Italy: Despar responds to rise in obesity
According to the World Health Organisation and the Italian Ministry of Health, child obesity is rising across Europe. In response, Despar Italia is working to improve the nutritional value of its private label products. Despar has partnered with the University of Parma to analyse 300 private labels products from nine different categories. The products will be improved by reducing their amount of saturated fats, sugars and salt. Tests will help to suggest improved formulas and serving sizes, whilst maintaining the product’s taste, texture and shelf life. Lucio Fochesato, Despar’s CEO, commented: “Good nutritional habits are key for good health and the nutritional quality of products plays an important role. Despar is known for living up to its responsibilities and this partnership with the University of Parma is another example of our commitment”.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Australian shoppers boost November retail sales to 5-month highs
Australian retail sales jumped to the highest in five months in November boosted by pre-Christmas shopping, an indication private consumption bounced in the final quarter of 2018. Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in November from October, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed, better than economists’ expectations of a modest 0.3% rise. October sales were unrevised to show a 0.3% gain. The better-than-expected outcome was enough to send the Australian dollar about 20 pips higher to $0.7205, a level not seen since mid-December.
Source: uk.reuters.com
Makro Portugal launches online store
Wholesaler Makro Portugal has launched an online store for customers, available in the regions where the business has a physical presence. The Mshop can be accessed via PC, tablet or smartphone and allows customers to purchase online most of the products available in physical stores, compose a digital shopping cart and request the day of delivery. Orders can be managed through customisable lists, with this service available 24 hours a day. In the MShop, customers can also check their balance and their order history, even using old orders to reorder, changing only the quantities if necessary. The application also creates a section of 'recommended' products, taking into account the buying preferences of customers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Amazon Germany told to stop Dash
A court ruling in Germany has ordered Amazon to stop taking orders from customers using its wireless-enabled ordering devices known as “Dash” buttons. A German court has ruled that Amazon’s Dash buttons violate laws that say shoppers should be provided with necessary information, including the price of the product they are purchasing. With the Dash buttons, Amazon enables customers to buy specific household products and food with a single press. Amazon launched the buttons in 2015 and Prime members have since been able to re-order products by pushing a wifi-connected button.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
UK: Marks & Spencer posts 3.9% decrease in group sales in third quarter
Marks & Spencer reiterated that its transformation plan is ‘on track’ as the retailer posted a 3.9% decrease in group sales in the third quarter of its financial year. Total UK sales were down 2.7% to £2.78bln for the period, while international sales were down 15.1% to £262mln. In the UK specifically, its Food division saw a 1.2% decrease in sales (-2.2% on a like-for-like basis) to £1.68bln, while its Clothing & Home division was down 4.8% (-2.4% on a like-for-like basis). The group said that the like-for-like performance in its food business reflected ‘price investment and the transition to trusted value’, with signs of volume improvement seen during the Christmas period.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Retailers must 'go the extra mile' to overcome inefficient and unprofitable delivery models
A new study from the Capgemini Research Institute has highlighted that retailer investment in "last mile" delivery - the final leg of the online purchase journey before a product lands in the customer's hands - is needed in order to uncover new revenue streams. The report found that 97% of organizations believe that current last-mile delivery models are not sustainable for full scale implementation across all locations, and that free shipping costs cannot be maintained unless delivery costs are reduced through automation. The key insights from the report include: Profitable opportunities lie in getting the last-mile experience right through automation. 40% of customers currently order groceries online at least once a week. Fast and effective last-mile delivery increases customer spend and loyalty. 65% of customers use alternative grocery delivery services - such as Google Express, Instacart or Ocado – for better services than from traditional retailers.
Source: prnewswire.com
Norway: NorgesGruppen allocates NOK 7.5mln tor 2019 environmental fund
Norway's NorgesGruppen has announced that it has allocated NOK 7.5mln (€0.8mln) towards its environmental fund for 2019. The funds provide support to employees for implementing power-saving measures in their homes, including the purchase of heat pumps and post-insulation devices. Employees can also apply for support for purchasing environmentally-friendly transport measures for personal use. The amount provided will partly support the purchase of electric cars, rechargeable hybrid cars, bicycles, electric bikes, and travel cards used in public transport.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Ahold Delhaize announces update on brand strategy in Belgium
Ahold Delhaize has announced an update on its brand strategy in Belgium, focused on further improving its omni-channel offer and accelerating growth. Delhaize Le Lion, the leading brand in Belgium, will continue to deliver on its ambitious expansion plans which include the opening of around 100 new supermarkets in the next 3 to 4 years and a strengthened online proposition. This year, Delhaize Le Lion will start a collaboration with bol.com, adding in-store bol.com pick up points for orders from the largest online retailer in the Benelux. Additionally, following positive customer feedback, Albert Heijn Belgium will continue its expansion by opening 30 to 50 new supermarkets in Flanders in the next few years. The strategic focus of Albert Heijn will remain on its personal service, surprising assortment and Dutch value proposition. Delhaize Le Lion will coordinate the expansion plans of Delhaize Le Lion and Albert Heijn Belgium. "With the three great local brands combined, we have a no. 2 position in the Belgian market and are uniquely positioned to win the hearts of the Belgian customer, both in-store and online. We are on the right track to drive growth with two strong supermarket brands, each with its own distinctive and loyal customer base, and large online opportunities with bol.com", said Wouter Kolk, CEO Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia. "I'm very excited to see our Belgian businesses winning together, as we deliver on our Leading Together Strategy."
Source: globenewswire.com
France: Casino's e-commerce arm Cnova announces 7.9% rise in Q4 net sales
Cnova, the e-commerce arm of retail giant Groupe Casino, has posted a 7.9% increase in fourth quarter net sales to €702.5mln. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) was up 11.9% in organic terms in the quarter, the best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2017, to amount to €1.2bln. GMV growth for the quarter was driven by growing marketplace contribution (+3.8%), B2C services including travel, energy and mobile (+1.9%) and showrooms in Casino's Géant hypermarkets (2.6%), the company said. The quarter also saw an acceleration of mobile traffic at the business, which now accounts for 65% of traffic share and a GMV share of 47%. Cnova operates the Cdiscount web portal, which boasts 8.9mln active consumers, the group said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Brazil retailer GPA's food division net revenue up 12% in Q4
Net sales revenue at Brazilian retailer GPA SA’s food division rose 12% year-on-year in the fourth quarter to 14bln reais ($3.8bln), according to a securities filing. Same-store net sales, a measure of sales at stores open for at least 12 months, grew 6.9% in the quarter, from the year ago period, the company said. Shares of GPA, which is controlled by France’s Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, rose 1.3% to 86.90 reais after the company released results for the division.
Source: reuters.com
US: OneView Commerce announces pilot with Kroger
OneView Commerce, Inc., a subsidiary of OneView Group Ltd and the retail industry's only SaaS-based headless and serverless digital store platform, announced that they have reached an agreement with Kroger to develop a next-generation point-of-sale solution. "Kroger is a leader in bringing exciting and innovative retail technology to market. We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with them as we continue to evolve and improve the OneView platform," said Linda Palanza, chief executive officer at OneView. "Retail is going through the most disruptive technology cycle it has ever experienced, and this strategic partnership will ensure that our solutions are retail-relevant and delivering innovation for multiple verticals and every size and type of retailer globally."
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Whole Foods shelves 365 store concept
After less than two years, Whole Foods Market plans to discontinue the Whole Foods 365 store format. Whole Foods CEO John Mackey informed employees of the move in an internal memo. Plans call for the Austin, Texas-based company to continue operating the current 12 Whole Foods 365 locations but not to build any more of the stores. The first Whole Foods 365 store opened in May 2016 in Silver Lake, California. The other 365 stores are in Concord, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Upland, California; Akron, Ohio; Cedar Park and Houston, Texas; Decatur and Atlanta, Georgia; Brooklyn, New York; and Lake Oswego, Oregon. The Decatur and Atlanta locations opened last month. Jeff Turnas, president of the Whole Foods 365 unit since June 2015, is slated to shift to another role at Whole Foods, according to Mackey.
Source: supermarketnews.com