UK regulator says Issa's purchase of Asda raises some competition concerns
Britain’s competition regulator said it was concerned the Issa brothers and private equity group TDR Capital’s 6.8bln pound ($9.5bln) takeover of the Asda supermarket chain could lead to higher fuel prices for UK motorists. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it has given the buyers 5 working days to offer legally binding proposals to address the competition concerns identified to avoid an in-depth phase 2 investigation.
Source: reuters.com
India: Flipkart Quick expanded to 6 more cities
Indian e-commerce retailer Flipkart has expanded its Flipkart Quick hyperlocal service to 6 more cities in the country. The service has been rolled out to Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Noida, Hyderabad and Pune. Launched in Bangalore last year, Flipkart Quick offers customers greater access to products and faster delivery services.
Source: retail-insight-network.com
France: Carrefour gains market share in solid first quarter
French retailer Carrefour has had a solid first quarter, where especially the strong performance in the home market is a boost. In Belgium, the retailer gained market share again, the south of Europe remained somewhat below expectations. Top executive Alexandre Bompard was able to announce sales of 18.6bln euros and comparable growth of 4.2% in the first quarter of 2021, despite a difficult basis for comparison, with the outbreak of the corona crisis and the panic buying frenzy in March last year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Aldi UK: 5 ways to make your supermarket shop more sustainable
Ahead of Earth Day 2021, Aldi has shared 5 insider tips to help people shop more sustainably. From finding ways to reduce the need for plastic packaging, to minimising food waste and supporting British suppliers, there’s plenty of smalls steps that can help to make your shop more sustainable: Cut down on plastic packaging; Don’t forget to recycle; Buy British; Tackle food waste; Go green.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Spain: Eroski and AVIA to continue expansion agreement
Eroski and AVIA have extended their agreement to roll out Eroski Rapid stores at AVIA petrol stations after a year-long collaboration. One year of the agreement saw the opening of 13 Eroski Rapid stores across Spain. The retailer plans to open 13 more outlets in 2021.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Woolworths takes controlling stake in data analytics firm for $173mln
Australia’s biggest supermarket chain Woolworths Group sought to take control of data analytics firm Quantium by raising its stake in the company to 75% from 47%, signalling its increasing reliance on analytics to target and retain customers. The company said it will increase its shareholding in Quantium for A$223mln ($173.25mln). The deal implies a valuation of A$796mln for Quantium, nearly 20-times the value when it took a 50% stake in 2013.
Source: reuters.com
Lidl US names new CEO
Lidl US has named a new CEO after its current CEO announced on April 20 that he is resigning in order to spend more time with his family. Lidl US President and CEO Johannes Fieber is leaving at the end of May, and Michal Laguionek, a longtime Lidl executive based in Germany, will be taking his place, Fieber said in a letter to employees.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Raley’s debuts first O-N-E Market store conversion
This weekend, Raley’s opened the first store converted to its O-N-E Market format, in El Dorado Hills, California. The 39,000-square-foot store, shut from April 12 to 16 for the conversion and opened on Saturday, marks the second Raley’s O-N-E Market location - the first opened last June in Truckee, California - and the first of more stores to be remodeled as Raley’s O-N-E Market.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Amazon illegally interfered in Alabama warehouse election, union alleges in complaint to federal officials
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union filed objections with federal labor officials alleging Amazon illegally interfered with a closely watched union drive at one of its Alabama warehouses. Earlier this month, employees at Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse overwhelmingly voted against joining the RWDSU. The union claims Amazon intimidated employees and manipulated conditions around the voting process, preventing a “free and fair” election.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Bob Eddy named CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club
Westborough, Massachusetts-based BJ’s Wholesale Club has tapped Bob Eddy as president and CEO following the sudden death of Lee Delaney on April 8. Eddy, previously executive vice president and chief administrative and financial officer, had served as interim CEO since April 9, when the company announced Delaney’s passing.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Hannaford now sending zero food waste to landfills
Hannaford Supermarkets has revealed that each of its 183 stores donates or diverts all food at risk of going to waste, sending no food at all to landfills. This accomplishment, attained after a decade-long effort, makes Hannaford the first large-scale grocery retailer across its New England and New York market area to meet such a goal.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger celebrates Zero Hunger | Zero Waste momentum in 2020
The Kroger Co. announced its new progress and results for Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, the company's bold plan to help create communities free of hunger and waste by 2025. "This past year has been a challenge for so many - especially those who are trying to provide for their families amid hardship", said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: HelloFresh announces new sustainable packaging solutions
In celebration of Earth Day, HelloFresh, the leader in delivering delicious ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to households worldwide, announced a new partnership with Pratt Industries to introduce cardboard packaging made of 100% post-consumer recycled content for its HelloFresh and EveryPlate meal kits. By using recyclable packaging made entirely from recycled content for the production and shipment of meal kits to customers’ doorsteps, HelloFresh is taking measurable steps to reduce waste and improve the circularity of materials in the economy.
Source: csrwire.com