Sales at the Albertsons stores formerly operated by Supervalu continued to show strong improvements during the chain’s third quarter ended Dec. 5, with identical-store sales up 9.9%, following jumps of 9.7% in the second quarter and 9.5% in the first. ID sales for the quarter also improved at three other Albertsons segments: up 5.6% at Safeway, up 3.6% at New Albertsons Inc. (Jewel-Osco, Acme and Shaw’s) — after adjusting for the labor dispute a year ago at Tweksbury Mass.-based Demoulas Market Basket, which inflated comparisons the company noted — and up 0.9% at legacy Albertsons locations in the West and Southwest. (supermarketnews.com)"Tesco to repay millions to suppliers," say analysts
Tesco could face a £500m fine for the accounting scandal at the retailer, analysts have warned. The Serious Fraud Office may announce the findings of its investigation into the £326m black hole in the company’s accounts as early as this week, according to Mike Dennis, an analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald. Dennis said the SFO could fine Tesco more than £350m and force it to repay hundreds of millions of pounds to suppliers that it claimed in what has been called “arbitrary unjustified cash payments”. (theguardian.com) Image Source: DreamstimeAhold and Delhaize step closer to merger completion
Retailers Ahold and Delhaize have moved a step closer to completing their merger after filing a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Even though 
the two companies are European, they need to register the statement in the US as they both have substantial operations there. (esmmagazine.com)Albert Heijn, Jumbo control over half Dutch supermarket sales
Supermarket chains Albert Heijn and Jumbo together now control over 50% of the Dutch market, according to new figures from retail research group IRI. Both Albert Heijn and Jumbo boosted their market share last year – AH was responsible for 35% of supermarket sales in the Netherlands last year and Jumbo 17%. Two years ago, Jumbo’s market share was just 11%. (dutchnews.nl)UAE's Lulu named among world's fastest growing retailers
UAE-based EMKE Group, which runs the Lulu chain of supermarkets, has been named among the fastest growing retailers in the world over a five-year period. The company, which has recently revealed expansion plans in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, is estimated to have achieved an annual retail sales turnover of $5.8bn last year, according to a new report by Deloitte. Its annual Global Powers of Retailing, which identifies the 250 largest retailers around the world, ranked EMKE at 165th based on publicly available data for fiscal year 2014 while another UAE retailer, Al Futtaim Group, was ranked in 172nd position with revenues of $5.6bn. (arabianbusiness.com)Spanish: Mercadona shows how it works with Spanish farmers.
In response to rumours circulating on social media that it is seeking to delist Spanish producers, Mercadona has published details about how much Spanish produce it sells. According to the press release, more than 85% of its sales volume is generated by products that are of Spanish origin, with the supermarket chain buying €14.9bn worth of produce from within the country in 2014. Furthermore, the company lists 120 of its suppliers that have committed to providing 100% Spanish products. The retailer also highlights how it works with the 10,000 farmers from all parts of the country. (esmmagazine.com)Tesco ends specialist food-to-go store trial
Tesco’s attempt to squash Pret in the sandwich market has ended with a retreat by Britain’s biggest supermarket after it admitted customers were not interested. The grocer is planning to shut its two only “Food-to-Go” stores in London which were opened to attract busy commuters. A spokesman confirmed that the two stores would close their doors on 4 March. (telegraph.co.uk)UK: Nisa Retail network hits 3,000 stores
Leading UK convenience buying group and distributor, Nisa Retail has revealed that in the first three quarters of 2015/16 member store numbers increased by 374. This takes the total number across its network to over 3,000 for the first time since it lost the supply contract with Costcutter in 2014. (igd.com)Ireland: Musgrave Group renews contract to extend private label success
Trace One today announced that Irish retail leader Musgrave Group has renewed its agreement for Trace One’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Musgrave leverages Trace One PLM to effectively manage its private label ranges from ideation and specification management through to final packaging and approval. As owner of one of Ireland’s most trusted brands, SuperValu, Musgrave has established a strong reputation for local provenance and quality. The continuing deal will help Musgrave work with multiple local suppliers and seamlessly manage their brands, while preserving their reputation and growing consumer trust. (retailtimes.co.uk)UK: Morrisons stock shows signs of life
Research suggests Morrisons, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket chain, may have turned a corner. Its shares have sunk 40% over the past five years, rival Tesco has fallen 61% and Sainsbury’s has slipped 38% in comparison. But analysts at broker Shore Capital reckon there is a ‘potentially exciting outlook’ and a ‘sea change in prospects’ at Morrisons. (thisismoney.co.uk)UK: Sainsbury's investor may support 'modest' rise in Home Retail bid
Sainsbury’s largest investor, the Qatar Investment Authority, has indicated that it might be willing to support a £1bn-plus bid for Home Retail Group at a “modest” increase to the 130p or so cash and shares offer rejected by the Argos owner in November. (theguardian.com)Canadian fund CPPIB bets £47m against Sainsbury's
One of the world’s biggest investors has built up a £47m bet against Sainsbury’s in the wake of its shock bid for Homebase and Argos owner Home Retail Group. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), which invests more than a quarter of a trillion dollars for Canadian pensioners, increased its bet against the grocer days after Sainsbury’s CEO went public about a takeover, Financial Conduct Authority records show. (independent.co.uk)
Poland to help small retailers with new tax
In the attempt to support small independent stores, the Government has revealed details of the new retail tax which will come into effect on 01.04.2016. The tax will be progressive with a rate of 0.7% for retailers with monthly sales between PLN1.5m and PLN300m (€335,000 - €67m), 1.3% for those with monthly sales above €67 and a maximum rate of 1.9% on weekends and holidays. Stores with monthly sales below PLN1.5m will be exempt. (igd.com)Kenyan Uchumi expands its East African operation
Kenyan retail chain Uchumi consider to expands its operations in East African nations like Nigeria, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uchumi is the only publically traded retail chain in Kenya. Uchumi’s CEO Julius Kipng’etich told the Company’s shareholders in Nairobi that Nigerian retail industry is not well developed and that points to opportunities. Kipng’etich pointed that in Ethiopia Uchumi started its operations three years ago. Uchumi also plan to re enter the neighborhood market like Tanzania and Uganda, where its closed the loss making stores a year ago. (internationalsupermarketnews.com)Image Source: Dreamstime