UK: Aldi raises pay again as stores battle for staff
Aldi has announced its second pay rise of 2024 as supermarkets battle for staff and prepare for higher minimum wage levels. The increase means the minimum hourly rate for store workers at Aldi will be £12.40 nationwide from 1 June.
Source: bbc.com
Mercadona achieves revenues of 35,527mln euros in 2023 and makes a record investment of 10,000mln euros over seven years
Physical supermarket and online sales company Mercadona saw consolidated sales increase by 15% in 2023 with revenues reaching 35,527mln euros. Of this total figure, 34,124mln euros correspond to the company's business in Spain and the remaining 1,403mln euros to its business in Portugal, where Mercadona has 49 of the 1,681 stores making up the company's network of supermarkets at the close of 2023.
Source: info.mercadona.es
EU members endorse diluted draft rules on rights for gig workers
Europe moved a step closer to giving so-called gig economy workers at online platforms such as Uber and Deliveroo greater social and labor rights, although companies said little would change under the watered-down rules. The draft rules, first proposed by the European Commission in 2021, are aimed at an estimated 28mln workers in the EU, whose numbers are forecast to rise to 43mln next year.
Source: reuters.com
Kenya: Uchumi Supermarkets goes silent on franchising plan
Cash-strapped Uchumi Supermarkets has gone silent on the franchising model that had been touted as the route to rescue it from collapse, complicating its recovery efforts.
Source: businessdailyafrica.com
UK: Morrisons reports £1bln loss as debt interest payments rocket
Morrisons fell to a £1bln loss in 2023 as debt interest payments linked to its private equity takeover soared. The supermarket giant saw sales drop from £18.7bln in 2023 to £18.4bln, although underlying profits, excluding debt interest costs, increased from £911mln to £970mln.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Romanian supermarket chain La Cocos opens fifth store in Pitesti
Romania's largest independent retail chain, La Cocos, which runs large-sized supermarkets, is opening its fifth store in Pitesti, under a EUR11mln investment, Ziarul Financiar announced.
Source: romania-insider.com
SPAR to open first Israel store next week
Dutch retail chain SPAR will open its first store in Israel next week in Kfar Saba and its second store in Beersheva towards the end of the year. Operating through local franchises, SPAR has 14,000 stores in 48 countries, with 15mln customers per year.
Source: en.globes.co.il
Sweden: Retailers see potential in self-scanning apps
A new study in Sweden by master student Emily Pasquariello at Uppsala University in cooperation with software company ID24 examines how 101 Nordic retailers - including Ikea - are deploying self-scanning and what the experiences are. 24% of retailers surveyed said they have rolled out self-scanning systems in some or all of their shops. Remarkably, the adoption rate is as high as 100% for supermarkets and 40% for restaurants and convenience stores.
Source: retaildetail.eu
India: Vishal Mega Mart planning $1bln IPO, sources say
India's Vishal Mega Mart is planning a $1bln initial public offering that would value the budget supermarket chain at up to $5bln with some of the proceeds earmarked to add stores, two people with direct knowledge of the plan said.
Source: reuters.com
US: One-Hop shopping! BJ's Wholesale Club delivers fresh savings for Easter celebrations
BJ's Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, is bringing egg-citing savings this year on Easter essentials, including fresh food. Members can enjoy a wide variety of family favorites, from brunch and dinner must-haves to produce, sides, and sweets: Wellsley Farms Fresh Gourmet Carrots, 2 pk./1 lb., $6.99. Available in-club and on BJs.com.
Source: businesswire.com
Mexico: Retailer Walmex to invest around $2bln in 2024
Mexican retailer Walmex is set to invest around 34.5bln pesos ($2.05bln) in 2024, up 19% from the previous year, according to a filing. Some 45% of the investment will be used for remodeling and maintenance work of its existing stores, with another 29% set for new openings and expansions.
Source: reuters.com
US: ReposiTrak adds 10 new suppliers to its rapidly expanding Food Traceability Network
ReposiTrak announced the addition of ten produce companies to the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® (RTN). The new members include Two pasture-raised and free-range egg suppliers; A global seafood importer, distributor, and marketer based in California; A salmon supplier from Chile, recognized as the world's second-largest producer; A N.M.-based supplier of Hatch chilies operating since 1992; A Fl.-based vegetable wholesaler operating for more than 50 years; The largest produce distributor for the Midwest and central Canadian regions; The largest importer of Chilean Kiwifruit, Asian Pears, and Quince; A S.C.-based vegetable supplier with roots stretching back nearly a century; A Calif.-based importer, marketer, and shipper of fruit cultivating global partnerships for more than 25 years.
Source: businesswire.com