Arrows to produce increase spending in supermarket

Baltic retailer Maxima trials new technology to track freshness -

Arrows to produce increase spending in supermarket -
A new study, in which in-store marketing focused attention on fruits and vegetables, resulted in an increased proportion of produce purchases keeping overall food spending the same. To study the effect of in-store marketing, researchers used a shopper marketing nutrition intervention and placed 10 large (6 by 3 feet) green arrows on the floor of a grocery. The arrows were placed in highly visible areas around the perimeter of the store and pointed to the produce section. On the arrows were sayings such as, “Follow green arrow for health,” and included a graphical representation of fruits and vegetables and emoticons to facilitate social approval. During this period, the intervention store experienced a significant increase in the proportion of spending on produce compared with other food. Please, click here to read more at elsevier.com.

Sweden’s ICA sees sales rise 4.3% in June
Swedish retailer ICA saw its sales rise 4.3% in June, compared to the previous year, to SEK 9,761m excluding VAT, the retailer said in a statement. Sales for the retailer from January-June 2016 amounted to SEK 54,507m, an increase of 3.5% compared with the previous year. (esmmagazine.com)

Italy’s Selex to open 69 new stores in 2016

Italy’s third largest food retailer, Selex Group, has earmarked €152m to open 69 new stores by the end of 2016 and modernise its existing sales points. The group is forecasting a turnover of €10.25 billion in 2016, compared to €9.95bn in 2015 (+5.6% on 2014). (esmmagazine.com)

During the last two years, 15.9% of the households in the Netherlands have bought their groceries online at least once. Almost half of these households bought their foods and drinks online more than once. This segment accounted for 80% of the total online revenue generated by supermarkets. (ecommercenews.eu) 

Carrefour Italia has inaugurated a new proximity concept, based on its Carrefour Express store format, in Milan. ‘Eat & Shop’ is the first store that is focused on fresh products and meal solutions for immediate or later consumption. The 250 square metre store includes a fruit & veg section offering a daily assortment of seasonal and high quality products. (esmmagazine.com) 

The boards of Sobeys and parent company Empire Cos. said Friday that president and CEO Marc Poulin has departed the company, effective immediately, and that Francois Vimard, Empire's CFO and chief administrative officer has been appointed interim CEO. Last week Sobeys announced a $724m (U.S.) fourth-quarter loss and a $1.5bn annual loss. (supermarketnews.com) 

Northwest Grocers on Friday announced that it has formed a new strategic alliance with Unified Grocers, making NWG the exclusive marketing and advertising company for more than 120 of Unified’s member stores in the Pacific Northwest. (supermarketnews.com)

German retailer Metro is buying French food services company Pro a Pro from Belgian retail and wholesale group Colruyt, enabling it to expand in Pro a Pro's home market, it said on Friday. While Metro and Colryt declined to disclose the price tag, two people close to the matter told Reuters that the deal valued the business at 200 million euros (Reuters).

Italian supermarket chain Conad has announced a three-year investment plan, worth €785 million, leading up to 2018. The investments will be aimed at openings and renovations, the construction of new distribution centres, and the acquisition of independent retailers, local and foreign chains that decide to leave Italy. (esmmagazine.com)