Two Italian co-operatives have signed a partnership agreement to increase their market reach. Apofruit Italia, one of Italy’s largest fresh produce businesses, will work with Bio Meran co-operative, an organic fruit supplier, to reduce supply chain costs and develop new varieties. The deal will enable the two to sell organic apples in the Middle East, Southern Mediterranean, Asia and Latin America. (thenews.coop)US: Kroger tries out new, green supermarket
Kroger’s new Main & Vine grocery in Gig Harbor, Washington, tests a concept that puts produce front and center along with a large bulk-bin area and an event center where cooking demonstrations take place. (dispatch.com)Whole Foods sees potential in 'ugly food' rejected by supermarkets
Whole Foods Market says it will sell the "ugly" produce that would otherwise go to waste at a handful of its Northern California stores beginning in late April. The pilot project, in collaboration with Imperfect Produce, an Emeryville, Calif.-based startup, marks one of the first forays by a national grocery chain into the movement to cut food waste. U.S. supermarkets generally reject produce that doesn't meet their standards for appearance or earn top U.S. Department of Agriculture grades, leading to waste. "Our goal is zero waste and we're always looking for ways to reduce our collective impact and positively influence the industry," Whole Foods said in a statement. (usatoday.com)UK: Which supermarket was cheapest in February 2016?
In a shock result, Morrisons was the cheapest supermarket according to Which?. Which?’s supermarket basket is a monthly comparison of how much the big supermarkets charge for a basket of groceries It unseated long standing champion Asda, which has been cheapest every month since Which? started tracking in July 2013. In fact, Morrisons was £23.03, or 13%, cheaper than the most expensive supermarket this month - Waitrose. (which.co.uk)Sainsbury might not go ahead with a formal bid for Home Retail Group
Sainsbury has indicated to its investors that it might not go ahead with a formal bid for Home Retail Group. However, the supermarket giant simultaneously backtracked on the conditions announced on 2 February for any such bid; namely, the completion of its due-diligence of its rivals’ books and a recommendation from its own Board of Directors to proceed. “Sainsbury’s wishes to clarify that these pre-conditions are waivable.” “There can be no certainty that Sainsbury’s will proceed with an offer for Home Retail Group even if the pre-conditions are satisfied or waived,” the company said in a statement issued on Thursday. (internationalsupermarketnews.com) 
Costco raising minimum wage Costco Wholesale Corp. will lift its minimum wage for the first time in nine years, by a $1.50 an hour, as the labour market tightens and competitors start giving workers a raise. (esmmagazine.com)
Pick n Pay to trial spaza-to-store format
Pick n Pay has opened its first spaza-to-store pilot in Diepkloof township in Soweto, which will see it convert a traditional spaza-shop into a modern, small format store. The store is owned and run by Soweto-born Solly Legae and, following the agreement, will be completely refurbished with new services, refrigeration and IT systems added. The store will carry 800 lines of edible and non-edible groceries as well as fresh produce and perishables and will enable Pick n Pay to expand into new areas of the market and support independent small medium and micro-sized enterprises. (igd.com)Latin America: Falabella plans to continue expanding in 2016
Latin American retail group Falabella opened 23 new stores in 2015, contributing to a 6.6% growth in consolidated revenue in Q4. Full year revenues were up 10.4. Falabella opened seven Tottus supermarkets during Q4, four in Chile and three in Peru. The retailer also began to offer Tesco private label and will continue to incorporate these ranges further over the coming months. Falabella announced its 2016-19 investment plan in January, demonstrating its ambition to expand across all its markets. (igd.com)Tesco starts selling English strawberries early this year
The biggest English supermarket Tesco has put the first English strawberries on the rack for this year on March 2. This listing came four days earlier than last year, and two days earlier than Waitrose. (internationalsupermarketnews.com)Chile: Same store sales up at Tottus
Tottus reported an 8.5% increase in revenues in Q4, driven by 2.7% same store sales growth and the addition of five stores over the past 12 months. (igd.com)Choppies completes acquisition in Kenya
Botswana-based Choppies has completed the acquisition of a 75% stake in Kenya-based Ukwala Supermarkets, marking its entry in the country. The remaining 25% stake will be owned by locally-based Shantal Retail Holdings Limited, which Choppies described as ‘a strong local partner’ that it has entered into a ‘joint-venture agreement’ with. Choppies completes acquisition in Kenya. (igd.com)UK: Costcutter retailer launches premium c-store
Costcutter has launched a premium c-store in Farnworth near Bolton, Greater Manchester, after a £250,000 refurbishment. The 1,200sq ft store, which opened last month (February), has also expanded its range of fresh produce and chilled meals, while maintaining its off-licence. (talkingretail.com)Kroger aiming for ‘seamless’ shopping experience for tomorrow’s consumer, says CEO
The American consumer is changing, but are traditional bricks & mortar grocery retailers adapting to this new reality? It’s on a learning curve, but by exploring a variety of online models and new store formats Kroger is trying to “address where the customer is headed versus where they've been”, CEO Rodney McMullen told analysts this week. Please, click here to read the article. Please, click here to read the article. (foodnavigator-usa.com) Thai Berli on course to raise $6.2 bln for Casino
Thailand's Berli Jucker Pcl has tapped foreign banks including BNP Paribas as well as domestic lenders to raise $6.2 billion for its acquisition of Big C Supercenter, putting it on track to successfully meet a March 31 financing deadline. (Reuters)Owner Coles moves up to Australia's top company by revenue
Coles owner Wesfarmers has overtaken supermarket rival Woolworths to become Australia's largest company by revenue, business research firm IBISWorld says. An increased share of the grocery market and a strong performance in its Bunnings hardware chain helped Wesfarmers' revenue grow 4 per cent to $62.7 billion last financial year, an IBISWorld report released on Monday said. The company jumped from No. 3 on the list last year, leapfrogging Woolworths, which remained at No. 2, and miner BHP Billiton, whose cash flow fell 21 per cent. (smh.com.au) Tesco claims it cannot afford Irish staff bonuses
Tesco has told the Labour Court that it cannot afford to pay its Irish staff their 2015 bonus as it continues to struggle with its sales levels here. However, the supermarket giant— under pressure from German discount retailers Aldi and Lidl — has not convinced the Labour Court, which has recommended that it pay the bonus to staff which can range from €400 to €1,000 per employee. (irishexaminer.com)