US: 7-Eleven debuts nearly 100 better-for-you products
7-Eleven is launching almost 100 new, better-for-you (BFY) products for 125 of its Los Angeles-area stores. Products from 31 up-and-coming companies include options for power-snackers, restricted diet-followers and anyone looking for ways to incorporate more functional, better-for-you drinks and snacks. “When our emerging brands team created this unique product assortment in collaboration with our category managers, the goal was to give customers drinks and snacks that they might not expect to find at a 7-Eleven store”, said 7-Eleven vice president of new business development, Chris Harkness. “Customers are demanding healthier options, and we know LA customers are leading the country in health and wellness trends, always willing to try the newest and most innovative products and services. In the past, 7-Eleven’s LA stores have shown great success with food and beverages on the leading edge of these trends.”
Source: cstoredecisions.com
US: Jet.com expands Asian food offerings
Walmart’s Jet.com has teamed up with the country’s largest Asian grocer, H Mart, to expand its Asian food offerings with popular items like Pocky snacks, kimchi and instant noodles, according to Buzzfeed. With 65 stores nationwide and a comprehensive grocery offering online, H Mart specializes in Korean CPG products and staples. Jet.com’s recent rebranding focused on targeting shoppers in large city centers to offer a tailored assortment of products and a "city grocery experience" featuring local brands and curated selections with same-day and next-day delivery.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Whole Foods will ban plastic straws and offer smaller produce bags
Responding to customers' demands, Whole Foods is ramping up its war on disposable plastic. The Amazon-owned company announced that it will stop offering plastic straws across all of its 500 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Whole Foods claims it's the first national grocery chain to make the environmentally friendly move. The company currently offers plastic straws to customers at its juice and coffee bars, as well at its cafes. It will start offering paper straws beginning in July. Plastic straws will still be available for customers with disabilities, upon request. Whole Foods will also reduce its plastic usage in other parts of the store. It will also offer smaller plastic bags in the produce department and will start using new bags for its rotisserie chickens that use 70% less plastic than the hard plastic cases they will replace.
Source: edition.cnn.com
US: Kroger partnership with Loop announced
The retailer Kroger recently announced a new partnership that promises to revolutionize the way it approaches packaging. Teaming up with Loop, a circular e-commerce platform developed by TerraCycle, the retailer hopes to advance its zero-waste vision by reducing single-use plastics in the environment. "Our commitment to innovative solutions on our path to Zero Hunger | Zero Waste aligns perfectly with Loop's mission to create a convenient circular packaging platform for consumers," said Jessica Adelman, Kroger's Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs. "Customers are increasingly seeking out sustainable products and services that fit their lifestyle. As the exclusive grocery retail partner for Loop in the U.S., Kroger is taking another big step toward a world with zero waste." The new reusable packaging system will be tested out soon, enabling customers in select markets to purchase over 100 different products from prominent consumer brands that have been redesigned with durable, reusable containers.
Source: Delimarketnews.com
US: Family Fare rebranding expanded by SpartanNash
SpartanNash Co. has relaunched 18 Family Fare supermarkets in West Michigan as part of a brand repositioning for the banner. The $18.3 million investment includes a new Family Fare logo, an updated look and feel for the stores and a range of in-store enhancements to add “value beyond price” and create a more engaging shopping experience, SpartanNash said. With the remodeled stores, which held grand-reopening events over the weekend, the company also created more than 120 new jobs. SpartanNash piloted the rebranding at four Family Fare locations last year and completed upgrades at 14 more stores on Sunday, according to President and CEO David Staples. “This positioning will be key to the differentiation of our operation by sharpening our focus on affordable wellness; value beyond price; a fun and indulging shopping experience, with a focus on local products; and providing a socially smart and community-focused store operation,” Staples said yesterday in a conference call with analysts on first-quarter results.
Source: Supermarketnews.com
Brazil: Walmart to convert hypermarkets to cash and carry outlets
Walmart Brasil has announced plans to convert its hypermarkets into cash and carry and membership-only retail warehouses. As a part of the plan, it will convert 10 hypermarkets to the 'atacarejo' (cash & carry) format under the banner Maxxi Atacado, and another ten to Sam’s Club by the end of 2020. Last week, the retailer opened its first converted Maxxi Atacado store in Diadema near São Paulo. It has a sales area of 3,300 square metres and a larger check-out area. The store offers a wide assortment of around 6000 items, of which 2,500 are new products. Other novelties in the outlet include the in-store Wi-Fi, illuminated shelves, LED backlight panels, and modern cashier equipment. The aim is to attract consumers who make large purchases of supplies for their homes and small trade.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Zimbabwe: SPAR launches online
SPAR Zimbabwe has launched its online store, which it claims is a first from a leading retailer in the country. In the short term, the home-delivery service will only be available for shoppers in Harare, while there is also an option to enable shoppers to collect orders from stores. The service, though, is likely to be expanded to other cities in the country in the ‘near future’. The company said that many purchases being made initially were from Zimbabweans living abroad who were buying groceries for family members in the country. SPAR Zimbabwe said since its launch the site had enjoyed 11,000 unique visits and over 560 customer registrations.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Holland: Albert Heijn starts test to fight food waste helped by artificial intelligence
Albert Heijn is taking a new step to reduce food waste with the test of “dynamic discounting” of chicken and fish products at a store in Zandvoort in the Netherlands. These products will be automatically reduced in price based on their sell-by date, with a higher discount for items that need to be sold soonest. An algorithm developed by Albert Heijn takes into account various factors to calculate the best price to eliminate unsaleable products and thus reduce waste. These factors include location, bonus offers, weather conditions, historical sales performance and in-store stock. The products are accompanied by electronic price tags with two prices: the regular price and discount at a specific expiration date.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Carrefour China sales talks continue, despite denial
Just days after Carrefour said its Chinese business is not for sale, news has emerged that the company is working with BNP Paribas on the divestment of a minority stake. According to Reuters the Carrefour China business is losing money and the French retail giant is now sounding out potential buyers. It estimated the company is worth about US$1bln, citing reliable sources. When rumours of the Carrefour China sale first emerged last week, Carrefour denied a sale was on the agenda. When asked for further comment by Reuters relating to BNP Paribas’ appointment, a spokeswoman said: “There is nothing particularly new to say about the matter.”
Source: insideretail.hk
Holland: Jumbo opens 650th store
Dutch retailer Jumbo has announced that it has opened its 650th outlet, in Denekamp in the eastern Netherlands. Entrepreneur couple Marlies and Björn Kuipers converted a former Emté store into a Jumbo outlet, the retailer said. The new store was inaugurated by the Kuipers family and the store team last week. The supermarket will offer a wide range of products at the lowest prices, and the best service, Jumbo said in a statement.
Source: esmmagazine.com