US: Supermarket share loss stabilizing, FMI report shows
After a decade of decline, the supermarket’s role as shoppers’ primary store has stabilized even as shopping trips continue to fragment among more channels of trade, according to the 2018 Trends report by Food Marketing Institute and the Hartman Group. The report, based on interviews with more than 2,100 U.S. shoppers, shows that the number of channels used by the average shopper continues to grow, but the ongoing fragmentation of the grocery landscape no longer erodes the status of the supermarket as the primary store. Instead, the report said, the supermarket channel today is situated among a greater number of venues that shoppers use “almost every time.”
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Food Lion is sole retailer on list honoring community-minded companies
For the second consecutive year, Food Lion ranked as the sole retailer named among the Civic 50, a list of 50 companies that reflect the best in good corporate citizenship. Announced at the Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta, the list honored the Salisbury, N.C.-based retailer for its Food Lion Feeds hunger-relief program, which launched in 2014. The program, which is committed to donating 500mln meals by 2020, has contributed more than 390mln of them to date.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: H-E-B opens first double-decker store in Houston
H-E-B opened its first multilevel grocery store in the Houston area, a reflection of the rising cost of land and increasing density of the city’s urban neighborhoods. The 78,000-square-foot store, located at Bissonnet and Rice in Bellaire, sits on the top floor of a two-story parking garage. Shoppers can use three oversized elevators, two escalators or a cart escalator to get into and out of the store. An interactive LED light installation by San Antonio-based artist Ansen Seale changes colors as patrons go up and down the stairs. Grocers are building upward as it has become increasingly difficult to assemble large tracts of land to build suburban-style supermarkets inside the city. H-E-B’s new Bellaire store is the first of four multilevel locations the company is building in the Houston area.
Source: houstonchronicle.com
After a decade of decline, the supermarket’s role as shoppers’ primary store has stabilized even as shopping trips continue to fragment among more channels of trade, according to the 2018 Trends report by Food Marketing Institute and the Hartman Group. The report, based on interviews with more than 2,100 U.S. shoppers, shows that the number of channels used by the average shopper continues to grow, but the ongoing fragmentation of the grocery landscape no longer erodes the status of the supermarket as the primary store. Instead, the report said, the supermarket channel today is situated among a greater number of venues that shoppers use “almost every time.”Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Food Lion is sole retailer on list honoring community-minded companies
For the second consecutive year, Food Lion ranked as the sole retailer named among the Civic 50, a list of 50 companies that reflect the best in good corporate citizenship. Announced at the Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta, the list honored the Salisbury, N.C.-based retailer for its Food Lion Feeds hunger-relief program, which launched in 2014. The program, which is committed to donating 500mln meals by 2020, has contributed more than 390mln of them to date.Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: H-E-B opens first double-decker store in Houston
H-E-B opened its first multilevel grocery store in the Houston area, a reflection of the rising cost of land and increasing density of the city’s urban neighborhoods. The 78,000-square-foot store, located at Bissonnet and Rice in Bellaire, sits on the top floor of a two-story parking garage. Shoppers can use three oversized elevators, two escalators or a cart escalator to get into and out of the store. An interactive LED light installation by San Antonio-based artist Ansen Seale changes colors as patrons go up and down the stairs. Grocers are building upward as it has become increasingly difficult to assemble large tracts of land to build suburban-style supermarkets inside the city. H-E-B’s new Bellaire store is the first of four multilevel locations the company is building in the Houston area.Source: houstonchronicle.com
Amazon Business launches in Italy and Spain
Amazon extends its business solution to Italy (www.amazon.it/business) and Spain (www.amazon.es/business). The service recently launched in France and is now available in eight countries including: United States, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Japan and India. Companies operating in these countries can buy and sell in the native language and receive local delivery. Customers also have access to other features like business-only prices, free shipping, the VAT Calculation Service, or multi-user business accounts. Amazon aims for the service to be convenient and flexible, enabling companies to lower costs and streamline their purchasing. The Amazon Business Marketplace also provides new export opportunities for small to medium-sized businesses.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Amazon extends its business solution to Italy (www.amazon.it/business) and Spain (www.amazon.es/business). The service recently launched in France and is now available in eight countries including: United States, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Japan and India. Companies operating in these countries can buy and sell in the native language and receive local delivery. Customers also have access to other features like business-only prices, free shipping, the VAT Calculation Service, or multi-user business accounts. Amazon aims for the service to be convenient and flexible, enabling companies to lower costs and streamline their purchasing. The Amazon Business Marketplace also provides new export opportunities for small to medium-sized businesses.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Portugal's Continente recognised as brand with 'best reputation' in retail sector
The Continente banner has been designated the brand with the best reputation in the retail and distribution sector in Portugal by the Marktest Reputation Index (MRI). The Sonae-owned chain received the highest score in all categories - which included 'confidence', 'familiarity', 'admiration', 'image' and 'word of mouth'. It achieved an MRI of 76.05%, making it 18th on the list of the companies with the best reputations in Portugal, jumping three positions from last year. The average of the distribution sector as a whole was 68.26%.Source: esmmagazine.com
South Africa's Christo Wiese cuts Shoprite stake after Steinhoff hit
South African tycoon Christo Wiese sold part of his stake in grocer Shoprite, raising 3.6bln rand ($264mln) and shoring up his finances, which were dented by his exposure to scandal-hit Steinhoff. Nearly $15bln has been wiped off Steinhoff shares over the last six months, after the owner of Mattress Firm, Poundland and Conforama revealed holes in its accounts. Wiese, the largest shareholder in Steinhoff (with a stake of about 20%), was particularly impacted by the fall.
Source: esmmagazine.com
South African tycoon Christo Wiese sold part of his stake in grocer Shoprite, raising 3.6bln rand ($264mln) and shoring up his finances, which were dented by his exposure to scandal-hit Steinhoff. Nearly $15bln has been wiped off Steinhoff shares over the last six months, after the owner of Mattress Firm, Poundland and Conforama revealed holes in its accounts. Wiese, the largest shareholder in Steinhoff (with a stake of about 20%), was particularly impacted by the fall.Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Growth slips in grocery market
After a pick up last month, GB market growth has slowed according to the latest data release from Kantar Worldpanel, pulled down mainly by weaker volume growth. The result comes as the market reached a two year milestone, with sales having risen for 25 consecutive periods. In the 12 weeks to 17 June 2018, the market grew by 2.1%, down from 2.7% in the previous month when it was boosted by excellent bank holiday weather and royal wedding celebrations. The lower growth rate largely reflects a fall in implied volume growth from +0.6% to +0.2%. Inflation also eased from 2.1% to 1.9%. Note that this period pre-dates the current heat wave and new found optimism about England's chances in the World Cup.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Carrefour most intimate retail brand in UAE: study
Top intimate brands deliver superior results related to revenue and profit growth by creating deeper relationships with their consumers, said a new report from MBLM, a global provider of optimized marketing solutions. The UAE’s retail industry came in eighth of the 15 studied in MBLM’s Brand Intimacy 2018 Report. Brand Intimacy is defined as a new paradigm in marketing, which leverages the emotional bonds between a person and a brand. Carrefour took home first place for most intimate brand in the retail industry, especially amongst users 25 to 44 years of age. Ikea, the industry leader in 2017, ranked fourth place in this year's results. Lulu Hypermarket ranked second among retail brands and performed best among millennials aged 18 to 34, with over 65% of the demographic responding that they couldn’t live without the brand.Source: zawya.com
Spar Georgia launches new supermarket in Kutaisi
Spar Georgia has opened its biggest supermarket in the country to date, in the city of Kutaisi. The new supermarket is located approximately 200 kilometres west of the capital, Tbilisi. A conversion of an existing store, the supermarket was re-branded to Spar and redesigned inside and out, according to the retailer. Spar Georgia has maintained its focus on offering a good selection of fresh produce and traditional Georgian bakery products, the retailer said.Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Waitrose stores to be sold as John Lewis warns on profits
Upmarket retail business Waitrose has revealed it is to sell five stores, with two shops in Manchester to be sold to another supermarket chain. The move comes as John Lewis Partnership, the owner of the Waitrose brand, warned on profits. The group has accepted an offer from the Co-op for the Waitrose convenience shops in Manchester Piccadilly and Spinningfields, as well as Colmore Row in Birmingham and Portman Square in London. Staff at these outlets will transfer under TUPE regulations. It has also accepted an offer from Aldi for a 10,000 sq ft store in Camden. This store will close for at least six months while work is undertaken. Waitrose said it was exploring options with staff in Camden, and others who wish to remain with the business. Ben Stimson, Waitrose retail director, said: "The sale of these shops is not something we take lightly, but we have accepted offers for them as it is sadly - despite the best efforts of everyone involved - not commercially viable for us to continue trading from them in the long term."Source: insidermedia.com
Coop Danmark launches same day delivery in Copenhagen
Last week, Coop Danmark introduced same day delivery in Copenhagen. Shoppers can now place their orders before 12.00 o'clock and can have them delivered from 15.00 o'clock. This autumn, the service will be available throughout the country. This will be made possible by introducing online grocery fulfilment from the retailer’s Irma, Fakta, SuperBrugsen, Dagli’Brugsen and Kvickly stores. Commenting on the development, Morten Viktor, Managing Director at Coop.dk MAD said: "Our major competitive advantage is that we have a great network of physical stores with a range ranging from discount to gourmet. By more closely linking the physical stores with the online store, we can almost nationwide get a concept where delivery is delivered on the same day".Source: retailanalysis.igd.com