US: Grocery consumers sue to block Kroger’s $25 bln buy of Albertsons
A private lawsuit filed in California seeks to stop Kroger Co's planned $25bln purchase of rival Albertsons Companies Inc, a deal that state attorneys general, consumer groups and some U.S. lawmakers have questioned as harmful to competition in the grocery market.
Source: reuters.com
US: CRISP & GREEN inks largest multi-unit deal in company history with 40-units sold across seven states
STEELE BRANDS®, a Minnesota-based company known for establishing and developing healthy lifestyle restaurants, announced that its flagship brand CRISP & GREEN® has signed a record-breaking 40-unit development deal with franchise partner Rory Kelly of Salads & Smoothies, LLC. This monumental milestone comes at a time when the brand is embarking on its busiest year yet with a goal of 50 locations slated to open across 15 additional states before the end of 2023.
Source: businesswire.com
Canada: Galleria Supermarket opens Express store in midtown Toronto
Korean grocer Galleria Supermarket has opened a new Express store in midtown Toronto. The store - located at 2293 Younge Street - is billed as a one-stop-shop K-food market with products like ramen, snacks, kimchi and marinade.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
Grocery deliverer JOKR doubles down on Brazil as it secures $50mln on $1.3bln valuation
After a challenging few months that included closing markets, instant grocery delivery company JOKR told TechCrunch it raised about $50mln in a Series C investment on a $1.3bln post-money valuation. Brazil accounts for 50% of JOKR’s business, and the new funding will enable the company to double down in this region while it looks strategically at other geographies
Source: techcrunch.com
Costco invited to open up in Israel by Finance Minister Smotrich
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is attempting to bring Costco to Israel, as revealed by a letter from the minister to the CEO of Costco Walter Jelinek and Costco board chairman Hamilton James.
Source: jpost.com
UK: Tesco boss Jason Tarry could replace Potts as Morrisons CEO
Tesco executive Jason Tarry has been identified as a possible replacement for Morrisons boss David Potts, This Is Money reports. The US private equity firm that owns Morrisons, Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), is using headhunter Egon Zehnder to find candidates for a number of senior positions at the supermarket.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Thailand's Central Retail expects 15% revenue growth in 2023
Thailand’s largest retailer, Central Retail Corporation plans to invest 28bln baht ($835.07mln) this year and expects revenue to grow 15%, its chief executive said. China’s re-opening, recovering purchasing power in Thailand and Vietnam were positive signs, Yol Phokasub said.
Source: reuters.com
Good & Fugly launches hunt for Australia’s Fugliest Fruit or Vegetable and for one lucky winner there’s a year’s worth of fruit & veg up for grabs
Big, small, lumpy, weird and wonderful. Richard Tourino, co-founder of food waste social enterprise Good & Fugly has seen it all and now he’s inviting all Aussies to take part in a nationwide hunt for Australia’s Fugliest Fruit and Veggies. The search, which runs throughout February, is a celebration of ‘fugly’ produce and a step towards busting the unrealistic fruit and veg beauty standards in supermarkets across Australia. With the cost of living continuing to rise, and a potato shortage in our midst, the prize is one all Aussies will want their hands on - a year’s supply of fruit and veggies from Good & Fugly.
Source: ecovoice.com.au
UAE: GMG acquires aswaaq retail chain from Investment Corporation of Dubai
Retail distribution company GMG has acquired retail chain aswaaq from the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the principal investment arm of the emirate's government. The acquisition adds 11 community malls and 22 supermarkets to GMG’s retail network, it said. GMG also acquired aswaaq's companies operating in retail, trading and properties. The value of the transaction was not revealed.
Source: thenationalnews.com
Top credit insurer slashes cover for Iceland suppliers
A major credit insurer has pulled cover for suppliers to Iceland as rising energy costs pile pressure on the frozen-food retailer ahead of a crunch refinancing. In December, Coface is said to have reduced cover on Iceland to zero. While last year, fellow insurers Allianz Trade and Atradius both reduced their coverage levels for Iceland.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Just Eat partners with Dia for grocery deliveries in Spain
Just Eat and Dia, a leading grocery chain in Spain, have announced a partnership to deliver groceries and convenience goods, starting with about 50 stores in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville and Bilbao. The partnership will be extended to more Spanish cities in the coming months, offering nearly 3mln Spanish Just Eat consumers the opportunity to enjoy Dia’s large product offering for on demand delivery.
Source: justeattakeaway.com
Lulu Group hosts 'Taste Of Sri Lanka' festival
The leading retailer of the region Lulu Hypermarket Qatar has launched 'Taste of Sri Lanka' festival, offering the best quality Sri Lankan culinary, grocery ranges, agricultural and organic produce at discounted prices. The festival will continue until February 10, 2023 at all Lulu Hypermarket stores.
Source: menafn.com
Belgium: Forty Intermarché locations remain closed due to strike
Around forty Mestdagh by Intermarché locations in Belgium remained on strike on Saturday, with employees blocking entrance to the supermarket chain’s warehouse in Gosselies near Charleroi, the company’s management announced. As previously reported, language tensions and other administrative issues following Intermarchés takeover of franchise locations of Mestdagh have caused anger among employees.
Source: brusselstimes.com
Galeria plans to sell Inno
German parent company Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof wants to sell its Belgian subsidiary Inno. The ailing group is said to be hoping for proceeds of tens of millions of euros.
Source: retaildetail.eu
France: Carrefour delays opening its “anti-crisis chain”
Atacadão’s first French shop will not open in the autumn, but rather next winter, LSA reports. That is a setback for Carrefour, who wants to bring the Brazilian concept to France because the discount chain would be a strong “anti-crisis weapon”. However, but the newcomer is meeting local resistance.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Oman: Sultan launches newly-branded 'Sultan Market' concept
The renowned Sultan retail chain launched their re-branded “Sultan Market” grocery and convenience store in the burgeoning suburb of Amerat Al Nahda, just outside of Muscat’s city centre. The Sultan Market’s launch in the heart of Amerat Al Nahda represents another milestone in the retail brand’s evolution as a trusted and iconic name in the Sultanate of Oman’s supermarket and convenience store landscape.
Source: zawya.com
Bijenkorf scales back international e-commerce
Due to rising costs, Bijenkorf is discontinuing online activities in German- and French-speaking countries. From now on, the luxury department store will focus entirely on the Dutch and Flemish markets.
Source: retaildetail.eu