Grocery chain Farm Boy’s Ontario's expansion continues with plans to open up to a dozen stores in the Toronto area. The company is preparing to open its 24th store in Toronto this fall, and there are plans underway for more stores throughout the province and beyond. In an interview with The Globe and Mail last week, co-CEO Jeff York said the company had 10 to 12 leases in the works and could do up to 50 stores in the Greater Toronto Area. The company has been in major expansion mode of late and in 2016 introduced a smaller urban format, which is being tested in Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood. (canadiangrocer.com)
US: Bristol Farms’ new-concept Mulholland store
Bristol Farms’ new prototype store will open Nov. 11. The store is the first major design departure for Bristol Farms in its 35-year history. The food is the only color in the Mulholland store; if there is other color, it’s the signage color which directly relates to the food offering. (theshelbyreport.com) US: Price Chopper launches with Instacart in 4 markets
Price Chopper and Market 32 Supermarkets have launched online grocery ordering and delivery in partnership with Instacart. The service would extend the market trade areas of its stores and provide additional convenience for shoppers. (groceryheadquarters.com) First online grocery store launched in Egypt by Knockmart, Jumia
Knockmart Food Industries and Jumia Egypt announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership by launching Jumia Fresh, set to become the largest grocery and home appliance platform online. Khockmart, through its partnership with Jumia, wants to expand the company to include fresh food items such as vegetables, fruits and meat. (egyptindependent.com) New Zealand: Countdown launches click & collect app
Countdown in New Zealand has launched a new app for its click & collect online pick up service, which will help enhance its service. The new app will make click & collect even more convenient for customers, plus help drive more efficient in-store operations. The app is the first of its kind in New Zealand and has been downloaded 3,600 times already. Countdown is leading the way in online grocery in New Zealand. (igd)French retail firm Auchan to open checkout-free shops in China
Auchan, one of France's leading retail groups, announced that it would open several hundred shops without checkout counters in China by the year-end. "The operation of Auchan Minute is very simple and intuitive. To enter, the customer uses the application WeChat. At the entrance, it scans a code that opens him the doors of this automated shop and identifies it," Auchan said in a statement. (chinadaily.com.cn) AUS: Woolworths enhances supplier portal
Woolworths has made changes to its online supplier portal that it believes will help deliver great quality products for their customers. The new enhancements will allow suppliers to ask questions, access documents, watch videos and get updates on company news. Two key elements of Woolworths strategy are to put customers at the heart of all decions and develop better relationships with suppliers. (igd)