Merci bus: over 45,000 visitors at 100 stops
Migros reported: "After a successful journey covering 8,500 kilometres throughout Switzerland, Migros' Merci bus tour ends in Bussigny, canton of Vaud, on Saturday, 18 October 2025. Highlights: A very special highlight was provided by former employees who used to work on the bus. They captivated local people with their stories. Various carnival bands created a great atmosphere and even local nurseries decided to visit the Merci bus with children enjoying their free snack of syrup and apples".
Source: corporate.migros.ch
Germany: REWE Group posts revenue growth in a 'challenging' first half
German retailer REWE Group has reported a 3.7% year-on-year increase in revenue, to €44bln, in the first half of its financial year, describing it as 'challenging' yet 'successful'. Group EBITDA declined by 4.2%, year on year, to €2.5bln in the first half, while net debt increased by €1.1bln, compared to the same period last year, according to an internal update. REWE Group expects consolidated revenue to grow to around €91.5bln for full-year 2025.
Source: esmmagazine.com
New Zealand: Foodstuffs sees food price inflation ease, with seasonal produce offering spring value
Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director Chris Quin says the easing in headline inflation is welcome after several months of gradual increases, but underlying cost pressures remain across many categories. Products that saw big decreases year on year in September were cucumbers (down 29.3%), olive oil (down 20.6%), capsicums (down 17.3%), and avocados (down 11.1%). Meanwhile, some of the steepest year-on-year price increases were seen in cabbage (up 81.9%), lettuce (+51.6%), and broccoli (+36.5%) - all still impacted by the colder winter which has reduced supply - as well as lamb leg roasts (+40.8%) and free range eggs (+38.1%).
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
UK: M&S launching six new and improved London stores in the run up to Christmas
M&S reported: "M&S is bringing more M&S Food to more customers across the capital in time for Christmas, with six new or transformed stores opening between now and the end of the year. This week has seen three launches - the opening of a brand-new 5,300 sq ft fresh market-style foodhall on Southampton Street in Covent Garden, accompanied by the reopening of M&S' Temple Fortune and Wimbledon foodhalls, following major transformations. M&S' brand-new Covent Garden foodhall will be followed by two additional openings in November, located by Clapham Common and on Fulham Broadway. M&S' renewed Chiswick store is also launching before Christmas in early December. In total, the six new openings and renewal launches have created over 200 new jobs".
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
UK: Online share reaches three year high
Kantar reported: "Online sales at the grocers grew by 12.0% compared with the same four weeks last year, making up 12.7% of the market - the highest share since March 2022. Over one in five British households did their grocery shopping online at some point in September, marking a return to the popularity seen in the latter stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Online specialist Ocado remains Britain's fastest growing grocer, with sales rising by 13.6% over the 12 weeks to 5 October versus the same period a year ago".
Source: kantar.com
UK: Co-op Wholesale partners amplify urgent call for business rates reform
Co-op Wholesale reported: "Five Co-op Wholesale partners - Bradley's Supermarket in Leicester, Freshfields Market and Nisa Local Torridon Road in London, Nisa Local Dallam Stores in Warrington, and Proudfoot Supermarkets in Scarborough - have shared their experiences as part of Co-op's On Your Corner, In Your Corner campaign, highlighting the human and economic impact of rising costs and uncertainty".
Source: coopwholesale.co.uk
essential COSTA RICA and Amazon Ads join forces to promote Costa Rican produce across Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany
With the goal of positioning Costa Rican agricultural products in key European markets, the country brand essential COSTA RICA has launched the campaign "The Natural Choice" in collaboration with Amazon Ads Brand Innovation Lab. The initiative will run across multiple Amazon touchpoints in Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany. "The Natural Choice" showcases Costa Rica's signature exports - including pineapples, bananas, cassava, and coffee - as premium products cultivated under the highest ethical and quality standards.
Source: prnewswire.co.uk
How to make produce shine in a multicultural market
Culture and tradition are becoming more vital considerations for effective fruit and vegetable merchandising. Retailers seeking to spur sales in an increasingly multicultural environment must learn and respond to the diverse attitudes and preferences of the different ethnic segments, said Iris Yim, principal and chief strategist of Sparkle Insights Inc., a Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based research and strategies firm. "Interest in produce varies by culture, generation and the meaning each group attaches to health and naturalness", she said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Vallarta Supermarkets expands beyond California with first-ever Arizona store
Vallarta Supermarkets reported: 'Vallarta Supermarkets is making history with its first-ever store outside of California, opening in Glendale in January 2026. "This is more than just a store opening, it's the next chapter in Vallarta's story", said Lizette Gomez, Vallarta's Director of Marketing. "We've built our reputation on authenticity, quality, and community, and we're proud to bring that to Arizona for the very first time".'
Source: prnewswire.com
DoorDash, Waymo to pilot autonomous vehicle deliveries
DoorDash and Waymo announced a partnership to pilot autonomous vehicle deliveries in metro Phoenix. The program is currently in a testing phase, with broader commercial deployment expected later this year. The deliveries will initially come from DashMart, DoorDash's proprietary convenience and retail store, with plans to expand to additional merchants over time.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Instacart and TriMet pilot program expands access and independence for older adults and riders with disabilities, while saving millions for the transit agency
Instacart reported: "The TriMet and Instacart pilot has been celebrated by riders and the transit industry for its meaningful impact - delivering measurable savings for riders and efficiencies for TriMet, while expanding access, convenience, dignity, and flexibility: More than half of every order consisted of fresh foods, including fruits, vegetables, protein, eggs, dairy, and other perishables".
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Natural Grocers® launches "Even More Affordable Prices!" on 500+ items through Dec. 31, 2025
Natural Grocers® reported: 'The "Even More Affordable Prices!" campaign features: Quarterly Deals (Oct. 15–Dec. 31): 25+ staple items for {N}power members, including $1.99 Contented Hen® Free-Range Eggs (limit 1 dozen), $3.99 Kerrygold® & Truly® Butters (8 oz each, limit 1), and $0.99 organic avocados (limit 3). Bi-Weekly Deals: Five rotating, member-only specials every two weeks. Keep an eye on the aisles - these deals move fast! Lower Price Highlights: Low prices on over 500 items, making everyday essentials more heroic than ever'.
Source: prnewswire.com
