Sainsbury's has said it will be the first UK retailer to call time on multi-buy and buy-one-get-one free promotions. The supermarket said that by August, customers will no longer see the deals across brand products and its own-brand soft drinks, confectionery, biscuits and crisps. There will still be some exceptions when promotions are used a different points during the year. Instead of deals, Sainsbury's is planning to deliver "lower regular prices". (independent.co.uk)Auchan wins competition authority appeal in Ukraine
Ukraine’s commercial affairs court has ruled in favour of French grocer Auchan, after it appealed a judgement asserting that it had broken competition laws, Interfax.com.ua reports. (esmmagazine.com)Fresh Market jumps after report that Kroger will buy chain
The Fresh Market Inc., which said in October that it was considering a sale of the company, rose 22% on a report that Kroger Co. wants to acquire the supermarket chain. Kroger is in the second round of an auction for Fresh Market, according to Reuters, which cited unidentified people familiar with the situation. Other companies, 
including private equity firms Apollo Global Management LLC, KKR & Co. and TPG Capital, are part of the auction, the news service reported. Kroger, the largest grocery chain in the U.S., declined to comment to Bloomberg News about the report. Fresh Market also declined to comment. (Bloomberg)AU: David Jones takes on Coles and Woolworths in $90bn grocery grab
David Jones is set to “revolutionise” food shopping in Australia, going head-to-head with Woolworths and Coles in a grab for the nation’s $90bn grocery sector. Ian Moir, the boss of South African retail giant Woolworths Holdings which bought the iconic Aussie retailer for $2.2bn in 2014, is planning to offer fresh quality produce and prepared meals that was currently missing from the supermarket landscape. “There is a gap in the market, it’s not being provided by Woolworths or Coles and we can fill that gap,’’ Mr Moir told The Australian. (dailytelegraph.com.au)New CEO for Lidl Sweden
Johannes Fieber has been chosen as the new CEO of Lidl Sweden, following a role as sales director at Lidl Italy. Speaking about his new role, Fieber said, 'I see great opportunities for Lidl in the Swedish retail market. We want to find our place in the Swedes' homes and hearts. Our offering of high quality products meet Swedish consumers' high quality standards. Our dynamic business concept means that we are also able to offer unbeatable prices.' (igd.com)Thai Big C plans expansion after 2015 net profit falls
Big C Supercener Pcl will focus on store expansion and renovation to boost revenue after reporting a 4.7% drop in 2015 net profit, Thailand's second-largest hypermarket operator said on Wednesday. Big C will also study available monetisation options for part of its real estate portfolio and plans to extend its e-commerce business into neighbouring countries starting with Cambodia in 2016, it said in a statemen. (Reuters)Germany's Metro group hit by weakness of rouble
Germany‘s Metro retail and wholesale group, which operates marts in Russia, expressed concern on Thursday about the effects of the Russian economic situation on its profits. The collapse of the rouble from around 50 to the dollar in May last year to around 80 currently was eating into profits in this important market, the Dusseldorf-based concern said. The decline was a blow in a quarter where retailers usually benefit from a surge in Christmas spending, Metro CEO Olaf Koch noted. (en.europeonline-magazine.eu)Lotte in a big struggle in China
South Korean multi-format retailer Lotte saw a 1.6% YOY increase in its Q4 revenue to KRW7.8tn (US$6.5bn). Yet its hypermarket and supermarket operation in China continues to suffer as revenue declined over the past year. Lotte operated 116 hypermarkets and supermarkets in China by the end of 2015, with like-for-like (LFL) sales of these stores decreasing 7.2% in Q4, due to China’s sluggish economy. To address the challenges, Lotte has closed four stores. (igd.com)
US: Door to Door Organics expands Natural and organic online grocer Door to Door Organics on Thursday announced expansion into Omaha, Neb., beginning later this month. (supermarketnews.com)
Japan examines successful model of Spanish supermarkets
The success of Spanish supermarkets over the last few decades was in the spotlight Thursday at Tokyo’s Supermarket Trade Show 2016, the leading Food and Beverages sector fair in Japan. Please, click here to read the article. (laht.com)
Waitrose chief to become UK’s new trade minister
The chief of Waitrose supermarket will be the new trade minister of UK. The 55 year old supermarket boss, Mark Price will replace Lord Maude as the trade minister in David Cameron ministry. (internationalsupermarketnews.com)
The problem with Whole Foods’ plans for a new grocery chain Please, click here to read the article.