Belgium: Too Good To Go trials AI inventory management
Too Good To Go is trying to help the war on food waste forward using AI. For example, the tool can now alert shops to products that are nearing their expiry date and immediately suggest a discount rate.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Austria: SPAR Veggie range sales more than doubled in the last five years
SPAR Austria is cooperating with the international organisation Veganuary for the first time, drawing consumers focus to plant-based meals this January. This is a trend that is reflected both in the increasing number of products and in increasing sales. The SPAR Veggie brand now offers 120 vegan and vegetarian products. The attractiveness of this diet is reflected in sales, with SPAR Veggie sales more than doubling from 2018 to 2023.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: CD&R-backed Motor Fuel Group closes in on £2.5bln Morrisons deal
Wm Morrison, the supermarket chain, is closing in on a £2.5bln deal to sell its petrol forecourts portfolio to another company backed by the same private equity firm. Sky News understands that Motor Fuel Group (MFG) is weeks away from agreeing the takeover of Morrisons' fuel retailing empire.
Source: news.sky.com
UK: Co-op starts search for third wave of food and drink businesses to join its accelerated support scheme for new suppliers, the Apiary
Co-op aims to create a ‘buzz’ amongst innovative and smaller-scale food and drink businesses as applications open to join its Apiary programme, an accelerated support scheme giving suppliers the opportunity to work towards a listing on the convenience retailer’s shelves.
Source: co-operative.coop
New Zealand: The Meat Box acquires Supie brand
Online Butcher ‘The Meat Box’ has acquired Trademarks and Website domains associated with www.supie.co.nz. www.themeatbox.co.nz is an online butcher that delivers fresh quality meat, produce and complimentary goods New Zealand wide.
Source: scoop.co.nz
Lidl increases pay for UK staff for third time in 12 months
Lidl GB has announced plans to raise the pay of its 26,000 hourly-paid staff to the highest rates in the sector. From 1 March, the discounter’s entry-level rates will increase from £11.40 to £12.00 outside of the M25, rising to £13.00 with length of service. Meanwhile, those working within the M25 will see pay rates rise from £12.85 to £13.55, increasing to £13.85 over time.
Source: kamcity.com
Is the UK eco-conscious grocery market really growing?
MRQual’s Richard Clark reported: "In November 2023, we conducted an online “qualitative” survey with 300 UK grocery shoppers. We asked respondents what factors were important to them when in a supermarket buying fruit or vegetables. Unsurprisingly, the most-mentioned factors were the freshness of the products, and the price. Both of these were mentioned by a little over 60% of respondents. The “quality” of products was mentioned by 31% of respondents and the look or appearance of products by 23%. Around 8% mentioned packaging. Within this, 2% specifically mentioned that they preferred products with less or no packaging, and 2% mentioned “plastic” packaging. 3% of respondents mentioned the word “organic”. 4% of the respondents mentioned that a factor was that produce was local, and a further 2% made reference to product being from the UK or Britain. So, from this research we conclude that the vast majority of UK respondents could not be described as “eco-conscious” when purchasing fruit or vegetables."
Source: mrqual.com
Woolworths could return to British High Streets
Once loved for its pick 'n' mix sweets and bargain prices, Woolworths stores could return to the UK. In 2009 when its British shops closed after the financial crisis, the brand in Germany, where it is known as Woolworth, was saved by HH Holding. Current HH Holding chief Roman Heini says the UK is on his "bucket list" of destinations as he seeks to expand internationally.
Source: bbc.com
Amazon UK: ‘Prime not a criterion for the Buy Box’
For the allocation of the Buy Box, Amazon in the United Kingdom promises not to differentiate between online sellers who use or do not use Prime-related fulfillment services. “Eligibility for Prime and the Prime badge will not be a criterion when determining the Featured Offer”. Amazon communicated this to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the United Kingdom.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
US: Big Y to open stores in Brookfield, Westport at plazas where Amazon Fresh grocers were planned
Big Y Foods Inc. announced plans to open new supermarkets in Brookfield and Westport. The company said the stores will be at 14 Candlewood Lake Road in Brookfield and 1076 East Post Road in Westport - the same plazas where Amazon Fresh supermarkets have been planned but long delayed.
Source: ctinsider.com
US: Associated Food Stores names VP of Fresh Foods
Associated Food Stores (AFS) has named Todd Jensen VP of fresh foods. As VP of fresh foods, Jensen will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic perishable department plans for AFS member-owned and corporate-owned retail grocery stores across nine western states.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Lidl expanding network in New York CityLidl continues to grow in New York City. The German supermarket will open a location in Queens on January 24. The store is 35,000 square feet and is the 174th Lidl location in the U.S.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: 'First of its kind' program rewards SNAP recipients for buying fruits and vegetables
Rhode Island is experimenting with a new program that will reward people who receive food stamps for buying fruits and vegetables. The Eat Well, Be Well Pilot Rewards Program is the first statewide program of its kind in the country, according to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Effective immediately, it allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to earn up to $25 in additional benefits per month. For now, the rewards program applies only to purchases made at Stop & Shop or Walmart.
Source: eu.providencejournal.com
US: Giant Food opens new store in Bethesda, Maryland
Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, announces the grand opening of a new Maryland store located at 5320 Zenith Overlook in Bethesda. Doors officially open at 6 a.m. on Friday, January 26th.
Source: prnewswire.com
eBay to slash 1,000 jobs, scale back contracts
eBay Inc will cut about 1,000 roles, or an estimated 9% of its current workforce, the e-commerce retailer said. "While we are making progress against our strategy, our overall headcount and expenses have outpaced the growth of our business", eBay CEO Jamie Iannone said in a letter shared with employees.
Source: reuters.com