US: SpartanNash seeks fewer fleet miles for lower emissions in 2022
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash said it will cut its fleet mileage by more than 7mln miles, or about 10%, in 2022 as the company looks to reduce its carbon footprint. In a news release, the retailer and wholesaler said the move will keep nearly 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions out of the air and support the company's goal of providing faster, fresher and more cost-effective deliveries for retail customers.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Dollar General tested a store for wealthier shoppers. Now, it will grow to 1,000 locations
Dollar General debuted a new store called pOpshelf about a year ago, aimed at wealthier, suburban shoppers who enjoy the hunt for a good deal. The Tennessee-based discounter said that it now plans to have approximately 1,000 of the stores by the end of the 2025 fiscal year - including about 100 more locations that will open next fiscal year. It has 30 pOpshelf stores in 6 states as of October 29. It plans to open its 1st stores in Texas in the early spring. Dollar General has more than 18,000 stores across 46 states. To drive growth, the retailer has been opening additional locations at a rapid clip. It is also adding fresh fruits and vegetables to more of its stores and expanding into health care.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Blue Apron now available with Amazon Alexa
Blue Apron recipes are now available with Amazon Alexa, allowing for easier home cooking and more culinary exploration. Customers can prepare their Blue Apron Two-Serving and Four-Serving recipes with hands-free instructions on Alexa-enabled devices. In addition, individuals with Echo Show devices have the option to order select Blue Apron meal kits, no subscription required.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Weis Markets 1st grocer to earn Sustainable Food Retail Certification
Weis Markets has received Ratio Institute’s Sustainable Food Retail Certification, making the Mid-Atlantic grocer the 1st food retailer to achieve the certification. The company successfully completed the requirements for Steward Tier certification, demonstrating not just its commitment to be a sustainable food retailer, but also its efforts to continuously improve its performance in this area.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger’s focus on fresh and digital growth pays off in Q3
The Kroger Co.’s total company sales were $31.9bln in the 2021 3rd quarter ending November 6, compared to $29.7bln for the same period last year, according to the company’s earnings report. Excluding fuel, sales increased 2.9% compared to the same period last year. Identical sales without fuel increased 3.1% year over year to $27.7bln up from $26.8bln, with a 2-year stacked increase of 14.0%. Year-to-date in fiscal 2021, identical sales are down just 1.0% from 2020, at $91.9bln. "Kroger's strategy to lead with fresh and accelerate with digital continues to connect with our customers,” said Rodney McMullen, CEO of Kroger, in a statement.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Instacart plans 15-minute delivery trial as rival startups grow
For Instacart, the leading U.S. grocery delivery company, being fast may not be fast enough. The $39bln-valuation startup is planning to launch a pilot program to provide delivery of groceries or convenience items in 15 minutes or less to U.S. customers, said 2 people with direct knowledge of the plan.
Source: theinformation.com
US: McLane taps Chris Smith to lead grocery unit
McLane Co. has hired Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) executive Chris Smith as president of McLane Grocery. The Temple, Texas-based distributor said that Smith, previously senior vice president and global strategic logistics officer at WBA and chief supply chain officer for the Walgreens drugstore chain, will lead a $33bln business unit providing supply chain solutions to more than 70,000 retailer locations.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Canada's largest Asian supermarket chain to open its first location in Quebec
Quebec is getting its 1st-ever T&T Supermarkets, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the country. T&T Supermarkets announced it would open a new location in Montreal. While the exact location is still being finalized, the company is starting recruitment efforts and local vendor outreach to prepare for its 1st French Canadian opening.
Source: dailyhive.com
Billionaire Weston family agrees sale of Selfridges to Thai Central Group
The billionaire dynasty behind Selfridges & Co. agreed to sell the British department store operator to Thai conglomerate Central Group, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Weston family has agreed terms on a deal, which could be announced this month, the person said, requesting not to be identified because the information is private. Central Group is owned by the Chirathivats, one of Asia’s wealthiest families. Selfridges and Central Group declined to comment. Selfridges was bought by the Canadian businessman Galen Weston for almost 600mln pounds in 2003 and has since expanded to include other department store chains, including Arnotts and Brown Thomas in Ireland, Holt Renfrew in Canada and de Bijenkorf in the Netherlands.
Source: bloombergquint.com
CD&R £7bln Morrisons takeover put on ice amid market volatility
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice’s takeover of British supermarket Morrisons has been postponed to next year, as lenders push back on the massive debt package that the US private equity firm is using to finance the buyout to wait out market volatility.
Source: cityam.com
Eurocash criticises Poland's competition and consumer protection office after fine imposed
Poland's Eurocash has criticised the actions of UOKiK, the country's competition and consumer protection office, saying that a fine the body imposed on the retailer and wholesaler could only serve to strengthen the 'discriminatory practices of suppliers' towards independent stores. UOKiK imposed a fine of PLN76mln (€16.5mln) on Eurocash for what it described as 'unfair use of contractual advantage'.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR regional operators in Belgium continue investing in the brand
SPAR’s multi-channel strategy offers customers an array of options to meet their needs in a fast-evolving marketplace. SPAR Belgium operator Lambrechts launched a new e-commerce platform SPARonline.be at the end of October, offering SPAR independent retailers an agile system to run their online orders. 2 independently owned SPAR stores in Belgium have been upgraded to the latest SPAR retail concept. Serviced by SPAR Retail Partners Colruyt Group, these supermarkets also provide fresh high-quality foods and a warm customer service.
Source: spar-international.com
India: Swiggy to invest $700mln in instant grocery delivery service
Swiggy, India’s top food-delivery startup, will invest $700mln in its express grocery delivery service Instamart, significantly intensifying the competition for quick commerce in the world’s second largest market.
Source: techcrunch.com
Carrefour announces the winners of its 1st edition of the European Food Transition Awards
Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO of Carrefour Group, presented the prizes to the winners of the 1st edition of the European Food Transition Awards. The products were selected for their commitment to 4 key themes of the Food Transition: healthy products, packaging, climate and biodiversity. Prepared, fresh and frozen products category winner: McCain - French Fries Tradition, for its local roots with French production using potatoes from sustainable agriculture. The jury also awarded a national prize to France: Sous Le Pommier - Pure untreated apple juice, from French production and organic farming without pesticides.
Source: carrefour.com