US: Shoppers likely won't curb their grocery budget for the holidays
The ability to present "a great homemade feast" is a top priority for consumers this holiday season, and even more important than staying within budget, according to FMI - The Food Industry Association's latest U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Ingles Markets reports Q4 declines following challenging year
Ingles Markets Inc. has reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended September 27. The southeastern grocer has spent the past year rebuilding following severe damage in western North Carolina caused by Hurricane Helene. In its Q4, Ingles saw net sales of $1.37bln, down from $1.40bln for the same quarter in 2024. Gross profit for Q4 totaled $334.7mln, or 24.5% of sales, compared with $299.4mln, or 21.4% of sales, year-over-year (YoY).
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Harris Teeter to shutter online fulfillment spoke
An online fulfillment site in Virginia linked to Harris Teeter will close early next year as Kroger pares back its delivery network that includes large fulfillment centers as well as smaller spoke facilities. A WARN notice filed early last week disclosed that an Alexandria, Virginia, fulfillment facility, which Kroger confirmed in an email to Grocery Dive is a spoke facility, will permanently close by February 1, resulting in the layoff of 91 non-union employees. This marks the second fulfillment center specifically for Harris Teeter stores that Kroger said it's closing, the first being its Frederick, Maryland, customer fulfillment center.
Source: grocerydive.com
Canada: Circle K parent Alimentation Couche-Tard reports 'steady progress' in Q2
Alimentation Couche-Tard has seen a second consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth across all regions in the second quarter of its financial year, alongside increases in revenue and gross profit. Revenue for the period increased by 2.6%, year on year, to $17.9bln (€15.5bln), driven by contributions from acquisitions and the net impact from organisational changes. Gross profit amounted to $3.4bln (€2.94bln) in the second quarter - up by 8.1% from the same period last year, the Circle K operator noted in a statement.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Aldi promises the UK's lowest-priced Christmas dinner
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: "Shoppers are anxious about how the Budget may affect their finances, and many families have been cautious about spending. We want to take the guess work out of affordability by locking in the lowest prices now - whatever cost pressures come our way - on Christmas dinner veggies, turkey and the trimmings to make Christmas as affordable as possible. Being the cheapest for shoppers doesn't affect the fair prices paid to our suppliers. The discount is our commitment, at our own cost".
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Amazon opens one of two new offices in East London
Amazon reported: "Amazon has opened the first of two new London office buildings in East London. These will join the existing London HQ in Shoreditch (LHR16), as well as corporate sites in other parts of the UK such as Bristol, Swansea, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Manchester".
Source: aboutamazon.co.uk
55 founding organisations including Asda and Lidl join UK Packaging Pact ahead of 2026 launch
Ahead of the official launch of the UK Packaging Pact in April 2026, WRAP has announced the names of the 55 founding organisations who've signed up to the ten-year initiative to bring changes across all packaging materials. The aforementioned founding members include Asda, Arla, Haleon, Ocado Retail, Tesco, Lidl and Yeo Valley, sustainability specialists GoUnpackaged and PackUK, and waste management companies Biffa, SUEZ Recycling Recovery UK and Veolia.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Fitlight Lighting helps: Beijing Wumart Supermarket reshapes the light environment
Fitlight Lighting reported: 'In the fresh produce sections such as fruits and vegetables, meat, aquatic products, and baked goods, high color rendering LED track lights are used to accurately reproduce the natural color of the fruits. The delicate texture of the apple's "sugar heart" is enhanced by soft warm light. The citrus area highlights the transparent luster of the flesh fibers with a warm halo. The evenly distributed light under the grape trellis makes the fruit powder particles clearly visible'.
Source: abnewswire.com
GRR Garbe Retail acquires eight grocery-anchored properties
Pan-European retail property specialist GRR Garbe Retail has acquired a portfolio of eight grocery-anchored local properties for its GRR German Retail Fund No. 4. These properties, primarily located in northern and eastern Germany, are leased, long term, to major grocery chains including Aldi Nord and Edeka.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Aldi Ireland reports pre-tax loss of €20.1mln as it put customers and staff before profitAldi Ireland has reported a pre-tax loss of €20.1mln in 2024, stating that it was putting customers and staff ahead of profit. New accounts show that Aldi took the loss, despite revenue increasing by 1% in the measured period to €2.12bln - down from 3% growth in 2023. The pretax loss of €20.1mln follows a pretax profit of €16.82mln in 2023.
Source: checkout.ie
France: Casino Group presents a detailed overview of "Renouveau 2030" plan and its project to strengthen financial structure
Casino Group reported: "In support of the execution of its strategic plan, and given the maturity of its debt [Term Loan B (€1,410mln) matures in March 2027], the Group has initiated work on adapting and strengthening its financial structure. Assisted by the Court appointed administrators overseeing the implementation of the plan and the administrators overseeing the implementation of the conciliation agreements, it aims to complete its work by the end of the second quarter of 2026. France Retail Holdings (FRH), Casino Group majority shareholder, supports the objectives pursued by Casino management in order to adapt and strengthen its financial structure. Accordingly, FRH would be prepared to guarantee a share capital increase of €300mln, subject to a satisfactory outcome of the Group's discussions with its creditors and acceptable conditions, in line with the target leverage ratio, and maintaining shareholding control of Casino".
Source: groupe-casino.fr
Co-op backs Britain with £1bln boost following Autumn Budget
Co-op reported: 'Following the Autumn Budget, Co-op has announced plans to "Back Britain" with a targeted £1bln into the UK economy over the next 12 months, designed to back Britain's consumers, businesses and high streets. Co-op is preparing one of its biggest ever number of price reductions next year, with a plan to significantly invest in lowering prices on over 1,000 products across its ranges in 2,300 stores and online. Co-op will continue to spend over £700mln per year with British farmers and agriculture suppliers maintaining its 100% British fresh and frozen meat commitment across all own-brand ranges and when used as an ingredient. This is alongside 100% British eggs and milk and continuing to source British grown produce including a 100% British Potatoes and carrots all year-round commitment'.
Source: co-operative.coop
Spain: El Corte Inglés president appoints sister as successor
The Spanish chain El Corte Inglés has a new president: the board of directors has unanimously appointed Cristina Álvarez, sister of current president Marta, as its new president. According to the retailer, this move is intended to ensure stability and continuity.
Source: retaildetail.eu
