Russian food retailer O'Key Group has announced the opening of a new format compact city hypermarket in Moscow. The O'Key hypermarket located in Rio Mall at Dmitrovskoe Highway is the first hypermarket of a new format opened after reconstruction and rebranding. It will have all the common supermarket areas, including a bakery and a beverages department, as well as an express café. It will also have a standalone Farmer’s Corner which will offer a selection of dairy products from various farms in the Moscow region.Source: esmmagazine.com
Spain: Eroski incorporates workers into cooperative members programme
Spanish retailer Eroski has announced that it incorporated 377 workers as cooperative members in 2017. Eroski added that almost 95% of the new members and partners carry out their activity in stores, mostly in the fresh sections, where the “Contigo” (with you) business model has been developed to offer greater personalised customer service. Some 77% of those added as corporate members are women, which the company says highlights its policy on gender equality.Source: esmmagazine.com
Aldi Süd opens 1,000th new concept store in Germany
Aldi Süd unveiled its 1,000th restyled store, modelled on a new concept design that aims to transform all regional stores. Including the most recent store, which is located on Amselstraße 10 in Mannheim, Germany, more than half of the 1,890 Aldi Süd stores in the south and west of the country have now been revamped. The regional refurbishment programme kicked off in May 2016, and all locations are expected to be completed by 2020.Source: esmmagazine.com
Delhaize Belgium readies for the future
With a new Brand President, strong first-quarter results and aggressive growth plans, Delhaize Belgium is preparing for the future with a reinvented strategy and more efficient ways of working. And the stage is set for success. "We have everything we need to be the preferred retailer in Belgium," said Brand President Xavier Piesvaux, who joined Delhaize last September, citing the brand's heritage, solid customer base, great locations and talented associates. Still, Xavier readily admits that Delhaize needs to adapt in the face of rising competition. "We are changing on several fronts, including a renewed positioning for the brand building on historical strengths, opening or refurbishing stores, focusing on quality, taste, health and convenience, and responding even better to customer needs."Source: aholddelhaize.com
UAE: Union Coop announces tender to build centres, branches
Union Cooperative’s properties and project division has announced a tender to build two new commercial centres and opening of two new branches later this year. The announcement falls in line with Union Coop’s strategic objectives of rapid expansion to establish modern shopping centres by adopting global standards that will offer a unique shopping experience. The two upcoming commercial centres are in Warqa’a (Mall) and in Jumeirah First — Al Bada’a area, and two new Union Coop branches are in the areas of Nad Al Sheba and Palm Jumeirah later this year.Source: gulfnews.com
Sonae MC announced new headquarters based in Spain
Portuguese retail group Sonae MC has announced that it has established its first headquarters in Madrid, Spain, which will employ more than 400 people by early 2019. Spain is already Sonae’s main international market, and the retailer said the new headquarters reinforces the group’s position in the country. The seven-storey headquarters encompasses 6,758 square meters. It will host more than 400 employees, including those of the Worten, Zippy, Losan, Salsa, S21Sec, WeDo Technologies, Sonae Sierra and Sonae Arauco divisions.Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Independent grocer opening 2 SC Piggly Wiggly stores
An independent Piggly Wiggly Store owner, in conjunction with, and with the support of, C&S Wholesale Grocers, is purchasing two former Bi-Lo stores in South Carolina. Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S, owner of the Piggly Wiggly brand, is eager to extend the banner’s footprint further into South Carolina and southeast Georgia. “Our independent owners are excited to grow their existing store count and expand the Piggly Wiggly brand in the Southeast,” noted C&S VP of Marketing and Merchandising John Owens.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
An independent Piggly Wiggly Store owner, in conjunction with, and with the support of, C&S Wholesale Grocers, is purchasing two former Bi-Lo stores in South Carolina. Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S, owner of the Piggly Wiggly brand, is eager to extend the banner’s footprint further into South Carolina and southeast Georgia. “Our independent owners are excited to grow their existing store count and expand the Piggly Wiggly brand in the Southeast,” noted C&S VP of Marketing and Merchandising John Owens.Source: progressivegrocer.com
Supermarket chain Tops said it reached a peace pact with the Teamsters and the union’s pension fund that ends fighting over bonuses for senior managers and clears the way to bring the company out of bankruptcy. Tops in court papers said the settlement will allow it to withdraw from the union pension plan and shift funds that had been earmarked for management bonuses to shore up union retirement plans.Source: reuters.com
US: Blue Apron opens the doors on its first pop-up shop
Meal-kit service Blue Apron, which has begun a strong push to grow its brick-and-mortar presence, has opened its first pop-up, in New York, to allow visitors to explore its products. Launched in late May, the spot allows shoppers to experience unique programming such as cooking classes and panel discussions with notable chefs. The majority of its activities are free, except for cooking classes, which cost a nominal fee, with proceeds going to a local food-rescue organization.Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Dollar General could bring produce to 'thousands' of stores
Dollar General has been pleased with sales of produce in around 200 stores and could add fresh fruits and vegetables to “thousands” of locations over time, CEO Todd Vasos said during the company’s earnings call. Dollar General is also capitalizing on healthy snacking with a recently launched private label, Good & Smart. The line will eventually include 130 products and will comprise 75% of Dollar General’s better-for-you offerings, Vasos noted. “Our goal is to build Good & Smart into a unique private brand that becomes a go-to-product line for our customers when they look for good food choices at smart prices.” Dollar General reported net sales of $6.1bln for the first fiscal quarter, a 9% increase over the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 2.1% while earnings increased 33% to $1.36 per share. Traffic was down for the quarter, which executives attributed to inclement weather.Source: fooddive.com
US: Walmart sells majority stake in underperforming Brazil division
Walmart Inc. has agreed to sell the majority stake in its underperforming Walmart Brazil business to Boston-based private-equity company Advent International. Under the terms of the agreement, Advent will acquire 80% of Walmart Brazil, while Walmart will retain the remaining 20% upon the completion of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval in Brazil.Source: progressivegrocer.com