US: New Whole Foods Market to open in SoCal
Whole Foods Market will open a new 51,413-square-foot store, located at 3377 La Cienega Boulevard in Culver City, California, on August 10. The store features artistic designs and colors to pay tribute to the creativity of Culver City, which is soaked in moviemaking history. Whole Foods’ store design highlights city staples, including artwork of the Baldwin Hills Overlook and a bird’s eye-view painting of Culver City.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: H-E-B expands eCommerce operations in Leander
H-E-B beefed up its curbside and home delivery operations for folks in Leander and the surrounding communities. The Texas grocery giant opened an eCommerce fulfillment center on the property at its existing H-E-B Plus store at 651 NUS Highway 183, at the intersection with Hero Way. An H-E-B news release said the 50,000-square-foot facility will “help support rising demand of online shopping”. It will stock supplies used to complete curbside and home delivery orders.
Source: jnews.uk
UK: The smallest Co-op has opened in a North Wales village
The smallest Co-op in the UK has opened in a North Wales village. The retailer has installed the pop-up store in Rhos-on-Sea. This follows a fire at the Co-op supermarket in the village on May 17.
Source: dailypost.co.uk
UK: Ocado maintains full-year outlook even as M&S jv drives first-half loss
Ocado Group, the British online supermarket and technology company, maintained its full-year outlook that was cut in May as it dipped to a first-half loss driven by a fall in sales at its retail joint venture with Marks & Spencer. The group said it made a loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 14mln pounds ($16.8mln) in the six months to May 29, versus earnings of 61mln pounds in the same period of its 2020-21 year. The Ocado Retail venture saw a 72.8mln pound reduction in EBITDA due to an 8% fall in sales and cost inflation.
Source: reuters.com
A pay-as-you-go electric truck is making deliveries on Rwanda's dirt roads
The rolling hills of Rwanda produce great endurance cyclists. They might not all be attempting the Tour de France, but perhaps even more impressively, some are able to traverse mountainous terrain with 100 kilograms of fruit on their heads and shoulders. In this region, where bigger vehicles struggle on the dirt roads, bicycles and motorcycles are a common way for farmers to get their produce to market. But British-Rwandan delivery startup OX Delivers is looking to change that through its electric OX Trucks, which are designed to negotiate dirt roads while carrying up to two tons of goods - roughly 20 times a cyclist's capacity.
Source: edition.cnn.com
Dutch retailer Jumbo sees turnover up in 'turbulent' first half
Retailer Jumbo has reported a 1.6% increase in turnover in the first half of its financial year, to €5.46bln, in what the group said was a 'turbulent' period. During the period, the group continued its expansion into the Belgian market, with the opening of four stores, with the group hoping to operate a network of 27 Belgian outlets by the end of this year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Amazon fails to halt India’s Future Retail going into bankruptcy
An Indian court agreed to send Future Retail Ltd. into bankruptcy, allowing the creditors to find a new owner for the beleaguered retailer that once operated the largest chain of department stores across the country and was the prized trophy for two retail sector giants. The National Company Law Tribunal gave its verdict on a petition by Bank of India to start bankruptcy resolution process for the cash-strapped retailer. It dismissed allegations from the local unit of Amazon.com Inc. that Future Retail’s lenders were colluding with its founders to push the firm into insolvency.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Aldi UK to create 1,000 logistics jobs over next year
The British arm of German discounter Aldi will create 1,000 logistics jobs in the United Kingdom over the next 12 months, it said. Aldi UK, Britain's fifth largest supermarket group with over 960 stores, said it would expand its distribution, transport and maintenance teams at its 11 regional distribution centres.
Source: reuters.com
Ireland: Dunnes Stores workers seek 7.7% pay increase
Dunnes Stores workers have lodged a pay claim with the company seeking pay increases, additional annual leave days, improvements to the staff discount scheme and the creation of full-time jobs. The workers are citing increased living costs and the positive contribution of staff to the business during the pandemic.
Source: rte.ie
UK: Dole Sunshine offers more ‘Fruit In Juice’ cups
The Dole Sunshine Company has expanded its range of ‘Fruit in Juice’ cups in the UK, with the addition of two new variants. The new flavours - Mango and Pear - add to its existing five variants, all of which contain 100% fruit in juice with zero added sugar and have less than 100 calories per serving. The new variants, which are available in packs of four (RRP £2.19) from the UK grocery and convenience channels, can now be consumed either on the go, in the office or kept in the fridge or cupboard for a later date.
Source: kamcity.com
Asda launches new money-saving advice hub as research shows parents are struggling to cover kids’ holiday costs
The hub is the latest initiative from Asda to help customers save on their essential living costs, so they have more money to spend on other things. It follows the launch of ‘Just Essentials’ - a new range of almost 300 budget-friendly products in all categories of the store, including fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, fish and poultry designed to help customers enjoy nutritious food on a budget.
Source: corporate.asda.com