Italy saw a growth in FMCG sales in Q3 2017, driven largely by increased food sales, however non food segments experienced a decrease, according to data from IRI. In Q3, volume demand increased in supermarkets (+4.4%) and drugstores (+5.8%), while discounters (-2.0%) and hypermarkets (-1.4%) recorded a slowdown. The migration of a some purchases from discounters towards other distribution channels led to an increase of prices in the FMCG formats overall (+0.3%). Within the supermarket channel, 'superstores' (shops larger than 2,500 square metres) continue to be the top performers in Italy. (esmmagazine.com)ATB sets out achievable expansion plan for 2018
Ukraine’s leading retailer, ATB, announced an achievable expansion for 2018. The announcement comes after the release of ATB’s nine months results for 2017. ATB’s CEO, Boris Markov, announced that the chain will expand store numbers to reach 1,000 stores by the end of 2018. Focus for this expansion will be in western Ukraine, around the city of Lviv, and in the Kiev region. ATB also acquired two distribution complexes in Kiev and Lviv, earlier in 2017, to support this expansion. The chain will also refurbish 50 of its stores in 2018 and will make no changes to its EDLP pricing strategy. (igd) Germany: Aldi building presence in French cities
Aldi Nord has opened stores in central city locations in Paris and Nice. The new stores break with the retailer’s tradition of operating stores in areas with comparatively low rents and around the country’s major cities. The store in Paris is comparatively small, at 980 sq. m, while the one in Nice is reported to measure 1,400 sq. m, showing how Aldi is becoming more adaptable as it looks to find the best sites in the country. The stores use Aldi Nord’s new design, updating the décor, signage and range to make them more like a supermarket than traditionally. (igd)UK: Co-op trials new “ultimate convenience" format
Co-op Food is trialling a new “ultimate convenience” format for its larger stores, as part of its Everyday Convenience Plus programme. The new format trial will take place at three stores located in Hornbury (West Yorkshire), East Leake (Leicestershire) and Walderslade (Kent). The three stores are all between 7,000 sq. ft. and 11,000 sq. ft. and have undergone a £3.8mln refit. The trial will take place for next three months and Co-op will then decide on where else to roll out the stores. The stores will feature a simpler and “more intuitive” store layout that helps shoppers save time and is better catered for convenience shopping missions. The new format is designed to cater for a larger three-day top-up shop. It is underpinned by fresh ranges in which prepared and semi-prepared meal solutions feature heavily. (igd)Billa Bulgaria to open new store in Plovdiv on Nov 29
Billa Bulgaria, part of supermarket chain Billa owned by Germany's REWE Group, said it plans to open a new store in the city of Plovdiv on November 29. The new store will be Billa’s 117th in Bulgaria. The chain plans to open several new stores by the end of 2017. It has opened three new stores in November so far – two in Sofia and one in the city of Kardzhali. Billa entered the Bulgarian market in 2000. In Southeast Europe, the REWE Group also operates in Croatia. (seenews.com) CA: Precima signs multi-year agreement with Loblaw Companies Limited
Precima, a leading consulting and analytics firm, announced it has signed a multi-year, enterprise wide, agreement with Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's leading food and pharmacy retailer. Set to launch in 2018, the single access retail analytics portal will capture customer, marketing and merchandising insights for the company's grocery and pharmacy divisions. The portal will support improved joint business planning, category strategy, promotion, assortment and customer insights for Loblaw and its supplier partners. It will allow Loblaw to further leverage customer data and analytics. (newswire.ca) Canada retail sales remain sluggish as growth slows in 2nd half
Sales for Canadian retailers continued to disappoint in September, adding to evidence consumers are paring back in the second half of this year. Retail sales rose 0.1% during the month, versus forecasts for a 1% gain, after dropping 0.1% in August. Receipts for the country’s retailers have been flat over the past four months, after one of the best starts to a year for the industry on record. It’s a slowdown that suggests the tailwinds spurring growth earlier this year are waning. That includes the effects of a ramp up in child benefits by the federal government last year that had a clear impact on consumption, but are now no longer adding to growth. (esmmagazine.com)