US: State secretaries urge FTC to halt Kroger-Albertsons merger
Secretaries of state in seven states have called on the Federal Trade Commission to block Kroger Co.'s $24.6bln deal to acquire rival Albertsons Cos. In a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan, the secretaries of state for Colorado, Arizona, Vermont, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Mexico voiced their opposition to the mega-merger, which would combine the two largest US supermarket retailers. The transaction is currently under antitrust review by federal and state regulators.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Aldi acquires Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket stores
Aldi expansion has reached historical heights, as the company announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Southeastern Grocers' Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores - a total of 400 locations across five states. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Walmart promotes CEO of Sam's Club to head International division
Walmart Inc promoted Kathryn McLay, CEO of its Sam's Club unit, to head its $100bln international business at a time when high inflation is squeezing spending in many global markets, and China's economy is slowing.
Source: reuters.com
US: Albertsons Companies launches nutrition insights to Sincerely Health™ platform
Albertsons Companies, Inc. is excited to share the latest digital enhancement to its Sincerely Health platform, a nutrition insights tool that measures grocery purchases based on the serving recommendations of USDA's MyPlate guidance. The USDA's MyPlate provides guidance for consuming the five food groups that make up a healthy dietary pattern: fruit, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives, as well as healthy eating overall.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Target sales suffer after Pride Month backlash
US retail giant Target saw sales fall in-store and online for the first time in years after a backlash over its Pride Month offering. Sales dropped 5% in the April to June period compared with the same time last year - its first fall in six years.
Source: bbc.com
Aldi announces significant job openings in the UKBudget supermarket chain Aldi has unveiled plans to expand its workforce creating over 1,700 new job opportunities in its regional distribution centers across the country.
Source: bmmagazine.co.uk
UK: North Lancashire residents urged to 'Share the Harvest' this autumn
North Lancashire residents and businesses are being asked to "Share the Harvest" and rescue surplus fruit this autumn. A new festival called "Share the Harvest" is being launched by FoodFutures, North Lancashire's sustainable food network, to prevent food waste and rescue unharvested fruit across Lancaster District in early autumn.
Source: beyondradio.co.uk
Belgium: Okay opens brand-new, sustainable local supermarket in Anzegem
On Friday, August 18, Okay will open its 146th store in Anzegem. "In the freshmart, the broad passage and glass wall ensure a pleasant shopping experience. Our extensive range of daily fresh fruit and vegetables is shown to its full advantage," store manager Steven says.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
JD.com's sales beat estimates despite Chinese economic weakness
China's No. 2 online retailer reported a 7.6% rise in revenue to 287.9bln yuan ($39.5bln) in the June quarter versus the 279.1bln yuan average of analysts' estimates. Net income climbed 50% to 6.6bln yuan.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Inflation eating trends: Brits eating less meat, not dining out & eating insects!
One in five people (19%) are putting less meat and fish in their food basket, and over one in ten (13%) are buying less fruit and vegetables, showed the YouGov research for Readly.
Source: prnewswire.co.uk
Australia: Coles to partner with suppliers to set emission reduction targets by 2027
Coles Group has announced a new Scope 3 emissions supplier engagement target, which will see the retailer work in partnership with at least 75% of its suppliers by spend (Covering purchased goods and services and upstream transportation and distribution) to set science-based emissions reduction targets by the end of June 2027 (This supplier engagement target commits that 75% of Coles' suppliers by spend covering purchased goods and services and upstream transportation and distribution will have science-based targets by FY27).
Source: colesgroup.com.au
UK: Grocery adjudicator sends 'pay to stay' warning shots at Tesco
The Groceries Code adjudicator Mark White is urging supermarkets to take action against buyers demanding that their suppliers "pay to stay" on shelves. According to The Grocer, the move is being interpreted as a warning shot to Tesco after its introduction of new supplier fulfillment fees in March, which was aimed at getting suppliers to pay for using its online and Booker wholesale services.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Finland: Kesko Group sees grocery sales up 1.7% in July
The grocery division of Finnish retail group Kesko generated sales worth €513.1mln in June, registering a year-on-year growth of 1.7%. Grocery sales at K-food stores grew by 1.3%, while sales of home and specialty goods at K-Citymarket were also up, the company said in a statement. The company's food service arm, Kespro, reported sales growth of 6.0%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
The first Countdown to relaunch as Woolworths New Zealand
Nearly 20 years after its opening in 2003, Countdown Bethlehem has marked a new chapter, launching as Woolworths Bethlehem, the first supermarket to change as part of Countdown's journey to become Woolworths New Zealand.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
'Exacting' food standards costing farmers thousands - IFA
The "exacting" standards of supermarkets are costing farmers a fortune, the IFA has said. Around one-fifth of vegetables in Ireland are judged not fit to be sold, and the figure is 16% for fruit. Speaking to Breakfast Briefing, IFA National Fruit and Veg Committee Chair Niall McCormack said we should not be aiming for perfection. "Up to 30% of a crop can end up misshapen or not able to be put into exacting standards that the supermarkets require", he said. "Those veg will go into animal feed - at maybe €20 or €30 a ton - after costing thousands of euro to grow".
Source: newstalk.com
Sweden: ICA Gruppen's report for second quarter 2023
ICA Gruppen’s Q2 sales grew to SEK37,823mln (34,586). Operating profit (excl. items affecting comparability) for ICA Gruppen was slightly higher than in the same period a year ago, SEK1,629mln (1,511), but the operating margin narrowed slightly to 4.3% (4.4%).
Source: icagruppen.se