Majid Al Futtaim Holding LLC, the Middle East operator of Carrefour SA stores, is the lead bidder for a controlling stake in the Geant Hypermarket chain, according to three people familiar with the matter. MAF, as the Dubai-based conglomerate is known, was up against Saudi Arabian retailer Bindawood Holding, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is confidential. Bahrain-based private equity firm Investcorp Bank BSC acquired a stake in Bindawood last year. While MAF is close to concluding a deal, talks may still fall apart, the people said. (Bloomberg)Ocado signs deal with European retailer
British online food retailer Ocado has signed a deal with "a non-UK European retailer", a first for the online retailer that invested a lot of money to develop a highly innovative software platform and centralised warehouse system. It refuses to divulge who is its newest partner, but states that it is a regional European grocery retailer that currently does not have an online business and does not cater to several markets yet. (retaildetail.eu) Auchan Retail first in Ukraine to receive hryvnia loan from IFC
The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, will issue its first loan in the national currency, hryvnia, in Ukraine to Auchan Retail. IFC said on June that it is extending an eight-year loan worth around Hr 400m, or about $15m, to support its long-term investment program in Ukraine, which will help back up local producers and improve standards in the retail sector in Ukraine. (kyivpost.com) 7-Eleven enters Vietnam
Seven System Viet Nam JSC (SSV), a master franchisee of 7-Eleven Inc., will now have the first 7-Eleven store location in Vietnam. Initially, the store will be operated by SSV, but it is expected to be franchised in the future. The Saigon Trade Center store is the first of many 7-Eleven stores planned for Vietnam, the company said. With Vietnam, 7-Eleven now has stores in 19 countries. (cstoredecisions.com)
"Amazon's fresh still has room to grow"Amazon will need time to optimize its grocery delivery service Fresh and voice recognition software Alexa will soon read your emotions, two executives in Germany tell Handelsblatt. Please, click here to read the article. (subscription required)
Croatia's Konzum unveils new CEO and management team
The board of Croatia's Konzum has named Slavko Ledić as the retailer's new CEO, while the management board has been extended to include four members. The management board of the Agrokor-owned retailer now includes Ines Lozić, Member of Management Board for Finance, Zoran Mitreski, Member of Management Board for Procurement and Ivan Šantorić, Member of Management Board for Retail and Logistics. Teo Vujčić, the former CEO of Konzum, will remain at Agrokor as advisor to the Extraordinary Trustee for retail, and will operate as part of the Coordination group. (esmmagazine.com) AU: Coles ramps up food price cuts
Coles has ramped up how much money it pours into lowering food and grocery prices as it sacrifices profits in a bid to lure customers from Woolworths and Aldi. Coles managing director John Durkan told investors that the majority of Coles' $64m decline in earnings during the first-half of 2017 was due to investment in lowering prices. Coles's focus on lower prices comes after a significant slowdown its third-quarter sales growth - 0.3% compared to 4.9% growth in the same period a year ago - in a sign it has lost customers and market share to Woolworths and Aldi. (thewest.com.au) Aldi announces nine new WA stores
Supermarket juggernaut Aldi has revealed the locations of nine new WA stores. They are set to open in Banksia Grove, Currambine, Busselton, Northam, Yokine, Lakelands, Spearwood, South Fremantle and Bunbury over the course of the next few months. WAtoday first revealed Aldi was set to nearly double its presence in WA in January this year, and said the company flagged its intentions to open a total of 70 stores across the state over time. (watoday.com.au) US: Publix gets same-day grocery delivery at all locations
Publix and Instacart are launching same-day grocery delivery across all Publix locations. Prompted by customer demand, the newly-expanded service will be fully rolled out by 2020. "The overwhelming response of our customers has proven that Instacart and Publix are a strong and dynamic team," Laurie Douglas, CIO, said in a release. (tampabay.com) US: Marsh reports 'numerous bidders' for remaining stores
Marsh Supermarkets has received offers for at least some of its remaining 44 stores “from numerous bidders,” the company said Wednesday evening, less than two hours after the bid deadline set by bankruptcy court. “Qualifying bids have been received from numerous bidders,” Marsh said in a written statement. The company, its advisers and the Creditors Committee are evaluating the bids. (ibj.com)Trump wants to start charging stores to accept food stamps
Donald Trump wants to charge retailers a fee for accepting food stamps as payment from the poor. The food stamp fee would be reassessed every five years. (cnbc.com) Aldi to add organic fruit and veg in Wisconsin stores
No-frills discount grocer Aldi is remodeling most of its southeastern Wisconsin stores, sprucing them up as the growing chain seeks to enhance its position in a competitive market. Aldi will spend $37m on 23 stores here, or about $1.6m per store, over the next two and a half years. In it new stores, it will bolster its fresh produce, bakery and dairy sections, and it will continue to add organic fruits and vegetables. (jsonline.com) Hy-Vee reaches million-pound mark with Misfits
On Tuesday, Hy-Vee, Inc. announced that 1 million pounds of " cosmetically unpleasing" fruits and vegetables were saved from landfills through this program. “We are thrilled that Misfits fruits and vegetables have been so well received by our customers in such a short time,” said John Griesenbrock, vice president of produce/HealthMarkets at Hy-Vee. “This volume of food waste diversion is an encouraging sign that Hy-Vee’s focus on educating consumers about food waste issues around the world is having a positive effect, and we are excited to build upon these efforts going forward.” (Hy-Vee)US: Aldi cashews recalled for glass shards
Star Snacks Co. has been forced to recall various batches of Southern Grove cashews from all Aldi stores in 28 states and Washington D.C. due to consumers reportedly finding glass shards in their packaging. The recall notice was posted on Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration. (delish.com)