US: Grocery Outlet details fresh-focused store remodels
Grocery Outlet expanded its fruit and vegetable assortment. President and CEO Jason Potter said that relocating produce and offering more items in that department has fueled a double-digit comp lift in meat and produce in the test stores.
In other news: Grocery Outlet struggles with sales growth as new strategy takes hold.
Source: grocerydive.com
Mexican grocery chain Merco teams with Toshiba to introduce new self-checkout solutions
Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions reports that Merco, a supermarket chain in northern Mexico, is implementing its MxP Self-Checkout offering in stores across the region. The partnership began with a pilot programme in select stores. Merco is now exploring adding Toshiba's ELERA Security Suite with computer vision and AI powered loss prevention and produce recognition.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
US: Food City acquires 3 Winn-Dixie stores in Alabama
Food City has acquired three Winn-Dixie stores in Alabama from Southeastern Grocers. On November 6, Food City opened the former Winn-Dixie stores under its own banner. The stores are each 44,000 square feet in size and are located at: 2405 US Highway 78E, Jasper; 465 Main Street, Trussville; 1721 Highway 31N, Fultondale.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger's Freshgiving meal returns
Kroger reported: "This season, Kroger is once again offering customers an affordable meal with zero-compromise on value, convenience or quality. Shop these long-held holiday favorites that will feed ten people all under $4.75 per person: Kroger® Whole Frozen Turkey (14-16 pounds); Kroger® Turkey Stuffing; Kroger® Chicken Broth; Kroger® Super Sweet Corn; Kroger® Baby Carrots; Kroger® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce; Sweet Jewel Yams; Kroger® Idaho Potatoes; Campbell's® Turkey Gravy; Kroger® French Sliced Green Beans; Kroger® Cream of Mushroom Soup; Kroger® Crispy French-Fried Onions; Kroger® Brown and Serve Rolls; Kroger ® Traditional Ready-to-Bake Pie Crusts; Kroger® 100% Pure Canned Pumpkin Puree; Kroger® Original Whipped Topping".
Source: prnewswire.com
US: BJ's expands its footprint in Tennessee
BJ's Wholesale Club is readying its fifth location in Tennessee. The wholesaler will open a club, along with an on-site BJ's Gas Station, in the city of Sevierville on November 14. Located at 124 Allensville Road, the new BJ's store will feature fresh foods, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household essentials, home décor, pet supplies, toys, consumer electronics and more.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
From servings to solutions: How Instacart and PHA delivered on a 10mln servings of produce promise, one family at a time
Instacart reported: "We celebrate an important milestone in the fight against nutrition insecurity: Instacart, in partnership with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), has successfully delivered 10mln servings of produce to families across the country".
Source: instacart.com
US: FoodMaxx banner grows in California
FoodMaxx, the value banner operated by The Save Mart Companies, is growing by two locations in California. The stores, at 844 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose and 3705 El Camino Real in Santa Clara, officially opened on Wednesday and were formerly Lucky locations.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
McDonald's posts sales uplift across all global markets
McDonald's has reported another quarter of sales growth as the company's focus on value drove positive performance in all markets. US comparable sales continued its positive momentum with a 2.4% uplift, primarily driven by check growth. International operated markets recorded a 4.3% improvement, with all markets performing well, especially Germany and Australia. On the bottom line, the company's net income increased 1% to $2.27bln.
Source: insideretail.co.nz
Subway® grows presence in Spain and Portugal through expanded master franchise agreements with Grupo Vierci
Subway® reported: "Subway® has announced the expansion of its master franchisee portfolio with Grupo Vierci, the current master franchisee in Paraguay and Uruguay, to accelerate the brands growth in Spain and Portugal. This milestone marks Subway's first intercontinental master franchisee with operations across two regions and reinforces the brand's commitment to international growth with trusted regional partners".
Source: newsroom.subway.com
UK: Employers join forces with government to tackle ill-health and keep Britain working
Emma Taylor, Chief People Officer, Tesco: "As the UK's largest private sector employer, we support jobs and local communities right across the country, and we recognise that good work doesn't just benefit our economy, it's vital to our national health. At Tesco, wellbeing comes first at all stages of working life. Through our expanded Stronger Starts scheme we're already setting more young people up for the world of work, and we see the vanguard scheme as a crucial step towards healthy and fulfilling working lives for all".
Source: gov.uk
UK: Waitrose unveils first 'Home of Food Lovers' concept store powered by record tech investment
Waitrose reported: "The 'Home of Food Lovers' store in Newbury features new concepts, brands, and counters. A revitalised fruit and veg department championing sustainability, with its strongest-ever focus on organic, Fairtrade, and regeneratively-farmed produce".
Source: johnlewispartnership.co.uk
Dutch amount of online stores on the rise
Earlier this year, the amount of online stores in the Netherlands decreased for the first time since 2013. Growth now seems to be back on track, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Nearly three thousand companies were added in six months. Online selling is more popular than ever, especially among self-employed professionals.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Fruit & veg retail growth in Romania driven by knowledge & diversity
According to data provided by NielsenIQ, the fruit and vegetable market remains one of the strongest FMCG categories in Romania, accounting for 8.1% of consumers' budgets in 2024. Growth is supported by the increasing interest of consumers in fresh, local, and organic food.
Source: romaniajournal.ro
Discount chain Trial Go takes aim at 7-Eleven in Japan with $2.50 tonkatsu
Bloomberg reported: "Discount-store chain operator Trial Holdings is mounting a challenge to Japan's convenience store giants, betting that compact, low-cost outlets operating around the clock can attract shoppers in the country's densely populated capital. The Fukuoka-based retailer, which acquired supermarket chain Seiyu for 380bln yen (S$3.2bln) from KKR, Walmart and Rakuten Group earlier in 2025, opened its first "Trial Go" store in Tokyo on Nov 7, with more outlets planned, according to a statement".
Source: straitstimes.com
UK: Asda expands school engagement programme after successful trial
Asda reported: "Asda has expanded its school engagement programme both in size and scope to help more young people develop career skills and make a positive impact in their communities. Asda's school engagement programme was recognised by local industry awards earlier this year, winning the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Raising the Bar Awards 2025 for Education".
Source: corporate.asda.com
Whitworths launches "UK's First" unprocessed plant-based mince made from walnuts
Claimed to be the UK's first unprocessed meat-free mince, the Nutty Kitchen Supermince range is available in four flavours: Original - An unseasoned product, suitable for a variety of dishes such as hotpot and cottage pie; Indian - Contains turmeric, cardamom, and Kashmiri chilli. This variety is said to be ideal for curries; Mexican - Features cumin, cayenne, and garlic, for use in dishes such as tacos and chilli; Italian - Made with oregano, nutmeg, and red wine powder, this variety is suitable for pasta dishes and other Mediterranean meals.
Source: vegconomist.com
