Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a rapidly growing Midwest specialty grocer focused on healthy organic products and groceries, announces that their delivery service, Fresh Thyme Delivers, is available in the majority of its Midwest markets thanks to a partnership with Instacart, the technology-driven on-demand grocery delivery service. “As part of our ongoing commitment to bringing healthy, natural and organic products to all, we’ve launched Fresh Thyme Delivers, to give shoppers greater access to affordable groceries and products whenever and wherever it’s convenient for them,” said Chris Sherrell, President and CEO of Fresh Thyme. “The demand for delivery services has never been greater. We’re pleased to combine this new delivery option with access to Fresh Thyme’s 5,000 plus organic items, 8,000 SKUs of vitamin and body care products and many more healthy, wholesome options.”Source: globenewswire.com
US: Piggly Wiggly Indie storeowners buying 6 Southeastern Grocers locations
Three independent Piggly Wiggly store owners have entered into definitive agreements with Southeastern Grocers to purchase three Bi-Lo stores in South Carolina and three Harveys Supermarkets in Georgia. The deals are in conjunction with the restructuring support agreement revealed by Southeastern Grocers earlier this month, and follow in the immediate wake of the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this week.Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Food Lion expands delivery in Raleigh Metro
Food Lion is expanding grocery delivery in the greater Fayetteville, North Carolina, area to include residents in Aberdeen, Carthage, Seven Lakes and Southern Pines, North Carolina, via its partnership with San Francisco-based delivery service Instacart. A division of Ahold Delhaize USA, Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion operates more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, and employs more than 63,000 associates.Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Salvation Army opens first-ever supermarket, in Baltimore
The Salvation Army recently opened its first nonprofit supermarket in the country in East Baltimore. The store is called DMG Foods, which stands for the Salvation Army's motto, "Doing the Most Good." In addition to offering the usual supermarket experience, DMG Foods also offers nutritional guidance, shopping education, workforce development training, and meal planning.Source: npr.org
US: Kroger's same-day grocery delivery at 94 stores in Michigan
Almost 100 Kroger grocery stores across Michigan are now offering same-day delivery as part of an expanded partnership with retail delivery service Instacart. Kroger shoppers at 94 stores scattered across the state can choose from thousands of items like produce, dairy, frozen products and personal items and a trained Instacart shopper will shop and deliver the items within two hours seven days a week, according to a statement from The Kroger Co. of Michigan.Source: mlive.com
Italy: SIA launches Jiffy m-payment in Iper supermarkets
Italian payment technology services provider SIA and UBI Banca announced that the Jiffy mobile payment app can now be used at Iper-branded supermarkets in Seriate, Orio al Serio, Rozzano and Vittuone. Android, iOS and Windows Phone users can pay directly using their current account by scanning a QR code with their smartphone. The new service will be gradually rolled out in another 23 Iper sales outlets across 7 Italian regions by the end of the first half of 2018.Source: telecompaper.com
Germany: Kaufland adds ‘Favourite’ private label range
Kaufland has introduced a new private label range under the name ‘Favourites’ in Germany. The new private label range will supplement the price entry and premium ranges - K-Classic and K-Exquisit - and aims to boost private label sales growth. According to Kaufland CEO, Patrick Kaudewitz, 3,800 'Favourites' products will be initially introduced at a standard price point, which will add another price tier to Kaufland's private label offer. Mr Kaudewitz makes the point that Kaufland sits between Edeka and Aldi and is “a hybrid between a full-range retailer and a classic discounter, and the customer can rely on a particularly good price-performance ratio.”Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
France: Franprix is looking for second location in Brussels already
French retail group Casino means business with its Franprix brand in Brussels, because it is planning for a second location, with several franchisees who have presented themselves. The news broke during the brand’s first Belgian press conference. Jean-Paul Mochet, Casino’s proximity director, came to talk about business: the first store hit the mark, which was reason for the company to look for a second location only a month after the first store opened its doors. Several local entrepreneurs are also interested in a possible partnership.Source: retaildetail.eu
Holland: Jumbo & Coop announce distribution of EMTÉ Supermarkets
Dutch retailers Jumbo and Coop have announced plans as to how to divide the EMTÉ store estate between them, following their joint purchase of said estate from Sligro. Subject to approval from the Dutch competition authorities (ACM), some 79 EMTÉ stores are to fall under the Jumbo banner and 51 under the Coop banner. The transition and conversion process is expected to be completed over the course of 2019.Source: esmmagazine.com
Spain retail sales growth slows in February
Spain's retail sales grew at a slower pace in February, data from the statistical office INE showed. Retail sales rose 1.9% year-on-year in February, weaker than the 2.2% increase seen in January. On an unadjusted basis, retail sales grew 2.2% after expanding 2.4% a month ago. Month-on-month, retail sales edged up 0.1%, following January's 0.3% increase. This was the second consecutive increase in sales. Food sales rose 0.1%, while non-food sales remained flat in February.Source: markets.businessinsider.com