Category buyer Q&A: FreshDirect gets value from perishables
SN recently spoke with Ali Pugliese, VP of merchandising strategy, FreshDirect, about trends in fresh categories at the online retailer, a New York-based division of Ahold Delhaize US.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Wawa shares details on Indiana expansion plan: 60 new Wawa stores are planned for the region, with the first locations opening in Mid-2025
Wawa, a privately held, family-owned chain of more than 1,000 convenience retail stores currently operating in six states and Washington, DC, shared new details on its expansion into the state of Indiana for the first time during its Community Partnership Day Tour in the state.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Loadsmart acquires computer vision startup NavTrac
Loadsmart, a leading freight technology and transportation service provider, announced the acquisition of NavTrac, a technology company specializing in computer vision for yard, terminal, and asset management.
Source: globenewswire.com
Kroger highlights Zero Hunger | Zero Waste progress in annual sustainability report
The Kroger Co. released its annual Environmental, Social, and Governance report sharing progress on Kroger's ESG Strategy, Thriving Together.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Kowalski's Markets turns 40
Kowalski's Markets is marking a major milestone, grocery-style. The Minneapolis-area independent retailer is celebrating its 40th anniversary with special events on Saturday, September 30, at all of its locations.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Q&A: Ahold Delhaize USA CEO JJ Fleeman touts the growth potential of omnichannel shoppers
Exec cites a "bigger basket" from customers buying both in-store and online and explains how a greater e-commerce reach dovetails with brick-and-mortar expansion.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Reduced VAT rate on fruit and vegetables has led to increased consumption of imported products - Krauze
The reduced rate of value-added tax (VAT) on fruit and vegetables in Latvia has increased the consumption of imported products, Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze (Greens/Farmers) said in an interview with the Latvian public radio. He pointed out that this year, the period when the reduced VAT rate was applied to fresh fruit and vegetables in Latvia would come to an end, and the next year's budget foresees the full VAT rate for fruit and vegetables.
Source: baltictimes.com
Albania: SPAR celebrates opening of its 80th store
SPAR Albania reached a significant milestone, with their 80th store nationwide opening in the capital city of Tirana. The new SPAR Supermarket is located in the Ali Demi area of Tirana, one of the most populated areas of the city. Reflecting SPAR Albania's focus on fresh, this supermarket includes a fruit and vegetable section, as well as meat and cheese counters.
Source: spar-international.com
Shufersal cancels deal to set up SPAR supermarkets in Israel
Israel's largest supermarket chain, Shufersal, said it had cancelled a deal with SPAR to set up a network of the Dutch food retail chain's stores in Israel, citing regulatory restrictions.
Source: reuters.com
Indonesian agritech startup EdenFarm pivots lays off 300 employees
EdenFarm, an Indonesian agritech startup, has laid off employees after deciding to "remodel the business," the company confirmed to Tech in Asia. It is discontinuing its B2B fresh produce distribution operations outside the Greater Jakarta area and will instead focus on manufacturing and selling TuangTuang, a brand of packaged seasonings the company launched just last week.
Source: techinasia.com
Belgium: Colruyt returns to growth
Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is finally back to its pre-pandemic market share levels, while profits will more than double. The retailer does warn of an upcoming price war.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Thorogoods backs British regenerative growers
At New Covent Garden Market, the companies in the Thorogoods Group - which has been growing and selling quality British fresh produce since 1922 - are looking to work with responsible growers who share their principles. Marketing Manager Jo Thorogood explains the thinking behind the principles.
Source: newcoventgardenmarket.com
Kern Tec raises €12mln to scale up alt dairy products made from upcycled fruit pits
Kern Tec, which uses upcycled fruit pits to produce sustainable plant-based foods, has raised €12mln in funding. Claimed to be the largest ever Series A raise for an Austrian food tech company, the capital will allow Kern Tec to further scale up the production and commercialization of its plant-based milk alternatives and confectionery. The round was led by Telos Impact, with participation from the PeakBridge Growth 2 fund and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund.
Source: vegconomist.com
Dutch online sales grew 2% in the first half of 2023
In the first half of this year, Dutch consumers spent 16.3bln euros online. Compared to the same period in 2022, this is an increase of 2%. These data come from the latest Thuiswinkel Market Monitor, conducted on behalf of Thuiswinkel.org and Retail Insiders.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
South Africa's SPAR to sell loss-making Polish business
SPAR Group plans to sell its loss-making business in Poland, the South African grocery retailer and wholesaler said, as it reported a 10.6% rise in turnover for the first 47 weeks of its financial year.
Source: reuters.com
First 'Not for EU' posters begin appearing in NI supermarkets
Tesco is the first supermarket chain to place "Not for EU" posters in their Northern Ireland stores. The signs are a result of the revised Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework.
Source: bbc.com
UK: John Lewis looks at sale and leaseback of 12 Waitrose supermarkets
John Lewis is looking into raising £150mln from the sale and leaseback of a dozen Waitrose supermarkets to fund investment in updating the business. The staff-owned retailer, which this month announced a half-year loss of £59mln, wants cash to update stores, improve prices, and invest in online operations, including expanding online grocery deliveries.
Source: theguardian.com
Holland: Jumbo joins purchasing organizations Everest and Epic Partners
Dutch retailer Jumbo has joined Everest and Epic Partners, two European purchasing organizations, as it seeks to collaborate with other European supermarket chains in the area of purchasing.
Source: esmmagazine.com