Switzerland: SPAR implements new EUROSPAR concept in two stores in Davos
SPAR Switzerland has reopened two EUROSPAR stores in Davos - Davos-Platz and Davos-Dorf - featuring the new EUROSPAR concept launched in Switzerland in June 2021. The newly designed EUROSPAR market-style stalls offer an even wider range of fresh produce than before, much of it from regional producers. In addition to a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables, SPAR Switzerland has also installed a new zero-packaging dispenser solution for loose nuts.
Source: spar-international.com
Grocery prices in UK hitting 'near record highs', says Kantar
Grocery prices in the UK 'continue to soar to near record-breaking highs', according to Kantar, which revealed that like-for-like grocery price inflation stood at 9.9% over the most recent four-week period. In the 12 weeks to 10 July, UK supermarket sales grew by 0.1%, the first time the market has registered growth since April 2021.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Grape News: Sainsbury’s rewards shoppers with bonus Nectar points as the ‘Great fruit & veg challenge’ returns
Sainsbury’s has announced the return of the ‘Great fruit & veg challenge’ this summer, giving customers the opportunity to earn up to an additional 750 bonus Nectar points. Now in its third year, almost 1mln customers have previously taken part, with a whopping 106mln portions of fruit and veg purchased during the challenge. Running from Monday 18th July to Friday 2nd September, the challenge uses fun, interactive targets to encourage customers to pick up more fruit and vegetables when shopping at Sainsbury’s. In return, they will be rewarded with bonus Nectar points that can be spent at partners including Sainsbury’s, Argos, and Habitat.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
Trigo, ALDI Nord open Netherlands’s first AI-powered frictionless supermarket
Trigo, an Israel-based computer vision company specializing in frictionless checkout technology, is rolling out an AI-powered cashierless grocery store with German discount supermarket giant ALDI Nord in the central Dutch city of Utrecht. On Wednesday, 20 July, ALDI Netherlands will open the doors of ALDI Shop & Go, a 370㎡ (3982 square feet) AI-powered autonomous supermarket where shoppers can walk in, select their items, and simply walk out without having to queue at the checkout lane or scan any items. Trigo applies its algorithms to shelf sensors and ceiling-mounted cameras which analyze anonymized shoppers' movements and product choices. Payments and receipts are settled digitally.
Source: businesswire.com
Russians buying cheaper food items as incomes fall, says leading retailer
Russians shoppers are switching to cheaper food items driven by a drop in real disposable income, the country's leading food retailer X5 Group said, as high inflation crimps purchasing power. Deflationary factors, including the strengthening rouble and increased supply of fruit, vegetables, eggs and sugar, are however slowing that growth rate, the retailer said.
Source: reuters.com
Indian traders, shopkeepers plan nationwide protest against tax hikes
Indian traders and shopkeepers will hold a nationwide protest next week against a hike in taxes on a range of products and services, including food grains and household items, that went into effect on Monday, a top official of a leading traders' group said. "The 5% tax on a range of food products - which remained tax free so far - and hike in rates on other household items has increased the inflation burden on the public and traders", said Pravin Khandelwal, president of the Confederation of All India Traders, which represents more than 10mln small shopkeepers and wholesalers.
Source: reuters.com
UK: University and Asda announce data partnership
Asda and the University have joined forces to better understand pressing societal challenges such as nutrition, environmental and health issues through a strategic data partnership. The two institutions have signed an agreement that will see the Leeds-based retailer and the University’s Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) work together on a range of research projects. As part of the official partnership, data scientists at LIDA will work in collaboration with Asda to gain further understanding of customers’ habits and preferences, in order to inform decisions such as future store locations and improve the efficiency of food supply chains.
Source: leeds.ac.uk
US: Save Mart partners with California grower on exclusive fresh corn
In celebration of the fresh corn season, The Save Mart Cos. is rolling out Five Star Super Sweet corn at its Save Mart and Lucky stores. The corn, grown exclusively for the retailer by Simoni and Massoni Farms in Brentwood, California, will be available throughout the month of July. According to Save Mart, the Five Star Super Sweet corn is sweet and crisp, lending itself to easy preparation through grilling, boiling or microwaving, and as a great addition to salads, salsas and casseroles.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Dallas welcomes first Kitchen United MIX inside Mockingbird Kroger
Dallasites have a brand new option for high quality, convenient meals on the go or delivered to the door now that Kitchen United MIX is open inside their neighborhood Kroger on East Mockingbird Lane. This concept is a virtual food court located inside the grocery store. Customers have the option to mix and match items from various restaurants on one order for pickup or delivery, ultimately allowing individuals and groups to enjoy variety without having to compromise.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Eat Meati™ makes retail debut in select Sprouts Farmers Market locations with plans for widespread expansion later this year
Eat Meati™, the juicy, delicious alternative whole-food proteins made from mushroom root by Meati Foods, hit retail shelves for the first time at three Sprouts Farmers Market locations in the Denver-Boulder area. This entrance to retail comes alongside their expanded partnership with Birdcall, an all-natural fast-casual restaurant group. This marks a major step in Meati Foods' mission towards accessibility, with plans to achieve a national, omni-channel footprint by late-2023, including all Sprouts Farmers Market locations by the end of 2022.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: GrubMarket expands into New Mexico through the acquisition of Quality Fruit & Vegetable Co.
GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas-based Quality Fruit & Vegetable Co. (QF&V), a highly respected fresh produce company that provides the highest quality fruits and vegetables to the Southwest, sourced from the U.S., Mexico, South America and other parts of the world. QF&V currently operates in Texas and New Mexico, selling tens of millions of dollars of produce to hundreds of retail and foodservice customers across the U.S. and Mexico each year, and has a strong reputation as an industry leader in traceability and food safety practices.
Source: prnewswire.com
Circle K owner seen as potential bidder for Suncor retail unit
Suncor Energy Inc.’s decision to bow to investor pressure and investigate a sale of its gas stations has turned the spotlight on one potential buyer - Quebec’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The acquisitive owner of the Circle K chain has been seeking a major acquisition and tried unsuccessfully to take over French grocery chain Carrefour SA last year. Suncor said it will consider options for its downstream assets, which include more than 1,500 Petro-Canada locations, making it one of the country’s largest retail fuel and convenience store chains.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca