US: Kroger soft launches grocery delivery in Atlanta
Grocery chain Kroger is continuing its rollout of new customer fulfillment centers (CFC) and expanding home delivery with its latest soft launch in Forest Park, Georgia, from its 375,000-square-foot automated warehouse, according to reports. The $55mln automated CFC is located just south of Atlanta and is the 4th facility Kroger said it was opening as part of its automated fulfillment network. The largest supermarket chain in the U.S., the Atlanta-area CFC is among its biggest.
Source: pymnts.com
US: Ottonomy unveils Ottobot; the world's 1st fully autonomous delivery robot delivering in both indoor and outdoor environments
At CES, Ottonomy unveiled Ottobots, a fleet of fully autonomous delivery robots for restaurant and retail industries for both indoor and outdoor environments. Ottonomy recently made announcements in partnership with CVG Airport and Presto launching autonomous delivery robots in North America.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports December sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) reported net sales of $22.24bln for the retail month of December, the 5 weeks ended January 2, 2022, an increase of 16.2% from $19.14bln last year. For the 18 weeks ended January 2, 2022, the Company reported net sales of $76.34bln, an increase of 16.6% from $65.47bln last year.
Source: globenewswire.com
Amazon and Stellantis partner to deploy smarter cars, cleaner vans
Amazon.com Inc and Stellantis NV said they will collaborate to develop cars and trucks with Amazon software in the dashboards, and deploy electric vans made by Stellantis on Amazon's delivery network.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Asda reveals only a quarter of adults eat their 5-a-day
As more than a 3rd of Brits vow to eat healthier this month, Asda reveals that almost 3 quarters (73%) aren’t eating the recommended 5-a-day. Around 7 in 10 (67%) claim healthy eating is a challenge - with 1 in 10 admitting they find it a constant struggle. The research also unveiled the most and least purchased fruit and veg. Most bought: 1. Carrots; 2. Bananas; 3. Tomatoes; 4. Onions; 5. Apples. Least bought: 1. Aubergines; 2. Pomegranate; 3. Butternut squash; 4. Avocado; 5. Olives. Asda also announced New Year leadership changes: Ken Towle will join Asda’s executive leadership team later in the year as Retail Director - with responsibility for all Asda’s stores. Derek Lawlor, who has led Asda’s commercial team since 2019 has decided to leave the business after 6 years. Kris Comerford will join the business in late summer 2022 as Chief Commercial Officer, Food. With the increasing relevance of online to Asda’s business, it was also announced that Simon Gregg, who currently leads Asda’s online operation, is joining the executive leadership team. Liz Evans joined the executive leadership team as MD, George, leading Asda’s fashion and GM business.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Delivery Hero acquires majority stake in Spanish food delivery app Glovo
German food delivery group Delivery Hero said it had signed an agreement to acquire about a 39.4% stake in Spanish delivery app Glovo. The company currently holds about 43.8% in Glovo shares on a non-diluted basis. The transaction will value Glovo at 2.3bln euros on a fully diluted and debt free basis before certain adjustments, the company said.
Source: reuters.com
Aldi donates 550,000 meals to charities across the UK over Christmas
Aldi has supported charities, community groups and food banks throughout the UK by donating 550,000 meals to people in need this Christmas. The supermarket paired up its stores with local organisations to make the most of unsold fresh and chilled food after stores closed on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as part of its pledge to donate 1.8mln meals to families experiencing food poverty during November and December.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
French grocer Auchan weighs fresh bid for rival Carrefour
French grocer Auchan is exploring a fresh attempt at a takeover of domestic rival Carrefour SA, people with knowledge of the matter said. Auchan has revived work on a potential deal for Carrefour after earlier negotiations collapsed in the autumn, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. It has held talks with private equity firms about teaming up on a bid, according to the people.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Montenegro next step in Lidl’s Balkan expansion strategy
Lidl is finding much success in the various markets that comprise the former Yugoslavia, with the discounter currently present in 3 countries, and undertaking plans to enter 3 more. Local portal Investitor recently reported that Lidl plans to open at least 5 stores in Montenegro, over the next 5 years, employing 1,000 people in the country.
Source: esmmagazine.com
India: Udaan raises $200mln via convertible notes
Indian e-commerce firm Udaan has raised $200mln via convertible note financing in a round in which new and existing investors participated, an internal memo by the company's chief financial officer said.
Source: reuters.com
Ireland: Supermarkets and hauliers struggling with 'higher than normal' rates of staff shortages
Musgrave Group - which owns the SuperValu and Centra chains - and Tesco Ireland have told The Journal they are dealing with lower numbers of available workers due to the current wave of Covid-19 infections. A spokesperson for Musgrave told The Journal: “In line with the increase in community transmission and the experience of many other parts of society, public and private, SuperValu stores nationwide are currently experiencing higher than normal rates of staff shortages related to Covid-19”.
Source: thejournal.ie
Swiss retail sales likely to drop in 2022 - Credit Suisse
Swiss retail sales are set to drop 4.1% this year after pent-up demand during pandemic-hit 2021 dissipates and shoppers return to normal patterns of spending, Credit Suisse analysts said.
Source: reuters.com
Croatian retailer Tommy put up for sale
Croatia’s 6th largest grocery retailer Tommy has been put up for sale, according to local website T-Portal. The supermarket chain is the undisputed market leader in the coastal region of Dalmatia. According to unofficial information, confirmed by several market sources, negotiations have intensified in recent weeks, with CVC Capital Partners mentioned as the potential buyer for the business.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: B&M expects annual profit ahead of estimates on early decision to import stock
UK's B&M European Value Retail SA forecast annual profit ahead of estimates, following the discount retailer's decision to take delivery of imported stock earlier than usual. B&M said it now expects group adjusted core earnings for the 12 months ending March between 605mln pounds ($817.8mln) and 625mln pounds, compared with a company-compiled estimate of 578mln pounds.
Source: reuters.com
Indian court halts Amazon, Future arbitration in blow to U.S. giant
A Delhi court has halted arbitration proceedings between Indian conglomerate Future Group and its estranged U.S. partner Amazon.com in light of the national antitrust agency's suspension of a 2019 deal between the two sides.
Source: reuters.com