Amazon says AWS cloud service is back to normal after outage disrupts businesses worldwide
Amazon.com cloud service returned to normal operations on Monday afternoon, the company said, after an internet outage that caused global turmoil among thousands of sites, including some of the web's most popular apps like Snapchat and Reddit.
Source: reuters.com
US: The Fresh Market to shutter 2 stores
The Fresh Market is closing two stores, one in Naperville, Illinois, and another in Framingham, Massachusetts, a spokesperson for the specialty grocer confirmed in an email to Grocery Dive. Despite these closures, The Fresh Market is still eyeing growth. It plans to open four new stores over the next several months - two before the end of 2025 and another two early in the first quarter of 2026, according to the spokesperson.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: States warn that SNAP payments will end
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will run out of money to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the end of the month and has asked states not to send out November payments. Several states have issued warnings to SNAP recipients that their November benefits will not be paid until the shutdown ends.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Sam's Club launches member-inspired, chef-crafted Thanksgiving Feast
Sam's Club reported: "The 2025 Member's Mark Thanksgiving Feast includes: Member's Mark Smoked Turkey; Member's Mark Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes; Member's Mark Macaroni and Cheese; Member's Mark Yeast Dinner Rolls; Member's Mark Pumpkin Pie; NEW Member's Mark Green Beans with Cranberries and Sliced Almonds; NEW Member's Mark Garlic Herb Corn; NEW Member's Mark Harvest Salad; IMPROVED Member's Mark Sweet Potato Mash".
Source: businesswire.com
US: Wakefern posts 3.1% increase in annual sales
Wakefern Food Corp. said retail sales for the most recent fiscal year, which ended September 27, totaled $20.7bln, a 3.1% increase over year-ago sales. The gains reflect an increase over the 2.2% sales growth the company had reported for fiscal 2024, when retail sales totaled $20.1bln.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: ShopRite of West Caldwell to host community party and parade to celebrate new store opening
Wakefern Food Corp. reported: "The new store, located at 900 Bloomfield Ave., will officially open its doors on Tuesday, October 21, replacing the store's former, long-time home at 540 Passaic Ave. The new store is twice the size of the previous location and offers: Produce Department featuring a large variety of organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables".
Source: newsroom.wakefern.com
US: Amazon expands same-day grocery delivery with new Golden Valley facility
Amazon has expanded its same-day and grocery delivery operations in the Twin Cities with a new facility in Golden Valley. The online retail giant can now make same-day deliveries of high-demand items within an 800 square-mile area that includes downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul and the south metro.
Source: ccxmedia.org
US: Festival Foods, Hometown Grocers and Schnuck Markets join together with new Schnuck Family Holding Company
Schnuck Markets reported: "Todd Schnuck, Chairman and CEO of 1939 Group, Inc., announced the official closing of the purchase of Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers. The completed transaction brings the new family of companies' store footprint to 164 stores. In Wisconsin, Festival Foods operates 42 stores and Hometown Grocers operates nine stores. Schnuck Markets operates 113 stores in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana".
Source: schnucks.com
Q&A: Is online grocery shopping affecting our eating habits?
The Pennsylvania State University reported: "Yizao Liu, associate professor of agricultural economics in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, was curious about how these new shopping habits may be affecting what we eat. Q: Does online shopping affect the food people choose to buy? Liu: Yes. Across our studies, we found that online grocery shopping often leads people to make slightly healthier choices. When people shop online, they tend to spend more on foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They also make fewer impulse buys - the kinds of last-minute snacks or sugary drinks that are easy to grab in-store".
Source: psu.edu
Oatly struggles with decline in plant-based dairy: "People are tired of climate doom stories"
Plant-based milk is losing popularity in the United States. Oatly is sounding the alarm, concerned that Europe is heading in the same direction: greenwashing and "doom and gloom" are turning consumers off.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Amazon UK is hiring for more than 15,000 seasonal jobs for the festive seasonAmazon reported: "Amazon announced it is hiring for more than 15,000 seasonal positions across its UK network of receive centres, fulfilment centres, sortation centres, and delivery stations for the festive season".
Source: aboutamazon.co.uk
SPAR UK takes home 14 awards at the 2025 Retail Industry Awards
SPAR UK was recognised for excellence in convenience, community, and innovation at the 2025 Retail Industry Awards, taking home 14 awards. Across different formats and innovations, SPAR UK retailers were rewarded for delivering best-in-class experiences to shoppers nationwide.
Source: spar-international.com
India: Amazon Fresh rides festive wave with 40% growth, tier 2 cities take the lead
Amazon Fresh has reported 40% year-on-ybear growth during the Great Indian Festival 2025. This demand was majorly driven by tier 2 and 3 cities, which recorded 60% growth as demand for fruits and vegetables stood at 50%, said Srikant Sree Ram, director of Amazon Fresh India.
Source: outlookbusiness.com
Swiss retail sector cuts food waste by 20%
The Swiss retail sector has demonstrated significant progress in reducing food waste, cutting losses by approximately 20% between 2017 and 2024. This achievement, based on data covering over 95% of the sector, positions the retail sector as a leader in the value chain and confirms a strong downward trend, the Swiss Retail Federation noted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Aldi unveils its biggest ever Christmas sandwich range from just £1.99
Aldi reported: "Aldi's Vegan Festive Feast Wrap (£2.49) is jam-packed with plant-based perfection. A soft tortilla wrap is filled with parsnip fritters, red cabbage, and apple, as well as cranberry sauce, toasted pumpkin seeds, vegan sage and onion mayonnaise and spinach".
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
DESPAR Italia expands store network further
DESPAR Italia and the six companies making up the consortium continue to grow the brand's presence throughout Italy, with the opening of 10 new stores and reopening of two modernised stores across different store formatb. The new DESPAR Express store in Serramanna offers a wide selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables, a rich and assorted delicatessen counter and a range of DESPAR Own Brand products. At a new DESPAR supermarket in Nurri, Sardinia, the focus lies on fresh produce, ranging from fruit and vegetables to cold cut meats.
Source: spar-international.com
Company behind Foodbag launches Foodprepper: Belgium's fastest food box
Colruyt Group reported: "Smartmat, the Belgian holding company behind Foodbag that became part of Colruyt Group this year, is expanding its offering with Foodprepper. This newest addition is an innovative food box that meets the needs of families and people with busy schedules. While cooking from scratch often means spending lots of time chopping and prepping, Foodprepper does that work for you. Think pre-cooked vegetables, marinated fish or meat, and ready-made sauces or dressings".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
