickup and delivery truck model for its grocery pickup and delivery service in Phoenix and San Jose, thecitywire.com reports. The delivery truck is bi-functional in that is used in some markets for home delivery in Denver and San Jose, and in Phoenix it is now being used as a pickup site for online grocery orders. Retail giant Walmart and its Sam’s Club division have spent much of the past two days explaining to the media gathered in Northwest Arkansas for shareholders week the importance of grocery pick-up.UK: Consumers prefer buying fruit from supermarket
Convenience stores are the most used format for top-up shopping, with 60% of shoppers visiting them for this type of trip, according to IGD’s latest ShopperVista research, retailtimes.co.uk reports. However, when it comes to topping up on fresh foods such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, the supermarket is the most used channel. Some 29% of shoppers use supermarkets for a top-up shop on fresh foods, against 18% who use convenience stores and 18% who visit food discounters. Other channels used for fresh food top-ups include specialist stores such as greengrocers and butchers, farmers’ markets, high street discounters and hypermarkets.Japan's 7-Eleven says to open first Dubai store
The first 7-Eleven convenience store will open in Dubai in September as part of a franchise deal with Seven Emirates Investment, it has been announced, arabianbusiness.com reports. Khamis Al Sabousi, president of Seven Emirates Investment, said the opening is part of plans by the Japanese convenience store brand to launch more than 820 stores in the region over the next 10 years.US: Ahold names new Peapod president
Ahold USA said Thursday it has named Jennifer Carr-Smith president and general manager of Peapod, effective June 15, supermarketnews.com reports. She succeeds Andrew Parkinson, one of the co-founders of the grocery shopping and delivery service, who has been appointed to a newly created advisory role aimed at pursuing new business development opportunities, Ahold said.Sweden: new organic grocery chain opens
As organic continues to rise up the agenda in Sweden, a new organic grocery chain has opened its first store in Stockholm, igd.com reports. The store, which trades under the name, Paradiset, is 1,600 square metres in size. A further three stores are planned for launch in the next year, while the retailer's broader ambition is to become Scandinavia’s largest organic grocery chain. The chain's CEO said, 'There are no items you find in regular grocery stores. There must be a full-scale range with only artisanal products at a reasonable price'.Tuskys of Kenya eyes share sale, Ethiopia, Congo or Tanzania stores
Tuskys, Kenya’s second-biggest supermarket chain, plans to sell shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange within five years while expanding into Ethiopia and either the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or Tanzania, mgafrica.com reports. “We have now set 2016 as the appropriate time” to open stores in Ethiopia, Chief Executive Officer Dan Githua said in an interview on May 29. “What we are going to do there is to partner with a local entrepreneur. In our five-year plan we are also considering to either go to Congo or Tanzania.”Interesting links on retail:
Walmart makes slow progress navigating Africa’s challengesClick here to read the article.
UK: Little c-stores could become a big problem for supermarketsClick here to read the article.
UK supermarkets - light at the end of the tunnel?
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Why groceries cost less in big citiesClick here to read the article.
Why Whole Foods' plan to open a cheaper store could backfireClick here to read the article.