Walmart is applying for a number of patents for drones that would be used to automate farming, CB Insights reported. The move could support the retailer's grocery business and give more supply chain control to the big box giant. With the six patent applications, Walmart proposes to use drones to identify pests attacking crops, monitor crop damage, spray pesticides and pollinate crops. This follows news that Walmart has developed produce inspection technology to track freshness, and intends to incorporate data from drones that monitor growing conditions, including temperatures, that determine the quality of produce.Source: fooddive.com
US: Smart & Final reports strong Q4/FY17, ecommerce expansion
Smart & Final Stores Inc. closed out its fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 with sales growth over the same periods a year prior, also reporting significant expansion of its ecommerce program across its operations. During Q4, which ended Dec. 31, 2017, net sales grew 6.7% compared with the prior-year period, reaching $1.07bln. These were led by 3.2% comparable-store sales growth, representing the company’s third consecutive quarterly increase.Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger brings home delivery to Indianapolis area stores
Kroger announced that stores throughout Central Indiana will offer delivery to customers through a new partnership with Instacart. A total of 48 stores within Kroger's Central Division will offer delivery, officials said. The division also offers 54 kerbside pickup locations with plans to add 21 locations in 2018.Source: indystar.com
US: Dollar General to expand fresh produce to 450 stores
Dollar General is ramping up its expansion plans for 2018 and rolling out several new merchandising initiatives, including adding fresh produce to hundreds of remodelled locations after a successful test. Of the 1,000 store remodels Dollar General has planned for 2018, about 400 will be what the chain calls its “traditional plus” stores that include 34 cooler doors to merchandise an expanded perishables assortment. Of the 750 traditional-plus stores to be operating by year end, about a third will include an assortment of fresh produce, bringing to 450 the number of stores carrying fresh fruits and vegetables.Source: supermarketnews.com
The Netherlands: retail turnover 3.5% up in January
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the Dutch retail sector achieved 3.5% turnover growth in January year-on-year, while the volume of sales increased by 2.4%. Turnover grew in both the food sector and the non-food sector. Furthermore, online sales increased by over 22%. Shops selling food, beverages and tobacco achieved 1.5% turnover growth in January, but volume of sales decreased by almost 1%. Supermarkets saw turnover growth, while specialist shops recorded turnover loss. Volume of sales by supermarkets as well as specialist shops was down.Source: cbs.nl
Despar Italia sees 4.5% revenue growth in 2017
The Despar concessionaire for Northern Italy, Aspiag Service, has reported a 4.5% growth in turnover to €2.16bln in 2017. The company, which is active in the Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige, and Emilia Romagna regions, saw growth well above the average for the Italian retail trade, which increased by 1.4% compared to 2016, according to Istat data.Source: esmmagazine.com
France: Carrefour buys stake in meal kit company
France-based Carrefour has announced it is buying a majority stake in Quitoque in its home market. The acquisition sees Carrefour continue to add to its range of online solutions as it aims to meet its recently set target to generate €5bln in food ecommerce sales. Quitoque was formed in 2014 and said it delivers more than three million meals throughout the country in 2017. Shoppers can choose from a range of meals with boxes providing a week’s worth of meals. The boxes contain all the ingredients needed to create the meals, with Quitoque providing local, organic and seasonal ingredients.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Spain's Mercadona: 2017 results
Mercadona has had another strong year of sales growth as it increased its turnover by 6% to €22,915mln, whilst achieving 5% volume growth. 2017 saw Mercadona make a record investment of €1bln, 47% more than in 2016. This investment facilitated 13 (net) supermarkets to be opened, making the network total 1,627. 126 stores were remodelled to the New Efficient Store Model, making the total 182. Mercadona has been rapidly carrying out this new store design programme, considering there were only two new design stores in 2016. Net profit was down to €322mln, 49% less than 2016, this shows the company’s focus on long-term planning. Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Italy’s Gruppo Megamark earmarks €45mln for expansion
Italian regional grocery retailer Gruppo Megamark is investing €45mln to expand its store network over the next three years. Il Denaro reports that the Trani-based company is planning to open seven new stores in the Puglia region (taking the total to 507), and a new 30,000 square metre distribution centre in Caserta (Campania region). Last year, Megamark achieved a 14.4% growth in turnover to €1.4bln, according to Nielsen data. Like-for-like sales in the same period were up by 6.7%.Source: esmmagazine.com
Spar Poland opens three new stores
Spar Poland has opened three new stores across the country, in a continued drive to expand and diversify its brand in the Eastern European market. The new stores range in size from 180 to 890 square metres – which includes its recently-introduced Spar Express convenience store format – and serve the southern parts of the country. The retailer’s private labels are displayed at the store entrance, in order to give them more prominence and help Spar distinguish itself from its local competitors, according to the retailer.Source: esmmagazine.com