Ahold, Delhaize merger to be settled this week

Belgian retailer Delhaize posted revenue growth of 4.3% at identical exchange rates, in a set of results that was brought forward due to the impending completion of its merger with Delhaize. The retailer posted comparable store sales growth of 2.9% in the US, 2.1% in Belgium and 8.7% in Southeastern Europe in the period. Group underlying profit stood at €247 million, an increase of 12.1% at identical exchange rates. Commenting, Barclays European Food Retail Equity Research said that the retailer's results "were generally above our expectations." (esmmagazine.com)

Brooklyn Whole Foods to offer white strawberries

Whole Foods Market said Tuesday it will offer a variety of unique culinary items for home cooks at an in-store digital kiosk at the new location it will open July 26 in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, N.Y. Items offered during opening week will include fresh, water-grown wasabi root, white strawberries and a lavender-hued mushroom from France called a bluefoot, the supplier said. (supermarketnews.com)

Ahold, Delhaize merger set to be completed this Saturday

A statement issued this morning said that both groups 'expect to complete their intended merger on July 23, 2016 if regulatory clearance has been obtained from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States by that date'. Following that date, ordinary shares in the combined company, Ahold Delhaize, are to commence trading on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels with ticker symbol AD on Monday, July 25, 2016. (esmmagazine.com)

Russia: X5 retail group posts 6.3% like-for-like sales growth in Q2

Russia's X5 Retail Group has seen its total net retail sales growth increase by 25.7% in the second quarter of the year, driven by a 6.3% increase in like-for-like sales, and a 19.4% sales-growth contribution from new stores. The retailer said that there has been a 31.8% increase in selling space since the same quarter last year.(esmmagazine.com)

Belgian retailer Delhaize's Q2 profit jumps on strong Romania, Greece

Belgian retailer Delhaize reported strong profit growth for the second quarter led by Romania and Greece. Underlying operating profit for the April-June quarter rose 10.4% to 247m euros ($272.5m) while its margin grew to 3.9 % from 3.7%. "Southeastern Europe's growth was again robust, driven by Romania and Greece," CEO Frans Muller said. (Reuters)

Spar opens Europe’s most modern logistics hub

Spar Austria has opened a new facility, dubbed ‘Europe’s most modern logistics centre’. Spar Austria’s existing logistics centre in St Polten, to the west of Vienna, was unable to meet the growing demands of the capital’s Spar stores, so the retailer embarked on a two year journey to build a replacement. The new facility, which cost €85m, is in Ebergassing, south-east of Vienna and has been named by the retailer as ‘Europe’s most modern logistics centre’. (thebusinessdesk.com)

UK: Asda poaches Lidl executive in management restructure

ASDA is continuing its top team reshuffle, and has appointed a Lidl executive to lead Asda's supermarket operations. CEO at Lidl, Chris Walker, has been purloined to become Asda's vice-president of supermarkets. (thebusinessdesk.com)

Italy: Eataly to deliver groceries (including fresh produce)

Italian food retailer Eataly has introduced Eataly Today, an application for direct sales and home delivery of food products and other items. The new service is initially available only in the Milan area, and will soon be extended to Rome, Turin, Genoa and other Italian cities. The Eataly Today assortment includes fresh fruit and vegetables. (esmmagazine.com)

Food retailers among 'most reputable' companies in Portugal

Four food retailers are among the most reputable companies in Portugal, according to a report prepared by OnStrategy in partnership with the Corporate Excellence Foundation. According to OnStrategy, compared to many other countries, Portugal has very few brands with excellence brand status, mainly due to the local economic environment. (esmmagazine.com)

Lidl seeking to become Spain's best food retail employer

Lidl has set its sights on becoming the best retail employer in Spain, according togranconsumo.tv. In order to achieve this, Lidl recently signed a collective contract that offers attractive working conditions and it's launching a campaign to attract talent from rival chains. (esmmagazine.com)

Expanding grocery titans Publix and Wegmans are about to battle it out in Virginia

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Kalettes are Coles’ secret veggie weapon

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