UK: Asda leadership update
Asda has announced that CEO and President Roger Burnley has decided to leave the business next year, after the supermarket has transitioned fully to new ownership and once his long-term successor is in place. Having brought Asda back into British ownership, the Issa brothers and TDR Capital continue to be focused on supporting its leadership team to implement and accelerate Asda’s growth strategy over the next 5 years and beyond. A process will commence shortly to appoint a new CEO who is able to commit to leading the business over the long-term.
Source: corporate.asda.com
SPAR Belgium rolls out new convenience store concept at supermarket in Ressaix
A SPAR Supermarket in Ressaix, Belgium, has recently reopened its doors after a complete upgrade. After a six-month renovation, this 750m2 SPAR Supermarket now features a modern, attractive store design with a clear layout, designed to provide local customers with the best shopping experience.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Ocado's deal progress being hindered by limits on travel - CEO
British online supermarket Ocado Group is talking to lots of retailers about potential technology partnerships, though deal progress is being hindered by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel, its boss said. “There are a large number of conversations going on with a number of retailers that look like very interesting opportunities for Ocado Group”, CEO Tim Steiner told reporters. But he said it has been difficult to visit potential new clients and for them to visit Ocado facilities in the UK.
Source: reuters.com
Holland: Albert Heijn reaches dry misting milestone
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has equipped more than 700 stores with 'Dry Misting' technology from Contronics. Dry Misting creates a fine layer of pure mist in the air around fresh produce on display without soaking the products or the shelves. The evaporation of the mist cools and protects the products from dehydrating and preserves their freshness, colour and nutrients. According to Contronics, the shelf life of fruit and vegetables can be extended up to twice as long, reducing food waste significantly.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR partners with Gander to fight food waste
SPAR International aims to further tackle food waste through scaling up its successful collaboration with digital platform Gander. The partnership was initially launched in Northern Ireland and has grown to a become global agreement. The partnership will facilitate a wider roll-out across SPAR markets, strengthening the collaborative, global approach by SPAR towards food waste reduction. This partnership is another milestone in both parties’ strategy of using digital solutions to achieve a reduction in food waste within the food retail sector.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: On-demand grocery service Weezy launches in Bristol
Weezy, the on-demand grocery delivery service, has launched in Bristol. The company stocks 2,000 local products, from fresh fruit and veg to local meat and dairy, which it says are locally-sourced, sustainably delivered, and are offered at retail prices. Kristof Van Beveren, co-founder and chief executive of Weezy, said: “At Weezy we believe there is a better way to shop, one that allows our customers to stay at home, break free from the shopping list, and receive high quality produce swiftly and delivered with care”.
Source: talkingretail.com
China: Leadership transition at Pinduoduo: CEO Chen Lei appointed Chairman
Pinduoduo Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed CEO Chen Lei to take up the position of Chairman, after accepting the resignation of founder Colin Huang, who has stepped down from the Board and will devote his time to exploring new long-term opportunities. “On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank him for his leadership and contribution to Pinduoduo in the past 6 years”, said Chen Lei, Chairman and CEO of Pinduoduo. “We will cheer him on as he explores new frontiers”.
Source: globenewswire.com
Belgium: Who seizes power in booming meal box market?
The Belgian meal box market has tripled in 2020, a growth that is projected to continue. Which (old or new) players will seize power in this growing segment? According to market researcher Shopperware, Belgians have spent nearly 600mln euros on meal boxes last year, three times as much as a year earlier. This amount comes down to some 8.4mln meal boxes. "A big part in this huge hike was, of course, both lockdowns due to Covid-19 and the forced (and still ongoing) closure of all restaurants", researcher Dirk Vanderveken says in Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
Source: retaildetail.eu
China: Dada Group participates in formulating CCFA's key performance indicators of omni-channel retailing chain enterprises
Dada Group ("Dada" or the "Company"), China's leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, is pleased to announce that the Company as a representative enterprise of the retail industry, was involved in the formulation and drafting of China Chain Store & Franchise Association's (CCFA) key standards for omni-channel retailing chain enterprises. On March 1, CCFA officially released and implemented the "Key Performance Indicators of Omni-channel Retailing Chain Enterprises" (Indicators).
Source: prnewswire.com
E-grocer Weee raises $315mln to fuel North America expansion
Weee, an e-grocer offering Asian and Hispanic groceries, has raised $315mln in Series D funding, the company announced. Weee said it plans to use the new funding to accelerate expansion across North America, hire additional personnel, build its product assortment and develop personalization features to more effectively reach consumers. The new funding surges Weee’s valuation to $2.8bln, Bloomberg reported, and comes at a time when the company is eyeing a potential initial public offering
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Dollar General forecasts 2021 comp decline
Dollar General said its fourth quarter same store sales increased 12.7% thanks to larger transaction sizes and broad-based strength throughout all major categories in the company’s more than 17,000 stores. Total fourth quarter sales for the period ended January 29, increased 17.6% to $8.4bln and full-year sales increased 21.6% to $33.7bln compared to $27.8bln the prior year.
Source: progressivegrocer.com