Greece claims two top spots for the world's best fruits
According to a recent ranking from Taste Atlas, Greece recently took home two titles for the top fruits in the world: 1. Rodakina Naoussas Peaches; 7. Mandarini Chiou Mandarins.
Source: greekcitytimes.com
Peas on toast trump smashed avocados as UK cost of living bites, says Waitrose
The cost of living crisis has spurred a flight to comfort food, with Britons choosing shepherd's pie, macaroni cheese, and oven chips over more exotic dishes, while smashed avocados are being edged out by cheaper "peas on toast." After a year in which food prices climbed at the fastest rate since the 1970s, Waitrose said the financial pressure had altered buying habits and food choices.
Source: theguardian.com
UK: Aldi's festive Super Six returns from just 15p
To the delight of shoppers, Aldi's cult favorite Christmas Super Six deals are returning to stores from December 18, with festive veg staples available from just 15p. Included within the savvy deal is a selection of Aldi's fresh and delicious vegetables, all sourced from British suppliers, including White Potatoes (15p, 2kg), Carrots (19p, 1kg), Parsnips (19p, 500g), Red and White Cabbages (19p each), Brussels Sprouts (19p, 500g), and Swede (19p each).
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Greece: Barba Stathis acquires 80% stake in Halvatzis Makedoniki
Greek food firm Barba Stathis has agreed to acquire an 80% stake in agri-food company Halvatzis Makedoniki SA. Halvatzis Makedoniki specializes in the production and distribution of food products under the brand name Agrokipos Halvatzi, including steamed vegetables, ready-to-eat salads with vegetables and pulses, and sugar-free fruit salads.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Coles Group statement on Senate Inquiry into Supermarket Prices
Coles confirms that CEO Leah Weckert will appear at the Senate Inquiry into Supermarket Prices next year. Coles' total supermarket price inflation declined to 3.1% for the July-September quarter. Fresh food (including fresh produce, meat, deli & seafood) experienced a deflation of 2.3% during the July-September quarter.
Source: colesgroup.com.au
UK: BYOD? 75% of vegans feel the need to bring their own dinner at Christmas
New research from Asda reveals three in four vegans have felt the need to bring their own main dish to Christmas, and one in three Brits admit they wouldn't know what to serve a vegan for Christmas dinner. The study also shows that vegans have been served some disappointing Christmas dinners by nonvegan hosts, including dry nut roast, beans on toast, and even dishes that aren't vegan.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Austria: SPAR works collaboratively to improve biodiversity
SPAR Austria is working together with local farmers and supplier Frutura in the Weinviertel region to improve biodiversity. Over the last year, this collaborative approach, including potato specialist Dorfinger, has seen the development of more than 10 hectares (approximately 150 tennis courts) of vibrant new bee pastures. Potato farmers in the Weinviertal region have begun using seeds from Frutura's BioBienenApple project to create pastures that bees can thrive on due to their nutritious value.
Source: spar-international.com
Morrisons is first retailer to add 'buy British' tab on website
Morrisons has become the first major supermarket chain to add a 'buy British' tab to its website following a call from MPs and the farming industry. However, Sainsbury's and Waitrose's websites have sections for seasonal British produce on their fruit and vegetables page.
Source: farminguk.com
Denmark: Dagrofa Logistik, Løvbjerg extend partnership for six years
Dagrofa Logistik and supermarket chain Løvbjerg have signed an agreement to extend their partnership for another six years. Dagrofa Logistik and Løvbjerg have been collaborating since 2017, the company noted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK's Morrisons, M&S to address anti-competitive land agreements
Britain's competition regulator has secured pledges from supermarket groups Morrisons and Marks & Spencer (M&S) to cease using unlawful land agreements after it uncovered 65 anti-competitive deals, it said. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the unlawful agreements included restrictions on land being used by a rival supermarket or restrictions lasting five years or more that stopped landlords from allowing competing stores to set up.
Source: reuters.com
Germany: Alnatura reports turnover growth of 2.3% in FY 2022/23
Organic retailer Alnatura closed its financial year with year-on-year turnover growth of 2.3% as sales amounted to €1.15bln. In 2022, the organic market in Germany shrank by 3.5%, Alnatura added.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Frans Muller (Ahold Delhaize): "E-commerce makes customers more loyal"
By 2025, Ahold Delhaize's e-commerce business should become profitable, says top executive Frans Muller. But more importantly, online shopping will attract customers and make them more loyal.
Source: retaildetail.eu
US: Publix set to open first Kentucky store on January 10
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix said its new store at 2500 Terra Crossing Blvd., in Louisville's Terra Crossing Shopping Center, is scheduled to open on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 a.m. The 55,701-square-foot supermarket marks Publix's expansion into its eighth state.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Target announces easy, affordable Holiday Meal for under $25
Target Corporation announced that its popular holiday meal under $25 deal is back. Through December 25, guests can shop the holiday meal under $25 deal online and in-store, including delicious ham and fixings to serve four: Good & Gather Russet Potatoes - 5lb; Good & Gather Frozen Gold & White Corn Blend; Favorite Day Demi French Bread; Market Pantry Hickory Smoked Spiral-Cut Bone-In Ham - 6lb; Favorite Day Peppermint Sandwich Cookies; Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup; Del Monte Cut Green Beans.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: UNFI turnaround plan gets off to a slow start with soft Q1
In its first quarter earnings statement UNFI saw net sales increase just 0.3% year-over-year. CEO Sandy Douglas said he believes steadily decreasing inflation is partly behind the less-than-ideal numbers. The distributor also experienced a net loss of $39mln, and its adjusted EBITDA dropped 43.5% to $117mln.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Yellow Banana sued over $350K of unpaid bills, sells Florida Save A Lot stores
A lawsuit in the federal district court of Ohio by produce distributor Sanson Produce said Yellow Banana failed to pay the company, racking up $356,720 for fresh fruits and vegetables sold from June to September and purchased on credit. It's unclear which Yellow Banana stores it supplied. Ohio-based Sanson doesn't distribute in Illinois, the company told the Sun-Times.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com
US: Online sales down for regional grocers
Regional grocers experienced a 13.5% drop in online sales for the 12-week period ending September 30, compared with the same period in 2022, according to Brick Meets Click's eGrocery Performance Benchmarking report. The Mercatus-sponsored report, which analyzed the sales of 25 U.S. grocery banners, showed that only three of the grocers reported growth in online sales.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Canada: Vancouver's Fantuan raises $40mln to deliver real Asian food at your doorstep
Fantuan, which means rice balls in Chinese, raised $40mln in a Series C funding round led by Celtic House Asia, a venture capital firm that invests in first-generation immigrants, and GrubMarket, the food supply chain upstart that surpassed $1bln in valuation in 2021.
Source: techcrunch.com