In most cases, supplier price increases ‘very justifiable,’ says Medline
Wholesale prices are rising as food manufacturers continue to face labour and supply chain pressures related to COVID-19 but, in most cases, these prices increases are “very justifiable”, says Michael Medline. In a call with analysts, Empire’s CEO said the grocery company had received an “unprecedented number” of supplier cost increases over the last few months.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Village Super Market adds to pandemic-driven sales gains in Q2
Independent grocer Village Super Market Inc. turned in net and same-store sales gains in its fiscal 2022 2nd quarter atop strong, COVID-fueled increases a year ago. For the quarter ended January 29, sales rose 2.8% to $537.4mln from $522.8mln a year earlier, the Springfield, New Jersey-based ShopRite operator reported.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Sunbasket and Diet ID partner to deliver 1st end-to-end solution in the Food as Medicine movement
Sunbasket and Diet ID announced a partnership designed to provide a complete solution for improving health through better eating. This new collaboration offers employers, government, health systems, payors, providers and other community health managers an opportunity for their members to integrate Diet ID’s digital diet quality assessment and goal-setting tools with the convenience of Sunbasket’s personalized meal plans delivered right to members’ homes.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Harps lifts several directors to VPs
Changes continue at the top at Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores. Following last month’s appointment of long-serving executive J. Max Van Hoose as president, the fast-growing, 100% employee-owned retailer has elevated several seasoned directors to new VP positions. Among the recent round of promotions: Mike Roberts is the new VP of produce operations. He’s served in many roles in produce, starting as a part-time produce clerk in 1988 and continuing through this latest job as produce director.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Publix ranks among world’s most admired companies, according to Fortune
Shopping at Publix really is a pleasure - at least according to Fortune. The Lakeland grocery chain has once again made the magazine’s list of the world’s most admired companies. Publix ranked No. 42 on the list and is the only Florida company to make the top 50. That’s up from No. 48 last year.
Source: tampabay.com
OMNIQ announces rollout of 1,000 units of “Smart Buy and Go” (SBG) solution for a supermarket chain
OMNIQ Corp. ("OMNIQ" or the "Company"), a provider of Supply Chain and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Machine Vision solutions, announced the rollout of 1,000 units of the Smart Buy and Go (SBG) solution for one of Israel's largest supermarket chains by Dangot Computers Ltd, a subsidiary of OMNIQ. The Company plans to offer its SBG solution to its customers in the United States.
Source: globenewswire.com
China: SEVEN FRESH deploys autonomous vehicles in Shenzhen as COVID-19 severely recurs
As COVID-19 cases surge across China, JD.com’s fresh food supermarket SEVEN FRESH rolled out autonomous vehicles in Shenzhen to ensure food supply with contact-free delivery. 5 SEVEN FRESH stores in Shenzhen quadrupled the stock of over 10 product categories, including fresh vegetables, rice, cooking oil, drinking water, milk, frozen food as well as instant food as a response to the COVID spike.
Source: jdcorporateblog.com
Ocado strikes tech deal with Auchan Poland
Britain’s Ocado said it had struck a partnership with Auchan Retail Poland to provide its online delivery and picking technology at an automated centre, and its picking services in its food and non-food stores. Ocado, an online supermarket group that has sold its robotic picking technology to retailers around the world, said the 2 firms would also explore opportunities in other geographies, after it partnered with Auchan’s Spanish Alcampo business last year.
Source: reuters.com
Israel: Paz seeks to nix Shufersal takeover by Amir brothers
Paz Oil Company notified the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that it opposes the bid by Yossi and Shlomi Amir to buy control of supermarket chain Shufersal. Paz says that the Amir brothers signed a 3-year non-compete agreement with it when it bought the Freshmarket chain from them last year. "The company has informed the Amir brothers in writing that their offer represents a breach of their commitment not to compete for a period of 36 months from the date of completion of the merger (until January 1, 2025), and also a breach of their duties under law as officers of Freshmarket. In the light of the above, the company has informed the Amir brothers that they must withdraw their offer to buy shares in Shufersal", Paz's notice to the stock exchange states.
Source: en.globes.co.il
China's JD Logistics agrees to buy courier company Deppon
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com Inc said that its subsidiary JD Logistics Inc has agreed to buy domestic courier Deppon Logistics Co Ltd. Under the deal, JD Logistics will acquire 99.99% equity stake in Deppon Holdco for a total consideration of about 9bln yuan ($1.42bln). Deppon Holdco owns a total of about 66.50% of Deppon Logistics. JD Logistics will then make an offer for all the issued shares of Deppon Logistics not held by Deppon Holdco, for 13.15 yuan per share.
Source: reuters.com
HelloFresh UK records strong FY2021 results, as demand for meal-kits continues to grow
HelloFresh, the UK’s leading recipe box provider, has announced its financial results for the full year 2021, showing continued strong growth in the UK. HelloFresh recorded a net revenue of £430.7mln in 2021, increasing 69% from the previous year and defends its position as the market leader in the UK. The business delivered over 116mln meals to UK customers in 2021, a growth of 81.7% year-on-year.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
Wholesaler Metro condemns attack in Ukraine, keeps Russian operations open
Wholesaler Metro AG has sad that it has decided to keep its Russian subsidiary open, a decision that was 'not made easily' and followed a 'careful internal review'. The group, which said that it 'condemns' Russia's attack on Ukraine, said that its decision to remain open in Russia was influenced by both responsibility for its 10,000 colleagues in the country, and its supporting role for local businesses.
Source: esmmagazine.com
After talks with India's Future fail, Amazon goes on the attack in newspaper ads
Amazon.com Inc said talks have failed to resolve a bitter dispute over Future Retail stores and accused both it and Reliance Industries of fraud in Indian newspaper ads.
Source: reuters.com
China: Dada announces unaudited 4th quarter and fiscal year 2021 financial results
Dada Nexus Limited (“Dada” or the “Company”), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, announced its unaudited financial results for the 4th quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. 4th quarter and fiscal year 2021 highlights: total net revenues in the 4th quarter were RMB2,032.1mln. Total net revenues in 2021 were RMB6,866.3mln. Total gross merchandise volume (“GMV”) of JDDJ in 2021 was RMB43.1bln, an increase of 70.5% year over year from RMB25.3bln in 2020. Number of active consumers in 2021 was 62.3mln, as compared with 41.3mln in 2020.
Source: globenewswire.com