China: Tencent leads in grocery chain Yipien’s $297mln Series B round
Tencent confirmed that it has led the Series B funding round of Yipien Fresh, a supermarket chain that specializes in fresh produce that can be ordered online. The round’s other investors were Capital Today, Meituan-Dianping, and East Bell Venture Capital. Yipien’s users can use their smartphone to order the produce that they want, and then choose to pick up their groceries in the nearest store or have them delivered. The tech giant said it has observed there is huge market for fresh produce retail and that companies utilizing technology to sell fresh produce have adopted a diverse array of business models. When it comes to Yipien, Tencent aims to help improve the chain’s operational efficiency so that it can provide consumers with a better online-to-offline experience.
Source: kr-asia.com
Spar Slovenija reports record sales of EUR 804mln for 2018
The retailer Spar Slovenija increased its sales revenue last year by 3.6% to a record EUR 804mln, director general Igor Mervic announced to the press. Net profit was not disclosed, with Mervic only saying that due to extensive investments, it was lower than in 2017, when it stood at EUR 13.1mln, according to the publicly available annual report. Owned by the Salzburg-bases SES Spar European Shopping Centers, Spar Slovenija managed to increase its market share in Slovenia last year despite opening only one new shop.
Source: total-slovenia-news.com
France: Carrefour opts for electric tricycles to make their deliveries
The French company has chosen a three-wheeled electric vehicle, which has been called Scoobic Light, to make their deliveries. According to Carrefour, the tricycle, which has an autonomy of 8 hours, has solar panels for recharging. Scoobic Light, which can carry a volume of 1,400 litres of cargo, is approved as a scooter, so you can park in the parking lots of motorcycles. The vehicle that Carrefour has chosen to make its deliveries has acoustic warning, wheel covers and bumper protector of people, includes SOS alarm signal, Advanced Driver Assistance System and "it is a safer transport", they explain from the company: "since, by its design, the load does not lean in the curves".
Source: internationalsupermarketnews.com
Norway: NorgesGruppen 2018: +2.1% to €9.0bln
Norway-based NorgesGruppen has released its 2018 results. The retailer reported that operating revenue increased by 2.1% to NOK 87.8bln (€9.0bln), while profit before tax increased by 20% to NOK 2.4bln (€247mln). Operating margin remained stable at 3.6%. Performance continued to be driven by the KIWI discount format, with existing store revenue increasing by 4.1%. During the year, NorgesGruppen invested NOK 3.6bln (€370.5mln) in stores, operations, technology, energy and people. Future investments are expected to focus on efficiency and customer-focus. CEO Runar Hollevik added: ‘In 2018, our competitors have established more stores than us, while we have concentrated on improving and developing existing stores. The pace of establishment will increase somewhat in the future with stores that are adapted to their customer base locally’.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Amazon Web Services to open infrastructure location in Colombia
Amazon Web Services (AWS), a unit of Amazon.com Inc, said it will open a Latin America infrastructure location in Colombia and help train 2,000 students in cloud technology. The company will team up with Colombia’s public technical education institute to train students in cloud computing, Jeffrey Kratz, AWS’ general public sector manager for Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada, said in a government statement.
Source: reuters.com
Walmart México to be more sustainable and effective
In an increasingly digital and technological environment, it is essential for companies to adapt to the new purchasing behaviour of consumers and to new actions that ensure reducing the environmental impact of their operations. Walmart de México y Centroamérica is committed to improving the omnichannel experience, through different strategies such as: Reinforcing its leadership in prices, improving the supply of perishables, successfully launching kiosks with extended catalog and pickup in stores and clubs, redesigning their websites, create new mobile applications and streamline your delivery service. This action plan aims to provide the facilities for customers to have the product of their choice at the time and place of their choice.
Source: internationalsupermarketnews.com
US: Albertsons Companies appoints President and Chief Executive Officer
Albertsons Companies announced that Vivek Sankaran, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Foods North America, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons Companies, effective April 25, 2019. Jim Donald, currently the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will continue as Co-Chairman of the Board, with Leonard Laufer serving as the other Co-Chairman. The company’s longtime leader Robert Miller has been named Chairman Emeritus and will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. “When I joined Albertsons Companies in 2018, I found a company that had a strong decentralized operating model, a fantastic leadership team and incredible potential to be the four-walls and no-walls leader in the grocery industry”, said Donald. “Over the past year, our team made our company’s nearly 2,300 stores even stronger as we sharpened our focus on the intersection of technology and service. I’m looking forward to the continued progress of the company under the seasoned leadership of Vivek. We continue to be well-positioned to serve the evolving needs of today’s customer, where, how and when they choose to shop with us.”
Source: globenewswire.com
US: 7-Eleven lab store offers organic fare, in-store taqueria
7-Eleven has opened a lab store in Dallas to test new platforms, concepts and products, according to the Dallas News. The store includes beer on tap, a coffee bar, an upscale product assortment and a Laredo Taco Company taqueria. In addition to traditional convenience store snacks, customers will find fresh soups, cold-pressed juices, and ready-to-eat options including salads, sandwiches, fruit bowls, hard-boiled eggs, cured meats and cheeses. The Slurpee machine has gone organic, with non-GMO, all natural flavors and ingredients including celery and turmeric. Grocery offerings include Justin's nut butter, single-serve pouches of basmati rice, bulk bins of trail mix and gluten-free, paleo and vegan selections.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Publix returns to Statesboro, Georgia
After years of starts and stops, rumors and just wishful thinking, Publix, finally, is coming back to Statesboro. About 20 years after Publix closed its Statesboro store in the strip mall now fronted by Wendy’s on Northside Drive, Darin Van Tassell announced during the groundbreaking for the Tormenta soccer stadium that Publix will build a grocery store at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway (the bypass) and Old Register Road. Van Tassell is the president and an owner of Tormenta. The Statesboro store is projected to be slightly less than 52,000 square feet and includes three outparcels. The 12.20 acre development will be a key component of the larger 225-acre development surrounding Tormenta FC's soccer stadium and The Clubhouse.
Source: statesboroherald.com
US: Stew Leonard's breaks ground on first New Jersey supermarket
Stew Leonard’s, the grocery chain that boasts farm fresh food and animated characters to rival Chuck E Cheese, has announced plans to begin construction on an 80,000-square-foot supermarket inside the Paramus Park Mall - breaking ground on what may soon be New Jersey’s most festive and fun-filled grocery store. Stew Leonard’s new New Jersey store is its first proper supermarket in the Garden State, but it will join independently-owned Stew Leonard’s wine stores in Clifton, Paramus, and Springfield, as well as six supermarkets spread throughout New York and Connecticut. The company will, reportedly, source local products from farmers in the New Jersey area, with as much as 80% of products brought in - or prepared in store - daily.
Source: delimarketnews.com