UK: Morrisons follows Tesco in paying business rates during pandemic
British supermarket group Morrisons joined market leader Tesco in deciding to pay government business rates for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Morrisons, the UK’s fourth largest grocer, committed to paying business rates for the coronavirus period in full. It said the total amount to be paid will be 274mln pounds ($366mln) of which 230mln pounds relates to its 2020/21 financial year. Morrisons said it now expected direct COVID-19 costs to be around 270mln pounds, about 40mln pounds more than its estimate in September.
Source: reuters.com
SPAR and Too Good To Go agree global partnership to reduce food waste
SPAR, leading international food retailer with over 13,000 stores worldwide, has announced a global partnership to tackle food waste with the rapidly growing social impact company Too Good To Go. With a total of 13 overlapping markets, in which 9,000 SPAR stores operate, both parties are keen to work together to offer shoppers an innovative digital solution to reduce food waste in participating stores across Europe.
Source: spar-international.com
JD.com, SF, Carlyle among bidders for CJ Group's $1bln China logistics business - sources
Chinese online retailer JD.com, delivery company SF Group and Carlyle are bidding for South Korean conglomerate CJ Group’s China logistics business in a deal that could fetch over $1bln, people familiar with the matter said. CJ Group has hired Morgan Stanley to run the sale of Shanghai-based CJ Rokin Logistics Supply Chain Co, which it acquired in 2015 via CJ Logistics Corp.
Source: uk.reuters.com
Auchan Portugal introduces collection points for small producers
Auchan Retail Portugal has announced that it has introduced collection points for small local producers in 25 stores across Portugal. The 'PickUp Local' collection points will offer a dedicated space for food and non-food products purchased directly by customers from local producers, small traders and artisans in Auchan stores. The retailer will ensure that the products delivered by producers reach customers in a convenient and safe manner without any extra costs.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Tata near deal to buy Alibaba-backed Indian online grocer
India’s Tata Group is in advanced talks to buy as much as 80% of BigBasket in a deal that is likely to value the local online grocer backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. at about $1.6bln, a person familiar with the matter said. The conglomerate is now negotiating how much stake it would purchase in Innovative Retail Concepts Pvt., which is commonly known as BigBasket.com, the person said, asking not to be identified discussing details of private talks. Mint newspaper reported earlier that Tata may buy close to 80% for $1.3bln.
Source: gulfnews.com
Singapore: Grab, Gojek close in on terms for merger
Grab Holdings Inc. and Gojek have made substantial progress in working out a deal to combine their businesses in what would be the biggest internet merger in Southeast Asia, according to people with knowledge of the talks. The region’s 2 most valuable startups have narrowed their differences of opinion, though some parts of the agreement still need to be negotiated, said the people, asking not to be named because the talks are private. The final details are being worked out among the most senior leaders of each company with the participation of SoftBank Group Corp.’s Masayoshi Son, a major Grab investor, one of the people said.
Source: bloomberg.com
Gran Canaria: SPAR supports Telde farmers by boosting distribution of oranges
SPAR Gran Canaria is supporting farmers from the municipality of Telde for the 8th consecutive year by signing an agreement for the sale of their crops. The collaboration allows the marketing and distribution of more than 255,000kg of Telde oranges. With the support of the Telde City Council, the agreement was recently signed with the participation of seven local farmers who will offer their oranges in 19 local SPAR Supermarkets until January 31, 2021.
Source: spar-international.com
Brazil: Carrefour acquires three stores and two gas stations from the Makro chain - Money Times
Carrefour Brazil announced that it has bought three supermarkets and two gas stations from Makro in 3 Brazilian states (Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina e Bahia), after having signed definitive acquisition instruments. By means of the agreement entered into, the company paid the amount of BRL290mln ($55.7mln) to Makro.
Source: time24.news
US: Stop & Shop to hire 5,000 new workers across Northeast
Amid a pandemic and an ongoing omnichannel transformation, Stop & Shop aims to fill more than 5,000 jobs across its stores, distribution centers and e-commerce operations. The Ahold Delhaize USA chain said that openings include store roles in bakery, deli, grocery, seafood, produce, the front end, night crew and online pickup. Also being hired are home delivery drivers and shoppers as well as selectors at distribution centers.
Source: supermarketnews.com
UR: Kroger named to Dow Jones Sustainability Index for eighth consecutive year
The Kroger Co. announced it was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability™ North America Index (DJSI) for the eighth consecutive year, alongside other prominent companies noted for their commitment to sustainable business practices. DJSI comprises North American sustainability leaders as identified by Sustainable Asset Management (SAM). It represents the top 20% of the largest 600 North American companies in the S&P Global BMI based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Yesway celebrates the grand opening of its second Allsup's Market concept store in Vaughn, New Mexico
Yesway, one of the country's fastest growing convenience store chains, announced the grand opening of its second Allsup's Market concept store located at 160 E 8th Street in Vaughn, New Mexico and the first new store opening since Yesway acquired the Allsup's convenience store chain last November.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Cardenas Markets Cocinas team with DoorDash
Cardenas Markets has joined forces with DoorDash to deliver the wide variety of fresh and authentic Hispanic dishes prepared daily at the grocer’s Cocinas (kitchens). To order, customers can choose their nearest Cardenas Markets location in the DoorDash app or on the website, select their meals, and then check out. Shoppers will also be able to track their order as it’s prepared, picked up and delivered by their DoorDash driver, who will leave the items at the door for a contactless experience.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports November and first quarter fiscal year 2021 sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) reported net sales of $15.67bln for the retail month of November, the 4 weeks ended November 29, 2020, an increase of 15.1% from $13.62bln last year. For the 12 weeks first quarter ended November 22, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $42.35bln, an increase of 16.9% from $36.24bln last year. For the 13 weeks ended November 29, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $46.33bln, an increase of 16.0% from $39.95bln during the similar period last year.
Source: globenewswire.com