Raley’s new modern market concept, Market 5-ONE-5 has opened in Sacramento, California, with a focus on affordable options to help people eat better, according to the West Sacramento, California-based company. The store is part of the Raley’s corporation, but is managed independently, and expansion plans for more locations are being considered. The neighborhood market concept is founded on the principle that quality, nutritious food should be accessible and affordable. Every item was selected according to three core values: organic, nutrition and education (ONE).Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Walmart's U.S. e-commerce growth rebounds, shares rise
Walmart Inc posted a rebound in its U.S. e-commerce business and beat profit and revenue expectations, lifting its shares in premarket trade. Walmart’s e-commerce sales grew 33% during the first quarter ended April 30, above the 23% growth in the previous three months. The retailer said it is on track to increase U.S. e-commerce sales by 40% for the full year. The e-commerce rebound comes after a sharp slowdown during the crucial holiday quarter, which sent its shares down over 10% and wiped out $31bln from its market capitalization. Investors worried the retailer would not be able to keep pace with rival Amazon.com Inc.Source: reuters.com
Lidl US names Johannes Fieber President/CEO
Johannes Fieber has been appointed president and CEO of Lidl US, replacing Brendan Proctor, who has helmed the chain's U.S. expansion from June 2015. Fieber will assume his new role in the coming months, according to the German deep-discount retailer. A company veteran of around 10 years’ standing, Fieber held roles in various Lidl countries. His last position was as CEO of Lidl Sweden, a position he occupied for more than two years.Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger signed a transformational deal with UK online grocer Ocado
US grocery giant Kroger has signed an exclusive deal with Ocado, the British online grocer that makes tech savvy supply chain and fulfilment technology. Ocado said in a statement that it has signed a deal allowing Kroger to use its technology exclusively in the US. Kroger will pay undisclosed monthly exclusivity and consultancy fees, which will offset the total cost of the deal that has yet to be agreed. Kroger is buying a 5% stake in Ocado for £183mln under the terms of the deal.Source: businessinsider.com
US: BJ’s files for IPO
Seven years after being acquired by private-equity investors, BJ’s Wholesale Club is coming back to public ownership. The $12.8bln warehouse club operator filed to register its stock for a public offering, with its owners - private investors Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital, whose partnership was known as Beacon Holding Inc. - selling an unspecified stake to public investors. BJ’s intends to use proceeds of the offering to repay debts incurred in part through a $735.5mln dividend paid to its private owners a year ago.Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Belgium: Carrefour in market-first with automated ‘Drive’
Carrefour has launched a fully-automated Drive format in Belgium, in a market-first for Belgian retail. The ‘outlet’ is a wall of metal lockers which can accommodate nearly 50 orders daily, and can stock both dry and fresh products, including refrigerated items. The format drive was designed specifically for Carrefour Belgium and can be moved using a lorry to locations near where customers live.Source: kamcity.com
UK: Co-op to stop 'last-minute' fresh produce sales to tackle food waste
Co-op will stop 'last-minute' sales of fresh produce in a bid to reduce the volume of edible food going to waste in its stores every day. The supermarket chain will remove fresh foods with a use-by or best-before date for that day two hours ahead of closing time, before redistributing them. Co-op estimates that it can help charities and small community groups to create almost eight million meals each year. The scheme will be rolled out across its 2,500 retail outlets by the end of the year, following a successful trial in 50 of its stores. “At the Co-op, we want to strengthen and support communities and we are committed to tacking food waste and ensuring food gets into the hands of those who need it most,” Co-op chief executive Steve Murrells said. “We work hard to reduce waste but believe any food that we don’t sell should end up feeding people, wherever possible.”Source: edie.net
UK: Asda's sales rise for fourth straight quarter
Asda, the British supermarket arm of Walmart that is set to be acquired by Sainsbury’s, reported a fourth straight quarter of underlying sales growth, showing a recovery under new management is gaining momentum. Asda, the UK’s third largest grocer after Sainsbury’s and market leader Tesco, said like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, rose 3.4% in its fiscal first quarter. That compared to a 0.5% increase in the previous quarter. Asda said it benefited from the earlier timing of Easter this year but also saw an improving performance from its own-brand products and from online grocery.Source: reuters.com
South Korea: Chinese retailer buys 72 Lotte Mart stores
South Korean retail giant Lotte Mart has sold its 72 supermarket stores and 15 properties for 1.665bln yuan ($2.62bln) to regional retailer Liqun Group from east China's Shandong Province, according to China.com.cn. Lotte Shopping Holding (Hong Kong) Co. sold 100% of its stake in its Chinese unit that operates Lotte Mart in Shanghai and nearby areas to Liqun Group in the deal. Through the acquisitions, the Chinese retailer will enter the market in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, and boost its market share in Jiangsu and Shandong provinces as well.Source: ecns.cn
Spar South Africa introduces new paper bag scheme to combat plastic waste
Spar South Africa’s Eastern Cape (Spar EC) team has launched an initiative to urge customers to consider alternative packaging options for their daily groceries. Spar EC Managing Director, Conrad Isaac, said that the issue of packaging waste was one that could no longer be ignored. “We believe that safeguarding our environment and the future are often spoken about but not much is done," he commented. “As the biggest food retailer in the Eastern Cape, I believe we have to take care of the health and well-being of the communities in which we operate.”Source: esmmagazine.com