China: JD procured RMB310bln yuan imported products in past 2 years
JD released its “Report on JD.com Imported Products Consumption” at the “Ambassadors’ Forum on International Consumption” in Beijing, revealing that JD has procured RMB310bln-worth of imported products over the past 2 years. Ahead of the upcoming 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and amidst JD’s Singles Day Grand Promotion, senior diplomats from 5 countries, including the ambassadors of Chile, Denmark, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Minister for Commercial Affairs of Embassy of Japan, joined the forum and discussed the pathways for China’s import consumption.
Source: jdcorporateblog.com
UK: Sainsbury's weathers supply chain stress as it posts 23% profit rise
British retailer Sainsbury's has reported a 23% rise in first-half profit, maintaining its full-year profit outlook despite continued uncertainty around supply chains. Sainsbury's, Britain's second largest grocer after Tesco , said it made an underlying profit before tax of £371mln (€438mln) in the 28 weeks to September 18, up from £301mln (€355.4mln) in the same period last year, on revenue that rose 5.3% to £15.7bln (€18.5bln).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Checkout-free stores venture Imagr opens Amsterdam popup
New Zealand-based autonomous checkout startup Imagr has opened a second pop-up store. Its first one was in London. This one can be found in Amsterdam. This builds on expansion into Europe and the opening of a new office in the Dutch capital earlier this year.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Another top South African CEO resigns for move to Australia
Senior vice president and chief executive officer of Massmart Wholesale, Doug Jones, has announced his departure from the group to take up a job opportunity in Sydney, Australia. Massmart said in a trading update that Jones will leave his role at the end of December 2021.
Source: businesstech.co.za
UK: Tesco receives royal approval for its approach to sustainability in Terra Carta Seal award win
Tesco has been recognised by HRH The Prince of Wales for leading the retail industry in transitioning towards a net zero future. The Terra Carta Seal, launched this year, is awarded to companies which are driving innovation and taking action to create lasting sustainable change.
Source: tescoplc.com
Philippines: AllDay Marts sizzles on first trading day
The share price of Villar-owned grocery chain AllDay Marts Inc. sizzled in its trading debut at the Philippine Stock Exchange as investors bought into the company that is expected to be disrupt the supermarket landscape in the country. AllDay shares immediately hit the ceiling at the start of trading to close at P0.90, up 50% from the initial public offering price of P0.60.
Source: manilastandard.net
Swiss retailer Migros announces wage hike
Migros has announced that it has agreed with its social partners to increase the wage bill for 2022 by up to 1%. The Swiss retailer added that it will focus on increasing minimum wages and gradually increase reference wages as well. As of 1 January 2022, the minimum wage will be raised to CHF4,100 (€3,876.54), excluding the Migros Ticino cooperative.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Egypt’s leading grocery delivery platform ‘Breadfast’ secures $26mln
Breadfast, Egypt’s leading grocery delivery platform, announced that it had secured $US26mln in a Series A round co-led by Vostok New Ventures and Endure Capital. The round, which also saw participation from JAM Fund, YC Continuity Fund, Shorooq Partners, 4FX Ventures and Flexport, is one of the largest of its kind in the region in 2021 and brings Breadfast’s total investment to date to more than $US33mln since its launch in 2017.
Source: egyptianstreets.com
Iceland Foods commits to being UK's first plastic neutral supermarket
Iceland Foods plans to be the first British supermarket group to become plastic neutral, offsetting its remaining plastic footprint by recovering and recycling waste plastic, it said.
Source: reuters.com
US: New FMI report reveals positive attitude among grocery shoppers ahead of holiday celebrations
FMI-The Food Industry Association released its U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Tracker: Holidays, a comprehensive report on the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. grocery shopper perceptions and behaviors heading into the busy holiday season. The report finds that despite concerns surrounding the availability and cost of favorite holiday foods due to lingering post-pandemic supply chain and inflation issues, most shoppers plan to celebrate the holidays much the same as they did before the pandemic, albeit while shopping early and observing relaxed but persistent social distancing measures when getting together with friends and family.
Source: fmi.org
US: Cub Foods balances online, in-store shopping experiences
Cub Foods has revamped its online grocery ordering process to incorporate in-store shopping benefits. To that end, Stillwater, Minnesota-based Cub said it has enhanced the way pickup and delivery orders are handled to better meet customers’ needs throughout the entire transaction.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: The massive amount of bananas Uber Eats sold in September 2021
In September of 2021, people were going bananas for bananas. According to the 3rd annual Uber Eats Cravings Report - which revealed "the most popular, most unusual, and some of the wackiest delivery requests of the last year", the company shared in a statement to Mashed - Americans bought 25,150 pounds of bananas in the month of September alone. Aside from being the top seller on the app, bananas were also the number 1 selling fruit in the country in general, beating other grocery staples such as peanut butter and coffee, Businesses reports.
Source: mashed.com
US: Food Lion wraps up $127mln store remodel project
Food Lion has completed a store remodeling initiative spanning 87 stores in 6 Southern states, for a total investment of $127mln. Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, said that the upgrades included 27 stores in Tennessee, 23 in Georgia, 20 in South Carolina, 11 in North Carolina, and 3 apiece in Kentucky and Virginia.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Einride launches autonomous pods and electric freight operations in US
Swedish freight technology company Einride announced the launch of its operations in the United States. The company will officially begin testing its transport solutions - like its autonomous “pods”, electric trucks and “Saga” operating system - with partners like GE Appliances (GEA), Bridgestone and Oatly.
Source: techcrunch.com