JD Logistics accelerates global expansion with new express delivery service to North America and Europe
JD Logistics, the logistics arm of JD.com and a global leader in integrated supply chain and logistics solutions announced the launch of its international express delivery service. The new service marks a significant milestone for JD Logistics, representing both an expansion of its renowned logistics services to the global stage and a key phase in the company's broader international market expansion.
Source: jdcorporateblog.com
US: Instacart drives over 231,000 grocery retail jobs, more than $15bln in shopper earnings, new economic report shows
Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, released the first-ever Instacart Economic Impact Report, quantifying the company's economic impact across all four sides of the Instacart marketplace - customers, shoppers, retailers, and brands.
Source: prnewswire.com
Costco Q1 sales rise 6% to $57bln
Costco Wholesale posted higher profit in its fiscal first quarter, with same-store sales holding fast for the warehouse retail giant. For the first quarter, the company reported net sales of $56.72ln, an increase of 6.1% from $53.44bln for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, ending November 20, 2022.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Central Minnesota grocery workers call for strike during Christmastime
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663, representing more than 650 essential grocery workers at Minnesota's five Brainerd Lakes-area union grocery stores, has revealed its intention to hold a four-day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike December 22-25.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US import and export price indexes - November 2023
Prices for US imports decreased 0.4% in November following a 0.6% decline the previous month, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Higher prices in November for vegetables and fruit more than offset lower prices for fish, shellfish, and meat.
Source: bls.gov
US: Online grocery sales grow again in November
E-grocery sales totaled $8.1bln for November, up 5.2% from $7.7bln a year earlier and, along with a 5% gain in October, marking the second month of annual increases after a 3.1% yearly decrease in September, according to the latest Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Kroger unwraps big holiday savings
The Kroger Co. reported: "Kroger is Full, Fresh, Friendly, and extra festive this holiday season. Create a memorable spread with fresh, affordable ingredients such as Kroger Idaho Potatoes, Kroger Sweet Potato Yams, Kroger Super Sweet Corn, Kroger Brussels Sprouts BIG Deal!"
Source: prnewswire.com
Canada: Empire reports fiscal 2024 second-quarter results
Empire Company Limited ("Empire" or the "Company") announced its financial results for the second quarter, which ended November 4, 2023. For the quarter, the company recorded net earnings of $181.1mln ($0.72 per share) compared to $189.9mln ($0.73 per share) last year.
Source: newswire.ca
Germany turnaround 'will take a little longer,' says Metro AG CEO
Turning around the performance of wholesaler Metro AG's German operations is likely to take a "little more time," with the country representing "one of the largest transformation cases in our portfolio," chief executive Dr. Steffen Greubel has said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Chinese supermarket giant Yonghui to sell 1.4% stake in Wanda unit for USD630mln
Yonghui Superstores, a leading Chinese supermarket operator, said it will sell a 1.4% stake in Dalian Wanda Commercial Management Group, a property investment and management unit of developer Dalian Wanda Group, for CNY4.5bln (USD630mln).
Source: yicaiglobal.com
Glovo dishes on Croatia's 2023 foodie faves: From burgers to bananas, unveiling trends and tastes
Glovo, a multi-category platform that allows users access to various products and meals on demand, presented the ordering trends in Croatia during 2023. When it comes to supermarket products, Croatians most frequently ordered milk, water, and bananas this year.
Source: thedubrovniktimes.com
Trade bodies and retailers call for levy reform to secure UK food supplies
In a letter sent to the government, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the National Farmers Union (NFU), and UKHospitality (UKH), along with leading UK supermarkets, say reform to the Apprenticeship Levy would allow businesses to train up more domestic workers in order to fill the vital skills gaps, which would "foster greater resilience, support the nation's food security, and benefit the economy."
Source: kamcity.com
Billa Bulgaria invests 2.6mln euros in first store in Troyan
Supermarket chain operator Billa Bulgaria, part of Germany's REWE Group, said that it opened its first store in the central town of Troyan after an investment of nearly 5mln levs ($2.8mln/2.6mln euro).
Source: seenews.com
UK: CMA issues its first informal guidance to help green initiatives
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its first response to a request for informal guidance received under the open-door policy set out in the Green Agreements Guidance. One of the objectives of the proposed new scheme is to provide longer-term contractual stability that would enable producers the opportunity to invest in more environmentally sustainable farming practices, such as reducing monoculture. To achieve this, participating grocery retailers would agree to commit to purchasing minimum additional Fairtrade volumes of bananas, coffee, and/or cocoa from a pool of Fairtrade producers on long-term contracts.
Source: gov.uk
Holland: Packaging-free supermarket Pieter Pot declared bankrupt
The packaging-free store Pieter Pot has been declared bankrupt. One of the company's creditors, pension fund BPFL, filed for bankruptcy in court due to a debt of almost 80,000 euros. This has been granted, and founder Jouri Schoemaker confirms it to the NOS.
Source: nos.nl
UK: Sainsbury’s CEO revealed as City Food & Drink Lecture 2024 keynote speaker
The organisers of the City Food & Drink Lecture, which will take place on Monday 11th March 2024, have announced the keynote speaker for the event will be Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s.
Source: foodmanagement.today
With a disruptive retail concept, online supermarket Rohlik moves into Europe
With a proposition that clearly differentiates itself from both flash deliverers and traditional online supermarkets, Rohlik aims to be a disruptor in European food retail, says founder and CEO Tomáš Čupr.
Source: retaildetail.eu
A quarter of UK consumers plan to 'scale back' Christmas dinner, study finds
Cost-of-living pressures mean that a quarter (25%) of UK consumers are set to 'scale back' their Christmas dinner plans, a new study by customer analytics group STRAT7 Researchbods has found. In terms of what foods are likely to grace UK Christmas dinner tables, the survey indicates that roast potatoes are the preferred Christmas accompaniment, appearing in 81% of Christmas dinners. This surpasses other holiday staples such as stuffing (69%), turkey (67%), Brussels sprouts (67%), carrots (67%), and pigs in blankets (65%).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Albert Heijn completes conversion of 44 Jan Linders stores
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has completed the conversion of 44 Jan Linders stores to the Albert Heijn banner with the opening of the renovated store in Tegelen.
Source: esmmagazine.com