US: Oklahoma City grocers partner with Udelv for driverless delivery
Oklahoma City residents will soon be able to get their groceries delivered via driverless cars. Esperanza Real Estate Investments and Narnia Road have inked a deal with autonomous-vehicle startup Udelv to supply the Buy For Less family of supermarket brands with self-driving delivery vans to fulfill online grocery orders. Udelv will provide an initial fleet of 10 customized cargo vans for Uptown Grocery Co., Buy For Less, Buy For Less Super Mercado and Smart Saver to service the Oklahoma City metro area. The first vehicle is scheduled to hit the road in the first quarter of 2019, with the full fleet arriving by the end of June 2019.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Amazon to open fourth checkout-free store, in Chicago this time
The Windy City is getting the next Amazon Go checkout-free store, the first to open outside of Seattle. The new cashierless store opens Monday in Chicago. The store uses proprietary technology made up of hundreds of cameras and sensors to see what customers have taken. The Just Walk Out tech allows customers to swipe in with their Amazon Go app, pick up what they want and walk out. When they leave, the items are automatically charged to the credit card on the account, without the need to talk to a cashier or swipe a bar code.
Source: eu.usatoday.com
US: Kroger to shuffle leadership, consolidate Roundy's and Mariano's divisions
Mariano’s leadership has confirmed to reporters that Kroger is planning to consolidate its assets into a single Wisconsin-based division, uniting Mariano’s, Roundy’s, and its various banners - including Pick ’n Save - under one leadership team led by longtime Kroger executive and current head of Roundy’s Michael Marx. According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, a memo was sent to Mariano’s employees detailing plans to consolidate Mariano’s and Roundy’s Wisconsin assets under a single leadership team and the name “Roundy’s”.
Source: delimarketnews.com
US: Aldi goes nationwide with Instacart
After an expansion earlier this year, Aldi and Instacart are rolling out online grocery delivery to all of the hard-discount grocer’s stores across the United States. Aldi said that online ordering through Instacart will become available by Thanksgiving at its stores in 35 states, covering 5,000 new ZIP codes. The national deployment will reach 75 major market areas, including San Diego, New York City, Miami, Raleigh, North Carolina and Minneapolis.
Source: supermarketnews.com
UK: Robot warehouses boost supermarket's fortunes
Robotic warehouses have helped Ocado Group grow revenues 11.5% for the three months to September 2nd. The online supermarket said it is “ramping up new capacity” after posting double-digit growth in average orders per week. Last year Ocado ploughed major investment into its UK logistics hub and technology platform, including fully automated third and fourth warehouses at Andover, Hampshire and Erith, South-east London. "The new capacity from Andover and Erith is helping meet consumer demand for our services and drive the channel shift which is transforming grocery retailing in the UK,” said Ocado CEO Tim Steiner.
Source: businesscloud.co.uk
Israel’s Shufersal invests in technology
Shufersal has partnered with KNAPP to improve its logistical capabilities by automating its distribution. This allows the retailer to expand its range of products and reduce delivery time to the same day. The aim is to support the growth of its online store Shufersal Direct, which now accounts for 10% of the retailer’s turnover. This investment comes after fellow Israel-based retailers Rami Levy and Super-Pharm announced their partnership with ecommerce distribution startup CommonSense Robotics to improve their online delivery capabilities.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
UK: Waitrose & Partners launches two-hour delivery trial
From September 19, Waitrose & Partners customers can have their food and drink delivered straight to their door within two hours or on the same day for the first time as part of a new trial. The supermarket has teamed up with On the dot, the last mile retail delivery startup, to launch ‘Waitrose Rapid Delivery’ in selected London postcodes (SW5, SW6 , SW10, WC1, WC2, EC1, CR5 and CR8). Customers in these areas will be able to choose up to 20 items from more than 1,500 products at rapid.waitrose.com. Before completing their order they will be given the option to receive their shopping within two hours of placing the order or to specify a one-hour time slot on the same day. There is a £10 minimum spend and a £5 charge will apply for using either service. All products will be hand–picked and prepared for delivery by Waitrose Partners before being collected and delivered by On the dot.
Source: waitrose.pressarea.com
Spain: Eroski proposes Nutri-Score label for private-label products
Spanish supermarket chain Eroski has proposed its partners to incorporate Nutri-Score labelling in the group's private-label products, according to a press release. Director of health and sustainability at Eroski, Alejandro Martínez Berriochoa, said: "The informative transparency about the nutritional quality of food is a crucial aspect for the consumer, and it is also one of our commitments in health and sustainability. We want to corroborate with consumers that this proposal suggests clear progress towards a more complete, useful and practical nutritional labelling process, and that it serves as an effective help to configure a healthy diet". If Eroski's partners agree with the proposal, the supermarket chain will roll out packaging with the WHO-approved labels by the end of this year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Migros and Shell extend partnership in Switzerland
Migros has announced that Migrol, Migrolino and Shell are to continue their long-term partnership, which started in 2008, for another 12 years. Over 120 Shell petrol stations have a Migrolino convenience store, 62 of these are operated by shell, and 61 are owned by Migrol AG. Currently there are 311 Migrolino stores and 308 Migrol petrol stations in Switzerland, both subsidiaries of Migros Cooperatives. A modernisation plan is in place to upgrade and expand Shell’s existing Migrolino shops, with new openings also planned. Migros says that customers will benefit from a wider range at Migrolino stores, with more fresh, branded and private label items.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
UK: Asda opts for F1-inspired Aerofoil tech in stores
Asda is to install F1-inspired Aerofoils in 187 of its supermarkets as it looks to reduce energy consumption from refrigeration and slash CO2 emissions. Aerofoil, a new device from Aerofoil Energy, is influenced by Formula One aerodynamics from Williams and is similar in appearance to the rear wing of a Formula One car. It guides cold air down the fridge more efficiently. Initial results from tests in the US also show an increased shelf life of produce, helping to reduce food waste. “Like all the Walmart family, we’re committed to lowering our energy use, with a target of a 30% reduction in energy intensity by 2025 from our 2010 baseline,” says Brian Churchyard, Senior Manager for Construction Design Standards at Asda. “The roll-out of Aerofoils, alongside other initiatives we’re undertaking, such as moving to 100% LED sales floor lighting this year, will significantly help us in achieving this target, as well as improving the shopping experience for our customers.”
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Denmark: Dagrofa's FoodService Danmark appoints new chief executive
Denmark's Dagrofa has appointed a new chief executive to its FoodService Danmark business. Peter Bruun will take over as CEO of the firm on 1 December, joining from System Frugt A/S, a supplier of 'natural snacks' such as nuts and dried fruits to the Danish market. Commenting on his forthcoming role with Dagrofa, Bruun said, "I am looking forward to an exciting role, where the overall focus on collaboration with the many skilled employees and management in Dagrofa will ensure that FoodService Danmark takes advantage of its potential."
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Major supermarket Morrisons launches new vegan range
UK retailer Morrisons is launching a new range of vegan food which will hit shelves in October, according to The Guardian. The new options will include vegan Red Leicester cheese as well as ready meals like chili 'non carne'. The brand's Chief Executive David Potts said the store is targeting younger consumers with the plant-based foods. In addition, the store will be adjusting its specs on vegetables and fruit so it can sell smaller produce - a result of Britain's hot, dry Summer. Potts said: "[We will] sell what Britain has grown through the summer. It will be a wonky autumn and Christmas."
Source: plantbasednews.org
Lidl: New digital loyalty app in Spain, Denmark and Austria
Lidl has announced the launch of its new customer loyalty app known as Lidl Plus. The app is available for download in Spain, Denmark and Austria. Lidl Plus is a free app that is easily downloadable via the App Store. The app introduces a digital loyalty card that allows customers to gain benefits without having to present a physical card. Lidl Plus has been designed so that all its features can and should be used directly from the app. Customers can scan their digital loyalty card in stores to earn coupons and discounts.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com