As retailers struggle in the U.S., a new report suggests India could be the next bright spot for the industry. A.T. Kearney's annual look at emerging retail markets puts the country at the top of the list, ahead of China, which has been a longtime index leader. The report gauges the best opportunities for retail investments globally and ranks the top 30 developing countries based on the firm's findings for market attractiveness. Population, GDP per capita, national retail sales and country risk are a few factors taken into consideration. (cnbc.com) Sales of own-brand products jump by 4% in Irish supermarkets
Irish shoppers love affair with supermarkets’ own-brand products appears far from over with sales jumping by almost 4% compared to this time last year. All told, 54% of the products found in the average Irish supermarket shopper’s trolly carry own-brand labels compared with less than 10% before the economic crash a decade ago, according to the latest figures from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel. (irishtimes.com)SuperValu retains top spot in Irish grocery standings
Musgrave-owned retailer SuperValu has maintained its position as the leading grocer in the Irish market, according to the latest Kantar Worldpanel figures for the 12 week period to 21 May. SuperValu stands on 22.5% market share, following a 1.2% increase in sales since the same period last year. Tesco is second, on 22.0% share, following a 0.3% rise in sales, and Dunnes Stores is in third, following a 4.9% increase in sales. (esmmagazine.com) IRI: Demand for local has revolutionized perimeter marketing
“The perimeter has undergone what we call a cataclysmic shift,” Senior Principal at IRI Chris DuBois said during yesterday’s “Top Trends in Fresh: Hyperlocalization” webinar. DuBois was referring to the metamorphosis of grocery shopping from a simple, ritualistic chore to an experiential, cultural endeavor. “It’s important to distinguish between fads and trends,” he said. “Companies who get behind these trends grow more or sell faster than companies that don’t.” One of those trends IRI believes companies should get behind is local produce. Please, click here to read more at esmmagazine.com. Empty grocery shelves in Qatar
Shelves of some grocery stores in Doha were almost empty on Monday as Qatar's residents stocked food after 7 countries cut ties with the kingdom. Photos sent to ABS-CBN News by an overseas Filipino worker in Doha showed almost empty shelves at one grocery, as well as queues of shoppers with carts filled with food. (news.abs-cbn.com) Iceland posts rising profits
Supermarket Iceland has posted rising full year profits after reaping the rewards of revamped product ranges and a new store format. The retailer saw earnings rise 6.3% to £160m in the year to March 24, with sales rising 4.4% to £2.8bn and like for like sales increasing 2%. Founder and executive chairman Malcolm Walker said the figures show that Iceland is now one of the country's fastest growing food retailers. "Like-for-like sales performance improved throughout the year to make us one of the UK's fastest-growing food retailers by the year-end. We increased the pace and enhanced the quality of our new product development." (nwemail.co.uk)Aldi has the cheapest grocery basket in Australia, Choice survey finds
Conducted by undercover shoppers in 110 Australian supermarkets in March, a survey from consumer group Choice found the German discounter offered the cheapest basket of budget brand groceries, at $91.76. Each basket included 28 packaged products and five fresh fruit and vegetable items. This was compared with budget baskets at Coles ($99.40) and Woolworths ($97.31). Choice found the most expensive basket of leading brand goods at IGA, which was 6-7% more expensive than the same basket at Coles ($170.54), and Woolworths ($168.74). (smh.com.au) US: Kroger’s Columbus division drops prices on 3,000 products
As May rolled into June, Kroger’s Columbus division announced “the largest one-year price investment in the company’s history.” A multimillion dollar campaign, the initiative is “designed to provide customers with more for their grocery dollar, including savings on high-quality, affordable Kroger-brand products,” according to a company press release. (supermarketnews.com) US: Shipt raises $40m for grocery delivery service outside major cities
Shipt, an online grocery delivery service, announced today funding of $40m led by Greycroft Partners, with participation from e.ventures and Harbert Venture Partners. Shipt has raised a total of $65m since its founding in 2014. The startup plans on using the new capital to continue its national expansion in order to reach more than 60 markets by end of year and 100 markets by this time next year, wrote Smith. (venturebeat.com) 
US: Dollar General tests fresh produceDollar General is encouraged by its efforts to add fresh produce to store remodels, reports Produce Retailer. Click here to read the article.
US: Walmart tests automated pickup refrigerated kiosk for groceries
Walmart is testing a 24-hour automated grocery pickup kiosk at a single store in Oklahoma, according to Supermarket News. The 20-by-80-foot kiosk can hold up to 30,000 products, including frozen and refrigerated items. To order from the kiosk, called “24-Hour Pickup,” customers must choose the “self-service” option when placing an online order with the nearby store. They then receive a confirmation code that they enter at the kiosk, and within 60 seconds will receive their order. (fooddive.com) US: Pick 'n Save to close more stores
Two more Pick 'n Save stores in southeastern Wisconsin will close, the Roundy’s division of Kroger said Monday. Pick ‘n Save remains the market leader among Milwaukee-area grocers, but its dominance has eroded in the face of competition from retailers such as Wal-Mart, Woodman’s and Sendik’s. (jsonline.com) 
US: Jet president makes case for freshPlease, click here to read the article.