France-based Système U has said sales rose 1.4% in 2017, reaching €19.49bln, excluding fuel. As with recent years, the retailer’s growth was driven by its proximity and ecommerce channels. By fascia, Système U said: Hyper U: total sales fell 4.6% to €3.32bln. Super U: total sales rose 2.4% to €13.96bln. Proximité: total sales rose 4.2% to €2.21bln. Courses U: total sales rose 15% to €534mln. In 2017 Système U lost four hypermarkets to competitors, which affected overall performance. Meanwhile, the addition of six supermarkets helped boost that channel’s growth rate. The 15% growth rate for its online channel was aided by the addition of 58 drives. Système U said the effect of its growth rate meant that it had gained market share, reaching 10.6%.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Spar South Africa results
Spar South Africa has released results for the 17-week trading period that ended on 27 January 2018. Sales increased 7% to ZAR33.8bln (US$2.9bln) and in like-for-like terms sales increase was 6.4%. Despite continued pressure on shoppers’ spend and the competitive environment, Spar is feeling more positive about the future. The macroeconomic environment is predicted to improve, with projected GDP growth in 2018.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
UK: Tesco and Booker shareholders vote 'yes' to merger
Shareholders of Tesco and Booker have backed their boards and voted in favour of merging the two businesses. 85% of Tesco shareholders and 83% of Booker shareholders backed the merger, which is now expected to be completed on March 5th having already received clearance from the UK Competition and Markets Authority. The merger will create a vertically-integrated business, with annual UK sales of £47bln (Tesco £42bln and £5bln for Booker). Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Holland: Hoogvliet broadens delivery reach
Hoogvliet is broadening its delivery reach as of March 1st. This will see it to deliver to Hazerswoude-Rijndijk and surroundings, Gouda, Bodegraven, Boskoop, Waddinxveen and Reeuwijk. Shoppers will be able to choose from 10,000 products and 80 weekly promotions, while delivery will be available six days a week.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Coop Italia launches new private label
Coop has added the D'Osa private label to its range, adding a line dedicated to home cooking. Coop said the new range is in response to growing demand from shoppers, which has been in turn supported by a growing number of food-oriented shows on local TV channels. D’Osa covers 37 products, such as semi-finished products to help create desserts, sweet and savoury pastries, doughs and decorations, which is expected to be expanded to 55 SKU’s at a later date.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Norway: Reitangruppen's 2017 results & food to go plans
Reitangruppen has released its 2017 annual results reporting that total turnover declined by 0.1% to NOK 89.1bln (€9.2bln). During the period, operating profit declined by 14% to NOK 3.4bln (€353mln). Part of the reason for this decline in profit is due to the fact that Reitangruppen sold its stake in Sweden's Axfood in 2016 and received a share dividend of NOK 3.4bln (€353mln) that year.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Vietnam's retail sales, service revenues rise 10.1% in first 2 months
Vietnam's total goods retail sales and consumer service revenues in the first two months of this year increased 10.1% year-on-year to 704tln Vietnamese dong (over US$31.1bln), according to the country's General Statistics Office. Specifically, Vietnam's goods retail sales rose 10% to 532tln Vietnamese dong (US$23.5bln), with sales of food and foodstuffs growing 11.8%, garments growing 11.5%, home appliances growing 11.4%, and cultural and educational items growing 7.8%.Source: xinhuanet.com
Chile: Cencosud reports Q4 2017 results
Cencosud S.A., a leading South American retailer with operations in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Colombia, announced its consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter of 2017. Revenues were flat with 4Q16 (+5.6% at constant exchange rates), impacted by the ARS devaluation against the CLP (16.1%), and food deflation in Brazil, partially offset by revenue growth in Supermarkets in Chile (revenues +3.0%; SSS +2.3%), Home Improvement (SSS 30.0%) and Financial Services (+39.9% in CLP) in Argentina, and Department Stores in Chile (revenues +2.7%; SSS 2.1%) and Peru (revenues +20.3%; SSS +6.7).Source: marketersmedia.com
US: Aldi will place outposts inside Kohl's stores
Aldi will place up to ten pilot locations inside Kohl’s stores later this year, Kohl’s CEO Kevin Mansell said during an earnings call, according to Retail Dive. Kohl’s currently has Amazon kiosks offering devices and other products inside select stores. Mansell said the fashion retailer hopes to deepen its relationship with the e-tailer in the months ahead, and said Kohl’s could add additional retail brands to its stores. Currently, Kohl’s is pushing to “right size” its stores to maximize foot traffic and sales efficiency. Aldi operates more than 1,700 stores across 35 states, and plans to expand to 2,500 locations over the next four years.Source: fooddive.com
US: Walmart builds robot that inspects food and knows when it will spoil
Walmart is developing a machine called Eden that inspects produce for defects. Eden will ultimately be able to predict the shelf life of produce as well, using factors like appearance and temperatures where it is stored. If temperatures spike on trucks carrying produce, Eden will reroute the truck to a closer destination, since rising temperatures shorten shelf life. Walmart says the technology will help the company save $2bln in food waste over the next five years.Source: nordic.businessinsider.com