US: Richard Wardwell named CEO of Superior Grocers
Richard Wardwell has been promoted to CEO of Superior Grocers, an independent grocery chain based in Southern California, the retailer announced. Wardwell currently serves as president of the 70-unit supermarket chain. He will assume his new post on January 30. He will be replacing Mimi Song, who founded the company in 1981. She will remain chairman of the company’s board.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Some Walmart employees can more than triple their wages by becoming truck drivers
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant announced it is expanding its associate-to-driver program so that any Walmart worker at 439 store locations nationwide can become a truck driver after completing a 12-week course.
Source: businessinsider.com
US: PCC marks 70th year with improvements, activities, perks
The largest community-owned food cooperative in the U.S. has reached a milestone. PCC Community Markets is celebrating its 70th year and marking the occasion with events, deals and various expansions designed to carry the business through its next phase.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
ThriveCart secures $35mln investment to help e-commerce entrepreneurs and creators grow their businesses faster
ThriveCart, the leader in shopping cart, sales funnels and educational course creation technology used by small and medium businesses worldwide, announced it secured a $35mln investment from LTV SaaS Growth Fund. ThriveCart also named e-commerce industry veteran Kevin McKeand as CEO.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: NRF says 2022 holiday sales grew 5.3% to $936.3bln
Retail sales during 2022’s November-December holiday season grew 5.3% over 2021 to $936.3bln, falling short of the National Retail Federation’s forecast amid continuing inflation and high interest rates, NRF said. While holiday growth was less than expected, sales for the year grew 7% over 2021 to $4.9tln, meeting NRF’s forecast of between 6% and 8% growth for the year.
Source: nrf.com
Takeaway CEO Groen: sales process for Grubhub 'difficult' given current M&A market
Just Eat Takeaway CEO Jitse Groen said the company remains in talks to sell its U.S. Grubhub subsidiary, but the sales process is "difficult" given the current M&A market. "We've been in the sales process for quite some time", Groen said on a call following a fourth-quarter trading update.
Source: reuters.com
Q4 traffic declines for many food retailers: Report
Visits to grocery stores, dollar stores and superstores were down in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with the fourth quarter of 2021, with a few exceptions, according to data from Placer.ai.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Dutch supermarket sales up 3% in 2022, private labels gained ground - NielsenIQ
Sales at Dutch supermarkets rose 3% to 46.3bln euros ($49.9bln) in 2022, data published by market intelligence firm NielsenIQ showed, as price increases more than offset volume declines. In its annual report on the Dutch market, Nielsen said private labels' share of sales rose by 1.8 percentage points to 43.8%, as shoppers traded down from name brands. Albert Heijn, the largest Dutch chain, owned by Ahold Delhaize, gained 1.3 percentage points of market share to 37% share due to its acquisition of stores from the defunct Deen chain, Nielsen said.
Source: reuters.com
Malta: SPAR invests in EUROSPAR Supermarket
SPAR Malta has invested in developing a EUROSPAR Supermarket in the busy tourist town of Sliema, on the island's northeast coast. Located at The Point Shopping Mall, the new EUROSPAR Supermarket is becoming a destination location for shoppers in the town. The EUROSPAR Supermarket provides shoppers with a great selection of fresh food to complement everyday living essentials. The ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meal choices are based on authentic recipes. The fresh counters inspire shoppers looking for the freshest produce and products. There is also a wide choice of SPAR Own Brand products sourced locally and across Europe available instore.
Source: spar-international.com
Carrefour freezes prices on 100 products for next 100 days
From 18 January until Friday 28 April - 100 days - 100 private-label products on Carrefour shelves will not increase in price, the French supermarket chain announced in a press release. The previous edition of the promotion ended Monday, after running 133 days (6 September to 17 January). Some products from the previous edition remain on the 100-list whilst new items include various fruits, vegetables, bread and personal care products. Carrefour is launching a scheme where customers can buy five pieces of fruit and vegetables for less than €1, calling it "A concrete action to strengthen purchasing power while encouraging healthy eating".
Source: brusselstimes.com
Thai billionaire’s Big C said to choose banks for $1bln IPO
Big C Supercenter Pcl has picked Bank of America Corp. and UBS Group AG to help with a Bangkok initial public offering of about $1bln, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The supermarket and convenience store company, owned by Thailand’s richest person, has also chosen four local banks for the potential first-time share sale, the people said. The IPO could happen as soon as this year, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Norway: Coop pays over NOK2.5bln in member benefits in 2022
Coop Norway has announced that it has paid more than NOK2.5bln (€230mln) as member benefits to its two million members in 2022. The cooperative paid NOK1.3bln (€120mln) as dividends to the individual member's account. The remaining NOK1.2bln (€110mln) was given in the form of discount coupons, member deals and other member benefits.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Top 10 retail trends to look out for in 2023
ESM has decided to look ahead at what the top 10 retail trends for supermarkets in 2023 might be, by examining a new report from global market research company, Euromonitor International. Top 10 Retail Trends For 2023: 1. Authentic Automation; 2. Budgeteers; 3. Control The Scroll; 4. Eco Economic; 5. Game On; 6. Here And Now; 7. Revived Routines; 8. She Rises; 9. The Thrivers; 10. Young And Disrupted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Aldi gives all warehouse colleagues a new year pay rise
Aldi is increasing its pay rates for around 7,000 warehouse workers across the UK from 1st February 2023. Following two pay increases for hourly-paid warehouse colleagues in 2022, this further rise means colleagues will be paid up to 20% more than at this time last year.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Australia: Coles debuts Next Gen store - with many wanting their own
Coles Southland, based in Cheltenham, Victoria is a next generation store that opened in November 2022. The supermarket features key details such as fresh herbs shoppers can pick themselves, artificial intelligence scales for fresh produce and self assisted check-outs that staff can turn around to serve customers during busy periods. Ready to eat hot meals are on site, as well as ready to eat vegetables, cold pressed juices, self serve coffee, frozen fruit and macarons. Social media users were quick to praise the store.
Source: news.com.au