Aldi is remodeling its stores in several Mid-Atlantic markets, beginning with the areas where Lidl is expected to open its first stores, according to local reports. Aldi said in February it had embarked upon a $1.6 billion remodeling project that will expand its perishables offering and otherwise modernize its fleet of 1,300-plus stores across the US. (supermarketnews.com)Philippines: 7-Eleven stores report 17% net income growth
In a statement, Philippine Seven Corp. attributed the growth to the opening of 410 new stores during the year, which offset the closure of 17 branches. System-wide sales, which pertains to corporate and franchise-operated stores, grew by 23.2% to P31.8bn. In the fourth quarter, system-wide sales grew by 20% to P8.75bn from P7.29bn in the same quarter in 2015. (bworldonline.com) ShopRite expands free fruit program
ShopRite announced that it has expanded the “free fruit” program it launched earlier this year in select stores, to now include five additional stores located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that are owned and operated by ShopRite of Hunterdon County. Under the program, kids 12 and younger receive a free banana, clementine or other seasonal fruit while shopping with a parent or guardian. The fruits are located in the produce aisle, and the program is overseen by the supermarket’s team of in-store dietitians. (Shoprite)Aldi’s performance being aced by Woolworths
The heat is coming out of the supermarket price wars, according to analysts at investment bank UBS, with “signs of a more rational market” beginning to emerge. The study of the nation’s $105 billion supermarket sector suggests Aldi is losing momentum in its key east coast markets as it focuses on opening stores in South Australia and Western Australia and as Woolies lures back shoppers. “Aldi is finding it increasingly hard to gain new main shoppers from competitors,” analyst Ben Gilbert said. (heraldsun.com.au) Fiji: IGA plans to open up more stores
NEWWORLD plans to bring more IGA supermarkets to Fiji. Speaking exclusively to FBC News, Chief executive, Anil Patel says NEWWORLD has two scopes of work – this is the standard supermarkets and the American/Australian grocery store franchise – IGA. (Independent Grocers Alliance) “There are a few projects in store for this year and there will be some more IGA Stores coming up this year.” Patel says having more IGA stores means bringing a wider range of products in for customers. (fbc.com.fj) UK: Nisa's boss warns Tesco merger will cause "enormous amount of pain"
Nisa’s boss has warned that the landmark merger between Booker and Tesco would cause an “enormous disruption” to the convenience industry. As the leader of one of a convenience store chain that is in direct competition with the Booker-supplied estate, which includes Londis, Budgens and Premier, Nick Read said it would be “churlish” to say the £3.7bn deal wouldn’t threaten Nisa. (retailgazette.co.uk) Nearly half of UK households plan spending cuts as prices spike
Nearly half of British households plan to cut spending as worries around inflation escalate, a survey showed on Wednesday, driving home the squeezeon consumers from rising energy prices and the pound's post-Brexit vote plunge. A separate survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed annual food price inflation more than doubled last month to 1.0%, the sharpest increase in prices since February
2014. (Reuters)
Choppies enters Mozambique
Despite difficulties in the region, Choppies is planning to continue its expansion throughout Africa. The strategy is aimed at increasing long term profitability. The retailers’ overall expansion has been extensive across the region. 19 new stores have been opened since December 2016, increasing its presence from 183 to 202. (igd.com)Dollar Express stores were spun off in Dollar Tree deal
A batch of 323 small discount stores spun off in 2015’s Dollar Tree-Family Dollar merger are being sold to rival Dollar General, the seller told SN Monday. The stores, which are currently operating under the Family Dollar banner, were acquired less than two years ago by New York private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which had planned to convert the stores to the Dollar Express banner. Instead, the stores will be converted to the Dollar General banner in coming months. (supermarketnews.com)UK: Nisa reports rising sales despite ‘tough’ trading conditions
Wholesaler Nisa has reported a 2.2% rise in like-for-like sales in the three months to 2 April, with total sales hitting £299m. The first three months of 2017 had been tough, he admitted, but six of the last seven weeks “materially outstripped last year”. (talkingretail.com) Shoprite launches made-in-Nigeria initiative
No matter their gender or age, internet users in France are committed to buying groceries primarily in-store. Just 5% said their last grocery purchase was made digitally, according to a February 2017 survey from Promise Consulting. (emarketer.com) 
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