UK: M&S unveils brand-new 18,000sq ft Cannock food store in time for Christmas
M&S reported: "M&S has revealed its brand-new 18,000 sq ft fresh market-style food store at Cannock's Orbital Retail Park, ahead of the festive season. Customers can now shop the entire M&S Food range from its renewal store format. Customers will also find a selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables in-store from M&S' Select Farms, over 60 of which are based in Staffordshire, as well as dedicated Flower and Wine Shops".
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
UK: Organic veg box firm Riverford enlists RELEX Solutions for digital transformation initiative
Employee owned vegetable box specialist Riverford has selected RELEX Solutions for demand planning, production planning, and production scheduling. Riverford operates two organic farms and production sites and manages approximately 200 SKUs sourced from organic farms in the UK and Europe.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Germany: Wholesaler Metro reports growth in full-year sales and profitability
German wholesale giant Metro has reported growth in sales and profitability in its full financial year 2024/25, driven by the implementation of its sCore strategy. The company saw sales growth of 5.8% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis to €32.4bln. EBITDA for the full year increased by 8.6% to €1.2bln, exceeding expectations.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Tesco opens new Harrogate Superstore
Tesco reported: "Tesco is getting ready to welcome customers to the opening of a new Tesco Superstore on Skipton Road, Harrogate, on Tuesday 9 December. As well as a wide range of great value food, the new store is providing a £1,000 grant to Resurrected Bites, a food waste charity which runs community cafes in the Harrogate area".
Source: tescoplc.com
Belgium: Convenience meets tradition
For the upcoming holiday season, Delhaize is planning to offer Christmas shoppers a blend of traditional favourites and emerging trends. Oyster and smoked-salmon sales are expected to increase by 5-10%, while exotic fruits like mangoes, lychees and persimmons are also gaining traction, with a 20% sales increase.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Carrefour tests a mobile store called "The Box" at Plaisirs d'Hiver in Brussels
Carrefour is setting up shop in Brussels, at the foot of the Ferris wheel at the Plaisirs d'Hiver Christmas market, with The Box: a mobile store measuring less than 50 square meters. The supermarket chain is testing the new format, which can then be used at other events and festivals.
Source: retaildetail.eu
SPAR Gran Canaria carries out ESG initiatives
SPAR Gran Canaria's support for local products is reflected in its collaborative agreements with farmers and producers on the island. Recent agreements for purchasing tomatoes from the La Aldea area for the fifth consecutive year, and apples from the Valleseco area for the fourth year, are just highlights of extensive local grower support. The most recently signed agreement renewed the relationship between SPAR Gran Canaria and local citrus growers for the thirteenth consecutive year. With the support of the Telde City Council and the Gran Canaria Island Council, the agreement ensures that SPAR Gran Canaria will purchase 100% of local harvests from local citrus growers, guaranteeing stability and a fair price for their products. For this season, SPAR Gran Canaria plans to market 250,000 kilos of oranges from Telde, grown on farms within the municipality.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Merger of Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-op to proceed following member approval
Members of the Central Co-op and the Midcounties Co-operative have backed proposals for the two groups to merge and create the UK's largest independent co-operative Society. The legal completion is expected to conclude in January 2026. The merger will create a society with one million members, 13,000 staff and annual sales of around £1.8bln.
Source: kamcity.com
Ocado: Some of the UK's quirkiest festive food traditions
Ocado reported: "According to Ocado's poll of 2000 respondents, the most weird and wonderful 12 foods and food traditions enjoyed at Christmas are: Ketchup with Christmas dinner (20%); Christmas pudding ice cream (17%); Cheese with chocolate (13%); Twiglets throughout the festive period (13%); Festive toasties (12%); Coleslaw with Christmas dinner (11%); Pickled onions with Christmas dinner (11%); Mince pies with cheese (10%); Seafood for breakfast (9%); Curry on Christmas Day (9%); Chilli sauce on Christmas dinner (9%); Mushy peas with Christmas dinner (9%)".
Source: ocadoretail.com
Amazon pays Italy 180mln euros to end tax, labour probe, sources say
An Italian unit of e-commerce giant Amazon has paid compensation and scrapped a monitoring system for delivery staff, ending a probe into alleged tax fraud and illegal labour practices, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Source: reuters.com
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports November sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco" or the "Company") reported net sales of $23.64bln for the retail month of November, the four weeks ended November 30, 2025, an increase of 8.1% from $21.87bln last year. For the twelve-week first quarter ended November 23, 2025, the Company reported net sales of $65.98bln, an increase of 8.2% from $60.99bln last year. Net sales for the first thirteen weeks were $71.97bln, an increase of 8.2% from $66.52bln last year.
In other news: Costco Wholesale Corporation announces nomination of Gina Raimondo to Board of Directors.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Dollar General grows grocery market share as value-seeking shoppers drive growth
Dollar General said it grew market share in dollars and units in grocery items during its third quarter as consumers of all income levels hunted for discounts. Dollar General, based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, said same-store sales for the quarter ended October 31 rose 2.5%, while net sales increased 4.6% to $10.6bln.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Holiday of firsts - Lidl US unveils holiday meal deal for less than $4 per person, plus limited-edition croissant fragrance
"Lidl US is dedicated to making high-quality food accessible to everyone, especially during this time of year", said Lidl US CEO Joel Rampoldt. "We're proud to introduce our new holiday meal deal to help ensure our customers can create cherished meals with their loved ones without the burden of a hefty price tag". 8 lbs. Dulano bone-in ham portion; 1 pk. Hawaiian sweet rolls; 5 lbs. jumbo russet potatoes; 1 pk. French's crispy fried onions; 4 lbs. fresh sweet potatoes; 4 boxes macaroni & cheese, original; 2 bags Peak Harvest baby carrots; 1 can evaporated milk; 2 gravy packets; 1 bag mini marshmallows; 1 can pineapple slices; 1 can 100% pure pumpkin; 2 cans jellied cranberry sauce; 1 pk. pie crust dough, 2 ct.; 2 cans cream of mushroom soup; 8 in. pecan pie; 4 cans cut green beans; 1 pk. frozen regular whipped topping.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Kroger's stock takes a hit after sluggish Q3
Kroger is working to recover from a third-quarter operating loss of more than $1.5bln and from cost-tightening measures that have reached middle-income families. The Cincinnati-based grocer released its third quarter earnings. Total company sales reached $33.9bln, a 0.68% year-over-year increase that includes $387mln in Kroger Specialty Pharmacy sales. Excluding fuel and pharmacy, sales rose 2.6% year over year. Identical sales, excluding fuel and pharmacy, also grew 2.6%.
Source: supermarketnews.com
