US: Squadle introduces food safety platform for grocery
Squadle, a workflow automation company that enables multi-unit operators to simplify complex operations and streamline food safety, announced Squadle for Grocery, an industry-specific offering that helps stores expand their prepared meals and takeout business. Squadle for Grocery delivers operational consistency across each store, with food waste tracking, equipment calibration, and temperature management.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Kroger delivers strong first quarter results and raises full-year 2021 guidance
The Kroger Co. reported its first quarter 2021 results and will update investors on how Leading with Fresh and Accelerating with Digital initiatives are positioning Kroger for long-term sustainable growth. Leading with Fresh: Our Brands launched 253 new items during the quarter, including seasonal fresh produce and products to elevate summer cooking. Announced expansion of partnership with 80 Acres Farms to 316 stores reaching more shoppers in the Midwest - both in store and online. Announced Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator, providing Kroger with the opportunity to discover more local and regional suppliers to partner with to advance freshness, quality, and Fresh for Everyone commitment. Launched a digital farmers market pilot, creating an e-commerce marketplace that connects local farmers and businesses to customers seeking fresh and delicious products.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Walmart invests in drone company
After safely performing hundreds of drone deliveries from stores in partnership with nationwide drone services provider DroneUp, Walmart is now making an investment in DroneUp “to continue our work toward developing a scalable last-mile delivery solution”, according to John Furner, CEO and president, Walmart U.S., in a blog post.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Grocery retailers moving forward in fresh food departments
After a year of highs and lows, the SN Fresh Food Trends report shows fresh categories thriving. The SN 2021 Fresh Food Trends Report, sponsored by fresh food technology platform Afresh, surveyed 116 retailers/wholesalers with responsibility for the fresh food department (including chain, independent and online retailers) on their experiences over the past 12 months and what their expectations for 2021 are. The survey was conducted from mid-March through mid-April 2021.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Ocado loses U.K. injunction bid against bitter rival AutoStore
Ocado Group Plc lost the latest court clash with rival AutoStore Technology AG after a London judge refused to grant an injunction that would stop the use of certain information in a separate U.S. patent infringement case.
Source: bloombergquint.com
Germany: Edeka Nord sees solid sales growth in FY2020
Edeka Nord has reported a 13.9% year-on-year growth in consolidated sales to €3.5bln in its financial year 2020. Its consolidated profit amounted to €34.0mln. The company attributed this growth to strong sales in its wholesale and meat processing divisions, driven by the pandemic. Independent merchants of Edeka Nord reported a like-for-like sales increase of 9.6% during the financial year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Eroski outlines strategic plan for next 5 years
Spanish supermarket chain Eroski has outlined its strategic plan for the next 5 years at the retailer's Ordinary General Assembly. The plan includes an investment of €420mln in the business, which will be used to open 300 more stores and transform the group's store network.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Tesco’s UK sales growth slows in latest quarter
Reuters reported: "Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, reported a sharp slowdown in underlying U.K. sales growth in its first quarter, reflecting a tough comparison with the same quarter last year when the country was in the grip of its first Covid-19 lockdown. The group said U.K. like-for-like sales, excluding fuel and VAT sales tax, rose 0.5% in the 13 weeks to May 29 - ahead of analysts’ average forecast of a fall of 1.0% but down from growth of 8.8% in the previous quarter".
Source: cnbc.com
Portugal: Continente opens its first cashierless store
Portuguese retailer Continente has invested over €1mln in opening its first cashierless store in Lisbon in early June, according to media reports. The Continente Labs store is located in downtown Lisbon, opposite the Arco do Cego garden, a usual meeting place for young people, especially university students.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Ford and Hermes explore driverless delivery
Ford will work with UK delivery specialist Hermes on a 'last mile delivery' pilot to make city deliveries more efficient and sustainable. Ford has announced a new Self-Driving Vehicle Research Programme designed to help businesses in Europe understand how autonomous vehicles can benefit their operations.
Source: just-auto.com
UK retail sales dip as consumers spend more in dining out
British retail sales fell unexpectedly last month as a lifting of lockdown restrictions encouraged spending in restaurants rather than shops, according to official data. Retail sales fell 1.4% between April and May, the Office for National Statistics said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Russia: Lenta to acquire regional retail chain Semya
Russian retailer Lenta has announced that it has agreed to acquire Perm-based retail chain Semya Group for RUB2.35bln (€27mln) in cash via its indirect subsidiary Lenta LLC. Semya is the fourth-largest retailer in the Perm region, operating 75 stores in Perm city and the Perm region with a total selling space of 46,600 square metres. Its store network comprises four hypermarkets, 27 supermarkets, and 44 convenience stores.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Portugal: Aldi opens its first neighbourhood store
Aldi Portugal has opened its first neighbourhood store in Lisbon, in the Picoas district of the Portuguese capital. The new store is based on the urban concept of proximity and convenience and offers a 'modern and practical shop for day-to-day shopping', according to a statement issued by the German retailer.
Source: esmmagazine.com