US: Instacart taps Facebook executive as CEO
Instacart is turning to a Facebook legend to help build the grocery delivery leader into the next trillion-dollar tech company. Instacart has named Fidji Simo as its next CEO, effective August 2. Simo replaces Instacart founder and current CEO Apoorva Mehta, who will transition to executive chairman of the board.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Inmar Intelligence survey reveals that online grocery shopping adoption isn’t a pandemic fad, but a long-standing habit and here to stay
Inmar Intelligence, a data-driven technology-enabled services company, announced findings from a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults that aimed to find out how consumers’ grocery shopping behaviors have changed. The survey examined if consumers shop for their groceries online or via mobile, what aspects of the experience consumers gravitate towards, if online or mobile ordering provides a better customer experience than shopping in-store and if these behaviors will continue.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Blue Apron sets new sustainable packaging goals
Blue Apron announced a new sustainable packaging goal for its meal kit boxes of 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2025. The company also strives to use 75% post-consumer recycled content, by weight, in its meal kit boxes by the end of 2025. By establishing these goals, Blue Apron is the first major meal kit company in the United States to announce time-bound targets around packaging goals.
Source: businesswire.com
10-minute grocery startup Dija is in acquisition talks with US competitor Gopuff
Gopuff, the US delivery app, is in talks to acquire Dija, the London-based 10-minute grocery delivery startup, according to 2 people close to the conversations. The deal is not yet finalised, but is expected to close in the next week or two.
Source: sifted.eu
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports June sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) reported net sales of $18.92bln for the retail month of June, the 5 weeks ended July 4, 2021, an increase of 16.9% from $16.18bln last year. For the forty-four weeks ended July 4, 2021, the Company reported net sales of $161.09bln, an increase of 18.1% from $136.37bln last year.
Source: globenewswire.com
Google faces new anti-trust lawsuit over app store
Google is being sued by 37 US states over policies on its Android app store, Google Play. The lawsuit claims that the tech giant has used "monopolistic leverage" to generate large profits from purchases made within its own store. It also claimed Google had bought off its competitors.
Source: bbc.com
US: Coborn’s focuses on fresh with updated store formats
A remodeled Coborn’s store to reopen next week in Park Rapids, Minnesota, will be the latest of the retailer’s locations to be updated with a new look and renewed focus on fresh departments. Several grand-opening events will be held to celebrate the newly remodeled Coborn’s. The store will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 14. The remodeled store will offer new, enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products and fresh, enlarged perimeter fresh departments and new updated décor and a refreshed, unique north-woods themed exterior. During the grand reopening event, guests can enjoy samples throughout the store.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Brazil's GPA, Diniz family office settle real estate dispute
Brazilian food retailer GPA has settled an arbitral dispute with the real estate arm of Brazilian investment fund Peninsula, it said in a securities filing, without disclosing terms of the agreement. The Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario Peninsula initiated arbitration proceedings against GPA, a subsidiary of France’s Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, in 2017. The dispute pertained to long-term leases GPA holds on 60 Peninsula properties, the company said.
Source: reuters.com
Germany: REWE introduces 'Better Half' meat products with 50% vegetables
REWE Group has introduced classic meat items made of 50% vegetables under the brand name 'Better Half'. The retailer claims that the meat and vegetable range is a first among grocers in Germany. REWE Group aims to target consumers who wish to reduce their meat consumption through this range. Better Half was developed at the REWE Group's production facility in Wilhelm Brandenburg.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Ministers demand probe into £6.3bln Morrisons takeover: Fears over US buyer and the impact on UK's food supply chain
Ministers were urged to probe the £6.3bln takeover of Morrisons over its potential impact on the UK's food supply chain. The supermarket group's bosses are recommending a sale to private equity firm Fortress, which is backed by a consortium, and insists it will be a 'good steward' of the business.
Source: thisismoney.co.uk
Online discount supermarket Butlon starts in Belgium and Germany
Butlon, a Dutch online supermarket that prides itself on low prices, wants to start delivering groceries and meals in Belgium and Germany before the end of the year. Butlon started as a platform that delivers meals for restaurants, but grew during last year's lockdowns into a full-fledged online supermarket with a range of 1,200 products, which delivers groceries to your home. Because the company obtains its supplies from catering wholesalers, the webshop is able to offer low prices for fresh products. Founder Alessio Pinna calls his web supermarket "the online version of Lidl or Aldi".
Source: retaildetail.eu
France: This is the latest generation convenience store according to Monop'
Monop', Groupe Casino's convenience formula, has opened a 'phygital' city store of the latest generation in Paris: it combines sustainability, food service, e-commerce and remarkable services with an unmanned area that remains open 24/7.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Sainsbury's introduces first Electric Refrigerated Trailers to its fleet
Sainsbury’s has become the first UK retailer to introduce fully electric refrigerated trailers to its delivery fleet. The trailer aspect of the lorry is 100% electric, to keep customers’ food cold. This means the fridges don’t emit carbon emissions or particulate matter such as dust, dirt, soot or smoke into the air and have low noise emissions. This reduces the overall environmental impact of the vehicle, helping to protect local communities and be better for the planet.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
One of largest ‘made in China, sold on Amazon’ firms had 340 stores closed amid e-commerce crackdown
South China Morning Post reported: "Amazon.com has closed 340 online stores operated by one of the platform’s largest Chinese retailers in the first half of this year, as the US e-commerce giant intensifies its crackdown against paid reviews and other violations. The action was taken against stores run by Shenzhen Youkeshu Technology Co. for allegedly violating Amazon’s rules, without providing any details, according to a filing this week by the merchant’s Shenzhen-listed parent Tiza Information Industry Corp."
Source: abs-cbn.com
Germany: Rewe tests self-driving shop
Rewe and Vodafone have been testing a self-driving shop in Cologne, which stops when a customer waves at it. According to the company, this is a European first. The mobile shop, which was given the name 'Snack Mobil', will offer passers-by and office workers snacks, sweets and drinks on request on the Carlswerk trade campus in Cologne. The purchases will be paid for contactless. After the start-up phase, the vehicle will drive in a continuous loop around the campus every day from 10 am to 4 pm, reports Tag24.
Source: retaildetail.eu