The former Plumb’s Valu-Rite Foods has begun converting its stores to the Great Lakes Fresh Market banner and has added the Best Choice private label from Associated Wholesale Grocers. The three-store chain, which was acquired last year by Menominee, Mich.-based L.M. Foods, is remodeling the stores with a focus on fresh foods and organics, according to local reports. (supermarketnews.com)Amazon said to have pondered Whole Foods bid before Jana stepped in
Amazon.com Inc., seen as a possible bidder for Whole Foods Market Inc., pondered a takeover of the organic-food chain last fall but didn’t pursue a deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, Bloomberg reports. The e-commerce giant considered internally whether Whole Foods would help invigorate its nearly decade-long push into groceries, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations were private. The discussions never turned into a concrete plan, according to the person. (Bloomberg) H-E-B becomes state's largest private employer
H-E-B is now the state's largest private employer, with more than 100,000 workers on its payroll in Texas and Mexico, making the supermarket chain one of the largest retail employers in the U.S., the company announced Tuesday. (houstonchronicle.com)US: Wal-Mart eliminates more corporate jobs
Wal-Mart Stores said on Tuesday it is eliminating more U.S. corporate jobs this month, even as it invests in improving its e-commerce operations and in regaining its low-cost pricing advantage in the U.S. retail sector. Wal-Mart confirmed the latest round of job cuts, which will involve "hundreds" of positions in its international and technology businesses, along with its Sam's Club warehouse chain. (Reuters)Tesco recovery gains momentum as profit jumps
Tesco beat forecasts for full-year profit, showing its recovery is gaining pace and boosting CEO Dave Lewis as he seeks investor backing for his plan to buy wholesaler Booker. Annual like-for-like sales in its core UK market rose 0.9% - the first increase in seven years, the supermarket group said on Wednesday, underlining its turnaround. "We are confident that we can build on this strong performance in the year ahead," Lewis said. Lewis, who took charge in Sept. 2014, stabilised the business with a focus on lower prices, streamlined product ranges, including new "farms" brands for fresh food, and better customer service. He has also sought to improve relationships with suppliers. (Reuters)
Walmart's Asda reignites row over 'farm' brands
The supermarket chain Asda has relaunched its value Smart Price food range as Farm Stores, reigniting the row about retailers’ controversial use of “fake farm” brands to sell products. Asda, which pledged to replace the Smart Price branded products completely by 2018, has recently reintroduced the Farm Stores label for both meat and fresh produce after dropping it in 2001. UK farming organisations – which last year criticised Tesco’s introduction of a budget range of own-label “farm” brands – dismissed the latest marketing drive as misleading for consumers and insulting for farmers. (theguardian.com) AU: Woolworths follows Coles in paying suppliers faster
Supermarket giant Woolworths has followed rival Coles in committing to paying its suppliers faster. But this won't stop suppliers using finance firms to bridge them over until the supermarkets' payments come through, according to investment bank Goldman Sachs. From July 1 this year, Woolworths will pay suppliers with net sales to Woolworths of less than $1m in 14 days. Please, click here to read more at smh.com.au. Japanese Aeon FY operating profit up 4% on supermarkets
Top Japanese retailer Aeon Co on Wednesday said its annual operating profit rose 4%, as growing sales at its supermarkets and drugs stores helped prop up struggling general merchandise stores. Operating profit came in at 184.7bn yen ($1.7bn) for the year ended Feb. 28, below the company's estimate of 190bn yen. Nine analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had forecast an average operating profit of 185.9bn yen. (Reuters)
Finland's Kesko sells its agricultural trade stores Finnish retailer Kesko said on Tuesday it will sell its agricultural trade chain K-maatalous to Sweden's Lantmannen EK for €38.5m ($40.83m). Kesko said it will record a profit of €13m on the divestment. (Reuters)
SA: Woolworths launches food-on the-go outlet
South Africa-based Woolworths has opened a new store concept under the Now Now brand. The retailer has said that Now Now is designed to meet customers' meals on-the-go needs. Woolworths has said that the aim for Now Now is to offer affordable and fresh products. (igd.com) US: Sainsbury's trials budget fruit and veg range
Sainsbury's has introduced a new low priced range of fresh fruit and vegetables called Greengrocer's Value Selection. The new range provides a cheaper alternative to standard fruit and vegetable lines, and should build Sainsbury's appeal with shoppers on tight budgets. The range is mainly made up of class two produce and appears to have replaced the equivalent Basics range in the SKUs where it has been introduced. To date the range is limited to popular lines such as apples, strawberries, onions and peppers. (igd.com) Japanese Aeon plans big price cuts in grocery
Japanese retailer Aeon Co is cutting prices for over 250 items ranging from milk to daily necessities to lure cost-savvy shoppers, underscoring the difficulty facing the central bank as it tries to spur inflation and coax consumers to boost spending. (Reuters)Retailers shift away from Africa expansion
Africa is falling off the immediate radar of local retailers after the region posted its slowest growth rate in two decades in 2016, and with the outlook for 2017 looking as unpromising, most companies are changing their focus from expansion to improving customer experience. According to the World Bank, growth in the sub-Saharan Africa region slowed to 1.5% in 2016. The bank said the risk outlook weighed heavily to the downside due to heightened policy uncertainty in the US and Europe and continued weakness in commodity prices. (businesslive.co.za) Aldi has unveiled new packaging to help consumers reduce food waste
Aldi has unveiled new packaging to help consumers reduce food waste. Aldi’s new fresh produce packaging includes tips on how to best store products to improve shelf life and reduce waste. According to The Grocer, the packaging will include Wrap’s Love Food, Hate Waste logo. (igd.com) Coop Danmark profit declines by 59.8%
Coop Danmark has reported that its 2016 revenue excluding VAT decreased by 1.1% DKK 44.7bn (€6.01bn). Profit also dropped by 59.8% to DKK 254m (€34.2m). Among other reasons, the retailer attributed a slowdown in growth in the grocery market and the closure of 27 unprofitable stores for its decline in profits. (igd.com)Denmark: Coop's new hypermarket concept with 'specialty shops'
Coop Danmark has opened a new concept convenience store this week in Esbjerg. The new concept will offer a range of ‘specialty shops’, including a greengrocer, butcher, baker, takeaway restaurant and convenience store. (igd.com)