Who is the top grocer in the Northwestern U.S.?
The state of grocery varies considerably across regions according to the latest report by the traffic analytics platform Placer.ai. The result? Albertsons topped the list as the most popular grocery banner in three-out-of-five Northwestern states: Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Dollar Tree cuts profit target on slowing demand, higher costs; shares slump
Dollar Tree Inc trimmed its full-year profit forecast after missing quarterly profit estimates, hurt by slowing demand for discretionary items and elevated cost pressures, sending shares of the retailer down more than 14%. The company tightened 2023 net sales forecast to between $30.0bln and $30.5bln, compared to a $29.9bln to $30.5bln range estimated previously.
Source: reuters.com
US: Tops adds Instacart to 8 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont
Eight Tops Friendly Markets stores are joining the ranks of the grocery chain’s home delivery service via Instacart, the Williamsville, New York-based grocery chain announced. The expansion of delivery service will include locations in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Delivery is already available at 139 of its 149 total stores, the grocer noted.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Costco earnings miss estimates as shoppers curb discretionary spending
Costco Wholesale Corp missed estimates for quarterly earnings as shoppers pulled back on non-essential spending due to stubborn inflation and economic uncertainties. The warehouse club operator's total revenue for the third quarter was $53.65bln, compared with the estimates of $54.57bln.
Source: reuters.com
US: SpartanNash announces results of 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Food solutions company SpartanNash (the "Company") announced that shareholders overwhelmingly approved all Company proposals and re-elected the eight director nominees at its 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held virtually on May 24, 2023.
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Source: prnewswire.com
India: Swiggy Instamart asks people to name green leafy veggies, promises cash prize
Swiggy Instamart took to Twitter to share a challenge with its followers. The simple yet intriguing task was to identify four leafy vegetables correctly. To sweeten the deal, the company even offered a cash prize of ₹5000 to anyone who could name them all.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Bio-Planet expands to Luxembourg in 2024
Belgian organic supermarket chain Bio-Planet, part of the Colruyt Group, plans to open its first store in Luxembourg next year. After a difficult year, the retailer sees organic sales picking up again.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Asda poised to announce £10bln merger with petrol stations group EG
Asda is finalising a deal to buy its sister business EG Group’s UK and Irish petrol forecourts in a deal worth £3bln, allowing the supermarket to step up its shift into convenience retailing. The businesses are expected to formally announce a long-awaited tie-up in the next few days, which will create a combined business worth about £10bln.
Source: theguardian.com
UK: Tesco's - Kids Eat Free scheme returns to the supermarket's cafes
Tesco is bringing back its Kids Eat Free scheme in time for May half term. The scheme will run in all its 311 cafes across the UK from Monday, May 29 to Friday, June 2. Menu items include beans or avocado on toast, fish fingers, baked chicken goujons or a sandwich. Hot main meals at Tesco's cafes also come with a vegetable side dish and the sandwich pick 'n' mix includes a fresh piece of fruit.
Source: newsandstar.co.uk
Dutch retail sales decline in first quarter
Retail sales in the Netherlands grew by 8% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, driven primarily by higher prices, according to the latest data from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Statistics Netherlands). Supermarkets recorded higher sales, while speciality shops, such as butchers and cheese shops, also saw a higher turnover. Volume for the quarter fell by 11%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
At Shoptalk Europe 2023, sustainability moves to the top of retailers' agendas
In recent years, urban farming firms and other agricultural enterprises have been exploring innovative approaches to expand their offerings and engage with consumers in new ways, like direct-to-consumer delivery to address this issue and better forecast demand. Oddbox is one such solution. It is a subscription-based service that delivers weekly boxes of products to customers that would otherwise go to waste due to factors such as their size, shape, or surplus status. Oddbox aims to reduce at least 3mln tonnes of fruit and vegetables that are wasted each year. The company shared that it has recorded significant sales growth from GBP3.4mln in 2019 to over GBP30mln in 2021.
Source: euromonitor.com
WA citrus industry front and centre as Woolworths stores supply exclusively locally grown oranges
Woolworths WA has committed to supplying solely homegrown oranges after an exclusive arrangement was made with the local $40mln citrus industry. WA Citrus Industry development manager Bronwyn Walsh said supplies of high-quality oranges and mandarins from local orchards from Moora and Dandaragan to Harvey were now reaching the marketplace in Woolworths stores and will be available until December.
Source: countryman.com.au
B2B agritech marketplace launched in Kenya to link farmers to commercial kitchens
Smallholder farmers in Kenya are set to benefit from a B2B agritech marketplace that has been launched to link them to commercial kitchens easing farm-to-fork traceability and ensuring them secure e-commerce transactions. The online marketplace, Tawi Fresh Kenya is an inspiration journey of Cherotich Rutto, an enterprising farmer who like other farmers has had to endure heavy losses for lack of better markets for her produce for nearly a decade. Tawi Fresh sources fresh produce such as vegetables, eggs, and chicken from farmers.
Source: farmersreviewafrica.com
Sainsbury’s boss: We are not profiting from high prices
Supermarkets have not been using high rates of inflation as a cover for making higher profits, the boss of the UK's second largest grocery chain has said. Sainsbury's had made less money, to keep prices down, Simon Roberts said. Critics have accused food retailers of "greedflation" - putting prices up to bolster profits.
Source: bbc.com
New Zealand: Principals give fresh produce initiative top marks amidst soaring food insecurity 
Data reveals the Fruit and Vegetables in Schools (FIS) initiative, which provides fresh produce to over 120,000 tamariki and school staff each year, continues to be the most popular healthy kai programme in Aotearoa. An independent evaluation conducted by Quigley and Watts on behalf of the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust which supports the Te Whatu Ora funded initiative, found that FIS rated as the most effective initiative at supporting a healthy kura/school environment.
Source: 5aday.co.nz
UK: Tesco passes 85% target for redistributing surplus foodTesco has announced it redistributed 88% of surplus food across its UK business, surpassing its own target of 85%, which was set in 2016. The target was beaten in the last year thanks largely to the supermarket’s relationships with partners including FareShare and Olio.
Source: tescoplc.com