UK: CMA publishes updates on its work into competition in the groceries sector
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published an initial update on its ongoing work to tackle cost of living pressures in groceries with the publication of two reports.
Source: talkingretail.com
Australia: Woolworths introduces changes to self-service checkouts
Woolworths has introduced controversial artificial intelligence technology at self-serve checkouts in Western Australia months after it was installed in several other states. The camera technology accurately detects instances where an item has not been scanned through the self-checkout. If the technology catches a customer performing a 'mis-scan,' such as scanning fruit as a cheaper type, a video shows the product, and they are asked to re-scan it.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Louis Delhaize leaves Luxemburg, only Belgium remains
Just a week after ceding its French stores to Carrefour, the Belgian retailer is now also selling its Luxembourg stores of the chains Match, Smatch, and Cora. The buyer is E.Leclerc, best known to us for its polka dot jersey in the Tour de France.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Morrisons launches new pick 'n mix kids meal deal in cafés ahead of school summer holidays
Morrisons are doing more to help feed families during the summer holidays with the introduction of a new pick 'n' mix style meal option for kids in Morrisons Cafés, just in time for the summer holidays. Customers can now pick up a sandwich, snack, and drink to feed their little ones for just £3.49. Sandwiches filled with classic kids' favorites, ham or cheese, can be paired with a wide range of snack and drink choices such as Hula Hoops, Babybels, jelly, fruit bags, flavored milk, Robinsons Fruit Shoot, Cawston Press Juice or water.
Source: morrisons-corporate.com
Belgium: Brussels supermarkets required to donate unsold food
From 2024, all supermarkets in Brussels with a sales area of more than 1,000 square meters will be required to donate unsold food that is still edible. A draft ordinance to this effect, initiated by Alain Maron, Brussels Minister for Social Action (Green Party), was implemented by the local government of the Belgian capital.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Bitterne Box Co deliver the finest fruit and veg to your door
Bitterne Box Co offers zero-emission deliveries of farm-fresh fruit and veg boxes at competitive prices to around 100 homes in Southampton and beyond each week. Robin Bluemel set up the firm after a chance conversation on his fruit and veg stall.
Source: dailyecho.co.uk
UK: Morrisons launches new meat and produce supplier
A new meat and produce supplier called Myton Food Group has been launched by supermarket chain Morrisons. Myton Food Group stated: "We have our roots in the Morrisons Supermarket business. We pack and process fresh meats and fish, savory and sweet pies, fruit and veg, flower bouquets, bread, and more".
Source: betterretailing.com
Italy: Coop Alleanza 3.0 divests real estate portfolio for €50mln
Coop Alleanza 3.0, the largest of the consumer cooperatives in the Coop Italia network, has sold a portfolio worth €50mln to Real Estate Spv Project 2203, a real estate securitization vehicle.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Amazon is set to close several stores within days as it gears up to open two new locations
The e-commerce giant is pulling down the shutters for good on its Ealing, Wandsworth, and East Sheen branches on July 23. Staff at the London-based sites have all been offered new roles in nearby Amazon Fresh stores. The company said it will open new Fresh stores in Moorgate and Liverpool Street, London, but did not confirm exactly when.
Source: thescottishsun.co.uk
UK: Sainsbury's Local helps bring a new lease of life to Jericho redevelopment site
Sainsbury's customers in Oxford have the chance to try out a brand-new Sainsbury's Local following the opening of the retailer's latest store as part of the redevelopment of the Jericho Health Centre on the corner of Walton Street and Cranham Street. Fresh bread and pastries will be baked in the store every day, and it will also stock an excellent range of great value, high-quality fresh food, fruit, and vegetables, as well as other grocery and household products.
Source: sainsburys.co.uk
As China embraces membership stores, Sam's Club expansion gathers pace
While long a phenomenon in the United States, Chinese shoppers are just starting to fall in love with membership club warehouses such as Sam's Club and Costco, spurring their expansion and the emergence of local rivals.
Source: reuters.com
Ahold Delhaize USA announces the appointment of John Ruane as Brand President The GIANT Company
Ahold Delhaize USA announced that John Ruane has been named Brand President of The GIANT Company. "We have been fortunate to have John lead The GIANT Company as interim Brand President during a time of transition, and we are excited about this next step in his career," said JJ Fleeman, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
US: Dollar General opens Wolcottville store
Dollar General has announced its store at 7255 S. S.R. 3 in Wolcottville is now open. The new store features a curated assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, apples, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes, salad mixes, and more.
Source: kpcnews.com
US: Biggest-ever Costco club slated for Fresno, California
Costco Wholesale plans to build its largest warehouse club yet in Fresno, California. Dubbed the "Fresno Costco Commercial Center Project," the proposed new club is now under public review by the City of Fresno.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Whole Foods Market to adopt palm payment tech chainwide
Whole Foods Market is upping its commitment to palm payments. The Amazon-owned grocer has revealed that it will offer Amazon One at all of its 500-plus U.S. stores by the end of the year.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Market Basket to open 2 new locations in New England
Construction is underway at two Market Basket locations in New England. The supermarket chain is building stores in North Conway, New Hampshire, and Topsham, Maine. Opening dates are not yet announced for either location, but the Market Basket website shows both sites' construction moving forward.
Source: masslive.com
Regional grocers will continue to face online challenges with Walmart
Competing against Walmart online will only get tougher for regional grocers as Walmart continues to ramp up its low-pricing engine, according to research from grocery e-commerce software company Mercatus. The new report forecasts a daunting scenario. Walmart, which already enjoys a 15% price advantage online on a large basket of groceries in the U.S., does not have to rely on service fees to support pickup operations and produces eight times more revenue online than regional competitors, the report states.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Brazil's GPA again rejects Colombian tycoon's bid to buy 51% of Exito
Brazilian retailer GPA said its board rejected a second offer from Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski to acquire a 51% stake in its subsidiary Almacenes Exito. In a securities filing, GPA said the offer does not serve the best interests of the firm and its shareholders, as the price offered falls short of "financial reasonableness for a transaction aiming at a controlling interest."
Source: reuters.com