US: Dollar Tree, Inc. reports results for the third quarter fiscal 2020
Dollar Tree, Inc. reported financial results for its third quarter ended October 31, 2020: Consolidated net sales increased 7.5% to $6.18bln from $5.75bln in the prior year’s third quarter. Enterprise same-store sales increased 5.1%. Same-store sales for Family Dollar increased 6.4%. Dollar Tree same-store sales increased 4.0%. Gross profit increased 12.9% to $1.92bln in the quarter compared to the prior year’s third quarter.
Source: businesswire.com
Canada: Couche-Tard grows profits to US$757mln
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.’s profits increased from last year in the 3 months ending October 11, as shoppers consolidated shopping trips to convenience stores amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Circle K parent company says it earned US$757mln, or 68 cents US per diluted share, compared with US$578.6mln, or 51 cents US per diluted share, in the same period last year. The Laval, Quebec-based brand says revenues were US$10.66bln during the quarter, down from US$13.68bln during the same quarter last year.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Quicklly launches in San Francisco Bay Area
Quicklly, the first and only South Asian local food and grocery marketplace in the US, announced its first expansion city - the San Francisco Bay Area. Customers throughout the city of San Francisco extending south through to San Mateo have access to the Quicklly marketplace and delivery. Based in Chicago, Quicklly connects people with local South Asian markets, restaurants and caterers; allows them to order online; and manages delivery for vendors. Most vendors on the Quicklly platform are small businesses that are not on other e-commerce or delivery apps. Customers can shop and place orders from several grocers and restaurants and have everything come in one delivery. The company has nearly 15,000 customers and 60+ vendors in its hometown of Chicago.
Source: prnewswire.com
Online shopping boosts Israel's Shufersal Q3 profit, revenue
Shufersal, Israel’s largest supermarket chain, reported a 76% increase in quarterly net profit, boosted by record revenue due to a jump in online shopping resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Shufersal said it earned 97mln shekels ($29mln) in the third quarter, up from 55mln a year earlier. Revenue rose 14.5% to 3.9bln shekels, while same store sales increased 13.6%. Online sales accounted for 20.8% of its total food sales in the quarter, up from 14.8% a year earlier.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Co-op extends robot delivery as part of omnichannel acceleration
Co-op is expanding its use of autonomous home delivery by rolling out the service to shoppers in Northampton. The retailer says it has ambitions to use as many as 300 robots by the end of 2021 as it looks for more towns and cities in which to operate autonomous deliveries. The autonomous service will serve around 5,000 Northampton households with contactless deliveries. Initially deliveries will be made from the Co-op food store in Wootton Fields serving communities in Wootton and Hardingstone, with the robots typically travelling up to three miles from the store.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Aldi France purchases 554 Leader Price stores
The French Competition Authority body has approved the purchase of 554 Leader Price stores (owned by Casino) by Aldi. For the Casino Group the sale is part of its ongoing debt reduction plan, which will enable it to focus on its other more profitable banners, such as Monoprix and Franprix. The purchase of 554 Leader Price stores by Aldi has been approved by the French Competition Authority body. It was subject to the sale of 9 stores (4 Aldi and 5 Leader Price) to meet competition laws criteria, which were accepted by Aldi due to its minimal impact. Aldi currently operates 883 stores in France, meaning it will reach a total of 1,428 stores, which will generate an estimated turnover of €5.5bln.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
UK-based ICG nearing RM800mln deal for TF Value Mart
Intermediate Capital Group Plc is nearing an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in a Malaysian hypermarket chain from Southeast Asian private equity firm KV Asia Capital Pte Ltd for more than RM800mln (US$196mln), according to people familiar with the matter. The UK alternative asset manager is looking to buy the stake in TF Value Mart Sdn Bhd from KV Asia, which is being advised by Rippledot Capital Advisers Pte Ltd, said the people, who asked not to be named as the process is private. The deal could be signed as soon as next week, said the people.
Source: freemalaysiatoday.com
Belgium: Colruyt thanks employees with extra day off
On Saturday 2 January, more than 500 Colruyt Group stores in Belgium will remain closed. The retailer grants its store employees an extra paid leave day to thank them for their efforts during the corona crisis. "We have decided to give our colleagues in the stores an extra paid day off. The decision to close more than 500 stores in Belgium will be taken to allow our colleagues in the stores to enjoy an extra moment with their families, to close the intense year 2020 and to start the new year full of energy", said Jef Colruyt, CEO Colruyt Group. The decision concerns branches of Colruyt, Collect&Go, OKay, OKay Compact, Bio-Planet, Cru, Dreamland, Fiets! and Dreambaby. The independent entrepreneurs of Spar Colruyt Group will open their doors that day as usual.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Asda delivery drivers combat customers’ loneliness with ‘happy to chat’ badge
Asda’s delivery drivers will combat pandemic-induced loneliness by wearing badges to encourage customers to talk when receiving their shopping. The initiative is backed by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), a charity which offers support and companionship, with delivery drivers becoming a key point of contact for many people during the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: kentonline.co.uk
Foodland investing $300mln into upscaling South Australia business
Supermarket chain Foodland is investing $300mln into a five-year plan that will see stores refurbished, new stores created, and 2,500 new jobs created in South Australia. An additional 25 stores are set to be opened in the state in an effort to grow its presence, bringing the business’ total network to 120, and bring its total number of employees in South Australia to 8,500. Around 500 construction jobs will also be created during the process. “We are absolutely committed to further embedding the Foodland brand within the South Australian community”, said Foodland CEO Franklin dos Santos.
Source: insidefmcg.com.au
UK: Dija, a new delivery startup from former Deliveroo employees, is closing in on a $20mln round led by Blossom
Dija, a new U.K.-based startup founded by senior former Deliveroo employees, is closing in on $20mln in funding, TechCrunch has learned. According to multiple sources, the round, which has yet to close, is being led by Blossom Capital, the early-stage venture capital firm founded by ex-Index and LocalGlobe VC Ophelia Brown.
Source: techcrunch.com
Russian online retailer Ozon's shares jump in U.S. debut
Shares of Ozon Holdings Plc soared more than 40% in their debut, after the Russian online retailer raised nearly $1bln in its upsized initial public offering. The firm’s shares opened at $42.3 per American Depositary Share (ADS), above the IPO price of $30 per ADS. Ozon had earlier priced its offering of 33mln ADS on the Nasdaq above its target range. Ozon last week said it planned to issue 30mln American depositary shares at between $22.50 and $27.50 each.
Source: reuters.com