The government has asked Amazon to ensure a clear segregation between the food products it wants to sell directly to consumers and the other merchandise it lists online, a likely precursor to granting permission to the US-based ecommerce giant to commence food retailing in India. The company is likely to comply with the government's advice and a formal response is expected soon, people familiar with the matter said. (indiatimes.com)UK: Morrisons has adds crooked asparagus
Morrisons has added the crooked asparagus to its 14-strong wonky fruit and veg range – which includes carrots and potatoes – launched last year in a bid to tackle food waste. “We’ve stepped in to buy the crop as we wanted to help growers and put this normally luxury ingredient into the hands of shoppers for just a pound,” said Michael Weightman, asparagus buyer at Morrisons. (theguardian.com) Continente named 'most empathic' Portuguese brand
Hypermarket chain Continente has been named the 'most empathic' Portuguese brand, according to the Who Cares – Empatia das Marcas study. The study, developed by comOn in partnership with Netquest, analysed 50 brands distributed in eight categories. (esmmagazine.com) Co-op to open 12 new stores in Wales
UK retailer the Co-operative has announced a £16m plan to open 12 new stores across Wales this year, and refurbish a further 20 stores. The plan will create up to 250 new jobs. The first of these stores was opened last week in Rossett, near Wrexham. “Continued investment in our brand and our business is delivering benefits for colleagues, members and communities right across Wales," said Tina Mitchell, managing director for Co-op Wales. (esmmagazine.com)
BRC launches 'Tariff Roadmap' for next UK government
The British Retail Consortium (BRC), a group that represents the UK retail sector, has launched what it describes as a Tariff Roadmap report, which aims to provide support to the next UK government, as part of its 'Fair Brexit for Consumers' project. The BRC report focuses on 'the tariff aspects of Brexit, illustrating Britain's current import trade relationships with data and facts to highlight the risks and opportunities ahead'. (esmmagazine.com) Denmark: Dansk Supermarked sees marginal revenue increase in 2016
Denmark's Dansk Supermarked Group, which operates the Netto chain, has posted revenue growth of 0.7% in 2016, recording a total of DKK 57.9bn for the period. Total profit for the year was impacted negatively by higher depreciations and the closure of Netto UK, but the group maintained its position as the strongest Danish retailer financially. (esmmagazine.com) Big Basket, Reliance among firms to feature in organic fair
Online grocery store Big Basket, retailers Metro, Reliance Fresh, and Spar Hypermarkets, and food giants ITC Group and Britannia are among the several retailers and food firms that have confirmed participation at the three day national trade fair on Organics and Millets that will open at the Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on April 28. Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda said on Monday that this was the first national event of its sorts aimed at promoting consumption of organic products. (indiatimes.com) Spar South Africa appoints new CEO for Switzerland business
Spar South Africa has announced that Rob Philipson has been appointed the new CEO of its Switzerland operations, effective from the first of June, Planet Retail has reported. Philipson currently holds the role of managing director of Spar South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal Division, having first joined the retailer in 1996 from Woolworths. (esmmagazine.com) US: Marsh said to cut staff amid new round of closures
Marsh Supermarkets has cut back sharply on its headquarters support staff, according to sources, indicating that the company will likely continue to shutter locations. In addition, many of its direct-store delivery (DSD) vendors are demanding cash on delivery (COD) at some of the remaining locations, which is only expected to worsen the chain’s financial difficulties. “From where I sit it is clearly the beginning of the end,” said Mark Heckman, principal, Mark Heckman Consulting, and a former Marsh executive. (supermarketnews.com) US: Target & other US retailers boost lobbying in border-tax battle
Three top U.S. retailers almost quadrupled their combined spending on lobbying in Washington during the first quarter of 2017, as they work to defeat a corporate-tax proposal that some have said threatens their industry. Target Corp., Best Buy Co. Inc. and Gap Inc. spent almost $3.2m combined on lobbying during the quarter -- up from $830,000 in the same period a year ago -- according to federal lobbying disclosures filed Thursday. (esmmagazine.com) US: Albertsons exploring takeover of Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Inc. shares rose the most in two weeks after the Financial Times reported that Albertsons Cos. is considering a takeover of the organic grocer. Cerberus Capital Management, which backs Albertsons, has held preliminary talks with bankers about making a bid, the newspaper said. No formal offer has been extended, according to the Times, which cited unidentified people familiar with the matter. Whole Foods climbed as much as 4.5%. (Bloomberg)US: The Fresh Market shutters five stores
The Fresh Market is closing five stores in the coming weeks while continuing its effort to reposition as a more mainstream grocer with the rollout of its new format to additional locations. Stores are closing in Livingston, N.J.; Woodbury, N.Y.; Ashburn, Va.; Altamonte Springs, Fla.; and Kildeer, Ill. “This move will allow the company to focus on the success, service and growth of its existing portfolio of stores,” The Fresh Market, based in Greensboro, N.C., said in a statement. (supermarketnews.com) US Analyst: Latino grocery stores likely to see more deals
Scott Moses, managing director and head of food retail and restaurants investment banking for Peter J. Solomon Co., said he sees a rise in Latino-focused grocers in the future, according to the Shelby Report. Private equity firm KKR recently invested in Cardenas Markets (currently operating 30 stores) and Mi Pueblo (operating 19 stores). (fooddive.com)