Greek supermarket chain fires manager for asking employees to be cheerful
A regional sales manager of Greek supermarket chain "My Market", who asked employees to smile, because they should be grateful they have a job in times of crisis and are paid 300 euros (336.7 U.S. dollars) per month, has been fired, announced the company. The manager's letter to the staff caused a stir in social media and the press. A spokesperson of the firm confirmed the removal of the particular director. "She acted alone, we had to remove her." According to the letter which was reproduced by Greek media earlier this week, the former manager was trying to force employees to be cheerful and positive all the time, despite the circumstances and the fact that they are underpaid.
Source: xinhuanet.com
Metro launches operations in Myanmar with virtual store
German wholesaler Metro has announced that it has launched operations in Myanmar with a virtual store that will offer customers efficient digital ordering systems and delivery services. The warehouse, located in Thilawa Special Economic Zone outside of Yangon, covers an area of 5,800 square metres. The modern logistics facility is equipped to receive, store, process and pack goods in compliance with stringent quality and food safety standards. It offers an assortment of more than 2,000 high-quality food and non-food products. Customers have the option of placing orders through Metro's website or mobile app, and the delivery is carried out with state-of-the-art temperature-controlled trucks.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Lidl to further implement charging infrastructure in Germany
Globally operating German supermarket discounter Lidl intends to equip around 400 of its branches throughout Germany with charging points within the next 12 months. Customers at Lidl branches and employees in Lidl logistics centres currently have around 30 charging points at their disposal, while around 20 additional charging points are currently in the process of being installed. Lidl now wants to significantly increase the speed of the expansion: according to the discounter, new buildings and modernised branches will be equipped with a charging station with immediate effect. In the long term, as many locations as possible are to be equipped with at least two charging points. In addition, Lidl will set up additional charging stations at additional branches near the motorway and in rural regions with immediate effect. When expanding the charging infrastructure, the supermarket chain relies on a mix of AC and DC charging points in various power classes up to 50 kW, with powerful DC systems tending to be used near the motorway.
Source: electrive.com
UK: Morrisons to launch food delivery service in Fife
Morrisons is to expand its online food delivery service across much of Scotland, including Fife. The supermarket giant is set to serve over 1.3mln households, after initially launching the scheme around Edinburgh and Glasgow last autumn. As well as Fife, Morrisons.com booking slots and its green and white vans will now be seen across Stirlingshire, Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire, as well as parts of Perthshire and Angus. Matt Kelleher, Morrisons.com Managing Director, said: “We are committed to serving as much of Scotland as we can. Our customers want the opportunity to buy groceries from Morrisons.com and we’ll be investing in taking the service to them.”
Source: fifetoday.co.uk
Dunnes still Ireland’s largest retailer for seventh consecutive month
Dunnes Stores has secured its position as Ireland's leading grocery retailer for the seventh consecutive month, the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel shows. “For the seventh consecutive period Dunnes was Ireland’s largest retailer, posting sales growth of 3.8%", Douglas Faughnan, consumer insight director at Kantar Worldpanel. "While both Tesco and SuperValu saw their overall market shares decline, the pair did enjoy positive sales growth of 1.1% and 0.8%.” The research shows, that the Irish grocery market grew by 3.5% in the 12 weeks to 24 February 2019, 'putting the sector on a solid footing as the UK finalises preparations to leave the EU'. "Grocery prices rose by a further 1.5% in the most recent 12 weeks, marking the first time an increase has been recorded for four consecutive periods since February 2017", Faughnan added.
Source: checkout.ie
France's Groupe Casino: Completion of the sale of properties to funds managed by Fortress
The Casino Group has completed the sale of 26 hypermarkets and supermarkets properties valued at €501mln to funds managed by Fortress Investment Group, of which €392mln has already been received. Following the agreements signed with funds managed by Fortress Investment Group in January 2019, the Casino Group announces that it has completed the sale of 13 Géant Casino, 3 Hyper Casino and 10 Supermarkets Casino properties, valued at €501mln. In this context, Casino received €392mln, thus achieving the initial target of €1.5bln in non-strategic asset disposals, set on 11 June 2018. The Casino Group also remains associated to the value creation of this transaction through a stake in the company incorporated by funds managed by Fortress Investment Group. In this context and depending on the company's performance, the Casino Group could receive up to an additional €150mln in the next few years. After the success of this first step, the Group will continue to explore measures to further reduce its debt. It will also continue to improve the Group's profitability and strengthen its financial profile.
Source: globenewswire.com
UK: Bestway customers adopting ‘track my order’ service
Bestway Wholesale says that 35% of its Best-one and wholesale customers have adopted its ‘track my order’ service on its apps and website just weeks after its launch. The wholesaler said that 42% of users said the service, which enables customers to track the status of their order from placement through to delivery, said it helps them prepare for the delivery arrival. Salih Sheikh, head of marketing and digital at Bestway Wholesale, said: “Previously, customers had to call through to find out information about their order and sometimes substitutions would arrive without their prior knowledge, as is the case for many wholesale deliveries. Now customers have full visibility and transparency and can spend less time on the phone and less time waiting for their delivery.”
Source: talkingretail.com
Germany: Metro aims for deal to sell Real hypermarkets in April/MayGerman wholesaler Metro is aiming to sign a deal to sell its loss-making Real hypermarkets chain in April or May, Chief Executive Olaf Koch said. Metro is in talks with about five parties interested in the chain, which has annual sales of more than 7bln euros ($7.9bln), he told journalists. “We only talk to potential buyers who want to take on everything”, Koch said, adding: “You can never rule out bidders forming consortiums.”
Source: reuters.com
Grupo Éxito delivers strong Q4 results in Colombia
Net sales in Colombia have improved in the last four consecutive quarters. In Q4 net sales reached COP15,380.0bln (US$4.9bln), up 2.2%. This steady improvement was driven by the opening of 17 stores (including conversions) and the implementation of innovative new banners. The business, at a corporate level, reported strong consolidated net revenue growth of 8.9% for FY 2018 and 10.2% for the fourth quarter. Positive sales growth was seen in all operating countries. SSS performance grew throughout 2018 and was up 1.7% in Q4. This was predominantly due to the improved performance of the Éxito and Carulla banners, but also the strong YOY performance of its discount banner Surtimayorista: In Q4 Grupo Éxito Colombia delivered its strongest net sales and SSS performance of the last seven quarters; Carulla was the best performing banner, growing in both sales and volume in 2018. Sales for the Surtimayorista banner were up 47.8% year-on-year (YOY), with a 36.9% increase in SSS (+24.7% in Q4); Sales for the Surtimax and Super Inter banners are showing strong signs of recovery, because of the business refocusing on their ranges, logistics and price proposition.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Mexico: Soriana announces Q4 and FY 2018 results
Mexican retailer Soriana has seen three consecutive quarters of declining net profit. The business is refocusing on strengthening its private label, which it believes is key to improving its performance. Soriana has reported annual sales of of MX$153.5bln (US$7.9bln), with same-store sales growth of 0.1%. Total revenue for Q4 was MX$41.0bln (US$2.1bln), up 0.3% year-on-year. Soriana said that changes to its logistics and operational systems has affected its year-on-year financial results, which are its worst in over 10 years. In 2018 Soriana suffered due to changes in its logistics/technological platform. This was caused by the retailer having to migrate the systems for the hypermarkets acquired from Comercial Mexicana to its own. YOY sales were also impacted by 11 stores closures, which were closed to support driving efficiency.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
US: Shipt names Kelly Caruso Chief Executive Officer
Shipt, an industry-leading same-day delivery service and marketplace, announces Kelly Caruso as chief executive officer, succeeding founder Bill Smith, who will continue to serve as an advisor to the company. Caruso has more than 25 years of retail experience, holding roles from the stores to supply chain and merchandising. Most recently, Caruso was senior vice president hardlines at Target, responsible for developing the merchandising and guest experience strategies for toys, electronics and entertainment. Prior to that, she was president of Target’s independent global sourcing business, supporting the company’s owned-brand growth. Earlier in her career, she held a number of merchandising and inventory planning businesses at Target, May Merchandising and Abercrombie & Fitch. “With expertise ranging from the sales floor to sourcing and merchandising, Kelly is a proven leader who knows retail inside and out. She’ll help Shipt continue bringing same-day convenience to more consumers through its growing marketplace of retail partners”, said John Mulligan, Shipt director and Target’s chief operating officer. “Bill’s entrepreneurial achievements have changed the game in same-day delivery, and we thank him for his outstanding leadership of Shipt.”
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Western Mass. Stop & Shop union authorizes strike
Unionized workers at Stop & Shop supermarkets in Western Massachusetts are a step closer to walking a picket line. Nearly 250 members of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1459 of Springfield gathered Sunday morning in Chicopee and voted unanimously to authorize union leaders to call a strike if contract talks remain at an impasse, according to union officials. That doesn't mean the rank and file will immediately walk off their jobs at the two Pittsfield stores, the one in North Adams or the other 11 in Hampshire and Hampden counties, according to UFCW local 1459 secretary-treasurer, Dean Ethier. UFCW locals in Dedham and Westport, Connecticut, representing Stop & Shop employees in southern New England have already issued strike authorizations. In all, Local 1459 represents 1,300 employees, except those in the meat department which is represented by another of the local bargaining units.
Source: berkshireeagle.com
US supermarkets losing produce sales to other channels: FMI
According to the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) just released “The Power of Produce 2019” report, which explores produce consumers’ influence on the $60bln grocery category, produce is still a major profit center food retailers, but younger shoppers are increasingly looking to other channels for their fresh fruit and veggie purchases. The new study aims to reinvigorate the produce category and serve as a reminder to grocery retailers that they can’t get too comfortable as the leader in sales”, noted Rick Stein, VP, fresh foods at Arlington, Virginia-based FMI. “Specifically, the study suggests a need for a renewed focus on strategies for continued growth, including organic, locally grown produce, value-added produce for time-starved customers, produce-based beverages and private-branded produce.” The report found that 55% of grocery trips include fresh produce, and half of all shoppers named a full-service supermarket as their main outlet when making such a purchase. While traditional grocery retains a large lead in sales, younger consumers are more likely to shop for produce at supercenters and alternative channels, such as dollar stores, convenience stores and farmers’ markets. Indeed, just 34% of older Millennials said that a supermarket was their primary store for buying produce.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Walmart to change returns process
Walmart is changing its process for handling returns. The nation’s largest retailer will soon allow customers to make returns and get refunds at the front door. The returns will be soon be handled by customer hosts. “You’re soon going to be able to do a refund right at the front door of the Walmart store”, said Greg Foran, president and CEO of Walmart US, according to Chain Store Age. “We’re not going to ask you to go to the service desk.” The hosts will be equipped with technology to manage returns and provide customers with cash refunds. The timeline for the change has not been determined.
Source: al.com