Belgian veg chain bankrupt, closes 30 stores
It's the end of the line for Fruitmarkt Cools, a well-known fruit and vegetable store chain in Antwerp: rising costs and a shortage of overstock have killed the retailer. Thirty shops have to close. There are a few exceptions: a handful of stores in Antwerp’s city centre can remain open under the name Best Fruit, co-manager Luc Cools told Gazet Van Antwerpen.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK shoppers and workers kept home by rail strikes and cold snap, data shows
Train strikes, a cold snap and snowy conditions have kept workers and shoppers from city centres this week, emptying out high streets and office buildings, figures show. Footfall on Britain’s high streets and at shopping centres plunged on Tuesday morning as consumers stayed at home, according to research by the retail data analysts Springboard.
Source: theguardian.com
Germany: Wholesaler Metro AG reports 'record' sales growth in full year
Wholesale giant Metro AG has reported what it described as 'record sales growth' for its 2021/22 financial year, with sales rising more than 20% in local currency. The group, which has positioned itself as a multichannel operator in recent years, said that its store-based business was up 13.3% to €23.3bln and delivery sales rose 53.4% to €6.4bln.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Snappy Shopper raises seven-figure investment to fund growth
Snappy Shopper, the home delivery marketplace serving convenience stores, has raised a seven-figure sum from existing investors Highland Technology, Kelvin Capital and Scottish Enterprise, to fuel growth ambitions. The investment round, which was led by major investor Highland Technology, will be used to continue to invest in the company’s growth and core technology platform in pursuit of Snappy Shopper’s mission to enable local retailers to serve customers online with a local home delivery service.
Source: talkingretail.com
Tesco reveals the most commonly-forgotten Christmas products
Gravy, stuffing, cooking oil and fruit cocktail are amongst the products most commonly forgotten by Brits in the rush to finish the shopping before Christmas, Tesco can reveal.
Source: tescoplc.com
Trigo, REWE launch Germany’s first fully automated supermarket
Trigo, an Israel-based computer vision company that builds systems for autonomous checkout and retail analytics, has rolled out Germany’s first fully-autonomous cashierless supermarket in partnership with German grocery giant REWE Group. The new "Pick&Go" supermarket in the Bavarian capital Munich allows customers to walk in, select their items off the shelves, and leave without having to pay at checkout. Unlike self-checkout devices such as stationary or mobile scanners and digital carts, Pick&Go shoppers only scan once on their phones when they enter the store. When they leave they get the receipt automatically.
Source: businesswire.com
Albert Heijn takes over Dutch rival
Albert Heijn has managed an important deal in the Dutch supermarket landscape, taking control of southern chain Jan Linders. The family-owned company will continue as an Albert Heijn franchiser. For the Ahold Delhaize subsidiary, which originated in North-Holland, this was an excellent opportunity to boost its presence in the south of the country. Even though not all 63 stores are part of the deal, it still consists of more than fifty stores and one distribution centre. Moreover, Jan Linders takes over ten existing Albert Heijn supermarkets in the southeast of the Netherlands. The stores should all be converted into the new format by the end of next year, Albert Heijn said in a press release, provided that competition watchdog ACM gives a timely approval.
Source: retaildetail.eu
China: JD.com dispatches over 1,000 couriers from nationwide to ensure last-mile delivery in Beijing
Over a thousand JD Logistics couriers arrived in Beijing from across China on December 14, to support last-mile delivery in country’s capital city as Covid cases and e-tail fulfillment needs have surged over the past few weeks.
Source: jdcorporateblog.com
Top 5 must-see retail stores in 2023: IGD
Insights provider IGD has published a comprehensive list of the top stores to visit in 2023, which features some of the most innovative store concepts from around the world. 1. Lotte Zettaplex, Seoul, South Korea; 2. Sephora, Raffles City, Singapore; 3. Family Cash, Madrid, Spain; 4. Target, Houston, USA; 5. Carulla FreshMarket, Colombia: Adopting a 'naturally sustainable' mindset, Carulla FreshMarket seeks to reduce its impact on the planet where possible, while also supporting a circular economy. It boasts impressive local sourcing capabilities, with 90% of the fruit and vegetables sold in the store bought in Colombia.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Drive-thru start-up JackBe seeks Wefunder investments
The startup drive through grocer JackBe, which is planning to launch its first three concept stores in 2023 in the Oklahoma City area, is seeking funding in an ongoing Wefunder campaign that the company said has so far generated more than $330,000. Under the JackBe system, customers place an order via a mobile app and then drive to the nearest location to have fresh, handpicked groceries delivered to their car in minutes. The initial rollout is set for January in Edmond.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Mexico: Grupo Comercial Chedraui announces the acquisition of Tiendas de Descuento Arteli, S. A. de C.V. 
Grupo Comercial Chedraui, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Chedraui") announced that it completed the acquisition of Tiendas de Descuento Arteli, S. A. de C.V. ("Arteli") store chain. Arteli is a chain of supermarket stores based in Tampico, Tamaulipas, that has been in operation for over 40 years with 2022 estimated sales of approximately $4.9bln pesos. It has 36 stores operating under 3 different formats: Arteli, Arteli Express and Aká Superbodega. These formats complement the existing Chedraui formats of Tiendas Chedraui, Supercitos and Superchedraui. This transaction allows the Company to attain a leadership position in the Huasteca region of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí, and in particular, in the Tampico-Madero-Altamira metropolitan area.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Dollar General eyes international expansion, fast tracks frictionless customer experience and boosts fresh produce capabilities
After several months of cost pressures and disruption, Dollar General is rounding out 2022 with a focus on expanding digital capabilities, adding to their store count, and differentiating their customer experience. Furthermore, 80% of these new stores - and almost all the relocations - will be in a larger store format, making space for planned innovations and developments, including more cooler counter space and room for fresh produce.
Source: risnews.com
Massy buys Florida supermarket chain for US$47mln
Massy Holdings has bought a US-based supermarket chain for US$47mln (TT$314.9mln), the conglomerate announced. Massy completed its acquisition of Rowe’s IGA Supermarkets through its American subsidiary, Massy Stores (USA) LLC, after the board gave its approval. "Massy Stores entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with the sole owner of Rowe's IGA, Robert A Rowe, to purchase 100% of the equity of each of the seven limited liability companies within the Rowe's IGA Group".
Source: newsday.co.tt