Tesco is taking on the competition by adding a subscription option to its Clubcard loyalty program
Originally launched in 1995, Clubcard helped Tesco beat its competitors to become the U.K.’s largest supermarket group. On Friday (Nov. 8), the company announced it was rolling out Clubcard Plus. For £7.99 a month, customers will have access to 10 percent off two big shops up to £200 each; 10 percent off customers’ favorite Tesco brands at all times; double data on a monthly contract for new and existing Tesco Mobile customers; and exclusive access to apply for a Tesco Bank credit card with no foreign exchange fees. The company says a customer’s potential savings add up to more than £400 a year.
Source: https://www.pymnts.com
Lidl ‘speeds up’ rate of UK retail expansion
Lidl is reported to be speeding up its rate of expansion in the UK and now plans to have 1,000 stores by 2023.
The discounter is set to open another 230 stores over the next three years – a faster rate of growth than previously targeted by the company – according to The Sunday Times.
Source: https://www.talkingretail.com
SPAR Hungary receives prestigious awards
One of the most important retail and marketing honours received by SPAR Hungary this year was coming in second at the 2019 Trader of the Year competition. Recognising Hungary’s most innovative traders, the competition aims to encourage stores and service providers to contribute to the rapid development of the domestic retail market. In addition to its second-place Trader of the Year prize, SPAR Hungary was also awarded in the Best Instore Customer Experience category.
Source: https://spar-international.com
Plant-based grocer Green Common takes first step into Mainland China
Hong Kong plant-based grocery shop and cafe Green Common will launch online on Tmall Global at the end of this month, during the marketplace’s Black Friday event. The grocer, known for its plant-based products, will be making its first appearance in Mainland China, offering a range of about 40 food items, including products from popular plant-based food-tech brands including Alpha Foods, Gardein, Daiya Foods and Califia Farms. Further brands will join the site later.
https://insideretail.asia
Alibaba increases stake in Cainiao Smart Logistics Network
Alibaba has invested an additional RMB23.3 billion (US$3.3 billion) to increase its equity stake in Cainiao Smart Logistics Network from approximately 51 per cent to about 63 per cent.
The investment was made by subscribing for newly issued Cainiao ordinary shares in its latest financing round and purchasing some equity interest from an existing Cainiao shareholder. Other existing shareholders also participated in the fundraising.
Source: https://insideretail.asia
Walmart scales unlimited grocery delivery
Walmart has gone live with Delivery Unlimited at more than 1,400 locations. The program gives customers the option to pay a yearly $98 fee or a monthly $12.95 fee to receive unlimited Walmart Grocery Delivery orders right to their front door.
Source: https://risnews.com
Amazon confirms plans for store under new grocery brand
Amazon.com Inc. plans to launch a new supermarket brand distinct from the Whole Foods Market chain the company acquired two years ago, a sign of the retail giant’s hunger for a slice of the grocery market beyond high-end organic food.
The company has posted four job listings for “Amazon’s first grocery store” in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. An Amazon spokeswoman confirmed the listings, and said the store would open in 2020. The brand will be distinct from Whole Foods and will have a conventional checkout line, unlike the cashierless Amazon Go convenience stores, she said. Amazon’s plans for the store were reported earlier by CNET.
https://www.bloomberg.com
Lidl’s Slow U.S. Growth Is A Surprise
Lidl recently announced that eight of the 27 Best Market stores that were acquired in 2018 will be converted to Lidl units by next summer. They are all located on New York’s Long Island. Specifically, the first to open will be in East Meadow, Oakdale, Patchogue, and Lake Grove. The second group, to be opened early next year, will be in Plainview, W. Babylon, Huntington, and Center Moriches. I estimate that Lidl will operate about 100 units by the end of 2020, and that conversion of the 27 Best Markets, which are part of the Lidl expansion will drag out beyond the Fall of 2020 and run into 2021.
Source: https://www.forbes.com