Discounters & online the main retail growth drivers in Italy, says Coop
Discounters and the online channel were the top performers in the Italian large-scale retail distribution sector this summer, at the expense of hypermarkets, a new study has shown. In its annual report, Coop Italia highlighted 63% annual growth in the discount channel in the period June to August 2020. Elsewhere, it noted that e-commerce reported 48% growth, the traditional channel grew by 28%, while superstores saw sales rise by 21%. However, sales were down by around 62% for hypermarkets, and by 24% for independent retailers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
European e-commerce dominated by marketplaces
Amazon already has a quarter of the e-commerce market in Europe. It is therefore not surprising that platforms dominate the market: by 2025, marketplaces will account for 65% of cross-border online sales in Europe. The American giant Amazon has a turnover of 32bln euros in Europe, accounting for almost a quarter of the market and an increase of 18.5% compared to 2018. Already American Ebay ranks second with a turnover of 17bln euros, while bronze goes to China's Alibaba.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Poland: Żabka eyes future growth following opening of 6,500th store
Polish proximity chain Żabka has launched 500 stores since the start of 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and now operates a total of 6,500 outlets. The retailer unveiled its 6,500th store at 18 Południowa Street in Szczecin, and Tomasz Suchański, Żabka Polska president, has earmarked a further milestone to be achieved by the close of the year. "The pandemic has not stopped us on the road towards further, dynamic development", he said. "Since January this year we have opened 500 stores, and by the end of 2020 we are going to open another 500 outlets across Poland".
Source: esmmagazine.com
Italy: Esselunga sees sales up marginally in first half
Italian supermarket group Esselunga has posted a 0.9% increase in sales in the first half of its financial year, to €4.06bln. The group said that its half-year performance was affected by COVID-19 lockdown measures in March and April, and the extended closure of its Atlantic Bars and Esserbella perfumeries - if these are excluded, the business would have seen 1.9% growth, it said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
New Zealand: Countdown’s 2030 emissions reduction targets endorsed by Science Based Targets initiative
Countdown has become the first food retailer in New Zealand to have its emission reduction goals endorsed by the independent, UN-backed body, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Countdown aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2030 from a 2015 base year, and reduce its Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions (broader supply chain and waste) by 19% by 2030 from a 2015 base year.
Source: countdown.co.nz
Holland: Picnic in alliance with Edeka for international expansion
Picnic will launch its own private label in a few weeks' time. According to co-founder Joris Beckers, this will not only demonstrate the maturity of the Dutch online supermarket, it will also help the pure player with its international expansion ambitions. In addition to Dutch and German labels, these private label products will also receive French and English inscriptions. Indeed, the online grocery service is also set to go to France and the United Kingdom, after it was successfully launched in 100 cities in the Netherlands and 30 locations in Germany. "I think Picnic will be a major international player in 5 years' time", said Beckers to the Financieele Dagblad. "We wouldn't know why it would work differently in England, France, Spain or Poland”.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Aldi pledges record £1.3bln investment as sales soar
Aldi unveils £1.3bln investment plan to mark 30th anniversary in the UK. Annual sales increase 8.3% to £12.3bln (YE 31 December 2019). 1mln British shoppers switch to Aldi (Source: Kantar Worldpanel data, 52 weeks to 29 December 2019). Offering customers the best value remains Aldi’s ‘most important commitment’ as household budgets are squeezed. CEO, Giles Hurley, praises employees, suppliers and customers for ‘courageous’ effort responding to Coronavirus outbreak.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Croatia: SPAR launches ‘Start Up Croatia’ competition, a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs
SPAR Croatia is launching ‘Start Up Croatia’, a competition paired with a unique TV format that will be broadcasted this fall, in partnership with the Croatian channel, Nova TV. Through the campaign, SPAR aims to help entrepreneurs and innovative start-ups place their products on the shelves of SPAR stores in the country.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Southern-Co-op trials home delivery service
Southern Co-op, which operates more than 200 convenience stores across the south of England, is trialing a new store delivery service using the Snappy Shopper app. The trial, which launched on 28 September, offers residents who live Chichester and Portsmouth the option of having their shopping delivered in as little as 60 minutes.
Source: talkingretail.com
US: How independent grocers are offering free Delivery
E-commerce solution provider Rosie has partnered with DoorDash to offer free delivery from hundreds of Rosie’s independent grocers who are currently offering delivery powered by DoorDash. Effective immediately, this special offer is available on Rosie’s platform through September 30. “Grocery delivery continues to be a valuable option for online shoppers in this new normal”, said David Makar, chief customer officer at Rosie. “This offer is a great way to appreciate our retailers for their continued dedication to growing their ecommerce business, as well as their loyal customers who have shopped local during these challenging times”.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Vallarta Supermarkets opens northernmost store
Vallarta Supermarkets, one of the largest Latino-owned supermarket chains in California, opened its northernmost store on September 23, in the city of Madera. The 60,000-square-foot store - Vallarta's 51st - is also its second largest, after a supermarket in Victorville. Adhering to public-health guidelines, Madera Mayor Andrew J. Medellin, local officials and dignitaries joined Vallarta’s executive team at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official grand opening of the store. The supermarket, located at 1467 Country Club Drive near Sherwood Way, brings about 250 new jobs to the area.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Meijer earns EPA GreenChill award for lowering its refrigerant emissions
Meijer was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Program for its achievements in reducing refrigerant emissions across all its supercenters over the past year. The retailer earned a Superior Achievement Award for reaching its refrigerant leak rate goal by installing leak detection systems, following robust maintenance policies and by proactively replacing end-of-life equipment at each of its stores. Additionally, the Grand River Ave. Meijer in Detroit earned the Best of the Best recognition for achieving the highest estimated avoided emissions among the more than 500 GreenChill certified stores nationwide in 2019.
Source: prnewswire.com