The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has joined forces with Berrian Insurance Group, a Leavitt Group company, to promote RevenueShield, an exclusive insurance program that covers grocers and supply chain partners with regard to potential risks associated with managing retail fresh prepared food initiatives and private-brand manufacturing. (progressivegrocer.com) US: Walmart to simplify busines
Walmart is reorganizing its US store operations to simplify the sprawling business, part of a bid to maintain growth and compete with the likes of Amazon.com Inc. The idea is to react more quickly to changes and better communicate, said spokesman Kory Lundberg. According to a person familiar with the overhaul, the retailer will consolidate its U.S. business to four divisions, down from six, each of which is managed by a senior vice president. (Bloomberg)
CA: Metro’s online grocery service comes to Quebec CityNearly a year after launching its online grocery shopping pickup service and home delivery in Montreal, Metro has expanded the program to Quebec City. (canadiangrocer.com)
Walmart Canada launches Online Grocery Pickup service
Walmart Canada announced the launch of its new convenient and easy Online Grocery Pickup service. It allows consumers to shop for their groceries online on Walmart.ca, and have it ready to pick up at one of the seven locations to begin offering this service this month in the metropolitan area. (markets.businessinsider.com) UK: Tesco cools down its price rises
Tesco cooled its price rises last month, according to new data, as it seeks to become more price-competitive than its peers. In August, price inflation fell to 1.4%, down from 4.1% in July, according to data from UBS. "If Tesco was trying to rebuild margin then the initiative was short-lived," said Daniel Ekstein, food analyst at UBS. "August saw resumption of the trend for Tesco being significantly less inflationary than its Big Four peers." Averaged over the last three months, inflation at Tesco was 2.4%, below UBS' average for the sector of 2.9%. (cityam.com) Italy's Megamark opens 'Stammibene' store in Puglia
Italian regional grocery retailer Megamark Group has opened a new fresh food store concept, Stammibene, in the city of Bari, in Italy's Puglia region, according to Gdoweek. The new outlet is equipped with a kitchen, vertical vegetable garden, a grass-covered table for customers to eat at, and a bar which offers sweet and salty breakfasts. Through the store's website www.stammi-bene.it, 100 'taste ambassadors' have contributed to the development of the market, by giving opinions on furnishing, menus, atmosphere and services. (esmmagazine.com) Report: Aldi sources 77% via UK suppliers
Discount retailer Aldi contributed to the generation of over £8.5bn to the UK economy in 2016, according to a report published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research. This figure was generated through job creation, spending with British-based businesses, tax contributions, and capital investment, and is set to grow to £11.5bn by 2022 as Aldi reaches its target of 1,000 stores in the UK. The report notes that much of the increase is a result of Aldi sourcing products manufactured or grown in Britain whenever possible, generating 77% of its sales form products sourced via UK suppliers. (esmmagazine.com) Lidl Sweden: 7.5% growth in 2016/17
Lidl Sweden has reported growth of 7.5% to SEK 8.958m (€936.5m), although operating profit dropped by 45.8%% to SEK 48.4m (€5.1m). Commenting on performance, country manager Johannes Fieber said, ‘We continue to grow faster than the rest of the day-to-day industry. Our strategic efforts to open up new stores and our work on sustainability are appreciated by our customers. We see how new groups find us and enjoy our high quality food range at the best price. Our earnings development is in line with plans and is an effect of the major expansion.' Lidl targets 20 stores by 2020 and 300 stores in the long term. (igd.com)AU: Woolworths unveils new nationwide Pick Up service
Woolworths has fired its latest salvo in the battle for supermarket shoppers, rolling out its click-and-collect grocery service nationwide. The supermarket chain will offer the service at 970 locations across Australia. (heraldsun.com.au)Aldi generates £380m for Scotland
Aldi generates more than £380m of gross domestic product for the Scottish economy, according to research. The report was published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). Aldi currently has more than 80 Scottish suppliers, which are the source for around 22% of its product range. (thetimes.co.uk) Belgian Delhaize appoints new CEO
Belgian retailer Delhaize has appointed Xavier Piesvaux as its new CEO, effective 11 September, succeeding Denis Knoops, who is leaving the company after 25 years. Piesvaux has 27 years experience in retail, including positions as senior vice president at Walmart Canada, and CEO of Romanian retailer Mega Image. (esmmagazine.com) 
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