Spanish cooperative Eroski is accelerating the remodelling of its commercial network in the south-central region of Spain, including the Balearic Islands and Catalonia, in order to improve competitiveness in the region. The company announced its plans to transform the stores into its 'contigo' (with you) model over the next few months at its annual general meeting. The retailer recently completed the refurbishment of its stores in the Basque country, Navarra, Aragón, Cantabria and La Rioja. Eroski said the revamp has helped consolidate its position in that region, gaining 0.4 points market share in the last year (to 19%). It plans to open five more Eroski stores in the next year, having opened four in the last 12 months in the Basque Country.Source: esmmagazine.com
Spar Ireland launches revamped private-label Better Choices summer range
Spar Ireland has launched its new private-label Better Choices summer range, featuring healthier snacking and meal options. Once again represented by Republic of Ireland football captain Seamus Coleman, the Better Choices range aims to encourage healthier food choices on-the-go and at home. The new menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes, made with Spar store ingredients from across Ireland. Products include ‘no-bake’ breakfast bars, banana and berry ‘nice’ cream, steak skewers with avocado salsa, whole wheat pitta pizzas, and a variety of healthy snack ideas.Source: esmmagazine.com
Creditors of UK's House of Fraser back plan to close stores and cut jobs
House of Fraser creditors approved the struggling British department store group’s survival plan at meetings on Friday, paving the way for store closures and up to 6,000 job losses. Earlier this month, Chinese-owned House of Fraser said it would seek creditor approval for so-called Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) that would see 31 of its 59 stores close early next year, with 2,000 direct employees losing their jobs as well as 4,000 who work for brand and concession partners.Source: reuters.com
UK: Tesco to end Brand Guarantee
Tesco has announced that it will end its Brand Guarantee scheme on July 16th in order to strengthen funding in everyday low prices. The move follows significant investments in price, particularly in fresh lines towards the end of Q1, and more generally across its product offer. These investments mean that fewer than one in eight transactions now receives any refund. Tesco is committed to further price cuts with dozens more reductions on popular products set to to be implemented over the next two weeks. Following the successful introduction of 'farm brands', Tesco is now replacing its entry level ambient private label range with a number of exclusive private label brands. Tesco has now renewed almost 30% of its 10,000 SKU strong own brand offer and it expects to complete the programme by the end of this year.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Ecommerce in Belgium will be worth €11.84bln in 2018
The business-to-consumers ecommerce turnover of Belgium is still increasing, with a 12% year-on-year growth rate this year. This would mean ecommerce in Belgium will be worth 11.84bln euros at the end of this year. These numbers come from Ecommerce Foundation’s report about the online retail industry in Belgium. While the ecommerce turnover is still increasing in Belgium, the average spending per buyer is predicted to decrease slightly. Last year, 53% of Belgian population can be described as an online shopper. Their average spending grew to 1,700 euros during that year, but it’s predicted it will decrease to 1,686 euros this year.Source: ecommercenews.eu
German grocer Lidl scales back plan for Philly store amid U.S. expansion's shaky start
German supermarket chain Lidl is downsizing its planned store on the only Philadelphia property it’s confirmed as having purchased, as it pulls back on what had been an aggressive U.S. expansion strategy that’s gotten off to a rocky start. The company’s U.S. unit, based in Arlington, Virginia, was issued a permit earlier this month to open a 29,136-square-foot store in Port Richmond on Butler Street near Aramingo Avenue, more than 7,000 square feet smaller than an original permit for the site from 2016, according to the Department of Licenses and Inspections. The move comes as Lidl rethinks a one-size-fits-all approach to the U.S. market that had called for blanketing big swaths of the country with near-identical stores to sell deeply discounted groceries under its private-label brands. Its stores closest to Philadelphia currently in operation are in Middletown, Delaware, and Vineland, New Jersey.Source: philly.com
US: Kroger completes merger with Home Chef
The Kroger Co. and Home Chef, the country's largest private meal kit company, today finalized a merger that will significantly accelerate availability of meal kits and position the combined company to lead the way in revolutionizing how families shop for, prep, and cook their meals. "We're excited to welcome Home Chef to The Kroger Family of Companies," says Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "The merging of our two innovative, data-driven, and customer-focused cultures will allow us to accelerate our reach across America, serving food inspiration and uplift."Source: prnewswire.com
Canadian retail sales slumped 1.2% in April
There were upward revisions to the prior month from +0.6% to +0.8%, although that's scant consolation. Sales were down in 8 of the 11 broad categories in April. Autos were largely responsible for the overall sales decline, falling 4.3% during the month. Excluding autos, sales were down just 0.1% as declines for building materials (-3.3%), furniture/home furnishings (-0.9%), health/personal care products (-0.9%), clothing/accessories (-1.3%), sporting goods (-1.1%), general merchandise (-2.2%) and miscellaneous items (-1.6%) more than offset higher sales of gasoline, food/beverage, and electronics. Seven of the 10 provinces saw declining sales in April, with Ontario and Quebec being hit particularly hard. In real terms overall Canadian retail sales sank 1.4%. In April, nominal wholesale sales rose 0.1% m/m to an all-time high C$63.1bln. Sales were up in three of the seven subsectors, led by machinery, equipment and supplies (+2.3%) and food, beverage and tobacco (+1.9%). Alternatively, sales were down in the motor vehicles and parts subsector (-4.0%). In volume terms, total wholesale trade was flat in the month.Source: fxstreet.com
US: Costco shoppers will still find big things, but different and orderly, in 'business' outlet
Costco opens its Costco Business Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, one of only 17 in the country and a first in Minnesota. Tailored to small businesses, it’s open to all Costco members but piled high with products for businesses such as restaurants, caterers, day-care centers, convenience stores, motels, vending machine operators and offices. “Minnesota is one of our most productive markets for foot traffic and membership,” said Rob Parker, vice president of Costco’s business center operation. “The site fits our needs and is close to the central business districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul.”Source: startribune.com
Amazon goes national with Prime savings at Whole Foods Market
Amazon is making savings for members of its Prime program available at Whole Foods Market stores across the US this month. This builds on a phased roll-out of the program which commenced in May, which enables Prime members to save an additional 10% on sale items in addition to deep discounts on selected products. Customer feedback has been very positive to the program, which also enables members to save on groceries delivered from Whole Foods Market via the Prime Now program.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com