Costco bests Amazon as most satisfying company for Internet retail
Bad news for Amazon. A new competitor appears to be swiftly becoming the most satisfying name in Internet retail: Costco. That's according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, which interviews 300,000 customers annually about more than 400 companies in 46 industries to measure customer satisfaction for the quality of products and services. Costco notched an ACSI score of 83 this year in the first time it's been scored in the Internet retail category on the report. It received the same rating for the in-store department/discount and supermarket categories. Meanwhile, Amazon scored 82, dipping three points from the previous year. While consumers were the most satisfied with Internet retail, the overall level of satisfaction across the category dipped from an ACSI score of 82 in 2017 to 80 in 2018.
Source: usatoday.com
FedEx partners with Walmart, Target and Walgreens on robot deliveries
FedEx has launched an autonomous delivery service, the FedEx SameDay Bot. It is collaborating with a range of partners to help assess their autonomous delivery needs. Same-day, hyper-local delivery has come into focus in the US over the last 12 months as retailers aim to optimise their stores as a competitive advantage within the ecommerce channel. The FedEx SameDay Bot has been developed to help companies tackle the complexities and costs associated with same-day delivery. The FedEx Bot has been designed to travel on pavements and along roadsides. It incorporates multiple cameras and machine learning algorithms to avoid obstacles and help it navigate unpaved surfaces, curbs and steps. The company plans on testing it in Memphis, Tennessee, later this summer, complementing its existing ‘SameDay City’ service.
Source: Retailanalysis.igd.com
Walmart reveals new plastic packaging-waste reduction commitments
Walmart Inc. has unveiled various plastic-waste reduction commitments involving its extensive private-brand program. The new commitments, revealed at the mega-retailer’s annual supplier forum, are expected to affect more than 30,000 SKUs. The move builds upon existing efforts to reduce plastic waste in Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club operations, and aims to encourage national-brand suppliers to set similar packaging goals. At the supplier forum, Walmart officials noted that the company is working with suppliers to expand efforts to improve the sustainability of its private-brand product packaging, with an emphasis on boosting recyclability and making it easier for customers to recycle.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Colorado union to withdraw contract extension with King Soopers and City Market stores
Talks between United Food and Commercial Workers and King Soopers have broken down, but shoppers shouldn’t notice an interruption to service at stores in Colorado. The union said Monday that workers in the UFCW Local 7 are withdrawing a contract extension with all unionized King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado as of 1 p.m. Monday. The withdrawal affects 109 King Soopers and City Market stores throughout the state. The 12,200 represented employees will remain on the job for now, but certain provisions of the parties’ collective bargaining agreements will cease. Wages and benefits will remain unchanged.
Source: greeleytribune.com
Brookshire Grocery Co. launches online ordering, kerbside pickup
Brookshire Grocery Co. has introduced click-and-collect service with curbside pickup at 100 of its Brookshire's, Super 1 Foods and Fresh by Brookshire's stores. Partnering with Toronto-based grocery ecommerce platform provider Mercatus, the grocer is rolling out the technology after a pilot in late 2017 at the Fresh by Brookshire's store in its hometown of Tyler, Texas, followed by expansion to dozens of Super 1 Foods stores last summer. Since last December, the curbside pickup service has expanded to 60 Brookshire's Food Stores, including launches at seven locations on Feb. 27 alone. Through the new platform, online grocery shoppers can order, pay and schedule pickup times at select stores using banner-specific websites and mobile apps. The stores' personal shoppers fill customers' orders by selecting the freshest products available and carefully following any special instructions. Personal shoppers then text or call numbers with any questions about their selections and to notify them when their order is ready for pickup.
Source: ProgressiveGrocer.com
Spar announces new store openings in Spain
Spar has announced a string of new store openings in Spain in association with partners Fragadis, Roges Supermercats and Spar Gran Canaria. The move is aimed at strengthening Spar’s position in the Spanish market. The new stores range from small convenience outlets to large supermarkets.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Waitrose & Partners Statement - Ocado
Waitrose & Partners confirms that following careful review of the relationship its commercial arrangement with Ocado will come to an end in September 2020, in line with contractual terms. Rob Collins, MD of Waitrose & Partners, said: ‘We have strengthened our own online business significantly and said last summer that we will double Waitrose.com within five years. Today’s announcement will be a major part of achieving this and in future Waitrose.com and our shops will be the exclusive places in the UK to buy Waitrose & Partners products. ‘Waitrose.com sales are growing at 14.2%, well ahead of the market, and customer satisfaction scores for both fulfilment and the website are showing sustained and significant increases too. ‘We are planning a second fulfilment centre to support our growing volumes in London and will be able to welcome thousands more online customers to Waitrose from the end of this year. ‘We have valued our relationship with Ocado and thank them for the last 19 years.’
Source: waitrose.pressarea.com
LuLu sets out expansion plans for Saudi Arabia
LuLu’s chairman, Yusuff Ali MA, attending the India Saudi Business Forum meeting, has said the retailer has ‘ambitious’ expansion plans for Saudi Arabia. He said: “We are upbeat about the vast investment opportunities laid open in the Kingdom, thanks to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. We have already announced that as part of our expansion plans, 15 new hypermarkets will be opened in the Kingdom by 2020 at an investment of SAR1bn (US$266.5m).” Yusuff Ali MA went on to discuss the retailer’s plans to open two shopping centers and seven supermarkets in Dammam and Al Ahsa as part of an agreement with the Saudi Arabian National Guard. He said three stores in National Guard campus should open before the end of 2019. Separately, LuLu is investing SAR200m (US$53.3m) in a 1m sq. ft. wholesale and logistics centre in King Abdulla Economic City (KAEC) to support its expansion.
Source: Retailanalysis.com
Ahold Delhaize releases Q4 and Full-Year 2018 results
Ahold Delhaize reports a strong fourth quarter with 29.6% growth of full-year underlying earnings per share from continuing operations, at constant exchange rates. Frans Muller, President and CEO of Ahold Delhaize, said: “Total net consumer online sales reached €3.5 billion in 2018, growing by 24.8% at constant exchange rates, and is firmly on track to double to around €7 billion in 2021. Throughout our business we are adding capacity and developing and sharing digital capabilities to stay ahead and meet increasing customer expectations regarding range, speed and convenience. With synergy savings of €432 million in 2018 and a run-rate of €120 million in the last quarter, we are close to our target of €500 million net synergies on an annual basis. For 2019, we expect to realize €540 million of cost savings, which allows us to invest in organic and inorganic growth while keeping group margins in line with 2018"
Source: www.aholddelhaize.com
Carrefour releases 2018 Full-Year results
Carrefour released their full-Year results for 2018. Gross margin represented 22.5% of net sales, down vs 2017 (23.1%), as a result of the evolution of the integrated/franchise mix, and commercial investments in competitive markets. Distribution costs decreased sharply in 2018 and represented 18.0% of net sales vs 18.6% reported in 2017, reflecting the effectiveness of the cost reduction program. The Group's recurring operating income (ROI) amounted to €1,905m. Prior to application of the IAS 29 norm, the Group’s ROI was €1,938m, up €93m (+4.6%) at constant exchange rates compared to the 2017 reported ROI (currencies had a negative impact of -€161m, notably due to the depreciation of the Brazilian real).
Source: businesswire.com